A young friend who lives in a small town in a rural state sent me the following observation today:
If the Clintons push for the win in Denver, they're going to split the goddamn party down the middle. I read your chapter on 1968 Chicago, obviously. I'm of the generation who supports Obama. I know what we're like. Shit, I know what I'm like.
Rick, if the Machine tries to give the Clintons the victory at the convention, I swear to God, Chicago's going to look like a Sadie Hawkins dance. People my age are going to be throwing stones. We all have transportation -- cell phones -- disposable income -- the Internet -- free time -- and Seattle as our example. Part of me is scared of a riot. Part of me isn't. The nomination belongs to Obama. Do you think we're going to let the Democratic Leadership Council take it? "God gave Noah the rainbow sign. No more water, fire next time."
He's referring to my forthcoming book Nixonland, about the American civil war that broke out between 1965 and 1972, specifically the chapter about the beatings by Chicago police against both anti-war protesters and anti-war delegates at the 1968 Democratic Convention. I thought it a bit too melodramatic, and didn't take it particularly seriously, though I did pass it on for discussion (with my friend's permission) at a couple of listservs I belong to.
One of them yielded up this response, from an Iraq War vet who works full time in Democratic politics (again, quoted with permission):
Not to mention that there's going to be a significant Iraq veteran contingent at the convention, ready to rock 'n' roll. We've already had planning meetings about it -- we're going about it the same way that we would plan any decent military operation.
Put it this way: if she goes for the gold in Denver, she'll have to claim the medal somewhere other than the Pepsi Center.
I began to take all this a little bit more seriously.
He then added this:
I can't emphasize enough how potentially scary things could get -- we've got folks working on the inside of the convention, and it's all done on a cell basis, so that folks only know what they need to know.
I'm trying to keep everyone calm, as I just mentioned, but it's getting harder and harder to do so. The mood's getting ugly, and if we go to Denver without a nominee, the pressure's going to be intense from without to nominate Obama. She can win the nomination, but it won't be a prize worth having.
I took it more seriously still.
I pass this all on without comment, for superdelegates and my friends in the Hillary Clinton campaign to read, and in categorical abhorrence of anyone who'd contemplate introducing violence as a variable in American civic life.
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You certainly can't tell by all the "hopeful" and "uplifting
Also, there is no way to enlarge the font. With a larger font the color scheme might be okay. Yes, my prescripti
Bye.
So...I'd be absolutely delighted if, in the event the party takes the "low road" in Denver...t
(Personall
Why do things "the old way" re: threats, intimidati
Besides, "fighting against" something only creates more of the same. "Flowing with" something.
Your candidate is a fraud. Plain and simple. You're all willing to go to jail or die for a guy that gets his words from a middle-age
Movement? Yeah, right. It's be so impressive to hear these 'give me obama or give me death' types if he actually stood for something. Which he does not. I think that the Obama supporters that were caught on tape screaming at people during the caucuses, and the threats by these thugs, are only going to guarantee that NO ONE will vote for him even if you manage to strongarm the nomination
We will not be intimidate
For the Iraq War vets, maybe you should take a look at the Samantha Powers video where she says Obama has no intention off standing by his comments regarding withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. Given the past week's events, it seems entirely likely that the Obama campaign will have imploded by the time Denver rolls around. ..and does anyone believe that threats will benefit Obama? I would imagine most Americans will not be coerced by these tactics.
This is life and death.
As for the first quote... I'm telling you, this current generation does NOT believe in non-violen
The only way the left is EVER going to get ahead in this country is if the wealthy fear for their lives.
But in fact, I fear the machine is corrupt. The party elders are the only ones with the power right now to resolve all of this-- it's time for super delegates to commit their votes-- we already know Clinton can't catch Obama on voter delegates. At best she won 5-10 in her BIG victory Tuesday. The longer this drags on the more divisive and angry voters will become. And it's a shame folks. The anarchy is within the system, not outside with a bunch of yahoos.
We all know that going to Washington with torches and pitchforks is fun to imagine but unrealisti
This argument about Michigan and Florida is another example of an underhande
Just how many lies are voters expected to swallow? And make no mistake about it, discarding the will of voters is a lie, probably the most profound lie a politician can attempt.
Can the Democratic Party survive two wasted elections, two examples in a row of hijacking voter sentiment to serve the leadership
After 2000 when Gore's victory was STOLEN by the Supreme Court, true Democrats will not abide by another stolen election.
Superdeleg
DNC beware.
You could lose the entire African American community and under 30 contigent.
I am sure Hillary would destroy the party for her own ego and greed. But why on earth woudl the DNC play along and let her destroy them?????
She practicall
She is committing fratricide against the likely nominee wih her fear and smear tactics.
I am increasing