Speaking Loudly With a Single Voice

Any true supporter of Hillary Clinton and her vision for the United States should come easily to the campaign of Senator Obama from Illinois. Hillary ran hard, she fought to the end, and she clearly represented groups of people in the United States who feel less than fully represented on our national commons. To me, her voice was raised in full on their behalf - and although she faced a vicious and sexist media, that voice was fully heard. No one silenced Hillary Clinton, and I seriously doubt whether any one ever will. And although her loss is a disappointment for my mother, for my wife, for my daughter, she took the cowardly flak so that others may not have to on the national stage. Any Democrat who seriously suggests aloud that Senator Clinton is not owed a great debt by her party and by her nation utters a political obscenity.

Likewise, Democrats who argue that Barack Obama is not worthy of half the party's support are seriously misguided. Losing hurts, especially when some of the results don't feel particularly fair, when the strange and arcane nomination process and the snarling media seemed to conspire to defeat the first woman to come close to winning the presidency - and especially when you lose by a nose after a brutal year of campaigning.

Yet, I have to say this clearly: Hillary lost, and she lost squarely on the playing field as it was laid out for all candidates. Moreover, Barack won. And he really did win in the fullest sense of the word. There can be no question that Obama also faced a stern test in terms of our national mores and prejudices, and that his primary campaign was a testament to his skill and talent - and yes, his vision for America.

Let's focus on that vision, for this is the key issue. Obama's plan for national office is only a short whisker's difference away from Hillary Clinton's. They agreed on most of the major issues. They agree on bringing the troops home. They agree on rolling back the excesses of the Bush years. They generally agree on the environment, tax policy and a more humane foreign policy. If you backed Hillary because of what she'd do as President, the next best choice is clearly Barack Obama.

Then too, Obama also represents a group of Americans whose collective voice has not had the greatest influence on that national commons. He, too, was an underdog and prevailed in a close battle of energetic pioneers. That our party should nominate an African-American man just 44 years after the tempestuous passage of the Civil Rights Act is a fine thing indeed; a moment to be celebrated. This Democrat twice voted for the Rev. Jesse Jackson is his younger days - the nomination of Senator Obama does indeed fulfill a  yearning for change in this particular Democratic breast.

I know this post will not be popular with some of the Clinton fans who have migrated to this blog over the past year, yet it is entirely consistent with my wholehearted support for Hillary during that period. Likewise, some Obama backers will muse that I've stepped late into the light. And many of you may not like this either: I hold tremendous personal respect for Senator John McCain. I do not agree with him on policy, but I would not see him denigrated in personally gratuitous fashion, not after those five and a half years. I will not quote posts and articles that play silly games with his name or make fun of his teeth or talk about his personal life. He is a conservative, and I am not. He is a Republican and I am not. But he is an American, and so am I.

Although my candidate is defeated - in spectacular fashion, to her credit - I believe we have a a vital opportunity in this election to change the direction of the nation. And so, to me, the politics of personality must fall gently aside. So I'd like to speak directly to those Clinton supporters who have been along for the whole ride. If you're hurt, take a break. If you're wounded, let it heal. And then join us if you still feel you can, and let's go out and speak loudly - and with a single voice.

UPDATE: As always, I appreciate comments here. And I've come a long way with bunch of ya. But I have to say I disagree strongly with Clinton supporters who say they'll never vote for Obama because they feel personally disrespected, because somehow the Democratic Party doesn't want their vote. Spare me. A little tough love, people: if Hillary Clinton can deal with it, I damned well hope you can. Her policy - his policy - is simply better. So lick your wounds and make your choice. And as it turns, Hillary and Barack are meeting right now - Senator Obama giving an overt and very public signal of respect for Senator Clinton. Buck up!

Comments

[Jason Chervokas]

Well said. Let's win this damn thing.

[marty]

Are you crazy? I will never vote for Obama and support the misogynistic DNC. I'll vote Nader before I"ll do that.

[Ginger]

Never. They said i wasn't needed. So I left. Can't take it back now...it's months too late. Go win on your own, bunch of jerks.

[JoeCHI]

I donated to, and voted for Clinton because she was the most qualified and experienced person, save Biden, in the Democratic primary.

Come November, I will also vote for the most qualified and experienced person in the race.

In fact, I look forward to it!

[Carol]

What are you smoking?

Obama and the Democratic Party will go down in a ball of flames. I just hope they hit the headquarters of MSNBC, CNN and some at FOX NEWS.

Hillary Crats will never be abused again at the hands of the Party Hacks and the media.

Day 3 of Obarmeggedon.

America 2008

[blackmanNot4Obama]

Um, Sorry. I am not buying. I wasn't buying before the last primary and I am not buying now. I am offended by the line "Any true democrat" sounds like an Obamabot talking point. Country before party! The DNC did what they have to do. I am now independent.
But I appreciate you doing and saying what you feel best. Hopefully Obama supporters old and new can appreciate those who have a difference of opinon on the matter. It will all be over by November.

[J. Diamond]

i'm looking for a measure of respect for hillary and her supporters from obama and his supporters... that respect needs to come in many ways. first, they need to stop the hate speech, and while i don't hold obama responsible for what his supporters say, i do hold him responsible mainly for what he hasn't said. he never came to hillary's defense (in the way that he did for joe biden after his "clean, articulate" comment) when everyone was blasting her for being a racist. this, in my mind, is the biggest lie of the campaign, and everyday that it dangles out there it becomes more rancid and unforgivable. second, obama needs to speak to the concerns of hillary's supporters. we just don't believe that he is as committed to health care as she is. so, why doesn't he just tell us that his commitment to health care for everyone is just as unshakable as hillary's? use those words and say "you can hold me accountable" when i'm president. hillary's supporters want solutions to our problems from a government that will work for us. so, let's hear more about those solutions. take a page out of hillary's book and really talk to us about what you will do when you're president. all the inspirational stuff didn't win us over in the primary, so it's not going to work in the general. i think i'm gonna puke if i have to listen to anymore "this is our moment" or "yes, we can!"... For hillary's supporters that stuff is going to be like fingernails down the chalkboard. it's not who we are and it's only going to remind us of how much we prefer hillary to obama, so lighten up with that stuff. you've already gotten all the votes you can get with it, now it's time to talk to us "cynics" who don't get all tingly when you speak... and remember, hillary's voters are the new swing voters! obama has inspired enough new voters and captured enough republicans and independents to get elected if only he can get enough hillary voters! do you think he gets it? i don't... but, here i am, senator obama... i'm a democrat... it shouldn't be to hard to win me over, but you at least have got to make a stab at it!

[SJ]

No thanks, nice try Obama is supposed to be this breath of fresh air, this mover of movers, this wicked force that will change everything, what difference does my vote make? The DNC did not care for it when they were debating and discussing what to do with FL, Obama could not care less then, so now should not matter, he did not need my half vote in the primary so why does he need it now in a GE

Nope its my vote and I will do with it as I dam well please

[Augie]

Sorry, but I cannot support a party that would steal votes and delegates from the candidate that won them and arbitrarily give them to someone else. It's an important principle.

[alee21]

No, Obama does not represent me, not now, not ever. I will never vote for an unqualified candidate, who uses and discards his "friends" as fast as he flipflops on policy stance. Obama sets the tone of his campaign and that of his supporters: arrogant, insulting, and ultimately ignorant.

[alee21]

No, Obama does not represent me, not now, not ever. I will never vote for an unqualified candidate, who uses and discards his "friends" as fast as he flipflops on policy stance. Obama sets the tone of his campaign and that of his supporters: arrogant, insulting, and ultimately ignorant.

[Blu]

I've been slapped every way but straight by the DNC's false messiah and his hateful and sexist underlings.

NO OBAMA - AM I SPEAKING LOUDLY ENOUGH?

[Susie]

Guys, don’t forget about the Caps Lock key.

"his primary campaign was a testament to his skill and talent - and yes, his vision for America."

Well, his primary campaign was a testament to his skill in carrying out the McGovern caucus strategy, not that I think Obama is a second McGovern. I will agree that the campaign testified to his skill and talent as a pure politician, but I dunno about The Vision Thing. We still know relatively little about this guy. I’m a Democrat and I will probably vote that way in the fall, but Obama still has much to prove to this voter and I hope that it will still be possible to make the occasional critical or irreverent remark about the future savior of the republic.

It’s not a question of his personality and never was, although I admit I distrust the personality cult aspects of the Obama phenomenon. Clinton is accused of putting herself first, but her message was always about the policy and the party as well as the candidate. With Obama it was all about me, me, me.

"this, in my mind, is the biggest lie of the campaign, and everyday that it dangles out there it becomes more rancid and unforgivable."

I agree. The painting of the Clintons as race-baiters disgusted me, and the Obama campaign fanned those flames.

And yes, I think it is great for the country that a man of mixed race is the nominee of one of the major parties -- although it wouldn’t have happened for freshman senator Brenda Obama, obviously, no matter how eloquent her speechmaking. But let it pass, let it pass. Onward.

[Pat Johnson]

Sorry, Tom. A vote for Obama legitimizes both him and the DNC. This is a fraud perpetrated on the public and cannot stand. She had eighteen million voters, picking up primaries even after the media counted her out which is telling us something. A great many people do not want him as president. Aside from his lack of experience (a half term in the Senate?) he does not qualify to lead.

There is too much there that we do not know and his personal relationships with all things radical leaves me very uneasy. The Farrakhan connection alone is enough to query. And Rezko is still not clear in my mind. This is the Chicago way.

His allowing his surrogates to label the Clintons racist was enough to turn me off. It was blatant and totally untrue. Until someone apoligizes for that I would not even bother to listen to whatever he has to say. Not worth it.

I will not support a party who stood by and let this happen. To hell with them and good luck. I'm gone.

[CAE]

Are you kidding? Are you new here? This should be filed under "Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves."

The DNC cannot have both a purge and unity. Ya gotta pick one. They picked the purge. The purged ain't coming back for the unity.

Obama's bloggers have spent an enormous amount of effort to make sure we knew we weren't needed or wanted. There would be soooooo many new voters and Republicans that the rest of us didn't matter anymore. Donna Brazile seems happy with her "new coalition." If you and the DNC are happy hoping for Republicans to propel the Democrats to the White House, well then, you just keep on hoping there...

[Jennifer]

One of the most reasoned and reasonable posts I've seen in days and days.

Well said.

[donna darko]

Is it different for women online Clinton supporters who felt viscerally attacked? Taylor Marsh is for unity but I wonder how many other women can overcome it.

[sarahfdavis]

Wow. I'm no longer a masochist and will not step quietly into line. "You treated us like dirt but you're really a progressive so all is forgiven". Sorry. Obama, his supporters and most of the democratic leaders have behaved dispicably. their actions represent nothing I can support. You might as well ask me to hit myself and enjoy it.
No Obama. Besides, they don't need me. I'm just an old racist biddy from the "dry P*ssy demographic".

[Oceancitygirl]

I understand the desire to put party above all else, but I can't do it.

Obama lacks the qualifications for the job. I question his experience, judgement, and associations. I can't in good conscience vote for someone who is such an unknown lightweight for the toughest job in the nation.

I will write-in for Hillary or vote Nader, but I will not support Obama.

[jdona]

It amazes me that anyone thinks Obama can put this country back on the right track. A Senator that has spent over half of his 4-years as a US Senator running for President? And what did he accomplish in his first 2 years? Voting for Cheney's energy policy? Voting to confirm John Roberts to the Supreme Court? This is the man you think represents the Democratic Party and its values? Well, if you do, then the Democratic Party honestly has morphed into something I don't recognize - and won't support. Ain't no way, jose. I switched to independent, I tore up my voter's registration, sent it to Howard Dean, and joined every single protest group that has organized to let the DNC know I will not stand for the hijacking of this nomination process, the appointment of an inferior candidate as the nominee, and I will work my tush off to defeat Obama. Not to support John McCain, but to defeat Obama. Choose a totally unqualified, inexperienced, inept, and corrupt man over a highly qualified, experienced and brilliant woman? You made this bed, lie in it. I hope Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Donna Brazille and Harry Reid are enough to keep you company there.

[Diana]

This is so much more than agreeing on policy positions. The race baiting, the trashing of the Clintons, the accusations of wishful assasination, the personal and vile and disgusting smears on Hillary and her supporters, the disenfranchisement of dem voters, the fixing of the delegate counts in MI. After 40 years as a democrat, scrounging for $$ to contibute, working the polls, phone banking for candidates and this is who the Democratic party has become. No thanks! This party is an embarrassment, a disgrace. No better than Bush's Republicans. I no longer want any part of it. No Obama for me. I do not trust him, his advisors or his supporters to do what's right for our country. One more thing. Imagine the way it could've been. Clearly the best and most electible candidate as President and the newcomer as Vice. Clinton/Obama.....8 years and then 8 more with Obama as president. 16 years of power! What fools! These Dems are losers and have been for a long time.

[Mutaman]

Gee, I thought I was the only one who felt this way. Screw them, let them win it without me.

[Palomino]

So lick your wounds and make your choice.

Will do. Count on it.

Hillary and Barack are meeting at her home right now - Senator Obama giving an overt and very public signal of respect for Senator Clinton.

Did he ring the bell with his middle finger?

Buck up!

As we all said to Al Gore on December 13, 2000.

[jdona]

"Senator Obama giving an overt and very public signal of respect for Senator Clinton."

Wow, I wonder if he called her up and called her "sweetie"? Did he by any chance have "99 reasons but the bit** ain't one of them" playing in the background? Did he ask for her by her name, Hillary, or did he call her "annie oakley"? Was he complimentary of her supporters too? You know, us bitter, angry, gun-toting, religion clinging white folks? Did he ask her for her help in winning the West Virginia and Kentucky inbred hicks? Get real!

Where was his respect for Hillary Clinton when he was campaigning against her? Where was his respect for her supporters? He brushed her off his shoulders and shoes, we will brush him off along with the DNC. Where was his overt respect when he gave her the single digit salute with his middle finger? Where was his outrage when she was being demonized by the press and the good ole boys club? Where was his respect for President Bill Clinton when he called him a racist? When he said Clinton's presidency didn't even stack up to Ronald Reagans? Now, he wants to use Bill Clinton to campaign for him? Use Hillary's supporters to try and raise money for the DNC?. Maybe - just maybe - He might actually have a clue that we are angry, that we are abandoning the Democratic Party, and we are abandoning him to the new Donna Brazille vision of the Democratic Party with the wealthy elites, the new young voters and the African Americans. After all, Donna Brazille did say we were all anti-American, anti-Democratic, vile, repugnant and you all always did say we were illiterate and uneducated. What else would you really expect from us???

[darrow]

I've been a Democrat for my whole life. My mother idolized FDR and I campaigned at my school for Kennedy and then Humphrey. I've voted Democratic for 36 years. Well, it's over.

I've learned over the years that the GOP would do anything to win. Cheat, lie, steal votes and disenfranchise voters. But somehow I thought I was a member of a party who stood for the will of the people. What I found out from this primary was that my party was every bit as willing and able to do "whatever it took" to force their nominee on us. 'Will of the people' be damned.

I've been more and more disappointed in "my party" over the last eight years. When Gore gave up. When Kerry gave up. When Pelosi and Reid decided to take impeachment off the table. They haven't done a damn thing I hoped they would do. But, by gawd, this time they actually succeeded at something. They really pulled off quite an impressive coup. They've managed to alienate about half of their own party. Who'd of thought that was possible? Of course they don't get all the credit. A fawning media, who praised anything Obama and savaged anything Clinton, with their repeated calls for Clinton to bow out and their unconcealed, over-zealous support of an inexperienced, unvetted, "Elvis" candidate really helped clinch the deal.

Lance Mannion, in his post, "Booze, burgers, and broads: The art of managing the National Press Corps" sums it up really well. Read the whole thing: http://lancemannion.typepad.com/lance_mannion/2008/06/booze-burgers-a.html (Oh, and to be fair, Lance is also hoping for an Obama win now that he's "won" the nomination.)

Several readers have objected to my fairly mundane and obvious observation in Saturday night's post that National Press Corps hates Hillary Clinton and really, really, really doesn't want her to be President and that this has helped Barack Obama shape the perception that the campaign was over before it was over because the only way Hillary could win was in a floor fight at the convention and that would tear the party apart. This led to the accusation that Clinton wanted to tear the party apart. She only cares about herself and her own ambition, the party and the nation be damned. The idea that Clinton is a monster of ego who will do anything to win has been pushed and pushed since before she announced that she would run.

The National Press Corps and the Village Insiders hate the Clintons and they cover them accordingly using the Clinton Rules of Journalism, Rule Number One of which is that anything a Clinton does is done from the basest and most suspect of motives and Rule Number Two of which is that the smallest ethical irregularity on their part or even the appearance of what can be interpreted as an ethical irregularity is proof of a serious crime that they're somehow magically covering up and Rule Number Three is that their ability to magically cover up this crime that the Press has divined is there despite the Clintons' ability to magically cover it up is further proof that the crime was committed.

This has been going on for over sixteen years now......

The Insider Media hates Clinton and that worked to Barack Obama's advantage.

I know there are lots of people who for whatever reason have to believe that Obama is going to win the nomination because he's a knight in shining armor and his strength is as the strength of ten because his heart is pure. I won't argue with you, for the same reason I could never bring myself to tell my kids there's no Santa Claus. They had to find it out for themselves because I'm an old softie.

But there are others who want to believe that he won through the sheer force of his brilliance.

And I can't deny it. He has been brilliant.

Not all the time. But enough of the time.

The difference is that I think a sign of his brilliance has been his ability to fight dirty while appearing not to be fighting dirty.

So Tom I don't feel "personally disrespected by the Democratic Party". I feel betrayed and outraged. I don't give a damn if they want my vote or not. They're not getting it.