Dear Disgruntled Hillary Supporter
I see you’ve joined a website that supports John McCain and I issued this invitation in order to make sure you knew what you were getting into. So think of this as a little political switch-up debriefing and thank you for joining us today; I’ll try to make my comments brief.
I know that you are grieving the loss of the future you envisioned, wrapped in the loving embrace of your candidate who has announced she will concede at the end of the week. Myself, I can only imagine your disappointment: but I do have some experience. There was Gore in 2000 — then there was Kerry in ‘04 — and … oh yes … there was Edwards in ‘08, ignored by the press due to the “inevitability” of your candidate. Life is cruel, isn’t it; hopes are sometimes fleeting and often dashed. But we go on.
I understand that you are now supporting the Republican candidate, John Sydney McCain. I presume you’ve thought that through; reconciled the great gaping chasm between what John would do in America as opposed to what your own candidate promised. I assume you’ve taken time to consider all of the things that might impact you under four more years of the kind of leadership we’ve already endured for eight.
I expect you don’t know anyone with a child or family member in the Armed Forces. I know that Mr. McCain can rightly boast he was a war hero, although several of the many who suffered long captivity as had he have said that they are not voting for him, since suffering for your country is not necessarily the qualifications of a good leader. Indeed, the numerous examples of faulty emotional process that accompanies PTSD has clearly illustrated diminished capacity that lasts a lifetime. I’d guess you’ve factored that in to your decision?
And of course Mac has leaned heavily on his war experience and veteran status while refusing to endorse the GI Bill; has, in fact, voted against veteran benefits of all types. Why, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave his voting record a “D,” and retired generals and admirals are lining up to work against him. He has almost out-Bushed our little Decider in his support for more, more, more war, producing unthinkable human tragedy with his votes. Like his president, nuance does not keep him up at night.
But perhaps you can join hands with the Patriotic Set without too much worry, given Mac’s coziness with George Bush’s favorite general, Dave Petraeus. Brothers in arms, and like that. With the General moving on to head CENTCOM, replacing that damned pacifistic Admiral Fallon, it’s all a matter of friends in high places, I’d suppose. Who you know, not what — old fashioned politics.
I’m sure you’ve given plenty of thought to the matter of illegal spying in the United States, and are relieved to know that Mac doesn’t approve of the presidents system. No, he has decided to institute a covert program of his own, his lawyers quite taken with the concept of unitary powers in time of ‘war.’ In fact, in Mac’s understanding, the president has “near dictatorial power” in matters of foreign affairs, or so his advisers tell him; he will enjoy unequal power in government, superior to congress in all decisions. That will play nicely for his Hundred Year War, once he gets the hang of that Sunni-Shia thing. Now that you will be wearing a Flag Pin, I’d guess matters of patriotism and military prowess will occult all other concerns you might have.
I’d suppose you are comfortable with the medical reports that were recently — and very very briefly — made public on your candidate? You recall? The ones a medical doctor noted as an “elderly man with a history of multiple head injuries, chronic and severe alcohol abuse (including numerous “black-outs”), severe physical and emotional trauma, five hours of general anesthesia, recurrent traumatic ideation, recurrent traumatic responses, recurrent acts of violence, lack of emotional control, cognitive problems, and dizzy spells.” No psych reports were available, of course, since none were done in the time frame released. And that recurring cancerous node problem evidently doesn’t bother you either.
I’m guessing that flip-flopping and daily gaffes haven’t put you off the Straight Talk Express, eh? I know you had to absorb a bit of that with Hillary; perhaps its not so bothersome to you as to some others. But I have to express surprise that a Lefty like you can ignore Karl Rove as the [covert] adviser to your candidate, and the embrace of FOX News which has given 24/7 swift boating services to the Republican Party. Yes, I suppose both are very effective. I’m thinking you’re going for what looks like a guaranteed win this time?
Are you extremely healthy and don’t need meds or affordable insurance? I hope so, as even those now covered by employers will face a gutting of coverage under Mr. McCain’s reforms; in fact one of Fortune Magazine’s experts predicts that most companies would stop paying for health care in three to four years under Mac’s health plan proposition.
And as a new Independent, I have to ask you — the lobbying stuff doesn’t bother you at all? The enormous incestuous relationship between his many staffers and the requisite kickbacks? His advisers in the employ of dictatorships? How about the numerous infidelities while married to his crippled first wife, one of which led to his current marriage to a brewery heiress? Or the language he’s used about Cindy, the presumptive First Lady?
Oh, right — you’re freshly off the Left, where the cultural issues aren’t such a hot button. But still … the lobbying, that doesn’t get to you?
I’m obligated, at this point, to tell you that John McCain isn’t really a maverick; he’s actually far to the Right with Neo-Con overtones and a penchant for occasional liberal social issues that broke ranks with the Stepford Pubs of these last eight years. Case in point — he’s Bush III on Social Security. Just thought you should know, now that he’s Your Guy.
After your anger dissipates, you may find yourself a bit lonely on the other side of the aisle. I hear that Senator Lieberman is in the same position; perhaps you could look one another up, since he is trying to do to that Uppity One what Hillary tried to do, and you’re probably eager to. You and Joe may speak a similar language.
Well, thank you for your time, good luck with your transition and — oh, by the way — please turn in your uterus on your way out today; since your candidate will be doing everything he can with his probable FOUR Supreme Court selections to turn back Roe v. Wade … limit the reproductive rights of thousands of women and girls, impacting multiple generations … you can thank me later for getting you used to living without it now.
If you do insist on using it, of course, you will bear the consequences of any unexpected events, no matter your income, your circumstance or your health issues; and you may want to talk to your partner about what birth control methods might still be available at this juncture. He will, naturally, be held financially and morally accountable by the McCain-appointed judges and courts.
All the best in your new political philosophy — you’re welcome to it.
Jude
Angry Clinton Supporters Start Rallying for McCain Online
Sarah Lai Stirland, Wired
June 04, 2008
[open link for pictures and Youtube]
They’re mad as hell, and Hillary Clinton’s supporters aren’t going to take it anymore.
Some Clintonites are so mad about Barack Obama’s Tuesday victory that they’ve launched a web site to build support to launch a lobbying group to support Republican John McCain.
“We’re going to run campaign ads to defeat Obama,” says Ed Hale, a 63-year-old rancher and a Clinton supporter from Wellington, Texas. “We have doctors, lawyers, CPAs, the blue bloods, and then we have rednecks like me. It’s a very diversified organization.”
The split illustrates the difficult task the Democratic party now faces in rallying the troops behind Obama. Open dissent within party ranks provides Republicans with openings to exploit.
Hale launched the “Hillary Clinton Supporters for John McCain” group last Saturday. The campaign claims to have 5,000 supporters, and its website visitor counter says that it has already attracted 37,8071 visitors.
“Last night, when they crowned Obama king, that’s when I sent my e-mails out to people, and since then, we’ve gotten thousands of hits,” he says.
Hale, a Vietnam veteran and a long-time Democrat, says that many of the group’s supporters are Reagan Democrats, and their primary concern is foreign policy and defense. A call to the Texas Democratic Party confirmed that he was supposed to have been a delegate to the state convention this week.
He says that he wouldn’t vote for Obama even if Clinton were vice president.
In addition, he says that he will not sign an online petition that former Clinton White House special counsel Lanny Davis sent out on the web Tuesday night — calling for Obama to choose Clinton as vice president.
Rickie Banning, president of “Hillary Clinton Supporters Count Too,” a website, says that she’s received hundreds of e-mails from Clinton supporters who are angry at the Democratic National Committee, and who are registering as independent. Some of them say that they will vote for John McCain.
A sampling the e-mails that she sent along show that many of the supporters feel cheated.
“If you ask me, I feel sad in my heart, and I think a lot of people do, but some people are really angry,” Banning says. “People feel upset, and not listened to, and a lot of people feel like they’re being thrown under the bus. ”
Statistics compiled by Real Clear Politics show that in terms of the popular vote, Democratic voters split evenly between Clinton and Obama, though Obama reached the delegate count necessary to win the nomination on Tuesday.
For its part, the Republican National Committee is capitalizing on Democratic party leaders’ criticisms of Obama in a new web video posted to its site Wednesday.
And Matt Burns, a spokesman for the Republican National Convention, says that he’s received voice mail from Clinton supporters offering to help him.
He says he sent them to McCain’s website. ++
Tuesday — a time line:
She’s Still Here!
MAUREEN DOWD, NYT
June 4, 2008
In Defeat, Clinton Graciously Pretends to Win
By Dana Milbank
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Jeffrey Toobin: Clinton’s Refusal To Concede “Deranged Narcissism”
Huffington Post
June 3, 2008 11:30 PM
On CNN’s election night coverage Tuesday, political analyst Jeffrey Toobin called Hillary Clinton’s refusal to concede the election “deranged narcissism.” Watch Toobin below:
The folks over at The Hotline put together a roundup of other pundits’ reaction to Clinton’s speech in New York City tonight:
“Well whatever that was, it wasn’t a concession speech.” — FNC’s Hume
“Clearly, she’s trying to position herself, keep her options open.” — NBC’s Russert, on HRC’s speech (MSNBC).
“If I were Barack Obama, if I heard that speech, I would not be very happy. … They are living in parallel universes right now.” — CNN’s Borger.
“This was a defiant speech, against all the kind of advice that [heavyweights] within the Democratic Party gave her” — Ex-WH adviser David Gergen, on whether he was surprised by Clinton’s speech (CNN).
“She did everything but offer Obama the vice presidency” — GOP strategist Alex Castellanos (CNN) ++
I Am Not a Bargaining Chip, I Am a Democrat
Hilary Rosen, HuffPo
June 4, 2008
Senator Clinton’s speech last night was a justifiably proud recitation of her accomplishments over the course of this campaign, but it did not end right. She didn’t do what she should have done. As hard and as painful as it might have been, she should have conceded, congratulated, endorsed and committed to Barack Obama. Therefore the next 48 hours are now as important to the future reputation of Hillary Clinton as the last year and a half have been.
I am disappointed. As a long time Hillary Clinton supporter and more importantly, an admirer, I am sad that this historic effort has ended with such a narrow loss for her. There will be the appropriate “if onlys” for a long time to come. If only the staff shakeup happened earlier; if only the planning in caucus states had more focus; if only Hillary had let loose with the authentic human and connecting voice she found in the last three months of the campaign. If only. If only. I have written many times on this site about the talents of Hillary Clinton and why I thought she’d make a great President.
After last night’s final primary, she was only about pledged 100 delegates behind him. Ironic that after not wanting to make the decision for so long, it was in fact, the superdelegates who made the decision. But I guess they did so for another reason. It just isn’t her time. It is his time. It’s a new day that offers a freshness to our party that many have longed for. We felt the rush of new voices and a new energy in the Congressional sweep of 2006 and the sweep continues. It has been an organic shift. And a healthy one.
The life’s work of Bill and Hillary Clinton in partnering with so many African Americans uniting our purpose and promoting our mutual issues is as responsible for Barack Obama’s success as our first African American nominee as anyone. And yet, that joy is being denied for them by themselves. It is so sad.
So, I am also so very disappointed at how she has handled this last week. I know she is exhausted and she had pledged to finish the primaries and let every state vote before any final action. But by the time she got on that podium last night, she knew it was over and that she had lost. I am sure I was not alone in privately urging the campaign over the last two weeks to use the moment to take her due, pass the torch and cement her grace. She had an opportunity to soar and unite.
She had a chance to surprise her party and the nation after the day-long denials about expecting any concession and send Obama off on the campaign trail of the general election with the best possible platform. I wrote before how she had a chance for her “Al Gore moment.” And if she had done so, the whole country ALL would be talking today about how great she is and give her her due.
Instead she left her supporters empty, Obama’s angry, and party leaders trashing her. She said she was stepping back to think about her options. She is waiting to figure out how she would “use” her 18 million voters.
But not my vote. I will enthusiastically support Barack Obama’s campaign. Because I am not a bargaining chip. I am a Democrat. ++
Republicans begin to highlight Clinton’s criticism of Obama
CNN Political Ticker
Clinton To Suspend Campaign And Endorse Obama Saturday
Obama Camp: Clinton VP Spot Highly Unlikely
Exit Clinton… Just Before the Screaming Starts
John Nichols, TheNation
06/04/2008
Watch: Stewart Mocks “Hillary Is Inevitable” Punditry
Video — ComedyCentral via Huffpo
“So keep fightin’ for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don’t you forget to have fun doin’ it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through kickin’ ass and celebratin’ the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was.”
~ Molly Ivins, 1944 - 2007
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
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