Pale Blue Dot
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Mon Nov-03-08 04:06 PM
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We're going to win big tomorrow, and I blame the long, bitter primary fight. |
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I never thought that I would be thankful for the divisive Obama vs. Clinton war. I was one of those who sat (mostly) on the sidelines, watching in utter amazement as supporters of 2 candidates - whose policies were so similar - hurled insane and hateful vitriol at each other (and then both sides claimed that only the other side was doing it!) For me, neither Obama or Clinton were liberal enough and I felt certain that the angry primary tone was going to cost us the election.
But I was wrong on several fronts.
First of all, the passionate supporters of both candidates proved to be a blessing. Once Obama won, he had a ready-made base of dedicated workers ready to fight tirelessly for his campaign. The passionate Clinton supporters were no less valuable; their devotion to their candidate caused John McCain to make the most disastrous decision of his candidacy: The selection of Sarah Palin for VP. McCain cynically assumed that Hilary Clinton supporters would vote for ANY woman - both to make a point and to get back at Obama. What a screw-up! McCain was left with an albatross around his neck - a woman whose lack of experience and brain power took away his best argument against Barack Obama.
And the Clinton supporters, after a brief period to mourn, came back in force. Hilary Clinton herself has passionately and unceasingly advocated for Obama during the campaign.
I think a good case can be made that had the Democratic primary ended a 2 months earlier, and had the tone not been quite so bitter and divisive, then John McCain would have made a much more responsible pick for VP. Obama still may have won, but the battle could have been far more difficult for him against McCain-Pawlenty, McCain-Romney or McCain-Lieberman.
I don't want to take anything away from Barack Obama or his campaign, which I think has been the most brilliant in modern political history. I would just like to point out that the ugliest chapter in Democratic party (and DU) history has ended up having a tremendous upside; and that's been quite an unexpected and welcome surprise.
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Captain Hilts
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Mon Nov-03-08 04:07 PM
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1. It was Ali-Frazier every week. Two great candidates and it showed how strong our party is. nt |
LisaM
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Mon Nov-03-08 04:13 PM
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2. The length of the primary season was also responsible for a lot of voter registration |
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as well as a lot of states seeing their primaries count, often for the first time. A first step towards getting rid of the Iowa/New Hampshire lock and, I hope, a first step in banishing caucuses. The high participation was very useful.
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TomClash
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Mon Nov-03-08 04:14 PM
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3. Hillary made Barack a much better candidate nt |
dhill926
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Mon Nov-03-08 04:16 PM
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watching clips on KO last night, she was WAY tougher a candidate than McCain. Taught BO how to deal with attacks.
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Schulzz
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Mon Nov-03-08 04:18 PM
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5. And our chances in NC, IN and MT would probably be worse without the long primary. |
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Both candidates actively campaigned there very hard.
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DU
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Fri Apr 19th 2024, 07:06 AM
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