Why This "Hillary Holdout" Is Backing Barack

On June 7th, my heart was broken. The candidate of my lifetime and my dear friend Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton suspended her historic Presidential campaign.

Over the past two months I have become the poster-child, in the press, for the so-called Hillary holdouts; Hillary Clinton supporters who were angry and frustrated with the way she was treated in the primary and post-primary and weren't ready for unity. I was frustrated at the incredible amount of misogyny in our political process and in our media. And I was embarrassed that my party, and its leadership, never came to her defense when she faced a barrage of attacks based on her gender.

I still bear some wounds, but I've thought long and hard about the issues I support and that I believe in and Hillary has led me to understand that Senator McCain supports little of what I champion.

The turning point for me was the Democratic Convention in Denver this week. I saw how Hillary was treated by the Obama campaign and his supporters and I saw how President Clinton was greeted as a hero in our party and our country.

This was not an easy decision, not because I dislike Senator Obama or think he's not a good public servant, but because I so strongly believed that Hillary was the stronger candidate.

I will never forget about Hillary and will continue to honor and support her -- Hillary's grace and commitment will always guide me and my convictions. Her campaign was a turning point in my life and in my activism. And after working many months on her campaign, there was no doubt in my mind that Hillary would provide the leadership that we needed in these daunting times.

After eighteen months and 18 million voters, she is so much more defined, known and respected by voters across America and opinion leaders of the world. People have seen how brilliant, compassionate and dedicated she is to her country and I think we can all agree that she came into her own during this campaign. But part of losing is looking back and using your mistakes as lessons. We must never allow misogynistic attacks in the media or in our political process ever again. In May of 2008 I co-founded WomenCount (www.womencount.org), a political action committee dedicated at that time to encouraging Hillary to stay in the race and not bow out under pressure. Now we have turned WomenCount into a 527/PAC dedicated to battling the gender bias in our media and political process. I like to think of it as a Moveon.org for Women. And its most important work will serve to protect women like Michelle Obama, Cindy McCain, and Hillary Clinton from misogynistic attacks. I know that Hillary's most important work is yet to come and I know with a President Obama, her dream of Universal Health Care for all Americans will come true. Senator Obama has done the right thing; he has honored her and her policies in the way they deserve to be honored. Do I wish she were at least Vice-President? Absolutely, but that's water under the bridge. We live in dark times and we need the kind of leadership that can take on our problems head-on and I know Senators Obama and Biden will do just that. So I hope everyone will join me and Hillary in saying, NO WAY, NO HOW, NO MCCAIN.

For more Huffington Post coverage of the Democratic National Convention, visit our Politics @ the DNC page, our Democratic Convention Big News Page, and our HuffPost bloggers' Twitter feed, live from Denver.

Comments

[allonfla]

If you want to blame someone for her loss. Blame her campaign staff and blame Bill Clinton - How is that you are married to a former governor, a former two-time president and lose? Bill has a freaking arsenal of professionals who knew what they were doing when he ran - what happened with Hill?

[newunderground]

Don't be a sore winner. Be gracious.

[Justsaynodeal]

They just can't resist...............sore winners with no class.

[warpoet]

Mrs. Buell,

A simple thanks from me, for your support. We need every vote and every voice to make sure John McCain doesn't continue the destructive disaster of Bush, Cheney and Rove.

Thank you!

[Grannysue]

HuffPost's Pick

I'm sorry but everyone keeps saying she was dissed because she's a woman, in 1972 I was fired for being Pregnant. I have had jobs where I had to deliver coffee prior to beginning my work, even though I had an administrative position. Things have come a long way ladies. Yes the pay disparity still is there and until we get equal pay for equal work it's not going to be complete. But please droning on about how the media was biased against Hillary because she's a woman just doesn't cut it for a good many of us WOMEN out here. Part of Hillary's problem is well Hillary , they felt she was owed, because she's Hillary I'm glad that many are on board for Obama, this isn't about BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON, or OBAMA. It's about how we can survive economically, and how my grandkids are going to be able to have a good paying job ahead of them including college. The military men and women who are on their third and fourth tours are another reason. I highly doubt they want to go blow the hell out of another country just because. So you see the reasons to vote for a Democrate in this election a far more important then how any of us feel about the candiate. If she would have been the candiate, I would have supported her, this country cannot afford another four years of GOP NEOCON RULE!

[Jon Raymond - Huffpost Blogger]

...And Obama is owed because he's black?

Your statement "Hillary's problem is Hillary" is misleading. It sounds like you're saying Hillary panders to the women's movement, when what you are really saying is that YOU THINK her supporters like her for that reason. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Hillary is well respected and supported by her 18 million voters because she is the best candidate, highly intelligent, capable, experienced and another few hundred ajectives that have nothing to do with equal rights and you damned well know it.

[stepintothelight]

18 million
2 dollars each
Debt paid!

[rh654]

Hillary's problem in large part was Hillary. I don't read that at all that Hillary panders to anyone or anything other than the Clinton's themselves.

Hillary ran a campaign as though she was to be given the nomination and all she had to do was run in the General Election.

Look at her own strategy - she ran a General Election strategy from the start which gave Obama the open door to come in and grab a good part of the left wing of the Party while Hillary watched.

Add to this the people Hillary surrounded herself - including the disaster that was Mark Penn - and the Hillary's problem was just that - Hillary.

[max365]

Obama won some votes too, so some other people must respect and support him too. No one is owed anything.

We just want to survive longer.......have shelters and jobs. Be able to love our families in peace.

[olivia]

Is this the first time you have ever supported a candidate who did not make it all the way to the finish line?

[pthewes]

Too bad she had a horrid campaign staff that couldn't stop infighting. Or stop from spending her into tens of millions of dollars into debt. Or that knew how to read the Democratic Parties primary rules regarding delegate allocation.

[Repub4Obama]

Very well put. Thank you.

[dct1999]

Well deserved HuffPost's Pick.

[musselmanm]

I welcome all supporters of Hillary Clinton.
I believe that Hillary lost the nomination by following bad advice from her managers or advisors.
After she calmed down near to the end and became a normal Hillary Clinton, she almost pulled it off.
The began running as a tough old Pol when she should have run from the begining as what she is, Hillary Clinton.
No matter what our views are, you are correct, our nation is hanging in the balance and we cannot let down in our fight to take back America.
Thank you for your patriotism!

[morefromLA]

Thank you. I understand something of your process because had Barack lost I would not have forgiven Hillary and gone straight to McCain. That would have lasted for a month or so, until the horror of what his presidency would represent came to the foreground. It would have been Barack better than Hillary, Hillary (so much) better than McCain.

[allonfla]

Throughout the primaries, Obama said some pretty nice things about Hillary, a lot nicer than "she rocked the house" and it is only now that you come around? You appear to be intelligent so I can't understand why you would fall for this garbage that there is all this hate between Obama and the Clintons. Of course there are hard feelings - things were said by both sides - it's politics- and their supporters have taken it way too personally and the media just eats it up. But I don't believe Clinton was treated any worse than any other candidate - male or female - I don't believe that sexism or the media caused her to lose the race and I am tired of those like your former self demanding that Obam heal the wounds that have been festering for hundreds of years.

[Swerinjer]

Clinton absolutely was treated worse than any candidate ever. When news anchors call for her to stop her candidacy while she still technically had a chance was an outrageous disrespect never shown to any other candidate. It was emblematic about how the Clinton prejudice from the media was not only in full effect, it was blatant. It was emotional. It had to be misogyny. there is no logical reason she would ever deaserve to be treated with such undisguised contempt.

[pthewes]

Except that the delegate math put her on the losing end, and the majority of the super delegates were talking about voting for the pledged delegate count winner. Can you remind me again of which "news anchor" wanted her "to stop her candidacy"? I don't recall which one wanted to end the ratings bonanza that was the primaries. Can you enlighten me?

[FairisFair]

She did not have a chance... after Feb 5 she would not had enough delegates to beat Obama. That was MSM and her campaign making people believe she had a chance at winning.

I guest racism is the norm and is okay.

[olivia]

It was math.

[cheshirecat831]

Good for you. We cannot have McCain anywhere near the WH

[conehead]

Well, thank god! It's about time. Now, Susie, please put your money and your connections where your mouth is. We need your help to counter all this Republican nastiness, which is amazingly effective.

You go, girl!

[going2ireland]

What, I am sure, was meant positively, really comes across wrong. "Well, thank god! It's about time."

That could have been phrased in any other way and been positive. However, it appears to be a back door stab.

Please, people, choose your words carefully. An innocent statement that is worded just a little bit wrong comes out to say something entirely differently than what you indended.

[Jon Raymond - Huffpost Blogger]

Perhaps uniting against McCain is the best course at this point. Obama has been shoved down our throats and there is little choice. Hillary had half the party. She was and still is the best candidate. There is no comparison. Her supporters were further betrayed by Obama when he chose Biden and then turned around to praise Hillary.

Who voted for Biden?

Then we fore go a democratic vote and proclaim Obama winner by acclamation. That's a bit too fascist for me in the wake of how close the numbers were between Obama and Hillary. The dog and pony show convention with the children and heart wrenching dramatic stories, doesn't convince me.

Hillary did what she had to do, to make the best of the situation. Her ability and grace at doing that is amazing and attests further to her great skills.

If I vote for Obama it will be by process of elinination, the lesser of two evils. Obama is more about his image than what's best for this country. He is weak and easily manipulated.

You can't suddenly say Obama is the best choice, just because of the unity mandate. Unity is just another word for dictatorship. We don't tell people how to vote in a democracy or reprimand them for voting as they choose or put guilt trips on them that they aren't being a team player.

But that's exactly what you are doing here, though unintentional it may be.

Regardless. This will not be forgotten.

[olivia]

"shoved down our throats"

Would you have said that if Hillary had somehow prevailed?

[Swerinjer]

if there was a winner declared by acclamation sure she would. please read more carefully.

[going2ireland]

Do you really want McCain in office for 4 years? Really?

This country is in such dire straights. If McCain gets in, this country will tank, no doubt about it. Any amount of recovery from that will be hard and long.

Think of your country, for once. THINK OF YOUR COUNTRY!!

[Jon Raymond - Huffpost Blogger]

No, i don't want McCain. But I don't want to resort to fascist methods to win either.

Super delegates are little more than a front for the smoke filled back room politics they replaced. The Hillary people feel cheated and disenfranchised. It's not just a matter of being sore losers. it's a matter of being cheated out of winning.

A true roll call to the finish would have gone a long way to clear that up, if Obama had come out of it the clear winner. But I understand the risk of opening wounds, causing fights, and dividing the party further. I understand Hillary's move to counter all that, which she did with genius.

But as part of the press and even the fray here, I'm not a party man. I'm here to question authority and make people uncomfortable. I want to know why we resort to fascist tactics in a democracy and if I can't get an answer, I want to at least raise the question.

[allonfla]

Hillary was stuffed down our throats by the media for several months. remember? she was the Inevitable One until that guy came along busted his hump, and "stole" the nomination. No one is forcing you to do anything, this is a democracy, what other voters are trying to tell you is that in comparison to what we have to lose in November, your feelings don't matter. Sounds harsh, but that is the way it is and it would be the same way if the situation were reversed. Don't vote for Obama, vote for what can be accomplished once he is in the white house. After that go vote for those that are running for the house or senate. We can't get much accomplished without the right amount of support. I can't take the high road and coddle you and your feelings- this will not be forgotten? give me a break! Rwanda will not be forgotten, The Holocaust, slavery, 9/11, - THOSE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN!

[Chillinout]

Yes, the whole convention has been choreographed down to the acclamation speech by Hillary Clinton. Brilliant stagecraft. Regardless of whether you think Obama was "rammed down your throat," he did win the primary.

The most important thing for Democrats is to win in November. And to win we need to be unified. That is what Hillary was doing last night with that acclamation speech, making sure the Democratic Party was unified going forward. (As an aside, if you were watching, you would have noticed that she was getting less delegate votes than she got in the primary)

To tell you the truth, I was a Hillary supporter until I saw her campaign going to the "nasty phase." And I was really worried that she wouldn't get totally onboard and so maybe cost us the White House in the fall. I was pleasantly surprised by hers and Bill's speeches. They have both redeemed themselves in my eyes and the eyes of millions of Americans. Bill's legacy is intact and Hillary has become more respected and so more powerful in the Democratic Party. I see great things in her future now.

[Jon Raymond - Huffpost Blogger]

The most important thing for Democrats is to win in November?

Really?

Important for who or what? America? Democracy? We should fore go voting and just appoint people by acclamation because democrats must win at all costs, at the cost of democracy itself?

But yeah, Hillary is the one true shining light in all this mess.

[Turq]

The man won fair and square. Plain and simple.

Therefore, he won the right to pick whoever he wanted as VP. How can anybody honestly expect him to pick someone who ran him through the mud.

The reality is he ran a better campaign. He never ran out of money. He kept any internal turmoil internal, instead of having a creaking campaign the played out like a bad soap.

He has proven he knows how to pick an excellent team. He obviously is an excellent manager, which is what the country needs.

Hilary did what she felt she needed to do. Good for her.

Let's all stop complaining and grow up. There is too much at stake to be behaving this way.

I find it interesting that you say lesser of two evils. Try the third parties if Obama doesn't float your boat.

[Jon Raymond - Huffpost Blogger]

If he won fair and square, why not count the votes, especially in light if the fact the spread was less than one percent?

I'll tell you why, because there was too much risk that a few delegates just might crossover and give Hillary a win, or if not that, there might be too much cheering for Hillary that it would suddenly become oh so apparent that the decision was no clear cut choice. It might have caused fights to break out or a revisitation of disenfranchisement.

Yeah, all that stuff might make this convention actually look like democracy in action. But in Bush's fascist America we can't have any of that. We decree winners by acclamation.

Hillary was the one to lead the charge. Of course she was. Had it been anyone else it would have been way too suspicious. i know I'm actually working against her better interest at this point. But preserving democracy is a bit more important than party unity, regardless of what kind of mess may erupt.

[talidapali]

Thank you Ms. Buell. My first choice candidate did not win the nomination either , but I whole-heartedly support Obama because he represents my concerns and issues FAR more closely than John McCain or the Republicans ever will. I hope that more "Hillary Holdouts" will also understand this and come back to the Democratic Party. One day a woman will be President, in our lifetimes. And you are right that misogynistic attacks in politics must go the way of the dinosaurs, that too will happen in our lifetimes. Keep fighting the good fight, I know I will.

[judgeinmillvalley]

Please, get over it.

If Obama has been called "the messiah" by Clinton supporters during the campaign, there's no doubt that Hilary followers think of her the Virgin Mary.

In all the Democratic campaigns I've witnessed, I've never seen a candidate align herself with the candidate of the opposing party--McCain--in opposing someone in her own party. That she could do that again and again sickened me. Republicans wouldn't be caught dead doing such a thing. The party matters. She wrote the playbook and provided lots of damage so that she can sit back and watch.

I did still admire HRC until I saw her on Sixty Minutes. Was she just not able to find it in her heart to answer that question about Obama being a Muslim by saying "Why don't you ask him?" or "He attends as a Christian prayer breakfasts with me." But no, she couldn't quite bring herself to do so and relied on uncertain body language and "I have to take him at his word" and "...as far as I know" in order to keep that Muslim rumor afloat and maybe win a few votes. This is character? We don't need a small minded person hiding behind gender representing us.

As a politically active woman friend in Mill Valley said to me, "When I got in the primary voting booth, I just couldn't [vote for her]. She makes it harder for other women."

[se7enMMBsg]

. . . good GOD that is SO refreshing to hear-(well, READ.), I don't say much about it any more because, thankfully, it is no longer an issue.

~TAKE CARE, PEACE,
se7enMM

[mpalm 1]

It seems to me at this point, after two stirring Clinton speeches, there cannot be too many PUMAs left. For the ones that do exist I think if they were to truly examine their hearts, they would recognize they are really just incipient republicans. It is time for them to find their political homes in that party.

[KareninSac]

I once dreamed of being the first woman American President. I first began my working career as a carpenter in the 70s so I could help feed, house, and clothe my family and faced discrimination on an everyday basis. But I didn't vote for Hillary and I'll tell you why: 1. Her husband. We've seen what happens when you have too much power in an administration other than the president (Cheney) and I knew Bill couldn't keep his nose out of Hillary's business. 2. Hillary was running her campaign just like the old slash and burn politicians, and I can't stomach that anymore. Tell me what YOU can do for me, NOT what the OTHER CANDIDATE can't. Pure and simple.

[Mahi Joe]

I think your rebuttal not only hits the nail on the head but done very respectfully. I absolutely agree with both of your points. I am sooooooooo tired of this finger pointing, name calling, bashing going on and just want to know where the candidate stands on all the issues and what their approach will be to solve our probems. That's it.

[LarBear]

KareninSac....
Whew.... Guess I'm glad you did NOT become President, since you indicate your husband could interfere with your job... Lordy.... Your weakness, or his???

Do you think we will have to be concerned with Michelle being to close to the President??? You know, maybe we should require all Presidents to either divorce, or separate from their Families??? Good idea, huh?

They may be able to guide a Nation, but those spouses.... whew.... Is NOT that an insult to both the President and to the spouse?

Isn't that whole , be Honest now, Bill Clinton back in the White House, part of that dirty, trash and burn Politics, you claim you can't stomach?

[Freesia2]

I'm sitting here chewing my lip Ms. Buell, trying to think of what to say to you.

Because you see, for every compliment you paid Hillary in your article, I could just as easily substitute Obama's name. To me he is and always was the superior candidate. There were things that were done to him in the primary that I found as deeply offensive as you did any perception of misogyny, and I think I have to work from those points in trying to understand your feelings....So, believing in him and his candidacy the way I do, I'll look at that as a mirror of your passion and enthusiam, and let it reflect how I would have felt . I would have been crushed. On that we can agree. There's some common ground.

It's been hard for Obama supporters, because while you felt a disconnect and a disrespect - so did we. And what we wanted and expected most was something you would have wanted and expected, too - just to be able to enjoy the moment and move forward toward 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

So however you came to your feelings of reconciliation about our candidate, he's now you're candidate, too. Welcome to the Obama campaign.

[foxbat]

Throughout their lives Blacks have been berated and told "Stop being a victim. Yeah, there's discrimination, but it's not as bad as you are making it out to be. Slavery's over. Get over it. Everyone's equal. Get out of poverty. Stop crime. If you try harder instead of whine everything will be better." Everyday they struggle to do that, but when one becomes the focus to show the world that it is being done, the response is "He didn't "really win" ... it must be the media, the DNC, women-haters, the money, the young supporters who don't really know the world, ... He can't go to Europe and draw the crowds that he did because he inspires hope or because he's intelligent ... no, it has to be because he's a celebrity ... it can't be based on merits. He can't climb up out of poverty because now he's an elitist. He can't be confident, he's got to be aloof. And even if, against the odds, he becomes president, there will be so many hoping for him to stumble. It's a d*mn shame.

As much as Clinton supporters feel disrespected, I think many Blacks, whether they supported Clinton or Obama feel equally bewildered by the message that's being sent. It's a shame that it has to be that way for either because the results of the Democratic primaries should have been something for the whole country to have celebrated. Instead, division rears it's ugly head again and turns comrades into

[Freesia2]

HuffPost's Pick

I've had this young man on my mind all day today.

When Obama spoke in South Dakota at the Corn Palace (oh that name - isn't America great? We take pride in everything.) there was a young man in the crowd. He was African-American, and he looked to be about a senior in highschool. He was standing all alone in a sea of white faces as Obama worked through the crowd, shaking hands and saying hello. The closer Obama came, the more animated this fellow became. He whole body came alive and he was stretching his arm out as far as he could, reaching. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I found myself whispering "Shake his hand Barack. Please shake his hand." And he did.

The look on that boy's face - I'll never forget it. He suddenly looked a little taller, a little older. A little prouder. Then I noticed the other people around him, the white people. They looked taller too. But suddenly nobody looked as black or white as they had before.

All day I've had him on my mind. I'll be thinking of him when I watch Obama speak tonight, wondering if he's watching. There was something about his eyes. Everything Obama means to so many people was right there in his eyes.

[a4audi08]

A lot of this was media driven IMO, but it's good to see the Dems finally start acting like adults and coalescing around our nominee. I'm 100% sure that if Hillary had won the primary that we'd be talking about groups of Obama supporters that took their sweet time in finally deciding to support Clinton, but that's all water under the bridge as Mrs. Tompkins Bell said. I used to say to myself that I would never support Hillary if she had won, but when you really look at the issues and are honest with yourself, if you are Democrat there is no way you would sit this one out.