The Primary is O-V-E-R

by Taylor Marsh

George H.W. Bush called Ronald Reagan's fiscal ideas "voodoo economics." He ended up being his vice president.

Mitt Romney called McCain "dishonest," among a host of other things that included a nasty clash on Iraq and withdrawal statements. But because of his convenient conservatism he was endorsed by wingnut radio and other conservative Republicans, which makes him a very good choice to be McCain's vice president. Whether he will be is another issue, but Romney's economic bona fides are a powerful case when added to conservative radio's embrace of Slick Mitt.

The reporting over the primary season has been relentless, but it has been truthful. It's tough for Obama supporters to look back on some of the work around here, I understand. But that's what happens in hard contests when you believe in different candidates. A lot was said on Obama's side too, some of it very hard to swallow. But on both sides that's what has to be done. Again, it's what happens in the run up to any general election. Check history. In fact, this primary season wasn't even as bad as most. It's just that it's freshest.

There is real consternation right now among Hillary supporters over the outcome of the primary season. I understand it. Some are clearly righteous, but some of the arguments are down right desperate. Quoting or linking to articles six months old as a retrospective on how campaigns shake out in the end or what happened during the primary is one thing. But reality today paints another picture.

Hillary Clinton has endorsed and thrown her full support behind Barack Obama. Howard Wolfson and Rep. Charlie Rangel on "Face the Nation" spoke perfectly on Sunday about where Clinton supporters are today. We still believe in Hillary Clinton wholeheartedly. As I've said many times, any time, anywhere, any year, Hillary, I'll be there for you again. But now we have another job to do, which is to defeat John McCain. Hillary knows this all too well.

Senator McCain is a war hero, but he is one of the prime reasons we are still in Iraq. That's a problem for me. He can try to backtrack from his 100 years remark, but the reality is that he has now embraced parts of the Democratic plan to redeploy, because he and his staff know he stepped in it on that one. The other problem is his total and complete embrace of Mr. Bush in order to capture the nomination. Along with it comes the Bush baggage.

Senator McCain also has a horrendous record on women's civil rights. Reports of him calling his wife the "c" word is the least of it. Laughing when a supporter asked "How do we beat the bitch," when he thought no one would know is another. Thinking that state or federal authorities have the right to tell me what to do with my own body is another. There are other issues as well.

'My marriage ended because John McCain didn't want to be 40, he wanted to be 25. You know that happens...it just does.'

Some of McCain's acquaintances are less forgiving, however. They portray the politician as a self-centred womaniser who effectively abandoned his crippled wife to 'play the field'. They accuse him of finally settling on Cindy, a former rodeo beauty queen, for financial reasons....

The wife U.S. Republican John McCain callously left behind

Barack Obama has a lot of work to do going forward. Fighting GOP negative ads on his pastor problems is just one of them, which isn't going away any time soon. The question of why Obama sat in that church for 20 years is one that has still not been answered to satisfaction. As a spiritual and religious person, I just don't get it. Many others don't either. Senator Obama also stepped into it recently on Jerusalem as well. He's got real working class perception problems, which I believe can be bridged, but it will take serious effort and won't be easy. He began by just showing up in Appalachia recently. It's a start.

There are those Hillary supporters who just can't get their heads around supporting Barack Obama. Who think John McCain is the answer. I can understand being neutral about both choices if you're a Hillary supporter, but I cannot fathom throwing weight behind John McCain. He and Hillary are friends, but their philosophies are miles apart, which both admit, so it makes no sense. Some cite "revenge on the DNC" as a reason to support McCain. Nothing could be more self-destructive or self-serving. Getting even with the DNC at the expense of our country is a morally bankrupt choice.

It's tough to lose. Hillary showed everyone the way through yesterday by giving the most magnificent speech of her career, some say an historic speech, with which I concur. She's asking all of us, no matter how hard, to put this country first and help a Democrat get elected in November. Those ideals bind us. Hillary has put the primary in the past, including all that happened, even though she'll obviously be reconciling much of it for months to come and will never forget what happened, while analyzing the mistakes made. But she's willing to fully and heartily endorse Barack Obama. He'd do the same if the positions were reversed. It's what happens after primaries end. She's asking us to do the same.

I stand with Hillary. I will follow her lead.

Comments

[sangsue]

I'm an Obama supporter by default. If HRC had won, I'd have been a HRC fan by default. I'm a Democrat. I'm a lesser of the two evils person. I will take support where I can get it Taylor Marsh and Clinton supporters. I don't care what happened beforehand. I understand there are hurt feelings on both ends. But to me, if someone is a Democrat, they vote for the Democrat. Also as for the church thing, I don't think Obama hates America nor his wife. To be honest, I love America but when the only vision that our foreign neighbors have of us are the Bush Administration, that's shameful to me. I understand if you want to "teach the Democrats a lesson" and if you hate Obama more than you hate McCain's policies then vote for McCain. If not, it's the lesser of two evils. At least with Obama, I know that my government won't automatically assume I'm guilty before being proven innocent, our soldiers won't be cannon fodder, poor people won't be taken advantage of by bankers and mortgagers given a free pass by Congress and at least I'll feel like I'm a part of the solution, not the problem.

[eshalom]

Taylor has not answered the question on the minds of most Clinton supporters: How on earth can we let the DNC and its good old boy allies in the media know that sexism and misogyny are no longer acceptable other than hereafter registering as independents and voting present in November?

[Eridon]

How? By investigating the fraud allegations for this primary; by impeaching the DNC; and restoring our party to the values we signed on for with rules that fit who we are.

[Faith1101]

Oh, and I should add that I will never vote for Obama, on any part of any ticket, no matter who else is on there. Anyone who stays in an anti-white, anti-American church for 20 years, has its pastor as his mentor, launches his state senate campaign from an unrepentant terrorist's house, and has dirty dealings with a convicted slum lord doesn't belong in the White House. It is unpatriotic to even back this wannabe leader. I will vote for a true American hero, John McCain, if Senator Clinton isn't the nominee. I fully expect she will be. When all the dirt comes out on Barack Obama, even his America-hating wife won't vote for him!

[chefrasta]

Go away you Rush Limbaugh want to be.Vote for whoever ypu want.You can vote for more of the same,war ,financial ruin, taking away your rights or you can vote for something better peace, health care for all , equal rights and pay for all citizens the choice is yours.

[Faith1101]

I guess Taylor selectively ignored all the horrible facts about Barack Obama that she and others posted on her site over the past few months. I remember when she was going ga-ga over his "race speech," and thought, "Can't this woman see that he is an empty suit, with equally empty words?" Apparently, there are some rose-colored glasses that are helping Ms. March "see the light," so she can start throwing people under the bus as blithely as Barack Obama does.

Anyone who loves this country will never support the fraud, BO. True Hillary supporters will continue to support her campaign, as she has merely suspended it and kept her delegates. She did that for a reason. I feel sorry for those people who are being seriously let down by Taylor Marsh. I'm glad I left long ago. Most importantly, she certainly doesn't speak for Hillary supporters. She speaks only for herself, whoever that is.

[chefrasta]

To all Democrats
Stop with the attacks on each others motives.We all have said and written things that can be interpreted as sexist or racist. This is our time white men and women progressives, African Americans who from the Revolutionary war bled for freedom, to our latino brother 's and sisters who have toiled for us only to be attacked because they have a different culture,it is time to stop it.Our enemy is what McCain stands for, our enemy is the vision that the corporate media stands for. Abraham Lincoln said it best"A house divided cannot stand" We have to come together if not for us then for our children.

[laylahb]

Thanks for your level-headed piece. It's going to take a while for hurt feelings to heal, and for everyone to chill out, but it will happen. I wandered over to your site and appreciate what you're doing.,The "troll alert" is fun, too. These McBush operatives are everywhere. Classic Rove.

I'm very disturbed by the vitriol floating around. Some of it is really ugly. Hopefully it will dissipate and we can all get along. Eventually the overwhelming majority of Hillary supporters wil realize that McBush is not an option. We all want what's best for ourselves and our families, and a vote for McBush--or no vote-- is probably the worst thing we can do. .

So , when Hillary's supporters are ready, when "shiva" is over, seriously consider voting for Barack Obama and maybe help out on the campaign. By the way, I'm a 52-year-old, White, Jewish woman living on the Westside of L.A., and I voted for Barack Obama on Super-Duper Tuesday (that's about it) . I've gotten into this whole election thing--for the first time in my life- and am planning to work on the General Election. So, for anyone who's interested, wander over to barackobama.com and check it out.. Or not, but please, please, whatever you do, don't let disappointment lead you to make a decision you'll certainly regret later. If you share Hillary's vision, and want what she wanted for you, seriously consider supporting Barack Obama.

[camb94]

Taylor,
I realize you are pushing for a Hillary VP spot, that is fine. My advice is stop pushing so hard (that goes for her too). Partly as a result of the campaign and its insinuations is the idea that Obama is inexperienced. SO, the most important thing that Obama NEEDS to do right now, is look and act Presidential! And he needs to make decisions that make him look intelligent, thoughtful and independent! The more it looks like Hillary is forcing the issue, then more difficult it becomes for him to choose her. He absolutely cannot not appear to be taking orders from the person he beat in the primary. True, other campaigns have connected rivals, that isn't the point. The point is that if image was important in the past, it has become even more important in the 21st century. I truly think that if Hillary wants to be his VP, then she (and her supporters) need to cool it with the pushing. That will work on two fronts -- 1. it will look less like her choice, and more like his, and 2. it will allow some of the heat between the two campaigns to cool

[JavaCityGal]

Thanks Taylor, I lurk on your site, and I know how difficult this has been for you. I very much appreciate your support for going againt McCain. Please help Hilary supporters to understand that by defying Hilary's wishes, they make Hillary herself look less like a leader and have less clout. This is the time to PROVE Hillary's leadership by following her lead, not showing that they were fair weathered supporters all along.

[TedB]

Thanks Taylor.

[AdamX]

Now you want her to be vice president. Taylor, I can't respect you.

[ScandalousCandice]

First of all Mitt Romey and McCain's fight was over in a matter of days. Yeah it got heated but it didn't get any where as nasty as Hillary got on this campaign. Obama jabbed back but he never did the awful things she did.

Second of all your website was loaded with anti-Obama BS and now you have some nerve to try and smooth the pavement after you willfully let this thing go on. You perpetuated these people in to this frenzy and no you want to call a truce? You have some nerve.

Don't you dare come over here telling us that it's over and that this primary season wasn't that bad. Your candidate Hillary nearly took the whole thing down. She did some things and said some things that should have had her kicked out of the democratic party.

Yeah its time to move on and heal these wounds, but why don't you worry about the flames you have fanned with these crazy anti-democratic Hillary supporters threating to vote for McCain. You are every as responsible for the division with the crap you spewed on your website.

Obama supporters are more than happy to move on. But you will have to understand the caution after everything Hillary has done. Just like we have to accept that some people are so bitter about Hillary losing. It will all come together, but it's going to take time. You can thank yourself for that!

[tschlak]

Thank you, Taylor. As an occasional visitor to your site, I know that last couple months have been very painful for you. Nobody can ask more than to hold country above self, and you're a shining example.

You're a force to be reckoned with, and we're happy you're on "our" side! Poor McCain.

[bmora]

Welcome home, Taylor.

[ackerrj]

Not me, folks.

I saw what happened in the rules committee.

I am not supporting that BS. Never.

[patmancando]

I saw the DNC rules committee too, and I can't figure out if it was sexist and/or racist, but it certainly wasn't fair. The hijacked the Democratic nomination..............and we women are not supposed to be angry. All is forgive? We must vote for the outcome nominee of your coup........because McCain would be terrible for out country. Well, standing on principle, what does a coup do for out democracy and our Democratic party. Seems the DNC and party elders learned the wrong lesson from having elections stolen in 2000 and 2004., We principled democrats say "never again." That is why many of us will not support your "chosen candidate."
This DNC is no better than the GOP in the past two presidential elections.

[Violist]

Well then get ready for 4-8 more years of Bush policies, increased oil prices, further global warming, bigger gap between the haves and have nots, if your a woman or care-the reversal of roe v wade, continuation of the patriot act, many many more years in Iraq and more of your tax dollars going to support that war and so on and so on. i don't know about you but that's the BS I'm not supporting.

Vote Democratic in '08!

[ginamc]

Love you, TM -- but get real. Laughing when a supporter asked "How do we beat the bitch," when he thought no one would know is another.

I NEVER heard an apology from BO, NOT once for comments made to Hillary by Randi Rhodes speaking at a BO fundraiser, Rev. Wright, Fr. Pfleger and all of the hundred, thousands, no MILLIONS of surrogates and bloggers calling Hillary and her supporters b*tches, c&nts, wh)res 24/7, 7 days a week for 16 months. Never heard an apology from BO when he sauntered on stage with Michelle while Jay-Z's song, 99 Problems, but a B*tch Ain't One. Nope, not once. Sure never heard an apology for the Flipping the Finger, dusting shoulders, wiping his shoes. And, sure haven't heard an apology to Bill Clinton for being called a racist, plantation owner.

NO, Taylor. You've got this one all wrong. BO and his Posse should've thought of the ramificatons of their actions when they were spewing their hate day in and day out for 1-1/2 years. Too little, too late. Hillary may have to do what she has to do to save her political career and Bill's legacy. But, I don't have to vote for BO even though I've been voting Democratic for years now.

[Dave01]

Are you kidding me? Randi Rhodes whas NOT at a fundraiser for BO - she was at a fund-raiser for Air America! Get your facts straight. The question "How do we beat the bitch" was directed at John McCain!

He DIDN'T flip the finger at Hillary - he was scratching his face! dusting his shoulders? Hello that was the first rally after that gotcha debate from ABC - WOW ARE YOU REALLY THIS DUMB? He wasn't talking about brushing Hillary off - he was referring to the entire BS "debate" that took place where your "GAL" got a free pass on EVERY NEGATIVE thing she did in the primary - you know what, the hell with it, you DESERVE the stripping of your rights, as that is what you will be getting by voting for John McCain! YOU DESERVE THE GOVERNMENT YOU VOTE FOR! Unfortunately the rest of us have to live with your BITTERNESS!

[SeriousBlack]

But having said that (my previous A. and B. speech), I appreciate your own sentiments concerning supporting Obama vs. McCain. I really should have added that to my previous post. Thank you.