POST: REACTION TO McCAIN SPEECH
McCain is passing himself off as the new "white" Obama. The speech proclaimed his new mantra, "change is on the way." The so-called "maverick" and his "mate" are out, not to save the country (a la Obama/Moses), but to "reform Washington" (i.e. clean up corruption, the new sheriff is in town, etc.).
John McCain still doesn't get it! He and his radical Republican friends (including now, Sarah Palin) ARE the problem! The Republican convention proved it! McCain and his crew introduced a Great White shark, chummed the political waters with fresh bait and stirred the faithful into a patriotic feeding frenzy.
McCain capped off the meetings with the ususal: "a noun, a verb, and P.O.W." His "straight talk" was nothing more than more emotional manipulation, playing on the fears and guilt of Americans. The world is so dangerous, he explained, that only a war hero, like himself, could possibly keep America safe. Only a person who puts America "first" is qualified to lead our nation.
Well, Obama was right: "we all put America first." All of us, EXCEPT those who constantly wage a "culture war," those who insist we are "a nation of whiners," those who belittle the Obama movement as "celebrity" or "empty," those who do not see the need for a "new direction" and those who put profits ahead of moral decency and fiscal and environmental stewardship.
Indeed, McCain offers nothing but "More of the Same." We understand that he loves America, probably more than most. However, passion does not replace the wisdom of a larger view, the judgment of a larger perspcetive or the leadership required to create "a more perfect union." McCain may be his own man, a fighter, and a patriot, but there is one thing he is not: he's no Barack Obama!
Can you say, "Token" or "Trophy" or "Window Dressing?" The choice of Palin is obviously a shallow attempt to hide the "More of the Same" that the Grand OLD Party is offering in November. Tired ideas, tired old men, and tired politics can not be covered up, even with a "woman's touch." McCain is simply putting lipstick on a pig!
If we can not do any better than personal attacks such as character assassination, guilt by association, and "baffle 'em with BS," then we all may need to throw in the towel. The only hope we have is Barack Obama and if he were not the leading candidate, then I would give up. But, not this time! Obama is "still here" and not only here, but also ahead in most polls!
McCain and his cronies can continue to attack, with one probable result. More and more people will see the way politics has been played over the years. More and more people will grow tired and disgusted with dredging up the past. More and more people will see that American needs a "new direction." More and more will join the movement for "Hope" and "Change."
Why does Obama have the support he already has? Why are over two million people contributing to his campaign? Is it because people think Obama is some kind of a saint? Is it because people believe that Obama is like superman, ready to slip into a phone booth and save us? No!
Obama's success is due to the fact that he shares OUR vision, MY vision! We, the people, want to change the very politics that the McCain campaign represents! We want "One nation," out of all the divisions. We want an America that we can be very proud of. Sorry, but I am not proud of what I witness on TV each and every night. It is like viewing a horror movie or watching wild beasts stalk and kill their prey on the discovery channel. It was like seeing a pack of wolves surround and subdue an elk.
Obama will survive this gauntlet. Not only will he survive, but also he will be the next President of the USA! The days of terrorist politics are numbered. The movement of Change and Hope has only just begun!
No one believes that Bill Clinton is a racist at heart, aside from the "original sin" of being born white in a white dominated culture. Most do not even begrudge him the "Jesse Jackson" remark, the racial implications of which he was likely unaware. My difficulty with Bill and Hillary was that they both failed at the political equivalent of affirmative action. Primarily, they attempted to deny the Black candidate the nomination rather than earning it themselves. Then, they pulled out all of the stops, trading justice for utility, in their efforts to win.
The Clinton campaign, which was designed to compete with Republican "tear the opponent down" tactics, seemed merciless against Obama. I witnessed repeated assaults, not on substance, but on character. The Clintons accused Obama of being "just a speech," of promoting "fairy tales" and of having "only words" and no solutions. Together, their attacks converged into a form of attempted political destruction.
Bill may think that this perception is tantamount to accusing him of playing the "race card." No, that would represent an intentional, proactive appeal for white voters to vote against Obama "because he is black." The "first black president" (and First Lady) are too involved in the African American community for that. They are not "Racists." However, they did manage to, figuratively, drag Obama behind their pick-up truck during the campaign.
[Posted at newsvine.com]
As of now (6/02/08 @ 4:40 pm EDT), the delegates stand at 2075.5 (OHB) to 1920.5 (HRC):
For 2118, Obama needs 42.5 - Clinton needs 197.5.For 2210, Obama needs 134.5 - Clinton needs 289.5.
For 2118, 224 delegates remain (60 + 164 SDs).For 2210, 224 delegates remain (60 + 164 SDs).
For 2118, Obama needs 19%, Clinton needs 88%.For 2210, Obama needs 60%, Clinton needs 129%
Conclusion: Obama will reach the "Finish Line" (2118) on June 4th or soon thereafter. Clinton will not reach 2000 and will be more than 100 delegates short of the goal. If Obama reaches 2210, the best Clinton can do is 2010, which is 200 delegates behind Obama!
Seating Michigan and Florida really does not matter that much. In any case, unless Clinton convinces 66% - 87% of the superdelegates (SD) to vote for her, Obama will win the necessary delegates for the nomination. So far, Obama has won 53% of the SDs. The only thing that is likely to change is the finish line and the date Obama actually crosses it.
The delegates stand at 1978 (OHB) to 1781 (HRC):
For 2026, Obama needs 48 - Clinton needs 245.For 2118, Obama needs 140 - Clinton needs 337.For 2210, Obama needs 232 - Clinton needs 429.
For 2026, 282 delegates remain (86 + 196 SDs).For 2118, 529 delegates remain (278 + 251 SDs).For 2210, 650 delegates remain (399 + 251 SDs).
For 2026, Obama needs 17%, Clinton needs 87%.For 2118, Obama needs 26%, Clinton needs 64%.For 2210, Obama needs 36%, Clinton needs 66%.
The most likely scenario?
2118: Obama needs 26% and Clinton needs 64% of the 529 delegates available. Obama could possibly finish with over 2210!!! To do that, he would need only 44% of all remaining delegates. I'd bet he gets 45%, even with Clinton's MI/FL advantage!
Dear People of West Virginia,
Polls indicate that West Virginia will overwhelmingly support Hillary Clinton in the upcoming primary, but I believe that the people of your state have a mind of their own. As you are aware, North Carolina recently chose Barack Obama by 15%. Indeed, most of the Southern states have supported Senator Obama, with margins even larger. I am writing to encourage your state to join the winning team, rather than buy into the Clinton rhetoric.
Why? Clinton is known to alter her personality and campaign style to manipulate voters. In New Hampshire, Hillary tearfully appealed to the sensibilities of women while approving of emails that distorted Obama's record on women's issues. In South Carolina, albeit in a losing effort, the Clintons went on attack mode and accused Obama of shady associations and success by racial means. In California, Clinton morphed into Obama's best friend, a doting grandmother-type with malice toward none. Following eleven losses in a row, Hillary became the self-righteous inquisitor in Texas and Ohio, accusing Obama of tactics that she had initiated herself. Finally, in Pennsylvania and Indiana, Hillary posed as a member of the blue-collar, working class society, all while secretly loaning her campaign an additional $5 million from her personal funds.
We, in North Carolina, did not fall for the new, improvised Clinton. White and Black voters recognized the Wolf (Clinton) in sheep's (Obama) clothing and clearly rejected the "say and do anything to win" candidate. For West Virginia to support such a candidate will promote the stereotype that mountain people are mostly poor, older, white, uneducated women (barefoot & pregnant??). These are "typical" Clinton supporters, which may explain why the polls are showing her ahead in WV. Progressive persons with college degrees, college students and persons of color have mostly supported Obama.
I have family in Charleston and I know that the people of West Virginia are intelligent, thoughtful individuals who can think for themselves. However, when Senator Clinton works her wiles, many can be tricked by her version of "Hope" and "Change." These terms, borrowed from the Obama campaign, describe the vision of the Barack Obama movement, the bandwagon. North Carolina and the other 35 states (that Obama has won) envision a government directed by us, the people. Obama is our leader, our spokesperson, our inspiration and our spearhead. We have chosen leadership over the "fighter." We have had enough of bickering and fighting in Washington; we want to take the country in a "new direction."
I hope that West Virgina will see through the Clinton "smoke and mirrors" and get on board the Obama bandwagon. I urge you to avoid letting her promises of "fighting for you" cloud your thinking. Certainly, Washington involvement will bring further restrictions in personal lives. Clinton's health care plan, for example, means that everyone will be REQUIRED to have health insurance or face (financial) consequences. Her populist, authoritarian agenda stands in direct opposition to Obama's intention to change Washington "from the bottom up." With Obama, "we the people" will be calling the shots. To me, that is something that West Virginians can align with.
Clinton obviously thinks she already has West Virginia "in the bag." Why else would she vow to continue the race, when she is so far behind? Why would she continue to divide the Democratic Party by appealing to her older, white "working class" supporters as usual? Why would Hillary continue to target states like Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky? I suspect she thinks y'all are "easy pickin's."
Join with North Carolina and your southern neighbors to tell Clinton otherwise. Join with 36 other states to vote for Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee for President. Hillary said that small states do not matter as much as the "big states" like New York, California, and Ohio. So why is she courting a small state like West Virginia now? You can bet it is to feather her own cap and it has nothing to do with you or your needs, as she claims. Remember, she will say "anything!"
Join the real movement for "Hope" and "Change." Join the coalition of white & "of color," old & young, rich & poor, Rep. & Dem., women & men, liberal & conservative, theist & humanist, student & professional! Are we not tired of a divided country? What ever happened to the goal of "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all?" That is the Obama message that we in North Carolina heard and voted for.
Get on the Obama bandwagon!
From:
But the sharp divisions were evident in the crowd, which leaned toward Obama.
There were scattered boos from Obama backers when Clinton discussed her gas-tax plan. And there was almost certainly a first in 78-year-history of the dinner -- lusty boos for a sitting Democratic governor. Gov. Mike Easley, who had endorsed Clinton earlier in the week, was jeered when he was introduced, and had to speak over scattered boos.
The dinner, just four days before the state primary, held more drama than most observers would have imagined a month ago.
There was almost the atmosphere of a ball game at Dorton Arena, with the two sides taking turns chanting "O-bam-a" and "Hill-a-ry." What the article and most of the coverage in the NC campaign has ignored is that perhaps 3/4 of this crowd was decidedly pro-Obama! Clinton and Easley received mostly boos and polite applause while Obama received a hero's welcome by the Democratic leadership of NC! The people of the state, however, are being told that the event did not really favor either candidate. Indeed, "the crowd, which leaned toward Obama" is a gross understatement of the reality. The Democratic dinner actually turned into an Obama rally! While "the two sides taking turns chanting "O-ba-ma" and "Hill-a-ry," did occur, the Obama supporters totally overwhelmed the Clinton supporters and the difference between the level of Clinton support and the level of Obama support was like the difference between the primary result in Guam and the result in Illinois! How can we get this news out before the actual NC primary on Tuesday? I think the people in North Carolina have a right to know that at the biggest event in NC political scene, Obama was favored over Clinton, Not only was Obama favored, but also he was honored!!! Thank you for your assistance, John WilsonRaleigh, NC
Tonight's debate [ABC] was the closest thing to a gang-rape than anything thus far in the campaign. It was one thing for Clinton and Edwards to pounce on Obama over the "present vote" issue in South Carolina. It was quite another for Clinton, McCain (by proxy), the co-hosts, Chelsea and the PA Governor and other Clinton friends (in the audience) and the Republican question content to combine in such a merciless attack on the front-runner.
The argument seemed to be directed at superdelegates: "Obama has questionable associations that will be used by Republicans to attack him in November (he may not be electable)." However, Obama got it right: We, the people, are "smarter" than that! In fact, I am so aware of the "politics as usual" that if it were not for Obama, I would totally give up on democracy, because this election would otherwise be determined by who is the most skilled cheater.
If we can not do any better than Clinton-style character assassination, guilt by association, and "baffle 'em with BS," then we all may need to throw in the towel. The only hope we have is Barack Obama and if he were not the leading candidate, then I would give up. But, not this time! Obama is "still here" and not only here, but also ahead in all conceivable categories!
Clinton and her cronies can continue to attack, with one probable result. More and more people will see the way politics has been played over the years. More and more people will grow tired and disgusted with dredging up the past. More and more people will see that American needs a "new direction." More and more will join the movement for "Hope" and "Change."
Why does Obama have the support he already has? Why is he leading in money, votes, states and delegates? Why are over a million people contributing to his campaign? Is it because people think Obama is some kind of a saint? Is it because people believe that Obama is like superman, ready to slip into a phone booth and save us? No!
Obama's success is due to the fact that he shares OUR vision, MY vision! We, the people, want to change the very politics that today's debate represented! We want "One nation," out of all the divisions. We want an America that we can be very proud of. Sorry, but I am not proud of what I witnessed tonight. It was like viewing a horror movie or watching wild beasts stalk and kill their prey on the discovery channel. It was like seeing a pack of wolves surround and subdue an elk.
Bitter? I'll tell you who's bitter! It is every person who has put up with Clinton's Obama-bashing throughout this campaign! It is everyone who has a sliver of Hope that the "politics as usual" can be overcome and that a measure of civility can characterize a run for office in this country! Bitter? How about every person who dreams of a President who tells the truth, who doesn't "spin" everything and who doesn't threaten to return a legacy of shame to the Oval Office!
Bitter? I have never been so angry in my entire life! Thank God that Obama is leading the primaries and that Clinton has only "a snowball's chance in Hell" of winning! Every time I see Clinton's smug, manipulative smirk on TV and the incessant head-bobbing, I have to look away. I can not imagine having to watch and listen to her after this campaign is over. Thank God that she is so far behind that only a miracle could even make it a close race. Bitter? I will tell you who is bitter! Me!!
Bitter? Yes! Most of the nation is bitter, angry and frustrated! We are all tired of Washington, weary of negative politics and especially tired of campaigning against a person who would sink the ship in order to steer it. I sincerely hope that this latest attempt by Clinton to make political hay out of "words" and "speeches" (that she asserts do not really matter) backfires on her, galvanizes the Obama movement like never before and turns the tide against her and her negative ways in Pennsylvania. Clinton's self-righteous and holier-than-thou attitudes are sheer hypocrisy! Shame on you, Hillary! Shame on you! Clinton could be the poster girl for "do as I say and not as I do!"
Bitter? Definitely! Most of us are "fed up" with Clinton's lies, memory lapses, personality shifts, demeaning comments, baseless accusations, arrogant claims, double standards, irresponsible blaming, making mountains out of molehills, table-turning, verbal sleight-of-hand and countless other forms of dishonesty! I expected this kind of low-level politics from conservative, far-right Republicans, but I never thought it would come from a liberal Democrat! It belies everything the Democratic Party stands for! Thank God that Hillary is so far behind that only a 2/3 majority from here on out would even give her a chance of catching Obama!
Bitter? You can bet I am! You can bet WE are! Never before has my heartfelt desire to better this country been so devalued by a candidate for president. A criticism of Obama is a criticism of me and, frankly, I have heard enough from Senator Clinton! I will be counting the hours until the primaries are over and Clinton finally faces the truth. Nevertheless, we will continue to make this campaign about Change. Thanks to Hillary's jumping on the "Bitter" comment, perhaps we will have new energy and added incentives to "roll up our sleeves' and elect Barack Obama President of the United States of America.
(email sent to MSNBC)
This is something that dawned on me, too. I originally supported Clinton, first woman president and all, and sent my first contribution to her campaign. I even listened to her in New Hampshire and was impressed by the "voice" she had found. After that, I kept getting clues that something was not quite right. First, the surprise win in New Hampshire when the polls showed that Obama was clearly ahead. Clinton won by only a few points and I began to "smell a rat."Next came the misuse of a former President as an attack dog against Obama. I thought this to be highly inappropriate; it defiled the office of the president!Next came Hillary's manipulative language ("slumlord" and "you never . . . ") in the South Carolina debate, the ganging up on Obama on the "present vote" issue, and the "if looks could kill" glares from Clinton.Next came Clinton's rally, claiming a "win" in Florida, a primary that was held against the rules, votes that were not supposed to count and promoting a place that Clinton had agreed "did not matter." Next came the "millions of people" that would vote on super Tuesday. The outcome was virtually a tie, but Hillary never acknowledged Obama's success in erasing Clinton's 20 point leads, her winning by only small margins or Obama's victory in several of the "Clinton" states.Next came the "kitchen sink" strategy, the "3:00 am" ad and the "commander in chief threshold," all designed to demean her opponent. Never mind that her own experience failed to measure up, her contention that she was the only candidate "ready on day one" was deceptive.I forgot about the "just words" and Obama's experience amounting to merely "a speech." I have probably forgotten some other things as well. In view of the frequent switching from "victim" to "righteous" to "fighter" Clinton has mystified us. We often asked, "Which is the real Hillary?Suffice it to say that the "real" Hillary is finally being discovered. It is, unfortunately, as deejsmom wrote, " a lying, self-serving, conniving and pompous rich female . . ."If all of this were not so, I may still have been supporting her. However, when I saw the "real" Hillary I turned to Obama. Barack Obama blew me away. He has everything that Clinton has and more, but less! Obama is defintiely the right choice!
[Also posted in a blog]
I am a "typical white person" residing in North Carolina and a committed supporter of Barack Obama for President of the United States. I grew up with racist parents (in another Southern state) and I have to admit that what they taught me has stayed with me throughout my 50+ years. Nevertheless, I have learned to live and think beyond that indoctrination and to dream of a country that can become "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In fulfilling this dream of a "more perfect union," race, religion, gender, and ideology have no place in choosing our next president. Whatever Obama's beloved minister, or McCain's conservative backers, or Clinton's venerable staff might have inappropriately said has absolutely nothing to do with which candidate deserves our support. Instead, the primary issue is this: which candidate endeavors to lead us beyond these divisions and which candidate actively seeks his/her support along those very lines.
It is clear, from the campaign's "kitchen sink" strategy, the constant Obama-bashing and the continually revised posturing, that Clinton is mired in the politics of the past, committed to a strategy of "divide and conquer." It is clear that McCain wishes to work both sides of the street by and identifying himself as a moderate while catering to the Bush agenda and the Conservative base of the Republican Party. It is also clear from Obama's message of "Hope" and "Change," his much heralded speech on unity and the recent Richardson endorsement that Barack Obama is the candidate best suited to lead America to a unified future.
In my view, Americans may continue to fight among themselves until the divisions become so destructive that the country will likely never come together again. Alternatively, we can resolve to join hand-in-hand and to work cooperatively in solving the dire challenges that we face. Given this choice, only Barack Obama has demonstrated an innate ability to build a movement of committed and enthusiastic people, focused on Hope, and dedicated to Change from "the bottom, up."
I am supporting Barack Obama, not because of his race, religion, political affiliation (I am an Independent), or ideology. I am supporting him because he is the best hope for the "United" States of America! As Bill Richardson noted, "there is something special about the man" and whatever it is that has given people new hope, has brought new people into the process and has inspired people, not merely by the thousands, but by tens of thousands, "I want to be a part of it."
"The emperor walked beneath the beautiful canopy in the procession, and all the people in the street and in their windows said, "Goodness, the emperor's new clothes are incomparable! What a beautiful train on his jacket. What a perfect fit!" No one wanted it to be noticed that he could see nothing, for then it would be said that he was unfit for his position or that he was stupid. None of the emperor's clothes had ever before received such praise."
Here is the complete story:
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1620.html#andersen
I freely admit to being a "typical white person." I grew up in the 50s in the South with parents who grew up in the deep SOUTH. Black people lived in an area of town known as "(N word) town." A (N word) on a bicycle was assumed to be a thief. The home of a (N word) was stereotyped as rundown, except for the TV antenna and the Cadillac (with a coontail) in the yard. The only black people in my life was the cook at my day care and the maid who came to clean our house. There were no minorities in my school, but the band from the "Colored" high school was always in the town parade every year. I remember how demonstrative they were, marching energetically with knees high and with great zeal as they passed by, denoting the end of the parade.
My education about black people consisted of what I was told by white people. I was instructed not to put a coin in my mouth, not because I might choke on it, but because "a (N word) might have had it first." My father employed (N word) at the hardware store. So, I grew up to think that a black person was actually a (N word). My uncle's favorite joke was a play on the N word. Even today, after 50+ years of life experience, I still lock my car door, I still question the motives of a black person in my neighborhood, and I still have to bite my tongue to keep from referring to black people as (N word).
When Barack Obama referred to a "typical white person" I knew exactly what he meant. It was not a racial slur, as many have assumed, but a mere statement of fact. This lies in stark contrast to Geraldine Ferraro, whose comments were not statements of fact, but actual racial slurs. To say that Obama was "lucky" to be black is not only a value judgement on her part, but also a reference to the days when a person was considered unfortunate to have been born (N word). As a "typical white person," I know full well that I am racist, not in my heart, but in my mind and for Ferraro not to see it in herself is sad. That is the legacy that my family left me and one that I will live with for all of my life. It is as much of who I am as my own name.
That being said, is that the last word on the subject? No Way! Over the years, I have changed my views on the subject and I have realized that my prejudice is unfounded, both in theory and in practice. I have worked, worshipped, and socialized with black people and I have found the people I know to be intelligent, hard-working, and friendly. Members of the black community are not "all alike" nor do they all like "fried chicken." I see intolerence, based on race, as the one issue that I would die to oppose, even though I have to battle with it in my own mind and culture. It is like growing up to believe that socks have to be folded together in pairs and then realizing that I can just mix them all in the drawer together. The idea is liberating, but the practice goes against everything I learned about socks. Still, if I had to put my life on the line for something, then I would gladly stand up for inclusivity, whether in politics, religion, or race relations.
Because of my personal vision, this "typical white person" stands for CHANGE and HOPE. It is my dream that America will continue to form "a more perfect union." The divisions of the past several decades must give way to a common cause: "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The extremists (Left and Right) who would destroy the very fabric of the country to have their way must be marginalized. Ideology has its place in defining the limits of our tolerance, but it is common interests, common goals, and common efforts that must drive the country. The "Coalition for Change" is exactly what America needs to focus on "the people" once again.
As Obama has stated, the days of special interests are numbered, if he becomes the next President of the United States of America. Obama, in his eloquence, is not speaking only for himself, he is also speaking for those of us "hopemongers" who want America to be the best it can be. It has been said that without a vision, the people will perish. I believe that this is the truth; America could literally destroy itself, if it continues down the road of division over race, gender, poltics, and religion. In the Democratic primaries, we have come down to two candidates. Clinton asserts that her campaign is not about race nor gender, yet the attacks on Obama and the appeals to "white women" have escalated beyond a reasonable doubt. Obama, on the other hand, has even distanced himself from his own minister, virtually bending over backwards to avoid making the election about race, gender, or political views.
As a "typical white person," I acknowledge my past, but I look to the future. I support Barack Obama because he represents the future. We seek to become Americans, rather than "Whites," "Blacks," Asians," or "Latinos." It was telling that Clinton and others, in responding to Governor Richardson's endorsement, complained that it was to late because he should have done it prior to the Texas primary, where he could have influenced the Latino vote. This is racism, pure and simple. Gov. Richardson may be Latino, but that does not define him, as the Clinton camp has indicated. I for one, am tired of "politics as usual." I am ready for something new. I am "ready for change." I am "fired up and ready to go." I am supporting Barack Obama, contributing funds to the campaign and volunteering in my state's primary. I encourage every "typical white person" to do the same.
Obama is potentially the best president we could hope to have at this point in American history. As he says, "we can't wait" to make the needed changes in the direction of our country. Bush has literally sold us out to corporations and Wall Street. These companies do not care about the person in the street, as long as they make money. I believe we need to get back to putting America first!
Obama's idea is to get into the White House with as many Americans behind him as possible. That is the "bottom up" approach. If most of America is supporting him, he can indeed solve problems in Health Care, Iraq, and the Economy. Clinton and McCain, on the other hand, will continue the legacy of division and every proposal will be another fight. The "politics as usual" will pit Left against Right and create more gridlock, new stalemates, and the country will likely never again become "One nation."
The stakes are not only high in the election, they are critical! Imagine eight more years of the same old politics! Tha is, eight more years of endless sound bites, more "kitchen sink" strategies and more spin than a merry-go-round! The alternative is "Hope" and "Change." If everyone would just stop and think, "is THIS the way we want our country to do politics?" I think not! Obama is our only hope!
[Posted on Beliefnet]
Here is my letter to Mr. Grossman:
I heard through the grapevine that you have encouraged Super delegates to ignore numbers and think about who might be "best" nominee? By whose standards?
Perhaps you have bought the Clinton line that perhaps only the "big" States matter, or that a "caucus" doesn't mean as much as a primary, or that Florida and Michigan delegates should "count" now when the elections were originally meaningless (citing Clinton).
I am here to tell you that the small states matter because even winning every big state will not be enough to win in November. A caucus is more important that a primary because those participants are not as easily swayed by negative tactics as exhibited by the Clinton campaign. The delegates from Florida and Michigan were stripped - do not exist - so how can they be "seated."
Perhaps you bought into the line that Clinton is more "experienced" or "ready" or has "passed the threshold of Commander in Chief." If experience was the most important criteria for a president, then Bill Richardson should be the nominee. If readiness were the main quality for a president, then Al Gore should have won in 2000. If "Commander in Chief" were the deciding factor, then Gen. Colin Powell should be written in for 2008.
The truth is that none of these things matters as much as leading America in a new direction. Merely changing from a Republican administration to a Democratic one is not enough. The divisions, the partisanship, the bickering, and the polarization of the country will continue under either Hillary Clinton or John McCain. Witness the harm that Clinton's continued presence and the campaign's relentless "kitchen sink" tactics has caused the Democratic Party so far.
Clinton obviously believes in a policy of "tear your opponent down." Clinton's constant divisions along the lines of race and gender are threatening to cause an impotency that is likely to squander the Democratic advantage that it once enjoyed. Hillary's dramatic episodes that range from victimization to friendliness, to judgmental shaming, to patronizing creates an image of a woman "unsafe at any speed."
The person I want answering the phone at 3:00 am is a person of calm resolve, inspiration, and commitment to the America we dream of. This person is "steady as you go" and as military commanders have noted, is considered "No Drama Obama." That is the kind of experience, readiness, and rite of passage we require for the next President of the USA.
Before you go encouraging Super delegates to ignore the contests and choose a nominee by some other criteria, you may want to look at the criteria that you are using yourself. Do you really want a "do anything to win," self-serving opportunist to lead our nation? Do you want a President who plays by "politics as usual?" Do you want a president that persists in divisive, negative, and aggressive tactics. Isn't that what we just had 15 years of?
Would not the country be better served by a candidate who represents all races, who seeks to unite the country, who inspires the nation to higher ideals, and who is at this very moment leading in votes, states, delegates, and new, young Democratic voters? Is the election not about the future, rather than the past? Isn't it time to encourage the Super delegates to support Barack Obama?
I suggest that you try that. There is nothing worse, when the party has every advantage in November, than a DNC that cuts off its nose to spite its face.
