Extremely difficult. They were often disgraceful, here and on other progressive sites. There were literally ignore lists passed out around here, aimed at Hillary supporters. I didn't recognize this place at all. Many great DUers left and never returned. I don't blame them.
Other progressive sites were less antagonistic. The best back and forth, IMO, was on MyDD. Plenty of tension and heated discussions but Hillary supporters were more respected and not treated like alien threats. Many Hillary supporters flocked there. I think a book was written about it.
Sadly, MyDD is now gone. The final entry from the blog owner -- who veered radically toward Gary Johnson in recent years -- was written a few weeks ago.
Obama supporters tried to pretend that Hillary was basically the equivalent of Donald Trump, if not worse. Some of the characterizations of her on this site were every bit the level of how Trump is viewed. I wish I were kidding. If ignorance isn't sufficient, throw in loads of hyperbole.
I left for a few years, checking in only occasionally. Memories are fresh. Now it is more than amusing to see some of the same posters who absolutely ridiculed Hillary in 2008 now penning lengthy glowing tributes to her.
Many of us saw it all along, like when she got the best of Obama in the heavy majority of those primary debates from 2008.
No, it was never difficult to switch to Obama in 2008. Seamless and passionate. I did it early once I read Nate Silver's dissection of the primary math. He was posting under a pseudonym on several sites. For about a month I wanted to believe his projection was slanted toward Obama. Once I spent a few days quietly checking his forecasts of caucus and small state delegate realities, I gulped and understood what he did, that Obama owned the math. No reason to fight it, as a handicapper.
Besides, Obama owned a surreal "vote for" percentage. That is incredibly influential. I may not have been caught up in it but 68% of his supporters reported they were voting for him as opposed to against Hillary or later against McCain. That 68% is the highest number in recent history. Last I checked, Hillary this cycle is at 56% and Trump owns a regulating 41%.
Republicans spend so much time spewing hate while winning midterms that it never dawns on them that they need to rally around a "vote for" candidate to expand base and win a presidential election. I hope they never figure it out.
= new reply since forum marked as read
