Democrats Unite

The violence of the political dialogue lately has made me understand how desperate the electorate is after nearly eight years of Repugnicans and three stolen elections. I totally understand Obamamania--and I also get the frustration of voters who wanted this to be the year we broke through the glass ceiling for women.

But let's get real. It's time for Democrats to put all personal bias aside and unite behind the things we believe in: a planet we can live on, reproductive choice, workers rights, health care for all, education for poor and middle class students, fair taxes, a Constitution made whole, rescuing America from war profiteers -- if indeed there is still time.

It's already very late. It's too late for quarrels about whether race or gender is more restricting. It's too late for prognostications about a future presidency we won't know until it has unfolded. Remember so-called compassionate conservatism? It turned out to be neither compassionate nor conservative. Why anybody believes election slogans mystifies me. But we do know this: a landslide for Democrats will change the direction of this country. So let's join forces to make it happen--and let's start now.

I don't believe that passionate Hillary supporters will vote for McCain in fits of pique. I sure won't. The truth is that Obama and Clinton are so similar politically that without generational and gender differences they'd be indistinguishable. Perhaps the passion for or against these two Democrats was revved up by how very close they are in vision. Sometimes people need to disagree for the sake of disagreeing.

Obama is right to offer his applause for Hillary's tenacity. He is right to take the high road. I doubt that she will be remembered for taking the low road. In politics as in life, tenacity is all. Where is Chappaquiddick now that Teddy Kennedy has honorably served decade after decade in the Senate?

If Hillary loses the nomination, maybe she can get a life by divorcing Bill. I was always a defender of their curious marriage but having seen him try to sabotage her campaign, I wonder. Maybe she'd get a burst of energy by cutting loose. Imagine her with additional fire -- she could rescue our stalled space program with her own built-in rocket.

Comments

[Futumpsh]

Very important post. Thank you.

[luziannagirl]

Sorry, EJ not EC. Trying to make you into a Cesca...or a Clinton!

[luziannagirl]

Thanks EC, for this piece!

I too am excited by the prospect of some sort of Obama/Hillary closing of ranks, regardless of whether she's on the ticket or not. Senator Edward Kennedy sets a sterling example with his "life after serious presidential candidacy" .

Far as Bill stealing the limelight , and possibly continuing to do so---don't think that 's purposeful. He's just trying to help , and center stage is what he does---asking him to be different is kind of like asking a tiger to change his stripes. Course, she finally managed to step into the background for him his 2nd term in the White House...

One thing for sure abt Hillary; nobody , either friend or foe, will ever be able to claim that because of her gender, she's not emotionally strong enough to lead the country.

[Cuneo]

I apologize for anything I posted before that might have hurt your feelings. Now all we need is for the Clinton campaign to see the light and do the right thing. Which is concede and endorse. Yesterday.

[skeptique]

Group hug, everybody.

[TwoCentsWorth]

Sure, skeptique, hugs-all-around, after you all apologize to the Clinton supporters.

[fedupcitizen]

With friends like you....first you cheerlead for Hillary, then you demean Barack and now today your advice is for Democrats to unite (hope you are not suggesting Hillary for VP) and then you tell Hillary to divorce Bill. Why doesn't she have any use for him anymore?

With friends and supporters like you Hillary is doomed...

[MidwestMomma]

Thank You, Erica! I think we all need to hear this to be reminded of what is at stake come November.

[Barbwire]

I'm delighted to read your post on unification. It means a great deal, coming from a passionate Clinton supporter. I profoundly hope that all Democrats and right-minded people will look to their own self-interest and that of our country to unite behind Barack Obama in November. I want my grandchildren to live in that society you describe.

[gulopartisan]

Welcome to the campaign. I have opposed HRC from the beginning for political, not gender reasons, and it has been sad to watch women vilify those of us who were simply saying, "Not this woman."

We need to win this election, and we are up against awesome adversaries -- corporate fascism that controls the MSM, has unimaginable financial resources, and practices deceit without scruple. Obama will be lied about, distorted, demonized, as the fascists fight to maintain their grip on our country. HRC would have been subjected to the same treatment. I expect at least one assassination attempt, and it would not surprise me if McCain is the target once he picks an acceptable VP.

We are at war for our country, and the enemy is not blustering Islamic fundamentalists but vicious white men who will stop at nothing to protect their privileges. Getting our candidate to the White House is only a skirmish, but a deciding one if it fails.

[AJKNYNJ]

Seriously? What you seem to want to not understand is that this is more than a simple "personal bias" for many people. This is about large and growing numbers of people who do not believe that Obama is the change he professes to represent, about concerns for our national security under an Obama administration, about Obama's lesser health care plan, his extreme inexperience in the world political arena, and much more. We honestly believe that Obama would not be good for our country. This movement is large and growing. Take a look at www.mccainb4obama.com. These folks will not only vote for McCain if Clinton isn't on the ticket, but will even support his campaign.

If the Democrats are to unite, they've got a much better chance if they choose to unite behind Clinton. Don't expect to be seeing a landslide victory for Obama this fall.

Also, the bit about their marriage is just silliness. They raised an astonishingly exceptional daughter, so they must be doing something right in their marriage. Perhaps it is time to put aside our personal bias with respect to their relationship.

[JudgeCrater]

"....they've got a much better chance if they choose to unite behind Clinton."

If wishes were fishes. Head out of the clouds yet?

[cheforacle]

Obama has won more delegates and will soon exceed the number necessary for victory. His health care plan is better than anything offered by McCain or achieved in previous tries. Nobody knows what will happen in November. Let the last three contests play out and let's get behind the person the voters have chosen. I applaud Erica of whom I have been quite critical for her attempt to mend fences. Kudos to you, Erica! (I do get a good chuckle, though, that you had to get in a parting shot on Bill. C'est la vie.)

[noamjunior]

con troll

[dorkenergy]

Since you have only started your (divisive) posting today, are we to infer that you are a recruit for John McCain?

"McCain Campaign: Comment Trolls Wanted"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/20/mccain-campaign-comment-t_n_102696.html

[Umungus]

There's a word for people who are so bitter about Senator Clinton losing that they'd deliberately sabotage the Democractic party. It's called Republican.

[bethinCary]

As a woman HRC should not be the candidate because she is an inferior candidate at this time in history to Sen Obama.
Characterwise she is inferior.
Honesty-wise she's inferior.
The vote on the war makes her the inferior candidate.
The public since 06 has been trying to put an end to the war--HRCs' vote makes her plan to end the war as dishonest and pandering. Especially since she's not apologized for that vote-or the deaths of 4,000.
Her persistent gaffes/lies/misstatements on Bosnia, surrogates' attacks on Obama, the raising of O's color, quoting Rove as endorsing her....all point to the low-road,Rovian, status-quo politics of old..
75,000 peoople amass to hear O--so clearly the electorate are wanting "change", "unity", "hope"--over status quo..
That's not becasue people who vote for O are sexist-many of those in the 75,000 were women-as many voters electing him in more states (2:1) were/are too.
It's because he's the far superior candidate in terms of message, honesty, courage,lack of negatives or baggage, vote on the war, temperament, humility, intelligence, lack of debt., fundraising efforts, campaign strategy...
It's no offense to women--it's just that I'm a smart enough woman to recognize pandering, division, exploitation of it, dishonesty & lies...
I refuse to vote for any woman or man who does not espouse the same ethics/morals/principals I do..

[noamjunior]

bullsh!t post
Obama should be the nominee because he got the majority of delegates

[Binxy]

Don't worry. He will be. It's just a matter of time.

[bethinCary]

ummmm...did you happen to really READ my post...
I'm an O supporter...

Due to limited length of a posting-I wrote what was currently on my mind.....
as to why Obama SHOULD be the nominee--not your current debate about why he is/will be the nominee.
peace jr.

[hardsun]

Thank you Erica!

[CitizenE]

Well, Ms. Jong, better late than never. But please remember that John McCain and his program for the courts, economics, and foreign policy are far more signigicant threats to women than a word such as sweetie. Those on the Clinton side of the equation who have belittled Obama repeatedly over trivial nonsense need to understand what the man has to offer, of which generosity of spirit is not the least, the nation.

[COwoman]

Okay Ms. Jong. I think we are on the same page now.
Thank you for this one.

[JoeSun]

"If" Hillary loses? No, ifs ands, or buts: Hillary already lost.

Hillary is not tenacious, she's simply foolish. Wasting her time, energy, and money looking for something damaging on Obama. But now she must go home. Hopefully, she'll pay the 31 million dollars she owes. Maybe she'll say won't. After all, paying debts is sexist.

[pkrbkr]

You cannot seriously believe that Senator Obama can win in the fall without the support of Senator and President Clinton and their supporters. The time for this kind of language has long since passed. It's tough when the person you support loses, and I think that the folks who voted for Senator Clinton can be forgiven for being feeling bitter and disappointed for a while. Gloating, however, is never attractive.

[hopeless277]

Please tell me why they would withhold their support?

[dorkenergy]

Anti-Hillary ranting at this point is inappropriate from anyone not a troll for the repubs.

Why don't you take the advice you've offered others, JoeSun -- relax.

[Queenofthedamned]

A 57 year old white southern woman, I was an early supporter of Obama. It was a difficult choice because I had enormous respect for Sen. Clinton's intelligence and diligence to tasks toward negotiating solutions to the problems I saw as most pressing. But I went for Obama because of his apparent ability to re-engage younger people and inspire the not-so-young among us. It also helped that his skepticism at the time about the "evidence" of WMD echoed mine exactly. My head said Hillary and, throughout this process, I would have always been satisfied had she emgerged the nominee. But from early on, my heart said Obama because what he was/is saying is what I wish for and believe that the US can do. I am not so naive to believe that speeches will do the trick, but after recently watching FDR's first innaguration speech during The Great epression ("..fear itself"), history confirms, sometimes change STARTS with the speech of one who belives the words.
Thank you for your words of reconciliation between our factions--hear ,hear!