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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
She did what she had to do. Her delivery was strong and sincere, she looked powerful and confident. Her support of Barack is unequivocal. To vote for McCain would be a true mark of disrespect for her ideals and values and she made that abundantly clear. No, it isn't about her or Obama. It is about the people who stand to suffer if the Republican party wins. She hit the nail right on the head when she intimated that it is time to take this debate out of the realm of personality and into the realm of issues and the real world impact of Democratic vs. Republican policy. The only ones who are seriously criticizing her are right wingers and nutty Hillary haters. Even Keith Olberman gave her credit for God's sake!
Last night on Larry King was one of these self professed "lifelong" Democrats who said she may not vote for Obama. Why? Because some of his supporters were mean. The media was mean. The people at the convention were mean to her and did run up to her to embrace her when she's wearing her Hillary button. Obama, she said, has to "earn" her vote.
As a lifelong Democrat, I can tell you, that no Democrat has to "earn" my vote. Being the Democratic nominee is pretty much sufficient to get my vote. Now, if a progressive, intelligent, thoughtful, articulate, Republican who agreed with 90 percent of the Democratic Platform was running against a right wing, unnuanced, jingoistic, bellicose, gaffe ridden Democrat who agreed with 90 percent of the Republican Platform, yeah, then I'd consider changing teams. So, what is this really about? What "principles" really matter?
So I just don't buy into this whole Puma phenomenon. I mean, Hillary got 18 million votes, and now there are what, a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand still harping on this? There are also Larouchites saying that Gore is the antiChrist. Who pays attention to them? It's all media driven. Nobody should be giving these people the time of day. Seriously, take a look at that woman who told Chris Matthews she has a congressional investigator's report that proves Obama is a Muslim...That's got nothing to do with support for Hillary. Of course when Chris Matthews pressed her for details she said, "I'm not gonna tell you." That's just either batshit crazy, ignorant or pot stirring.
By attacking the Democratic nominee Pumas align themselves with the likes of Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Bill Kristol, Micheal Reagan, Micheal Savage, Joe Scarbourough, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Glenn Beck, Laura Ingraham, Britt Hume, Michelle Malkin and all the other nasty right wingers...Not very good company for "lifelong" Democrats I'd say. That's why I'd say its more of a manufactured conflict than a real one.
Obama is better than his supporters. He does indeed seem to want to be more informed about issues, not circled by sycophants, not swayed by emotion over reason. This is not true for many of of the people who supported him in the primary over Clinton. They are in love with the feeling of being part of a movement and are not so willing to find out about the nitty gritty aspects of solving problems here and abroad. They resist knowing more about the world and its problems because facts have a way of getting in the way of enjoying their good feelings about Obama and being part of the joyful crowd ready for The One (to quote Oprah).
Hillary did all she can do to bring her supporters to Obama. She made the argument in broad ideological and cultural terms. Just think about it, could McCaine quote Harriet Tubman and reference Seneca Falls even if he wanted to?
Any thoughtful person who supported Hillary will of course vote for Obama in the election because essentially, being thoughtful, the stance of being thoughtful is what was at the heart of Hillary Clinton's candidacy. Emotion was at the heart of Obama's movement-- though Obama himself does indeed seem thoughtful. However, she has been thoughtful longer and to this voter seems more knowledgable than Obama.
As for making the specific argument that he Obama is ready to be Commander in Chief, that is an argument that must be made by himself.
She never said anything specific about Obama being good for the country, mostly that McCain (she called him "her friend," did she say something like that about Obama?) was worse and that Democrats, as some amorphous anonymous force never mind the particulars of who, could do better for the country.
It was classic Clinton spin: it sounds like it has content but turns out to be empty. If she turns agains Obama later, or runs against him in 2012, she can say she never really supported his politics or his presidency, just the general party. Couldn't she have said something about what specifically Obama would bring to the White House?
And did the whole speech have to be about her and overephasizing that her supporters fought all the way (against Obama)?
And the whole diva thing about holding up the convention when she was already supposed to be giving her speech? Theoretically, she was fine-tuning it. Did she wait until the last minute to have the thing written? It was like, even up to the last second, she just had to force herself to do this. Even after the nomination had decided, and what everyone needed was unity. It just seemed so small of her.
I really don't understand the accolades she's received, though there's no doubt she's receiving them everywhere.
Stop feeding the trolls - they don't respond to reason.
Stop feeding the trolls - it only makes them feel like its working.
Stop feeding the trolls - it only makes you look foolish.
I'm sure anyone can identify them after a few pages.
Stop feeding the trolls.
Obama is better than his supporters. He does indeed seem to want to be more informed about issues, not circled by sycophants, not swayed by emotion over reason. This is not true for many of of the people who supported him in the primary over Clinton. They are in love with the feeling of being part of a movement and are not so willing to find out about the nitty gritty aspects of solving problems here and abroad.
Are you sure about this? Nitty gritty aspects of solving problems hasn't turned away people I know who want Obama to win...
They resist knowing more about the world and its problems because facts have a way of getting in the way of enjoying their good feelings about Obama and being part of the joyful crowd ready for The One (to quote Oprah).
As much as you seem to be wanting to help--writing bad things about Obama supporters doesn't really help. They are gross generalizations, and like most generalizations not necessarily true or helpful. Some people seem to be using precisely such generalizations to rationalize not voting for Obama and/or to leave the Democratic Party.
Hillary did all she can do to bring her supporters to Obama. She made the argument in broad ideological and cultural terms. Just think about it, could McCaine quote Harriet Tubman and reference Seneca Falls even if he wanted to?
Any thoughtful person who supported Hillary will of course vote for Obama in the election because essentially, being thoughtful, the stance of being thoughtful is what was at the heart of Hillary Clinton's candidacy. Emotion was at the heart of Obama's movement-- though Obama himself does indeed seem thoughtful. However, she has been thoughtful longer and to this voter seems more knowledgable than Obama.
With age comes knowledge--if we are lucky.
As for making the specific argument that he Obama is ready to be Commander in Chief, that is an argument that must be made by himself.
-- Odradek
Agreed. I've heard him make it--and I promise that I did not rely on the Oprah endorsement to cast my vote.
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Salon headlines in your mailbox
