Wake Up Democrats: You Are Hung up on Barack, but Hillary is What You Need
As a long-term registered Democrat who increasingly identifies as an independent and has weathered a torrid, post-9/11 love affair with conservatism, I am in a good position to judge Democratic prospects this nominating season. And I think we ought to listen to Mama and let Daddy-o go.
Fellow Democrats, there's something I've been meaning to tell you, but I've been a little uneasy bringing it up. Well, here goes. I don't think Barack Obama is for you. And I think we need to talk about it.
Wait, wait, before you get defensive--just hear me out. I know you love him. I know he's got a lot to offer. He's handsome, brainy, charming, passionate, and your love is brand spankin' new. Of course he wants you madly - who wouldn't? - and you're crazy about him.
But sweeties, listen to me: you don't really know this man.
And that's a big problem.
For starters--and please don't hate me for saying this--he's too young for you. Yes, I know JFK was young, too, but that was a long time ago, the world was simpler then, and anyway, Barack Obama--lovely as he is--is no Jack Kennedy.
When he pursued your nomination, JFK was a war hero. He had served six years in the U.S. House and--count em!--eight years in the U.S. Senate. Barack Obama has served seven years in the Illinois state legislature and three and a half in the U.S. Senate, one of those on the campaign trail. So please wake up and realize this man is not your first love. He may have JFK's charm, but he does not have his level of experience.
Next, you've been acting sort of like groupies lately, and it's getting embarrassing. I mean, crying and fainting when he speaks? What's that about? Are you nominating a President or the next American Idol?
Sure, Barack wants to help the disadvantaged, and students, and cares about energy independence. I hear you. Sure he gets you hot when he looks into your eyes and delivers his stirring speeches. But can he provide for and protect you and your children?
He wants to raise income taxes, social security taxes, and corporate taxes, straight across the board. That is no way to grow an economy.
And--I have to say it--the whole Jeremiah Wright incident really freaked me out.
"God damn America!?!"
Aren't you American? You can try to rationalize it away, sweeties, but that was a major dis--of YOU. And of me. And of every American, black or white, who doesn't believe that our country, for all its faults, is the Antichrist. Since when does a guy who loves you let his friends put you down?
Consider this: your sweetie Barack believes he can solve the world's problems by talking with our enemies. But over twenty years of friendship, he hasn't managed to influence his good friend and "spiritual mentor" Reverend Jeremiah Wright. How's he going to manage Iran's Mahmoud "The-Holocaust-is-a-Myth" Ahmadinejad, whom he has pledged to meet, without preconditions, in the first term of his administration?
He's already taking you for granted. He says he values you, but then he treats everyone who shlepped out to vote in Michigan and Florida like you're invisible. And forget about getting an autograph.
OK, I'm almost finished. Just let me put in a word about Hillary.
I know, I know, you've known her forever, and the newness has worn off. She's like that worn-in pantsuit you borrowed from your Mom, and what's sexy about that? But with her, you know exactly what you're getting.
She's got years of experience. Eight years in the White House advising the President. Trust me, she knows her way around.
She can talk policy till she's red, white, and blue in the face.
She cares about all of you, even those whose votes Howard Dean doesn't want to have count (Howard Dean--I warned you about that guy, too).
She would move heaven and earth to have you. You've got to admire her passion and determination! She cares about people in need around the world. But she also cares about you! She's brainy AND she's shrewd. And she gets the big picture.
She's no fan of war, but she understands that when you're dealing with terrorists like the ones targeting Iraqi civilians and our troops, kumbaya don't cut it. Back in August 2006, even before the surge, she was practically chanting, "Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Rumsfeld's got to go!" because she knew we needed a fresh approach to get our mojo back.
She understands not everyone loves you, and not everyone is nice, and sometimes having hope is not enough. This is important. Because I know you don't like to think about it, but you have enemies.
Lots of people are jealous of your beauty, freedom, and strength, and they are plotting every day to hurt you. She will protect you. Pre-9/11, Bill wasn't as vigilant as he should have been, what with all the philandering. But you don't need to worry about that with her--she's been dreaming about you her whole life, and she'll be faithful.
Wild sex appeal doesn't last. Dedication does.
Besides, from the right angle, I think she's very attractive.
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Wake up Democrats? It must be 3:00 a.m. Is Hillary sleep deprived again?
You lost me when you connected Wright to Barack. Sister, those dots aren't even part of the same puzzle. Try again with less inflammatory language, and something a bit more, well, logical.
The Obama suppoerters need to remember they need the 49% of primary voters who voted for Clinton to elect Obama against McCain. But all I see is vitriol and insults towards this post that seem to take Clinton's side. Why do Obama supporters have such a problem with an opposing view?? Why can't they show some grace?? Because they are fanatics. And they are dividers not uniters!!! And because of this Obama will not win in November, guaranteed. No person has ever become president through the support of losers, whiners and people who always see the glass as half-empty.
Now, I expect to see many nasty attacks and condascending reponses to this comment - that is all the Obama supporters know - that is why they are called Obamanuts or Obamaniacs.
You get what you give.
You forgot Obamabots.
Thank you nofuzzydreams.
sorry "sweetie" barack doesnt need your 49% - he's a maverick at getting first time registers, people switching parties to vote for him, obamacans, independents and democrats. barack will take every vote he can get and rightfully so but dont think that spurned hillzilla supporters not voting for him will cause him to lose against mccain.
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Heather, you are correct.
I do not know a lot about Obama, but I do know a lot about Clinton and McCain.
It's Obama by default.
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Heather:
You forgot to mention in your Hillary Rhapsody that she is a pathological liar ,
Also..neve
forgotten.
What she says now will not happen if she becomes president. Trust me.
She is interested in power..not you.
And her promises? Won't happen folks. She'll just tell you she didn't say it...
even if there's video to prove it.
How are Obama supporters more like groupies or out of touch, then Clinton supporters?
You bring up Obamas 20 years with Revrend Wright, and that is a large situation and I still do not have a problem with anything Wright said.
But how long have Bill and Hillary been together? Did Hillary bring out Bills inner perjerer or vice versa?
How many women did she allow to get their reputation destroyed until the perjury was admited? How many women did she have a hand in destroying?
I saw her talk about the misdeeds and cronyism over the last 7 years in the White House, but from the reports I have seen it has gone on for the last 15 years at least. I consider the Clinton pardons every bit as criminal as the Bush pardons. Which brings us to the 8 years of experience in the White House, she does not want to take credit for NAFTA, or Welfare, giving US ports to the Chinese. For someone that claims to be such a fighter, she wants to claim to have been on the right side of every issue, including Iraq without doing, but I sure never saw her do any fighting on these issues when it mattered.
I really do not see the person who has been squarely on the side of the problems for the last 15 years suddenly be part of the solution.
another republican masquerading as a democrat. Forcing a standing president to answer any and all questions under oath was an act of treason that went unprosecuted. Bill Clinton was right to lie under oath about any question that NOTHING to do with the charges at hand.
Consensuality can NEVER prove non-consensuality.
No, he had a right not to answer. He did not have a right to lie.
As crazy as Clinton supporters call Obama supporters.
You are justifying lying under Oath? Really?
Heather, it's not American Idol, it's the crowds and the heat that causes fainting. That was the verdict from the EMTs in Seattle and Arizona.
Read his website about his economic plan. Please. You are misrepresenting his ideas.
Wright freaked you out, huh? Then MLK, Jr. would have REALLY freaked you out. America DOES have to be accountable for the log in its own eye before it criticizes the speck of sawdust in another nation's. It doesn't mean you have to hate America. Or that all your friends have to feel the same way you do.
Talking to enemies is essential. Communication is key. Even our generals figured that out when they he decided to talk to our enemy militia groups and start paying them to help us fight our battles in Iraq.
Campaign rules were agreed to. Both campaigns agreed to abide by those rules. Who is backtracking?
Both Hillary Clinton and her husband accused Obama of saying that Republicans had "better ideas" than Democrats after an interview he gave about the Reagan Revolution of the 1980s. He said no such thing.
Were they deliberately lying? Or did they just not really listen to what he said? Whatever happened, I don't want any president of mine doing this sort of thing on Day One.
I
I donʻt think your torrid post-911 love affair with conservatism is over yet, sweetie.
Bingo!
Yowza!
"...with her, you know exactly what you're getting."
EXACTLY - that's why I will NEVER vote for her!!! (and I am a lifelong Democrat who voted for Bill Clinton twice) NO thank you - she reminds me of Bush/Cheney/Rove more and more every day. Wrong on Iraq, wrong on Iran, lies, scandals, fear-mongering, race-baiting, gender-car
I know you think we're all stupid, but I guess that means Ted Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, John Kerry, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Zbignew Brezinsky, Lee Hamilton, Maria Shriver, Oprah, etc., etc., etc. ETC. are also stupid??? ...not to mention the VAST MAJORITY of educated voters who follow the news and read every day???
Thank you for the "education," but I've educated myself quite enough on this issue. You might want to try the same thing.
and yet with Florida and Michigan included Hillary has half the popular vote, is almost tied in the delegate count, and is well ahead in the electoral college.
It's a close race, there is no landslide or mandate yet you talk like there is one. You sound like another Republican posing as a democrat.
You really think that's a valid argument? Michigan didn't have Obama's name on it! Noone was allowed to campaign in Florida. Look at every contest where Hillary had a lead, but Obama always manages to claw his way back. The more people know of him, the better he does, and the opposite is true for Hillary. Do you seriously believe it would be fair to count those two states, NOT WITHSTANDING the fact that Hillary signed a pledge in the beginning that the delegates from those two states wouldn't count because they broke party rules??
Sweetie, when you post the electoral college Clinton mythological benchmark for primaries as if it were fact, it immediately tips people off as to your leanings. Just because folks don't like Hillary Clinton gives you absolutely no right to make defamatory statements like "You sound like another Republican posing as a democrat."
Besides, saying Hillary Clinton is "almost tied" when she's more than 140 delegates behind Obama and over 70% of the contests are over is stretching the truth a bit don't you think?
Mis Clinton misspeaks and mis remembers too much for me!
If her skills and strengths shine so brightly for you, it is interesting that you felt a need to write so many hurtful words about Obama.
Mis Clinton could truly serve this country, by retiring from this race.
Wouldn't it be amazing if the people who spend so much time & effort arguing against Obama would spend that much time & effort arguing FOR the candidate they support instead?
Maybe there just isn't that much positive to say...
More pathetic propaganda from the clintonistas.
And the article's argument is silly. Too young? How old was Big Bill when he took office? Compare the few flaming 10 seconds worth of Rev. Wright to say, Monica, Pardons, renting the Lincoln Bedroom, Whitewater, ect. ect.
As for groupies. Have you Clinton supporters looked in the mirror lately? You walk around screaming and in a rage at anyone who disagrees. And refuse to accept that Hillary has lost the nomination.
And you all believe her tall tales she keeps telling.
And Hillary will only move Heaven and Earth for power and money for herself.
If you want someone who can run the country, let's look at the best indicator. How someone runs their campaign. Hers is seen as one of the worst. She cannot manage and has been completely out of step with the technology and new ways. And she squandered her money.
Obama, it is now seen, has run one of the best ever seen.
LaFrance, yours is the type of arrogance that creates more and more die hard democrats for Hillary.
The race is not over nor was it over when Obama used his mini me delegate wins in the caucus states to hammer other delegates to his side.
Its a closer race, razor close if Michigan and Florida are added, why talk like it's a landslide mandate for Obama.
What you seem to be saying is:
"Mommy Save Me" ??????
No thanks.
The following says it all for me about this blog (though there are numerous other areas pointing to the conclusion the author is a pinhead):
"And--I have to say it--the whole Jeremiah Wright incident really freaked me out."
Freaked you out? Where the hell have you been? You've just got to be a dittohead. One thing for certain by my lights. You are no doubt a Caucasian who is oblivious to the concept of White Privilege, and clearly has a fundamental misunderstand and inability to empathize with the normal reaction of the oppressed to those oppressing them.
Your understanding of terrorism and why it is so virulent - and prevalent - seems (unlike terrorism) nonexistent. For the record, I am a 60-year-old, Caucasian, secular Jew and a registered Green. My political beliefs and past activities are spelled out rather clearly in my HuffPo profile. I would love to see a woman as President of the U.S. I would love to see a Black, Lesbian Woman as President of the U.S. Anything but another clueless, white male, but this isn't the woman for us. Too disingenuous, too laden with baggage, and too self-absorbed.
As others have pointed out over and over and over, the mere reality that Obama has out-organized her, as well as the machinery of that organization and how it works, is testament to his ability to build an inclusive, collaborative community of Americans who can, and will, make a difference.
Out organized Hillary? Hillary will probably end up with 8 of the 10 biggest state wins, and she's been our organized? Hillary has been outhustled by Obama using his caucus states to overhype his lead. The race is too close to call yet the Obama camp has been crying to end the race for the past 5 weeks because they knew they would have their clock cleaned in Pennsylvania.
By leaps and bounds, Clinton has had EVERY advantage any presidential candidate could possibly have and she's STILL ending up short. She has 20+ years name recognition working for her. Being the wife of a popular, well-known president working for her. Being a member of the most powerful political family this side of the political divide. Having a former president actively campaigning for her. And she is STILL unable to hold her own against an upstart named Barack Obama.
If I were you, I'd wait and see who gets their clock cleaned in Pennsylania instead of arrogantly predicting it for Hillary Clinton. The issue is not simply Hillary Clinton staying in the race, it's the offensive and divisive manner in which she goes about campaigning.
Part 2
Heather, I am a proud American whose ancestors have fought and died for mine and your freedoms. I have served in the armed forces proudly; yet still feel ashamed at times for the regrettable actions, irreversible decisions of some self serving elected officials in charge of our proud country have made.
I agree there are some really bad people in the world today, they would get no greater satisfaction then to do us harm. The traits I am looking for in the person who holds public office is; they must possess the honor to hold their head high when they are asked to do thankless jobs. Courage to stay true to the convictions of our forefather’s vision, and have the moral fiber of doing the right thing whenever a bad event occurs. Hillary would not give two shakes for your life if her self-preservation or way of life was at risk.
You think with all the money she makes she would at least get some classier clothes then the stale ass outdated pantsuits she wears, then we can talk about her angle and better light.
Poster's Choice***********
I AM FRANK resorts to personal, sexist jabs at clothes, camera angles, etc. The Obama supporters would rather elect their "handsome" American Idol and expound on superficial issues....
excellent comparison!!! Beer with Bush and bowl/beer with 'Bama. What great reasons to vote for somebody!
Part 1
Heather, good article, but now, now, honey let me help you wake up from your lapse in the Democratic Party. I do agree with you that HRC knows her way around and I do not think there is no rock she has left unturned. She has her promises polished in every speech for which ever way the wind blows in that particular state. Yes, she has moved heaven and earth and that is a testament that neither one of them has ever served time in prison.
The fact that JFK was a true war hero is without question, However, Bill Clinton and George Bush got elected to office without serving one day of their lives in the line of fire, for that matter Dick Cheney was successful at dodging the call to arms for his country four times. Now Jeremiah Wright on the other hand volunteered and signed up for active duty, is a decorated veteran, and under the constitution, has the right to say anything, anywhere he wishes, as do you, for which I forgive you because I know you are seeing Hillary while wearing Picasso glasses. Maybe the story about Hillary Clinton's service to her country during Dessert Storm has not made the headline yet.
Yes she has a history, from what I have been hearing lately, that is all bad. Her braininess, passion, shrewdness and determination are apparently self-serving and to Hillary she IS the big picture.
sure iamFrank. it's all bad. sure.
A Rupert Murdoch "journalist" who thinks that what democrats really need is Hillary. Hmmn. What do you suppose she knows about what republicans are saying to each other but not in mixed company? Do you suppose they might be sweating bullets about having to throw away their Anti-Hillary campaign play book that they have been preparing since at least 2002?
Yet Rush says vote for Hillary, explain that one.
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