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• Friday, August 22, 2008 08:49 PM

  If you are refering to the poll mentioned in the article, it says

  A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal national poll found that Obama has won the support of only 52 percent of former Clinton backers, with 27 percent still undecided (or opting for minor-party candidates) and 22 percent saying that they prefer McCain.

  Assuming for a moment that the poll can be extended to all people who voted for Hillary with some reasonable margin of error (and let's include MI and FL) I don't see how you get to 8 million votes from there, unless you include the 27 percent undecided. By virtue of the fact that they are self identified as undecided that probably means they are not in a 'Hillary for VP or else' state of mind. So right now the hard core folks are around 4 million or less.

  Personally, I think Obama should do what he can to show all former Hillary supporters why it is in their own self interest to vote for him. If he's worth his salt, he'll be able to do just that. I also understand that some people won't be reached, for whatever reason.

  I take a away a different lession from the Edward Kennedy v. Jimmy Carter convention dustup. Sure one guy was able to persue his own self interest at the expense of his fellow like minded citizens and not suffer the consequences over the long term. But he helped create an opening that allowed a skilled opponent to shift the entire political viewpoint of the country against his party for decades. Only now is there an opportunity to shift back the balance of power. I don't think that was a good trade. Maybe Teddy should have fallen on his sword instead.

  —Uncle Fester Read Uncle Fester's other letters
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