If you read the international press, there's a lot of people in the world who are heartened by Senator Obama's nomination, the support for Senator Clinton as the first viable woman to be a candidate for president, and by the vigor of the American democratic process. Many of them long for the demise of the Republicans. I support them. I am delighted. I am also very, very happy that finally the U.S.A. will nominate a non-white candidate for president.

As a woman, I hope I live long enough to see the U.S.A. nominate a woman for president. I long for that, because I grew up when the New York Times had help wanted female, and help wanted male ads, when women were only allowed to be secretaries, domestics, and elementary school teachers....but those who were employed were not considered real women because they were not married, marriage being the goal of all "real" women (did some salon poster talk about "real" women?) when women weren't allowed to be Senate pages, or to enter the military academies..I lived through the process of women trying to enter trades only to be tormented and targeted by men who didn't want them there. There is a validation in seeing the first person of your own oppressed class gain a leadership position. It is particularly important for children and youth.

As a 57 year old white feminist, I am not really interested (nor have I been) in giving my allegiance to a particular candidate. I am more interested in policies, programs and fighting oppression. I am also disheartened, as is Ms. Walsh, by the dismissal of old white women as unimportant and not valuable. If you are a true progressive, every single individual is valuable, and those who have historically been oppressed, deserve respect and deference to their experiences.

I voted for Sen. Clinton in the primary. I don't see much difference between the two candidates who were left(I was planning on voting for Kuchinich or Edwards, but they were out of the race by the time I voted). Obama and Clinton are both good people who would do far better than any Republican. I feel the same anger towards and desperation about ANYone would would stay home this November as I did toward the Nader supporters who ensured that Bush would win.

I have been appalled by the sexist comments, and the support for sexist comments on this and other "left wing" boards. Ms. Walsh has been reviled personally, and I noted that one poster was congratulating himself for retreating from "ad hominem" attacks against Sen. Clinton. (Wow!) The whole idea has been that if you DON'T LIKE SOMEONE, it's OKAY to resort to sexist slurs. NO, get a clue! You can't resort to sexist slurs, or racist slurs, no matter WHAT THE OTHER PERSON HAS DONE! It's wrong, it's despicable, it is not justified by actions of the person with whom you disagree. Racist/sexist/homophobic slurs and attacks are never okay. Get it?

Enough! I've been disappointed in Sen. Clinton's refusal to step up and reject racist attacks against Sen. Obama. And I've been disappointed that Sen. Obama never spoke out about the media's sexist attacks on Sen. Clinton.

So Sen. Clinton didn't immediately get out of the race. Give the woman a couple of days to recoup and take a nap.

And Sen. Obama has appointed Caroline Kennedy to be on the panel for selection of a Vice-Presidential nominee? Someone, please explain to me, what her qualifications are?

Okay, now, Ms. Walsh. I'm sorry, but Geraldine Ferraro doesn't represent me. Her comments did not incorporate an anti-racist analysis.

And the women who are promulgating racism, and threatening to stay home in November, do NOT represent me!

I'd like to see Sen. Obama convene a group of feminists to advise him on issues relating to women...people like Kimberly Crenshaw, Mari Matsuda, Alice Walker, Gloria Steinem, Suzanne Pharr...these are all feminists who embrace anti-racism as well as a critique of other forms of oppression. There are lots of feminists working in the movements to end domestic violence, sexual assault, international trafficking, economic injustice,

sexual harassment, immigration, prison, the rape of women in war, and the military, it goes on and on. THIS would be an outstanding way to send a message to the women in this country that he is interested in issues that AFFECT women because they are an OPPRESSED CLASS....

Also, I'd like to see an end to leftists dissing and dismissing the needs and wants of working class people who voted for Clinton. ANY movement which is about social justice must include issues about class.

And, why is it okay to dismiss the needs and concerns of Latinos and Latinas who voted for Clinton? Isn't this racist? Or is racism only about prejudice against African Americans?

I'd like to see the Obama supporters on this board take a page from the Senator himself, and acknowledge Sen. Clinton's hard work, tenacity, and achievements. I'd like the supporters of Sen. Clinton to pledge their support for Senator Obama in the general election.

This following comment is ageist. Shame on you.

"And if you truly think an African-Am. from Chicago is going to do as little in regards to Roe v. Wade as any other candidate on the other side, then you've definitely gotten hit by a case of Alzheimers or something."

And, I think most of us know that African Americans could not really vote until they promulgated an uprising in the 60s.....

does this negate the oppression of women? How so?

Susan