I am still in shock from Saturday.

[Rainbowreflect]

I have been living in a house divided. My husband is/was a Clinton supporter and I am an Obama support. We have been respectful of each other's choice and knew no matter who the nominee was we would both be voting Dem in November. It is not about either of us or our candidates, it is about the future of this country.
I was excited to have the two remaining candidate be a women and a black (well half back) man. It said we had moved forward as a country and a party. Now I wonder.
I spent a good deal of Saturday in front of the TV and when it was over all I could do was cry. As a women, a white women, I was offended by what some of Clinton's supporters were saying. I was saddened by the attitude of "if my candidate does not win it is because... sexism, it was stolen from her, etc, etc, etc. And I will make them pay by cutting off my nose to spite my face and voting for McCain. In my opinion they sounded like the worst stereotypes of women. Whining when they don't get their way and blaming everyone else. Saying that every vote must count then discounting my vote because I am in a caucus state.
Yes, a year ago most people believed that Hillary would be our nominee, but that did not mean if she wasn't it was "stolen" from her. It meant that there was another candidate that did a better job of getting their message out, of campaigning and of getting people involved. That is good for them and our party.
I fear that the actions and attitudes of many of the Clinton supporters will do more harm for women in politics then the media ever could. Not only for the future of women running for office, but for all our civil rights.

[helderheid]

1. I agree.

:hug:

[Adelante]

2. How did your husband take it

If you don't mind the curiosity. Thanks.

[Rainbowreflect]

7. He still supports Hillary, but is pretty sick of some of her supporters.

Of course I am a bit sick of some of Omaha's supporters as well.
He does believe this week she needs to bow out and get behind Obama.
We have a little bet going on this!!!

[olkaz]

22. I think your husband represents the majority of hillary supporters.

You guys sound like a well-rounded couple. Keep up the good work.

[Arugula Latte]

3. Agreed. I'm astonished at the way some of these extremist people are acting.

They are selfish, petulant, spoiled and delusional. I thought people like that had become Republicans long ago.

[skooooo]

4. they make this white woman sick too...

Bunch of wanna be cheaters.

[Citizen_Penn]

5. It's Displaced Anger

I now believe that the odd and yes, demented, behavior we're seeing has little to do with the character or leadership ability of Hillary Clinton.

It's rage for years of unhappiness - related to jobs, marriages, unequal pay, etc.


And they don't know just how dangerous their behavior is to the future.

They can't see it - because they are blinded by their own rage.


It's not about Hillary - never was. She's not the right candidate - and that has absolutely nothing to do with her gender.

It's about her rage - like that of these odd hangers on - it makes them all unfit for leadership.

It's their Achilles heel.

[JMDEM]

8. Brilliant reply. nt.

[Inuca]

9. But I think that Hillary

understands and at some level can sincerely empathize with it. The problem is that, consciously or not, she is nurturing and TAKING ADVANTAGE of it which I find quite appalling.

[Growler]

13. Spot on!

Your reply really should be its own post so I can K&R it!!

[Shakespeare]

18. I think you're exactlty right about that. I suspect the animus would be just as strong...

....from minority voters if the situation were reversed (and Hillary were winning). Politics is indeed personal, and in a year when we have two previously marginalized groups represented, emotions are understandably running very high.

I just hope that the Hillary supporters who are so angry will take a deep breath, understand that Hillary didn't lose because something was stolen from her, and unite with the Obama supporters to beat McCain. We need them.

[hokies4ever]

6. Emotions are highest in the heat of the battle

Threats to vote for McCain don't make sense. Don't they realize that the RNC also penalized FL and MI 50% of their votes? These 'supporters' are just trying to hold our party hostage.

What I find particularly disturbing is the hinted sentiment that it would be a slap in the face to women if Obama chooses a female VP other than Hillary. Katheleen Sebelius has always been one of my favorites to be V.P., but it seems like some of Hillary's supporters are aligning themselves to hate a decision to choose Sebelius as V.P.. That makes no sense whatsoever.

[Love Bug]

10. I'm going through this with a friend of mine

She's been a staunch Democrat for decades and is a big Hillary supporter. She's been complaining lately that if Hillary doesn't get the nomination she's staying home on election day because she is "tired of voting for penises." I pointed out to her that that kind of statement isn't any different than some man saying he wouldn't vote for Hillary because she was a woman or Obama because he is Black. I know this is all about her issues with men, so I'll keep working on her. She supported Howard Dean last time and did vote for Kerry without complaint.

Being a woman I can understand other women's frustrations over not being able to vote for a woman in the general election. It will happen, just not this time.

[asjr]

11. Damn! People used to blame

the Clintons for everything that has gone wrong since time began. Now, they are blaming Clinton supporters. I refuse to take the blame for what a few nuts decided to do or say. Enough already!

[Rainbowreflect]

12. I don't see where I blamed all Clinton supporters. I don't.

I surely don't blame my husband, my mother and some of my close friends. Of course they all will vote for the nominee come November.

[asjr]

15. No, I am sorry. You didn't blame

Clinton supporters. I apologize. It was a spur of the moment reply and I should have known better. My only excuse is that I read so many articles, hear so many so-called "pundits" smearing Hillary Clinton it is sickening. You are entitled to your opinion. I am a Clinton supporter but will of course vote for Obama if he is the nominee. I am a Democrat.

[Rainbowreflect]

17. Thank you. We are all on edge right now.

:pals:

[BenDavid]

14. lets see. all uncommitted delegates from mich. went to obama...that is a

shame. Obama pulled his name from the election, but with divine wisdom the dnc said tht all uncommitted voted for obama. wow! by the rules and you obama folks are rule following, right, then the uncommitted delegates should have went to the convention as uncommitted.

No wonder this party has lost in 2000 and 2004 and will again in 2008. The only way obama will win is have hrc as his vp. you may not like it but if the goal is to win then obama better have obama/clinton.

if hrc is his vp then most will be voting for her and not him but unless hrc is on the ticket this election is lost.

for me i will have to think serious about voting in 08, because the only way obama could have a chance was to make hrc and bill into racist. it worked with the willing mediawhores falling in lock step, and that is the reality of this campaign.

[Rainbowreflect]

16. Do you really believe that Hillary would take the VP slot?

Do you think that her extreme supporters would vote for that ticket?
I really want your thoughts on this.

[roguevalley]

19. the lunatic fringe doesn't represent anyone but themselves. they

are marginal in the GE. Hugs to all for their feelings. Losing with Clark and Edwards, I feel your pain.

[LisaM]

30. I think that Hillary would take the VP spot in a minute.

It would be a great step forward for women and despite what many extremists here say, Hillary was, and is, a feminist who has worked hard to help women get ahead.

I fear that some Obama supporters have poisoned the well so much against her that they would be unable to accept her as VP. Thankfully, most of the country is not so extremist. For one thing, she'll paste whomever is the other VP nominee in any debates. Just the thought of her taking on Huckabee, McCain, or Rice makes me happy (and she would completely neutralize Arkansas if Huckabee was the choice).

I watched all day Saturday too, and I was disappointed at some of the Obama supporters, so I guess that's a wash. I thought that in particular the congresswoman from Florida (name escapes me) spoke so eloquently for Florida's voters (and for Hillary) that it was quite moving.

[mcctatas]

20. It would have been more equitable not to seat any delegates

from MI, or let them all go to the convention uncommitted. Of course, I know you won't agree, but there ya go...

[JackORoses]

24. are you voting for McCain?

[Beacool]

21. Why are so many surprised by the rage of her supporters?

Instead of making fun of so many of her supporters who have expressed their anger repeatedly in various blogs, it was tone deaf to dismiss these people as hysterical fanatics as so many have done.

The resentment is deep and for many it won't be healed before November.

I was there Saturday, the outrage when they gave Obama those extra 4 delegates in MI was palpable.

[AllexxisF1]

23. Surprised...

Surprised that HER SUPPORTERS were handing out leaflets saying Obama had a gay lover and was a drug user. Surprised that they held up signs outside saying "At least slaves were considered 3/4 of a person by the Constitution".



I was SHOCKED that such vile and seriously demented people were in our party. As far as I concerned they all should be kicked out of the party en masse'.

[Beacool]

25. I don't mean the few truly nutty people.

I mean the vast number of regular supporters who have been very upset about how the DNC has handled MI, FL and the primary at large.

[Rainbowreflect]

29. Can I ask you a question that I have yet to get an answer to?

Why did Hillary and her campaign not bring up the issue of the MI & FL voters at the time? Why did they not become so angry until they were behind in the delegate count?

If I would have heard them saying "this race is so close we need to revisit MI & FL I would have a lot more respect for that issue.
But all I seem to hear is NOW their votes should count when at the time the it was decided they would not be counted we did not hear a thing.

[rucky]

26. How many productive conversations have ever been had...

that started with "racism!" or "sexism!"?

Trouble with blogs is the ones that get the most attention are the ones that are most over the top. So yeah, the message gets heard, but the valid points are overshadowed by charged good/evil rhetoric. That's how people seem to interact on the 'net. It's a hard thing to change - much less find a community that can be diverse in opinion and respectful & harmonious at the same time.

I think people actually get along better face-to-face. Maybe we should lay off the 'net - as cool as it is for some things.

[Beacool]

28. Valid points.

I have found out that people say the vilest things while hiding under the anonymity that a computer provides them. I tend to say the same things on a blog that I would say in person looking at someone in the eye. I'm as ballsy as my candidate. LOL!!!

[barack the house]

27. It's OK we don't judge all women by those seen in FL. It'll be OK in the end too much at stake.