The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

God bless Barack Obama and God bless America!

Congrats, Senator Obama on a hard-won campaign for the nomination.

Senator Clinton, you're the weakest link! Good-bye!

Barack Obama is going to mop the floor with McChimp come November.

For me, for the moment, this has nothing to do with Hillary Clinton, or whatever she chooses to do, nothing to do with superdelegates' personal timing, nothing to do with John McCain. For just a moment it is about coming to face, on our mortal timescale, with one of the great moments of history.

Posted by: Fairfax Voter | June 3, 2008 3:38 PM

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Very well said indeed!!!! I agree with you wholeheartedly.

Oy the Dingell broad looks like Kathleen Harris.

Go for it! Endorse Nobama.

Help Democrats lose in November.

I'll do my part, too.

As Martin Luther King said shortly before his assasination in 1968: "The U.S. is the greatest exporting of violence in the world". This is more true today than ever. McCain wants endless war -- it's in his genes. Hillary, will choose violence or non-violence according to what will get her elected. Barack is clearly less disposed to endless violence than either of them. He's certainly got my vote!

There is no god, we are responsible for our own actions.

Fighting injustice is great, but patriotism, tribalism, religeous fanaticism, and racism are all shades of the same evil.

There is no beloved country only beloved humanity and a beloved earth.

Wow, People Let's lower it a notch and take a deep breath.

I believe the Dem party is going to UNITE behind Obama and beat McBush is November.

For the sake of our beloved country, we can't afford a Bush third term and continuation of the same misguided policies.

May god bless America.

Obama '08

Since the end of WWII Republicans have baited Democrats for being "weak on defense". Democrats have generally taken the bait and overcompensated by planning or voting for criminal wars -- Korea, Vietnam, Iraq -- criminal interventions -- Nicaraqua, El Savadore, Gautamala, Iran '53, Phillipines, Indonesia, etc. -- not to mention dangerous, useless, non-functioning, and phonomenally expensive weapons system. Hillary was just playing to type by voting for the Iraq war. Interestingly, it seems to have backfired on her. The masses have actually gotten some sense knocked into them (temporarilly?) from the Iraq debacle. Are there enough of them to elect Barack -- who knows? However, Barack is not promising to break the 60 year cycle of criminal international behavior for the United States. He just wants to roll it back to something like the less radical criminality of H.W. Bush rather than the near facism of Junior. I guess that's progress.

HOOOORRRRAAAYYYY FOR OBAMA!!!! clinton for cabinet, nothing more!!!

Time to come together, my fellow Democrats and Democratic leaners. Let's get our beloved country back on track. Democratic principles are what we need right now, and the last 8 years should be proof of that.

Go Barack! Thank you Sen. Clinton for all your service.

I wonder why "national security voters" feel safer with McCain than Obama, when McCain has:

1. revealed incredibly basic, scary misconceptions about Iran and al Qaeda which he then has to retract after Lieberman whispers in his ear.

2. doesn't know how many troops are in Iraq (he was out by 25,000)

3. didn't even know how many are scheduled to be there at the end of the Surge (out by 10,000).

4. sings about bombing Iran to the tune of a Beach Boys' song while on camera.

Not all of those who say they'll never vote for Obama are motivated by racism. It's the security moms (and dads) talking too.

All of these people supported the Iraq war. They know, intellectually, that they were wrong, but their instinct still pushes them in the same directions. So even as they demand pullout, they cling to pro-war politicians including one, McCain, who's very likely to attack Iran.

They all merge together - these Reagan/Bush/McCain Democrats - the Democrats who have always fallen for the argument that only the GOP will protect you.

We need some realism. Neither, candidate is ideal. Hillary's health care proposal is better than Barack's (although neither candidate goes nearly far enough). Her early votes on Iraq and Iran and her subsequent dissembling, however, are inexcusable - probably motivated by a self-serving desire to appear "strong on national security". Barack appears to be less of an opportunist and spinner on these issues, although he should be ashamed of himself for distributing what amount to Republican attack ads about her health plan to voters. Both candidates are way better than McCain for whom endless war, free-market fetishism, and a more recent prediliction to pander to the Religeous right are the enduring answer to most things.

Eric in Colorado

I do not understand the logic of the Sen. Clinton supporters: If the logic is to vote for Sen. Clinton because she is the best candidate to defeat Sen. McCain in November, I understand this. It makes perfect sense because contained in this strategy is the goal of defeating Sen. McCain. However, how can the same supporters then turn around and say that if Sen. Obama is the Democratic Party nominee, they will vote for Sen. McCain instead. This is truly confounding. The premise of voting for Sen. Clinton is her putative advantage in defeating Sen. McCain. What is the possible reason they would have for voting for against Sen. Obama? If not the "content of his character," then...could...it...be...the...other?

Those so-called dems that claim they'd vote for mccain instead of obama have to be gop spammers. Only they would be stupid enough to make such statements.

For the older, activist Democratic women who have supported Clinton but now find themselves unable to support Obama, I have to ask: are you nuts?

You've spent your entire lives fighting for the rights of women and the past 8 years watching as abortion rights have been whittled away at a state level. Barack Obama is pro-choice and will appoint Supreme Court Justices who are pro-choice.

You've spent your entire lives fighting for health care for all Americans, and the past 8 years watching as Americans of all ages find it more and more difficult to not only acquire health care in the first place, but afford it once they get it. Barack Obama will implement a health care system not unlike that proposed by Hillary Clinton.

You've spent your entire lives fighting for equality in all areas, not just gender, and the past 8 years watching as a completely incompetent government watched helplessly (and perhaps maliciously) as predominantly poor, African American people died in New Orleans. Barack Obama represents a different kind of transcendence as a national candidate than Hillary, but one which will break down barriers to equality for all of us: gay or straight, black or white, man or woman.

You've spent your entire lives fighting for a proper education for your children, and the past 8 years watching as Creationism is taught as science. Barack Obama is living proof that education is the key to upward mobility in our society and will fight to ensure that all children have the same opportunities as he did.

You've spent your entire lives fighting against unnecessary wars, and the past 8 years watching as the government sends our children (your children) off to die for nothing. Barack Obama will put an end to this war, bring our troops home, and restore our standing at home and abroad.

How can you, with a good conscience, vote for John McCain?

Your candidate lost, I get it. It was a vicious fight, with shenanigans on both sides. But in the end, Hillary lost. The sour grapes of sore losers have to be put aside for the good of the country.

For me, for the moment, this has nothing to do with Hillary Clinton, or whatever she chooses to do, nothing to do with superdelegates' personal timing, nothing to do with John McCain. For just a moment it is about coming to face, on our mortal timescale, with one of the great moments of history.

Posted by: Fairfax Voter | June 3, 2008 3:38 PM

DEAR FAIRFAX: I share your sentiments exactly. I, too, am a middle-age (white)
voter, who happened to volunteer for the RFK campaign in California when I was a teen. Your post brought tears...It is as remarkable as the Berlin Wall coming down, something I never could have imagined in my lifetime (especially with all the anti-Soviet propaganda we were fed as kids and the nuclear attack drills....)

I do believe that not only is it time to turn the page...It is time to write a new volume. Obama's nomination might signal that we have finally come of age. I certainly hope so.

To say that you will vote for McCain over an Obama/Clinton ticket is really ignorant. Then when McCain wins and the country is in the tank you guys will be the first ones crying the blues and wanting someone to feel sorry for you. Grow up and support the party. Or you'll regret it. Trust me.

I also love how everyone wants to call Obama an elitist/racist. What nerve!

Whats your point?

After all the events that have taken place over the past months with each candidate, it seems that this country is not yet ready for Sen. Obama. Its shows clear as day when you have a poll showing the majority of Sen. Clinton supporters saying that they would vote for Sen. McCain, and the majority of Obama voters would support Clinton. There is only one true answer to this problem, race. The American people need to get the heads out the sand and stop being hyprocrits when it comes to politics!

Posted by: Mark | June 3, 2008 1:57 PM

I will do the same.

As an ardent Clinton supporter, her nomination for VP will not change my vote. I cannot in all conscience vote for Obama. Therefore, I will vote Republican and wait for 2012 when Clinton can run again...

Posted by: LAMM01 | June 3, 2008 1:53 PM

I will do the same.

Being that Hillary supporters would never vote for Obama, there really is no need to have Hillary as a VP option, since it would bring in no support from her team, and would lose support from the Obama team.

Hillary has no value to the democrats at this point, due to her supporters.

Fairfax Voter: I am a white male Mississippi Democrat; I was 5 yrs old when the national party refused to seat the MFDP delegation in Atlantic City. While I began this campaign season as an HRC supporter, by the time of the Miss. primary on March 11 I was an Obama volunteer. I came to believe not so much that Hillary wouldn't or couldn't be a good president, but more importantly, that Obama has the opportunity and ability, as no politician of either party in my adult lifetime [and maybe ever]has, to reach across racial divides and unite this nation. He has the vision and the oratory, and we have learned through this long nomination battle that he has the toughness, as well, to succeed.

Perhaps my hopes for him are too high, but none of the other candidates even give reason for cautious optimism on this issue. Reading your words literally gave me goosebumps, and I thank you for causing me to pause and reflect on this awesome moment in American history. Can we put aside our differences and unite our party and nation? Yes We Can!

to Fairfax Voter:

Well said. Thank you.

Being an elderly Scandinavian male I can nothing but congratulate you with a somehow tough, however the American way fair and democratic process. But to me it is impossible to understand any hatred between the supporters of two candidates who politically are almost identical. I envy your options, a woman and a black man on the same side of the aisle. Either is preferable to the GOP. Be joyful and go for the democratic nominee.

I'm glad to see a moderation of the hatefest the trollers have promoted over the past few days.

As for Hillary for VP -- if posters are to be believed, she cannot bring along her supporters. The "hardworking whites" she referred to appear unwilling to support Obama even if she is VP. I think if it looked like she could bring along those voters, she would get the nod. But it looks like she can't so I highly doubt that she will.

Obama recognizes that there is a racist hard core that will not back him regardless. He thinks he can win with the portion that will give him a fair hearing. So the ticket ultimately will be the combination that (in the judgment of the campaign) best appeals to the majority of the country that is non-racist. He's conceding the racist vote, so I don't think he'll add a running mate who could conceivably appeal to that demographic.

Lynn = Neo-Con Rush stooge.

No need to feed the drugged out trolls.

Their reality will never intersect with truth.

Fairfax Voter | June 3, 2008 3:38 PM

Thank you for those words. That is the spirit of an Obama supporter, not many of these ugly posts.

This election will not be won on the basis of right or left. It will be won on the basis of moving this country in a direction the people approve of. Since Obama understands what the country desires so he will win. The fact that he is the better candidate will only to a minority. The straight talk express ran out of gas in 2006 and had been nearly empty since 2004.

The center will decide and the center wants results. Obama is more about results than ideology. Obama's judgement and vision and McCain's self-contradictions similarities to Bush will decide the election.

I have posted several times on the Washington Post during the primary season, something I have not been in the habit of doing before. While there are persistent and even ridiculous levels of mischief and worse (mischief is a polite term) I have also valued the opportunity to understood how other people reading this site think about the issues.

Clearly one phase of this process is now coming to an end. And all of a sudden, I find myself lifting my head out of the back and forth and the details and realizing, the Democratic Party of the United States--the same party that refused to seat the black Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party delegates only four decades ago--is about to nominate a black man named Barack Obama to be its nominee for president of the United States.

I am a white middle-aged woman and I find myself totally stunned at the magnitude of this event. In itself, this is a milestone event I never thought could happen in my time. It is also one of the biggest political upsets in American history. For just a moment, I am going to step back and let the reality and awesome power of this event sink in, and lift up my eyes. I am so proud to be an American, so proud to be a Democrat, so proud I have been volunteering for Barack Obama.

For me, for the moment, this has nothing to do with Hillary Clinton, or whatever she chooses to do, nothing to do with superdelegates' personal timing, nothing to do with John McCain. For just a moment it is about coming to face, on our mortal timescale, with one of the great moments of history.

What's the different from the extremist Right Wing preachers' views and the left? Not much. Just who's their daddy.

Posted by: Lynn E
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Speaking of daddies, whose yours, Lynn? 'cause you need a nap, little girl and somebody needs to put you to bed.

It is indeed a unremarkable thing that the Democratic Party has beat themselves up deciding between two ceiling busting candidates. Never would this have happened in the Republic Party.

Obama Is left of center on healthcare, Clinton is left and McCain is far right. On managing debt Obama is center, Clinton is left center Paul is right and McCain is left of center. McCain used to be where Ron Paul is now.

This is election season and McCain is wrong on most of the issues so he is going to have to portray himself as something he isn't, a man of judgement

To aBigSAM:

What are you talking about that Gov. Granholm did as attorney general? She is, perhaps, unpopular among movement conservatives for her stance last year on the state's budget.

Just two words for those infantile morons who say they are going to vote for McCain if Hillary does not win:

SUPREME COURT

Its Rep. John Conyers (D-Detroit) of Michigan.

Extreme right and left are bad for the country. Obama is just another Bush. He will need constant attention and care to do basic things. If he is suddenly put in front of cameras without rehersal or if someone confronts him, he'll falter. He'll need a constant supply of bullies to keep people in line and be pushed to the sidelines. The Democrats will fall all over him and defend anything he does until the people vote Republicans in to counter what is happening. Obama's leftist friends will be all over the place. Remember Samantha Power thought she'd be Secretary of State. Really cute. What's the different from the extremist Right Wing preachers' views and the left? Not much. Just who's their daddy.

Could anyone really be as collosally stupid as Lynn? Give me a break!

Lynn, if you are for real, and I doubt that, but just in case---the blood of the yet unkilled Iraqi children IS ON YOUR HANDS!

And I hope you feel so proud of yourself after McCain and his Supreme Court justices have denied the rights of women to control their own destinies, and of GLBT people to coexist with full marriage equality. Won't you be so proud then, Lynn?

Good luck to you, and your grandchildren...

I support Obama and some of these people who say they support Obama are Republican trolls. Since Obama has won, there is nothing to make them want to insult Clinton supporters except to get them to go for McCain. It would take blind rage to vote for McCain and then it truly would be the blind leading the blind.

Could anyone really be as collosally stupid as Lynn? Give me a break!

Lynn, if you are for real, and I doubt that, but just in case---the blood of the yet unkilled Iraqi children IS ON YOUR HANDS!

And I hope you feel so proud of yourself after McCain and his Supreme Court justices have denied the rights of women to control their own destinies, and of GLBT people to coexist with full marriage equality. Won't you be so proud then, Lynn?

Good luck to you, and your grandchildren...

The Party's O-o-o-o-ver!!

29 superdelegates left to get... yay!!

After 8 years of Bush insanity, corruption and "endless campaign" mentality, people can comment that the Democratic party is "extreme"??? This country is full of people who are dumber than rocks.

There is a good reason not to support Obama. He is extreme left where Hillary is left and center. It seems that the Democratic Party has shifted to an extreme and that won't help it in the general election. While many have gather in that direction for a man they barely know, if people are willing to leave the party, it says a lot about its ability to keep voters' support. The concern about Obama and his views, beliefs, intentions and abilities are real.

You know, the vitriol and politics of bitterness, and the cult of personality that has gripped the democrats throughout this process and frankly continues on these WaPo postings is sad and should be toned down. If you are a true Dem, how can you be so upset at the Obama victory if you supported Clinton however vigorously? They both played the same game based on the same rules and one out-manuevered the other on the same turf. Since when did Americans shy away from fair competition?

Going into it, this was Clinton's to lose. Entitlement however is not a strategy (reminds me of how Kerry learnt way too late in '04 that hope is not a strategy) Obama offered an interesting alternative and proved formidable enough for those who were anti-Clinton to vote for him and enough of other neutral folks to jump onboard. Outside of the Wright fiasco and "Bitter-gate", his has been a rather successful campaign. No one can nor should deny that.

I think if you believe in the headline issues of the Dems, you must support your standard flag-bearer especially as what is at stake include the Supreme Court nominees (probably two in the next four years), healthcare, the economy, Middle East engagement and overall foreign policy, American competitiveness worldwide versus the Europeans, China and India. These are all issues that I think the Dem platform is better than the Republicans.

Finally, please get over the cult personality and just look to the issues. Doing so, you conclude that it really is a marginal difference wether the first Woman heads the ticket or the first African American. I am proud of both and I am not even eligible to vote. You should be just as proud of your nation in this most glorious moment.

My preferred candidate at the start of the primary season was Bill Richardson. It didn't work out, but I didn't go away mad.

I looked over the remaining candidates. Both HRC and Obama were attractive to me.

I have long been concerned about Hillary's extremely high polling negatives (her positives and negatives have been about the same nationally for years). And, I had to admit objectively that she ran a poor campaign.

Having been raised in the Midwest in a farming village, I know something about racism. To say that Obama will not have a major hurdle to overcome in this regard would be naive. Members of my family who remain in the Midwest--stauch Democrats--are unlikely to vote for him. Hillary got that part right -- she does appeal to many "hard working white voters" which the Dems need.

So, I came to this conclusion in February. Put Obama at the top of the ticket and make Hillary the VP candidate. But, if Hillary could still figure out a way to get the nomination, she was going to have my full support.

As things have turned out, Obama will have the nomination either today, tomorrow, or within a week. This is a must-win election for the Democrats for the sake of the country.

Let me add, finally, that I object to the namecalling going on in this blog. The bashing of Hillary AND Obama by supporters of the other candidate must stop. Some of you need to grow up and/or get a life. We don't need such venom in the party ranks as we prepare for the coming election.

It is important that Obama visits Iraq. Hillary: Give the man enough time to visit, before the convention.

In the Iowa election market she has fallen to below 4%. Romney is below 3%. That is how improbable a nomination is.

Clinton I suspect will wait for the Texas convention this weekend. If nothing happens there then she'll let go.

The primary race went on too long, and Hillary used that time to win states by dividing the party along racial lines ("hardworking whites") and by embarking on a women's rights struggle versus keeping her eye on the need for a Democrat to win the White House. She has burned down the village on her way to defeat.

I know the SDs were giving Hillary the grace to finish the race as she wished. Unfortunately, Hillary went scorched earth and now many of her supporters will act against their own self-interests by voting for a grumpy old man who is blood-thirsty, waiting to send their children to their deaths in new wars.

Here comes the flood! Obama will be our next POTUS. He's going to come into office with a huge mandate and control of both the House and Senate. If McCain would concede, maybe we could move the inauguration up to August and get baby Bush and his thugs out of power sooner? They can do a lot of damage in 6 months. At last the end of an eight year nightmare!

I wish all of you Positive Clinton Supporters well and I truly admire your passion and your involvement and activism. You make me proud to be a liberal and a Democrat. For those of you that just blindly hate and blame Sen. Obama....what can I say? No amount of sugar is ever going to sweeten your sour grapes.
Daniel Adam Smith | 06.02.2008 - 00:53 am

Well done.

If the shoe were on the other foot, I'd be fighting in the trenches for Ms. Clinton.

But it is not - and it is ludicrous to think otherwise.

It is June 3rd, 2008. Act like it, and fight for those principles you stand for.

There is no excuse to do otherwise.

Posted by: Captain John | June 3, 2008 2:33 PM

*applause* Reason is back.

Ed wrote:
"I have voted for democrats all my life but I like most experienced voters will choose security over inexperience and youth. My experiance also tells me that McCain will eat his lunch. Wait and see."

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Do you really want an extension of Dubya? McCain has vowed to keep this senseless, baseless, nonsense of a war going on for another 50 or 100 years. If we have already lost well over 4,000 men and women, I dread to think of how many we'll lose if we stay there another 50 or 100 years. I pray you do not have children or grandchildren because one, the other, or both could very well be shipped over there during that 50 or 100 years and come back in a body bag or horribly mangled physically or emotionally. That includes generations beyond your grandchildren. How would you be able to look in the mirror if one of them came back in a casket knowing you voted for McWar because you were concerned about Obama's experience?

Is that what you really want for your future?

Honestly ... I wonder if some who are citing Senator Obama's "inexperience" as their reason for jumping over onto McWar's creaking vessel is really just a cover-up for why they REALLY don't want to vote for him.

Suit yourself, but I will have a clear conscious.

John McCain is the Bush sequel - never-ending war in Iraq, tax cuts for the rich while the middle class struggles, courts packed with right-wing activists intent on undoing decades of progress in civil right, civil liberties and other vital areas.

Please all democrats, independents and even republicans say NO to a Bush McClone!!! Vote Barack!!! we really need change more than ever in America and barack Obama represent that good change l see coming to America.

Barack Obama for president everyone!!!!

Ed wrote:
"I have voted for democrats all my life but I like most experienced voters will choose security over inexperience and youth. My experiance also tells me that McCain will eat his lunch. Wait and see."

*******************************************

Do you really want an extension of Dubya? McCain has vowed to keep this senseless, baseless, nonsense of a war going on for another 50 or 100 years. If we have already lost well over 4,000 men and women, I dread to think of how many we'll lose if we stay there another 50 or 100 years. I pray you do not have children or grandchildren because one, the other, or both could very well be shipped over there during that 50 or 100 years and come back in a body bag or horribly mangled physically or emotionally. That includes generations beyond your grandchildren. How would you be able to look in the mirror if one of them came back in a casket knowing you voted for McWar because you were concerned about Obama's experience?

Is that what you really want for your future?

Honestly ... I wonder if some who are citing Senator Obama's "inexperience" as their reason for jumping over onto McWar's creaking vessel is really just a cover-up for why they REALLY don't want to vote for him.

Suit yourself, but I will have a clear conscious.

President Obama

>
Is this a real person's views? Or is this a Rush Limbaugh drone posing as a feminist. I can't believe a true feminist would EVER consider voting for McCain. Consider the damage he could do by putting another conservative or two on the Supreme Court.. Then how far would feminism progress in the next generation?

All the people that are going to vote for John McCain because Hillary did not get the nomination if you must go right ahead. But food for thought you are going to wait until she can run again and then you can vote for her. Just think about this none of us know what tomorrow will bring must less 4 years from now. By that time the world could be such a mess. I can not believe that you only care about yourself. Me, Me, Me. While our young people are coming home in body bags, we are paying 4 dollars a gallon for gas and I could go on and on. Who will you hurt if you vote for John McCain an not Obama. Guess what Hillary is still going to be rich an Obama will still be a senator and not have to worry about anything because whether you realize it or not he wrote a book which should take care of his family forever. And what will you have?

I came across this post in follwing a link from Hillary Clinton's site. I think it speaks the truth.

"...I am an Obama supporter and I suppose for that alone anything I write will be condemned or not taken seriously. I am also someone who would vote for Hillary if she gets the nomination. I think because both coalitions are so passionate about their candidate they tend to see things through the prism of their own subjective truth. I think the fringe elements of both coalitions have a little selective amnesia.

Yet, a larger portion than anyone would like to say like both candidates. Not everyone out there has the time or situation to be able to post 1000's of times on various blogs.

I voted for Bill Clinton in 92/96 and long ago I said to myself that Hillary Clinton would be the very first female POTUS. ...

I think there is a lot of racism and sexism in America. Unlike a few of you, I think they are equally as destructive and equally based on fear and ignorance. If you say that Sen. Obama and/or surrogates have said or done this I could equally cite you examples of things on the border that Sen. Clinton and/or surrogates have also said. The bottom line is that politics is a lot more rough than we'd like to think.

...The thing about blogs like this or others is that people tend to preach to the choir or dangle this [faint] hope that they will win someone over to their point of view. It's not going to happen. What I see on this blog are a lot of people that are very passionate about their candidate. Good for you, but you don't fight sexism with sexism and you don't fight racism with racism or "racial resentment" (whatever that means, is that Racism lite?)

I think Sen. Clinton really discovered her voice the last few months, but lets face it. When you see how these delegates are proportioned and you see her win by 40 points and net 15 or 20 delegates you realize that the stone cold numbers of Sen. Obama's lead are not just voodoo math.

Once you snap out your undying hatred for Sen. Obama (or Obambi, is that a gay slur, oh no...only mean things are said about Sen. Clinton, right?)...you will realize that Sen. Clinton shares some blame for her campaign.

What did her campaign in was her vote on the war, her vote on the Iranian Republican Guard, and a campaign staff that was so convinced of her eventual victory that they didn't plan [past] February 5. They should have argued for a Florida/Michigan back in Feb. They didn't even consider caucus states although Ickes wrote those rules and they didn't even understand fundraising in the modern age.

You have to realize that the Clinton's were the largest brand in modern democratic history and this Goliath is on the verge of losing to David.

I admire Sen. Clinton and I understand there is a lot of baggage in the Clinton story, but I can't carry that poison of hatred for another Democrat. If you want to jump to Sen. McCain...go right ahead. That is the ultimate cutting your nose off to spite your face.

I wish all of you Positive Clinton Supporters well and I truly admire your passion and your involvement and activism. You make me proud to be a liberal and a Democrat. For those of you that just blindly hate and blame Sen. Obama....what can I say? No amount of sugar is ever going to sweeten your sour grapes.
Daniel Adam Smith | 06.02.2008 - 00:53 am"

"For those of you that just blindly hate and blame Sen. Obama....what can I say? No amount of sugar is ever going to sweeten your sour grapes" pretty much sums it up.

I'm of the "I don't get it" crowd.

A Clinton turned Obama supporter, I would vote for Hillary IF she was the Democratic nominee. But the plain and simple fact is she is not going to be, and no one 'stole' the primary from her.

For the life of me, I don't understand why anyone supporting Ms. Clinton would turn and vote Republican in November.

It is a smack in the fact to everything the Clintons and the Democratic Party have been fighting for: Universal Health Care. Ending the War in Iraq. A comprehensive energy policy. The Supreme Court. A sane immigration policy. The list goes on, and John McCain is on the WRONG side of all of these issues.

Frankly, I don't care how hurt Ms. Clinton's supporters may feel at this juncture. Taking your anger out on Senator Obama, the Democratic nominee, is idiotic and unexplainable by any reasonable measure.

If the shoe were on the other foot, I'd be fighting in the trenches for Ms. Clinton.

But it is not - and it is ludicrous to think otherwise.

It is June 3rd, 2008. Act like it, and fight for those principles you stand for.

There is no excuse to do otherwise.

I can understand a Democrat not wanting to vote for Obama because he or she is mad that Hillary lost (as immature as that may be). A Democrat voting for McCain out of spite, however, is just plain dumb and makes no sense if you truly support Clinton's policy positions.

Posted by: Upper Marlboro Man | June 3, 2008 2:12 PM

Yeah; I'm guessing a lot of them (since they're really the same 10 people posting over and over again) are just trolls.

My experiance also tells me that McCain will eat his lunch. Wait and see.
Ed

**************************
Hopefully without help. McCain eats his lunch, ed, what's your point?

All the people that are going to vote for John McCain because Hillary did not get the nomination if you must go right ahead. But food for thought you are going to wait until she can run again and then you can vote for her. Just think about this none of us know what tomorrow will bring must less 4 years from now. By that time the world could be such a mess. I can not believe that you only care about yourself. Me, Me, Me. While our young people are coming home in body bags, we are paying 4 dollars a gallon for gas and I could go on and on. Who will you hurt if you vote for John McCain an not Obama. Guess what Hillary is still going to be rich an Obama will still be a senator and not have to worry about anything because whether you realize it or not he wrote a book which should take care of his family forever. And what will you have?

I guess the drugged out Rush trolls escaped their cages this morning again...

Posted by: Geo-Con | June 3, 2008 2:21 PM

Now, now. They're not *all* drugged out.
Just ignore the trollfest, people. They just want attention, as usual...

I will never vote for Obama. Among a host of substantive reasons I simply don't like him. Not to mention he is to great a risk to have in the presidency. I have voted for democrats all my life but I like most experienced voters will choose security over inexperience and youth. My experiance also tells me that McCain will eat his lunch. Wait and see.

Posted by: Ed | June 3, 2008 2:16 PM

Hey Ed,

WcCain doesn't know the difference between al-qaeda, Iran, shiites and sunnis.

That doesn't worry you?

Does that reflect "experience" or senility?

Being old doesn't make one an expert. It just makes them old.

I for one will vote for the person who had the judgment to see the war for what it was from the get go....a collosal and horrible mistake.

You people are nuts. I can't believe you exist in America. You are living in the wrong country. I am 64 my wife is 62, our children are 33 and 42. I am the only male. No one believes in the Clinton white trash. find a new place to live and give us a break.

I am surprised at how much of this discussion focuses on personality politics. It is a bit like being back on the playground in grade school. You would think that with the range of issues our country is facing, Iraq, Climate Change, and health care (to name a few), people might rise up to make a decision about whom to vote for based upon policy stances. McCain, Obama, and Clinton would all be very qualified to be President, though I have substantial policy disagreements with all of them.

I guess the drugged out Rush trolls escaped their cages this morning again...

I am a feminist, and there is no way I will support Obama. I would rather see the feminist movement die than see Obama become president. I was really hurt that Clinton did not get the nomination. Now McCain gets my vote. The feminist movement can go into exile for the next 8 years for all I care. I hope McCain turns back the strides in equal rights for women--as he has promised to do--for all I care. My bruised feelings are of primary importance to me.

Posted by: | June 3, 2008 2:06 PM

Elizabeth Cady Stanton is that you?

"As the celestial gate to civil rights is slowly moving on its hinges, it becomes a serious question whether we had better stand aside and see Sambo walk into the kingdom first." - Elizabeth Cady Stanton on not supporting the 14th and 15th Amendments that would have given voting rights to black men.

To: Julie | June 3, 2008 2:16 PM
---

Only 2.5 points...another Republican recession.

Get over it! Obama will be the next President of the U.S. It really comes down to "change" or "four more years of Bush policy (John McCain)!" If you really want $6.00 a gallon at the gas pump or higher, skyrocketing food prices, inferior and dangerous consumer products coming from China, a threat to our current standard of living, lack of respect for our environment and failure to go "green", continuation of the war in Iraq, then it's a no-brainer! All you have to do is vote for John Mcain.

I know feelings are hurt. Still as the (feminist) mom of a young soldier who nearly died in Iraq, and who will go back in November for another year of danger and death, I am wondering how hurt feelings are more important than his life. (Or the lives of thousands and thousands of Iraqis?) Does anyone really think that if McCain is elected, he will stop this war or NOT start another one with Iran.
Or...are those feelings more important than health insurance for the 47 million uninsured?
I don't get this argument.

I will never vote for Obama. Among a host of substantive reasons I simply don't like him. Not to mention he is to great a risk to have in the presidency. I have voted for democrats all my life but I like most experienced voters will choose security over inexperience and youth. My experiance also tells me that McCain will eat his lunch. Wait and see.

How many McCain troll points do I get if I say I'm a feminist who's voting for McCain instead of that baby eater Barack Obama? O.K., but what does that buy me in the McCain prize center? Metamucil and chance to win the jackpot prize of full access to Cindy McCain's medicine cabinet?! Oh, and 100 more years occupying Iraq?! Ah, yeah, I'll pass...

Obama 08!!!

A time to reflect. Supporters, we have put so much money into this campaign. We've watched our preference face serious blows. With the masses of our support, look at how far we have pushed! You all get the nod.

Hillary has definitely earned respect. She's definitely a fighter, and watching her actions I am not afraid to admit it.

Now, regardless of what happens, we must focus our energy against the woes of The Opponent!

""People want to make this about racism or sexism," Dingell said, "but what it's got to be about is the economy, what's happened in the last eight years and where we are going from here."

You are absolutely right! I don't think you said enough, but you're right on it! This has been a long process.

Supporters stay tuned. I suspect this month we will find out who the chosen nominee is after all of these states.

Well wishes for the supporters.

To all Hillary turned McCain supporters:
I was hurt when Dean imploded in '04, but I never considered voting Republican. Why is this so personal to you? So personal that you would vote against everything you have worked for over five months at minimum? It just seems so petty, but I wish you luck with your decision.

As an ardent Clinton supporter, her nomination for VP will not change my vote. I cannot in all conscience vote for Obama. Therefore, I will vote Republican and wait for 2012 when Clinton can run again...

Posted by: LAMM01 | June 3, 2008 1:53 PM
------------------------
Why exactly do you assume that Hillary would: 1) win the nomination in 2012, and 2) be able to beat an incumbent president in the general election? To suggest that she would have a chance of beating McCain in 2012, you have to assume that McCain has f--ked up the country enough by that point to be vulnerable.

Therefore, you either get eight more years of the GOP (and no Hillary), or four more years of disastrous policies and (possibly) Hillary. Not great choices.

I can understand a Democrat not wanting to vote for Obama because he or she is mad that Hillary lost (as immature as that may be). A Democrat voting for McCain out of spite, however, is just plain dumb and makes no sense if you truly support Clinton's policy positions.

Lynn,

I hope you don't find yourself in a position to be in need of an abortion anytime, especially not in 4 years time when they are outlawed thanks to the guy you will be voting on. Sheesh! Give me a break, how can any right thinking person call themselves a liberal and still vote for McCain? I'm perplexed!

I am so disappointed to hear that Hillary Clinton supporters would even consider voting for Senator McCain in November, when Hillary Clinton herself, will have no choice but to support Barack Obama. The Democratic party will unite around Barack Obama and so will Hillary(whether it be honest or not)! It is hard to understand why some Hillary Clinton supporters can not see what a great candidate Barack Obama is. He shines not only through his campaign but look at how many young people Black, White, alike have come out to support him. Yes, everyone knows that Hillary is qualified! That does not mean that she will do the best as President. Hello! Neither of them have been president before, so this will be a first for them both. Living in the White House and being married to an ex President does not make you more qualified than any other candidate; with the same level of education, eloquence, and hunger to fight for the American people. I believe Hillary Clinton has had a fair chance in her campaign for president. As a Barack Obama supporter, I can honestly say that I would vote for Hillary had she been the presidential nominee because I'd never vote for a candidate outside of the party in which I belong or one who has values and beliefs about the future of our nation that I do not agree with. We need change, not McCain, and unfortunately Hillary did not make the cut.

I would never in a million years support Hillary for anything and I would certainly vote for someone else if she lands a spot as VP on the ballot. Her attempt to claim that she is ahead in the popular vote by statistical manipulation is similar to her husbands semantic contortion over the definitions of sex. Do we really need to have another President who has no respect for truth and plain speaking? Hasn't eight years of Bush been enough? Hillary must go. Hopefully someone will challenge her in the next Senate primary or Rudy can take her on in the general.

Posted by: David in VA | June 3, 2008 1:52 PM

David I live in NYC and there is talk that Rudy will run for Gov.

Democrats, however, are starting to from a group to urge Caroline Kennedy to run against Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary for the Senate in 2012.

Lynn, just take your silly, hormonal, spiteful, bullying self right to the McCain campaign. You have sat on these boards announcing your defection (and your factually shaky reasoning for it) for weeks. Go already! I don't speak for millions (as I am sure you don't either), but for myself when I say, ciao, bonsoir, buh bye, see ya, etc...

I am a feminist, and there is no way I will support Obama. I would rather see the feminist movement die than see Obama become president. I was really hurt that Clinton did not get the nomination. Now McCain gets my vote. The feminist movement can go into exile for the next 8 years for all I care. I hope McCain turns back the strides in equal rights for women--as he has promised to do--for all I care. My bruised feelings are of primary importance to me.

Lynn: while you are showing the Democratic Party tough love, thousands of families are going to lose its loved ones who will die in Iraq. McCain does not support women's issues. I happened to sit near Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at an opera she attended last summer and she is not going to last long. We cannot have a Republican appoint the next members of the Supreme Court while we wait until 2012 to let Hillary or another woman candidate have another chance or to teach the Party a lesson. Those appointments are forever (or nearly). It is vital that you and other Hillary supporters get behind the Democratic candidate this fall.

In response to the following post:

"As an ardent Clinton supporter, her nomination for VP will not change my vote. I cannot in all conscience vote for Obama. Therefore, I will vote Republican and wait for 2012 when Clinton can run again...

Posted by: LAMM01 | June 3, 2008 1:53 PM"

***********************

Yeah right, and Elvis is alive, aliens are living in Roswell, and the world will end in 2000. You're a "democrat" about as much as GW Bush is. I hate fakes.

Hillary Clinton will never run for POTUS again.

She had everything in her favor this election, and she didn't have the ability to take what was handed to her.

Clinton is an international joke.

To Hillary supporters voting McCain:

BYE-BYE!

We don't want or need hateful, bigoted, bitter, failed-at-life-and-angry,
misadrist, racists in our party.

Face it. You're probably a NEO-CON anyway.

Glad you're out of the closet. Go meet your new friends in the republican minority (don't worry - THAT minority is WHITE) and don't forget your flag pin.

The AP has tallied today's superdelegates in support of Obama and the minimum pledged delegates he will win in today's primaries, no matter the primary outcomes. He has passed the DNC-determined threshhold for winning the nomination. Congratulations to Senator Obama!

I don't know where they get their news but these news organization is quick to jump to Obama. I guarantee you that the end of today you don't have anyone reaching 2118. Get these bozos from so called news organization to Iraq without a vest and have them stay there.

John McCain has made it crystal clear that a vote for him is a vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. Think about it. If you want it on your conscience that you voted for the biggest setback to women's rights in a generation, by all means, go ahead and vote for John McCain. But my daughters and their generation of women will curse you until their dying day.

In response to the following post:

"That's okay. The millions of Dem voters who will feel disenfranchised by an Obama nomination will see to it that he doesn't win in November.

Sometimes, you have to show tough love and the way to love the Democratic party now will be to decisively and clearly show it the error of its ways by not voting Obama in November.

It's ultimately more important and better for America to force the Democratic party to examine its rules and its candidates than to have "just some unqualified guy who happens to be a Democrat" as president for a few years.

We'll have to hope that by 2012 the Dems will get it right.

Posted by: Lynn | June 3, 2008 1:40 PM"

***********************

This isn't the time to teach any party a lesson, it's time to take a stand on the killing of our 1000's of citizens in Iraq, our failing economy, our rising healthcare costs, our rising gas prices, and the mortgage meltdown.

If you think it's in your best interest to turn your back on these matters of paramount importance just to vent your grievances against party selection proceedures you are a disgrace to democracy and your fellow Americans.

After all the events that have taken place over the past months with each candidate, it seems that this country is not yet ready for Sen. Obama. Its shows clear as day when you have a poll showing the majority of Sen. Clinton supporters saying that they would vote for Sen. McCain, and the majority of Obama voters would support Clinton. There is only one true answer to this problem, race. The American people need to get the heads out the sand and stop being hyprocrits when it comes to politics!

To: LAMM01 | June 3, 2008 1:53 PM

----

Hopefully we can clean the Democratic party of these fake Democrats. We'll be better off without the Clinton liars.

Congratulations to the winner of the Democratic Nomination for President, Barack Obama.

NO VP SLOT FOR THE LYING, DINASAUR-CLASS, LOBBIEST OWNED, DC LAWYER POLITICAN NAMED CLINTON!

As an ardent Clinton supporter, her nomination for VP will not change my vote. I cannot in all conscience vote for Obama. Therefore, I will vote Republican and wait for 2012 when Clinton can run again...

Hillary supporter for McCain !!!! pass it on

---------

Will do! You take the east coast insane asylums, and I'll cover the west coast ones!

To Obamamama:

Any idea how old Justice Steven's is? He's now 88. Any idea how far away reversing Roe vs Wade is? 1 Justice. Think about it before you do too much damage.

I would never in a million years support Hillary for anything and I would certainly vote for someone else if she lands a spot as VP on the ballot. Her attempt to claim that she is ahead in the popular vote by statistical manipulation is similar to her husbands semantic contortion over the definitions of sex. Do we really need to have another President who has no respect for truth and plain speaking? Hasn't eight years of Bush been enough? Hillary must go. Hopefully someone will challenge her in the next Senate primary or Rudy can take her on in the general.

If you are truly a Democrat, then please get over your hurt and anger that Senator Obama will more than likely be the nominee. Talk of "tough love" to prove that voters selected the "wrong" candidate is ultimately self-defeating. I beleive it's called "cutting off your nose to spite your face". Senator Clinton would have been a good candidate, but there is no telling if the long standing animus that exists towards her would not have impacted her electability.

Please, cry, sulk, go through all the stages of grief possible, then vote for Senator Obama in November. His positions are a mirror image of Senator Clinton's - he simply ran a smarter campaign.

I'm in Bay City Michigan, and around here seems to be solidly behind Obama even though the area is mostly white blue collar working class. I have yet to see a McCain bumper sticker or sign in anyone's yard.

Detroit seems to be favoring Obama as well, and the general feeling I get from talking to people there, is that they separate the scandal involving their mayor, a Democrat, from the issues. They too see that fuel effeciency standards are necessary, they blame management for not keeping up with marketing trends, and are attracted by Obama's "Manhattan Project" proposal to reducing our dependancy on foreign oil.

The Thumb area of Michigan, mostly farm country, seems mixed. Population is married, lived there for generations, indifferent to "outsiders," could be McCain country but the war seems to bother them greatly.

Grand Rapids and the western edge of the state is the bible belt that Huckabee did well in. That could also be McCain country but it is also in the Chicago media area and they are very familiar with Obama's climb to the forefront. I consider it a tossup as a result.

It is true that Grandholm is not popular right now, but much of that is due to things she did as attorney general before becomming governer. It should be pointed out that she was a strong Hillary suporter. So it's questionable whether her unpopularity will translate into lack of enthusiasm for Obama.

Lynn: I remember that logic in 1980 when us Ted Kennedy supporters went to John Anderson in November. After all, Ron would only serve one term and the real qualified Democrat would take over in 1984.

Oh well 12 years wasn't such a long wait. Besides, those of us who were of a certain age and were white males did quite well in those 12 years of Ron and Bush rule.

Boy, we sure showed them, didn't we.

To: Lynn | June 3, 2008 1:40 PM
----

Sometimes you just have to toughen up and do something hard.

If you agree with the Democrats policy, you should vote for their candidate.

If you agree with the Republican policy, you should vote for their candidate.

The actual person in that role is not as big a deal, as the policy behind them.

I suggest you research each parties policies, and do your best to support the party that would best support your family.

HRC for Supreme Court!! Obama for President!! Everyone is happy. HRC supporters...MCBush is the polar opposite of HRC. She could have been a great candidate but she was outwitted, outmaneuvered, and outgamed by Obama's superior campaign. He clearly beat a machine unlike any other. That alone is a reason to give him a lot of respect.

As much as I support Senator Obama, I fear he must have a deep desire to forfit the election if he even considers a Clinton as VP.

Some of us searched for an alternative to Clinton and we are not about to consider voting for one as VP in November. Time to move on to some one like Senator Casey of Pennsylvania.

Close the book on the 1990's.

That's okay. The millions of Dem voters who will feel disenfranchised by an Obama nomination will see to it that he doesn't win in November.

Sometimes, you have to show tough love and the way to love the Democratic party now will be to decisively and clearly show it the error of its ways by not voting Obama in November.

It's ultimately more important and better for America to force the Democratic party to examine its rules and its candidates than to have "just some unqualified guy who happens to be a Democrat" as president for a few years.

We'll have to hope that by 2012 the Dems will get it right.

We will never vote for a bigot and an empty suit. Hillary supporter for McCain !!!! pass it on

Michigan loves Obama! We can't want to have a chance to vote for him in Nov!

Clinton stole our delegate votes, don't let her weasle her way in to the VP slot. No one trusts her dishonest ways.

Dear American Voters, super delegates,and Hon. Senator Clinton,

Hon. Senator McCain and Obama, besides each having many attributes and characteristics. The critical differences in my professional, political, and personal opinion are as under:

1. Presidential "Temperament and Composer".
2. Little Washington "insider Versus outsider" connectedness.
3. Vision and mission for our nation future rather than past.
4. American policies first USA centric than other countries centric.

In my professional opinion one senator has it and the other does not. We need one for our Greatgrand Nation to address our all these challenges with a fresh, clean and new slate.

God Bless America. its diverse people, and our Greatgrand Nation.

Yours truly,

COL. [retd] A.M.Khajawall
Forensic psychiatrist, Las Vegas NV

PS: Yes, I am sure that Hon. Senator Clinton will Galvanize voters to effect the needed change in WDC.

presidential trivia:

http://thevote.abc13.com/2008/06/rounding-the-ba.html

Just a correction: Representative John Olver is from Massachusetts, not Michigan.

The Obama staffers pushing super's to decide today are doing their job. this thing ends tonight: With or without Hillary's concession.

http://www.political-buzz.com/