This is what it feels like to me right now...

[busymom]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BKxnJ5iyC-w

There are a lot of wounded Clinton supporters right now who are genuinely hurting over what appears to be a big loss that is coming....There is bitterness on both sides...anger....hurt...

Seriously....

Are we going to come together as a country after all of this? My heart is really broken over what has happened with Hillary...I have admired her for 10 years and have waited for this candidacy for a long time. If the bitter vitriol continues, I don't know what I will do in November.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. The sooner Clinton concedes, the sooner it'll be over.

:shrug:

[rcsl1998]

17. That Is NOT An Effective Way To Reach Out To A Clinton Supporter (nt)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

25. I'm not worried about reaching out to Clinton supporters.

They'll support Obama just as soon as she concedes.

[jbm]

57. keep believing that..

it's total fucking bullshit, but whatever makes you happy!

[apocalypsehow]

59. Well, that will leave the embittered HRC booster with three options:

1. Vote for John McCain.

2. Vote for Ralph Nader.

3. Don't Vote.

Which one will you embrace? :shrug:

[apocalypsehow]

58. Well put.

:thumbsup:

[NastyRiffraff]

26. This is the very first time I've put someone on ignore on the strength of one post

Grow a soul.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

33. Grow a backbone.

It's what's desperately needed in the party.

You can't say "oh, my candidate's campaign is over" and then "I don't know who I'll vote for in November" in the same breath without drawing criticism.

[rodeodance]

43. don't you have something better to do than insult people?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

48. I've got better things to do...

then listent to phony people who couldn't bluff their way out of a wet paper sack, pretending they won't vote for the dem nominee in november, and whining about the civility on this board when they're among the worst themselves.

And as far as insults, don't dish them out if you can't take them.

[angie_love]

61. I'm an Obama supporter and YOU ARE NOT HELPING!

They are hurt, angry, let them have some peace damn it! You would be just as upset if Obama were losing. have alittle empathy! I'm tired of seeing this shit, let it go, we're winning right now. Stop being a sore winner.

[calimary]

66. Here, here! And hear, hear! Hillary supporters are tender at the moment. Go easy.

I'm hurting about Hillary, too, and I punched the card for Obama in the California primary. I have admired her for a long time. I'm sorry to see it all come to this.

If it's not to be for her, people need time to grieve, and some respectful quiet. Let's not rub salt in the wounds. Especially since we've ALL been hurting, BIGTIME, since December 2000.

Let's give each other a break, regardless whose banner we're flying.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

78. I'm not a sore winner.

Because I'm not interested in celebrating this win, I'm interested in beating McCain, and if anybody wants to get in the way they can kiss my ass.

[rodeodance]

39. Show a litter concern if that is possible please.

[Lisa0825]

2. I am sorry you are hurting.

:hug:

I really hope things settle down here quickly. I don't like it either.

[busymom]

6. Thank You.

[Melinda]

3. I'm sorry you are hurting too...

HRC is still young you know... heck Reagan was 70+ when he became President.

Don't give up hope, if we come together, it will out work out as it should be. :hug:

[Window]

4. I share your pain.

Peace:thumbsup:

[BeatleBoot]

5. They are both within a few percentage points of each other

So, I don't understand.

[scheming daemons]

10. Because the math isn't there for her.... 9 of the final 15 states are heavily-favored for Obama....

...and the other 6, the gap is closing fast.

Because of the way that delegates are aportioned, Hillary has to win 58% of the remaining delegates to pass Obama.

Arkansas is the only state so far where she got more than 58% of the delegates.


If she wins Ohio, Texas, and PA by counts like 52-48... it won't be enough.


If the states were "winner-take-all", then she'd still have a decent shot. But they're not. Obama will AT WORST break even in delegates in Texas - because 1/3 of the delegates are awarded via a caucus at night.



I'm not spinning here, beatle.... the math works against her badly.

[Levgreee]

14. It is because Texas has been said to be must win, even by Bill, after the 11 losses n/t

[JackORoses]

81. I have a feeling you won't be able to understand until Hillary tells you herself

[DS1]

7. It's not over until one of them says it is

despite what ~SOME~ assholes are saying otherwise.

[dchill]

47. "assholes are saying"

Asshole=Someone who disagrees with your perception. Offensive.

[DS1]

51. no

assholes=people who feel it necessary to gloat and call it over ahead of time


eat your offense

[dchill]

52. You think I'm gloating?

You've never seen me gloat! I'm not even thinking about gloating. I am, however, exceptionally observant.

:)

[DS1]

53. I didn't say you were

I will say it's mostly some of my fellow Obama supporters.

[NC_Nurse]

8. I feel bad for her and her supporters. I don't think that she could have

planned for a competitor who captured people's imaginations like Obama has.
It's sad to watch her go out this way. I hope that she bows out gracefully next week if
it's clearly over and that she can get back to her Senate career.

[boston bean]

9. you are probably on DU too much. times like these it can skew your vision. nt

[Maddy McCall]

11. I feel sorry for the people who've given up. I have not.

[meow mix]

16. my candidates have been losing for longer than i care to remember..

every single one of them.. never have i given up.

[Maddy McCall]

20. I've been voting for 24 years and I agree.

Rarely has my favorite candidate made it to the nomination, much less the presidency.

[rodeodance]

41. i have not given up. no way--. I have my moments like Op has also.

[busymom]

56. I haven't give up...I just feel sad about how this is turning out right now.

I am still donating...still advocating...and still hoping.

[KoKo]

12. Welcome to DU....

It's a controversial time here..that you decided to join. Just keep posting...

[LSparkle]

13. I think it depends on how they BOTH behave in the near future

Not just Hillary but also Obama. They both have to realize that, whoever wins, this has been a HARD-FOUGHT campaign and both have poured their hearts into it. They have to shake hands and say, "well done" and end the race with mutual respect. If they play this right, we will be united ... if they screw it up, there will just be lingering resentments regardless of who the nominee is (and the potential loss of enthusiasm for our candidate).

[gateley]

15. I'm so sorry you're hurting, and I understand.

I'm STILL hurting over Joe Biden, because I, like you, believe from the bottom of my heart and with all my soul that my candidate was the best hope for our country.

I also understand that Biden wasn't subjected to the level of viciousness that Hillary (and Obama) received, but even so, there was plenty.

We believe in our candidate because we are convinced they truly want a better country, a better future for our people, and a better world. The only way we can hope to achieve those goals is for us to come together and work hand in hand to help usher in those goals and begin to realize those hopes.

We can still feel the pain, but we must do what's right.

:hug:

[tabasco]

18. Bitter vitriol. LMAO.

You have stated here on DU that you will not vote Democratic if Obama is the nominee.

What do you expect on Democratic Underground?

Kudos? Applause?

You have displayed the bitterest attitude which includes apathy, resentment, vanity, stupidity.

Then you have the nerve to preach to others about their attitudes.

You and the rest of the righteous warriors can bug off.

[griffi94]

19. i know what i won't do in november

i won't vote for obama. it's kind of a bummer, but having been a democrat for 20 years, i'm used to seeing us blow sure things.

[meow mix]

21. my candidates always lose. and i always end up voting for the winner. every fricken time

some people need to learn how to suck it up and do the right thing.

[tabasco]

27. Sign up for the 100-year war right here:

www.goarmy.com

Your apathy is reprehensible.

[cali]

22. I'm sorry you're hurting and I understand

I was a Dean supporter in 2004 and I'm a Vermonter who met Dean many times. I found his losing painful.

[Mooney]

49. I was a Deaniac too

When he lost Iowa I thought I was going to commit seppuku. Having to come here and read all the gloating posts that celebrated his demise was additionally torturous. So even though Hillary Clinton isn't my candidate, I think it's a better strategy for me to just let the primaries play out and not get involved in the sniping. After all, it would be easy for me to write snarky, obnoxious posts revelling in the defeat of someone else's candidate. But simply not writing anything is even easier.

[NastyRiffraff]

23. I know a lot of people are in pain

And realistically, Obama will probably win this thing.

busymom, I'm not as staunch, or as long-time supporter as you are; I switched to Hillary from Edwards. But I do understand feeling sadness, even grief, when facing the good possibility of defeat by someone you've admired for so long.

That video you linked to was beautiful, and also had a message of hope. If Hillary loses, there'll be sorrow, grief, even anger. But those feelings don't last forever. Hillary said she'll be okay, no matter what, and she means it.

:hug:

[TheDonkey]

24. It is hard to lose, we Democrats know how it feels. I cannot wait until this primary is over

This sort of extended losing streak for Hillary supporters have turned them extremely bitter and I do not blame them. It is hard to eat and have to deal with this for an entire month. Hopefully this will be over soon and we can unite against the real enemy, MC CAIN.

[JohnnyLib2]

28. Tough losses in the past have taught me to hang in and look to the future.

E.g. Kerry and Gore in the recent past, and a long list of good souls before that. HRC is my choice, too, and she is a terrific model of resiliency and determination in the face of setbacks. Hang in there!

[Coexist]

29. what I would do - and I am not telling you to, but what I would do

after Kerry lost, I felt ill, a slight tinge of sadness for weeks.

I went to the Randi Rhodes message boards - and lurked here - it helped me feel better to be with like-minded people.

If it was Obama that might be conceding, I would PM my best online "friends" to meet in the Obama group on DU, and "mourn" there until I felt a little better. The Clinton people would be celebrating (as would be their right) in GD and GDP and it would hurt too much to read.

I would read a few light novels to get lost for a couple hours, and then I would watch speeches from John McCain, until I was pissed off enough at what he would do to my country that I could support Clinton, and then jump back in the fray.

[EmilyAnne]

30. I'm sorry that you are feeling this way. I can't believe the way some people are gloating over this

I know that we BO supporters would be angry and hurt if things were going against us. Please, keep in mind that DU isn't the real world. In the my real world, at least, no one is being out and out hateful about either candidate. I have a bunch of friends who are going to vote for Hillary and we aren't at each others throats. We disagree, yet respect each other. I wish this DU vitriol would stop. On that note, I don't like being called a cultist or some idiot who believes in a messiah, but, of course, I know that the majority of HRC supporters aren't saying stuff like that. Also, its no where near as hateful as the sexist attacks on Hillary. There is no excuse for that and, as much as I admire HRC, I wouldn't be surprised if she is so worn out after this that she decides to give up on politics. I hope not. We need her.

[JVS]

31. We can't quit until she quits.

So get ready for an electoral pummeling!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

32. I know how you feel and I'm very sorry for you

I've never hitched my political wagon to a winning horse. I've been told my support is the kiss of death to a campaign.

I always mourn our loss, dust myself off and get back into the fight. Even if it's not the exact fight I wish I were fighting it's at least for the right side.

[busymom]

55. Me TOO!

In the future, I should avoid actively supporting anyone that I want to have win!!!!

[psychopomp]

34. I am sorry you feel that way

On the lighter side, I think a lot of people at Clinton campaign offices are feeling a bit more like this:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PeHxAXbuAiI

[paperbag_ princess]

35. you can't "go there"

Believe me, I understand. If I let myself feel heartbroken....I honestly could cry. I boo-hooed over Gore and then when my hopes were dashed with Kerry, I was practically bed ridden and drunk. ( In a very classy red wine kind of way :P ) I didn't talk to my mother for 3 months because she voted for Bush.

The pain sent kept me out of the game for a long time...I stopped fighting for what is good for this nation. It wasn't until I awoke to the possibility of a great candidate ...who was for the first time a woman! It gave me something to look forward to....and then up comes Obama from no where stealing thunder.

I have determined that I must approach politics like a sporting event. When my team loses, I am disappointed, but ultimately I am not crushed ...because I know that I could not play the game for them. It was really out of my control. For me it is much better to reserve my emotions for things I can control...and for people who can benefit from my emotions..whether I am sharing their joy or pain.

Many things beyond Hillary's control have worked against her. No one had control over that. It won't be the end of the world. She will still have work to do for our nation and there is always hope. Things can turn on a dime in life...maybe she finds something that she wants even more...maybe a woman comes on to the scene that coasts in with perfect timing.

Reserve your energy and emotion for what you have power over...because wasting emotion on things you can't control is draining.. You have been given your strength and power and emotion to make change around you...in your family, your job and your circle of influence.

best wishes

[Arkansas Granny]

36. Remember Hillary's words at the end of the debate the other night.

"Whatever happens, we’re going to be fine."

It's been tough seeing the bitterness here coming from people who we expect to be working toward the same goals. If both of these candidates were not as well qualified as they are, we would have already know who our candidate was going to be.

Don't let it wear on you too badly because in the end we are all going to have to work together and work hard to elect a Democratic president because we all realize that the alternative is just not an option.

Whatever happens, we’re going to be fine.

[rodeodance]

46. Yes, remember Hillary's inspiring message: "Whatever happens, we’re going to be fine."

[no name no slogan]

37. I haven't supported a winning candidate in the primaries since 1988

And believe it or not, you do get used to it.

[rodeodance]

38. hey--i hear yah. I am waiting for next week first. Nov. is a long way away--

[Danger Mouse]

40. I'm sorry that you feel this way, and especially sorry if the behavior of other DUer's has caused it

I seriously hope that we DO come together as a country over all of this.
Ignore the haters, they bray the loudest, but know the littlest.
:hug: :pals:

[aquarius dawning]

42. we are hopelessly fracatured...once again.

[Mooney]

44. I sympathize

I've been an eligible voter for 20 years and I've cast votes for a winning candidate twice, ever. In fact, it was the same guy both times. Every other vote I've ever cast in presidential elections were for people who I really didn't like, because the person I liked the most had gotten knocked out in the primaries. This can be really heartbreaking, there's no other word for it.

All the contentiousness here is normal during this period. I used to come here during the 2004 primaries and it was a fucking cesspool. I thought people were going to kill each other. But a nominee was chosen and then everyone closed ranks. Up to that point, there were dozens of people every day saying they "would never vote for (fill in the blank)" and they would join the Green party and so-and-so was a closet Republican, etc., etc., all the same ridiculous hyperbole and melodramatic bullshit that you're seeing today. Everything you're seeing here now is the natural state of this board during the primaries, and it will pass.

I'm not going to tell you how you should feel and I'm not going to tell you who you should vote for, or even if you should vote at all. Just try and keep in mind that DU is not the real world, and all the rage and craziness you're seeing right now will die down.

As for your candidate, if she doesn't get the nomination, I still really doubt that this will be the last time she runs for president. A lot of the great figures in American politics didn't get the nomination on their first try, and I'm sure she's learned things on this campaign that would make her much harder to go up against next time.

[Guava Jelly]

45. Ignore the assholes

This Obama supporter understands how it feels when your guy is down.
People can be such asshats.
I would hope that those who are strong Clinton supporters would ignore the few children and mean spirited gloaters that they may cross here.
Because they are not the candidate they back.(They are far less important)
Don't hold the Assholery of the few against the candidate.(either one)

..I Like Mrs. Clinton I hate a few of her votes but she is a good person and would make a fine president.

[MagsDem]

74. Ah, but the candidate they back is him

Listen to his words... he is the ONLY candidate that can get the support needed to win? Says who except the arrogant Obama? He unites a country the way Bush united a country. He doesn't take PAC money? Then why does he have a PAC if he doesn't believe in PACs? He doesn't take lobbyist money? Then why does he take millions from lobbyist he has bundling cash for him? Everything about him is fake, and his supporters are truly assholes. Just like Bush.

No thank you. This dem is not voting for a dem for president for the first time in 29 yrs of voting. He AND his supporters are the reason why.

[K Gardner]

50. If you like that video, you'll love this one.. its another Grey's video

and really touches me when I'm down. And sometimes, it really just helps to cry.

I am sorry you're hurting. I really am. Its not a good feeling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNZV2C5bpmA

[busymom]

54. Thanks you guys...

I guess I've just gotten bummed out by the negative coverage and talk that I hear at DU and really....anywhere that I talk politics.

I'd love to see Hillary pull it out...the number aren't on her side, but I'll keep donating and hoping until she tells me it's over.

[angie_love]

62. It gets better. After Kerry lost in 2004, I swore off politics and even though I've

supported Obama from the beginning, I promised myself not to get too emotionally invested b/c I remember how traumatized I felt after Gore and Kerry lost. Its made me more of a realist and it gets better. It stings for a good while, but it gets better.

Hillary will be fine. She will take over the senate and be a powerful voice just like Teddy Kennedy is. She will have great respect. Someday, she may even run for president again. Who knows, maybe she'll be Obama's VP, I doubt that, but its possible! Also, she might pull through and win OH and TX, we'll know more after March 4th.

But hey, we at DU are here for you, even if we support different candidates, we're still all democrats who will be there for each other.

I've had my moments of thinking that I don't know if I want Obama to be the nominee. I'm already starting to see the muslim/unpatriotic/terrorist manchurian candidate/farrakahn articles and it makes me sick. I don't want to see him go through that. Its heartbreaking. I'm starting to become very ambivalent over this whole thing. But I still support him 100%.

Don't lose hope.

:hug:

[busymom]

63. thanks for the support..

I have expected to open this thread today and get slammed...and I am really thankful to those of you who took a moment to give me a little political TLC...

I guess it's just been a rough week all around.

[AX10]

60. I'll write her in on my ballot.

I cannot vote for Obama.

[ORDem]

65. What a completely idiotic thing to do. You'd rather that the killing

in Iraq continue by helping McCain. That is so utterly selfish. No shame.

[ORDem]

64. Nothing "happened" to Hillary. It's her own doing. n/t

[anonymous171]

67. I am sorry for your candidates losses.

But remember that she's still not out of the race yet. I would advise my fellow Obamatons remember that as well. Hope you feel better!

[MadBadger]

68. And there are Videos from My side that are upbeat...yet we are called cultists for them.

[MagsDem]

72. SNL is parodying you already

Yet even that doesn't give you a clue. You can't see that you make his less electable than he already is.

[Bongo Prophet]

69. First off- thank you for the video. Very moving, and drew some tears for any hurt in this world.

My quick history of political love and despair:

The first time I really registered what a president was, it was JFK. My parents would watch him on TV, and really liked him. I was 6 years old, and had seen protesters get dogs and fire hoses turned on them. My dad told me that president was trying to help those people, so I knew he was a good man. I was too young to really feel the pain as deeply as they did, but the funeral affected me, and seeing his children, knowing they had lost their dad moved me deeply.

My first candidate that inspired me, at 10 years old. Robert Kennedy. I was so happy with this vibrant man, and when MLK was killed, he was so honest and forthright, that I thought - this man will carry on where his brother left off. My dad was for McCarthy, but asked me my thoughts, and he taught me that democrats could disagree on the best candidate, but still discuss it with love and respect. We watched the primaries together that spring - i was falling in love with hope again.
I remember going to bed so happy that he had won California, and woke up from a nightmare with the radio alarm on low volume - it was one of those intercoms built into the wall - I walked across the room in the semi-darkness, and it heard the news that he had been shot and killed. I crumpled to the floor in tears.

My dad, who taught me that politics was about helping people, comforted me and together we pulled behind his favorite candidate, Eugene McCarthy. He got pushed out in the 68 convention for the more centrist Humphrey. The kids in the streets were getting beaten by the police. I was learning loss, and learning how power can beat the hope right out of people...

Then Nixon.
Watts. Kent State.
McGovern gave me hope again.
Nixon 2 in a landslide.
How could my country go for such an obvious crook?

During watergate hearings, my teachers let us watch for hours, setting aside regular classes.
I fell in love with hearings during this time.
We got the bastard out. then Ford pardoned him.
I learned that power can slip right by justice.

Jimmy Carter was my first vote. Victory was sweet.
they treated him like shit.
He put solar panels on the roof of the white house, and encouraged conservation.
He was right.

Then ReaganHe took down those solar panels. And we went backwards.
Reagan again, with bush in the BG.
Then Bush. None of the candidates I wanted even got to the convention.
Criminal drug dealing and arms trading, ignoring AIDS. My friends were dying.
I learned that there is a military arms and drugs infrastructure beneath the bread and circuses of electoral politics.
That we armed the very tyrants we later waged war on.

During this time, I watched a new generation come up, and two very special politicians caught my eye.
One was a man of deep thought and had long term thinking skills - Al Gore.
The other was amazingly adept at digging deeply into the evil understructure of drugs/arms - john Kerry.

Thought I liked Tom Harkin and others, Bill Clinton had very special skills. I liked his wife even better, and I loved that she was a different kind of "political wife" - no cookie baking or Nancy Reagan type. She was more than his equal, and a new partnering model for the future. And he picked Al Gore to run with him. I had hope. Gore's "information superhighway" helped the economy soar.

victory was sweet.
For the first time in years, we actually prospered. The right wing noise machine went into high gear, and I defended them ferociously.
Finally, it was Gore's chance.
And it was stolen right in front of our eyes.

We knew they did not steal it to rule lightly, but to profit from chaos and fear. We knew that Iraq would be revisited, and maybe South America. We knew that the end of oil prosperity would be coming around the corner, which is why Gore was right for that time. We know how that turned out.
We went backwards. Again. Into the darkness.

Then Kerry. The perfect candidate to overturn the Bush regime. I had to defend him from people who had never heard of BCCI, or Iraq-gate, and did not see what I saw in him. Boring, they said. But I appreciate someone who can speak in paragraphs, and connect a half dozen concepts and then tie them together at the end. He was a flawed candidate, but would have been a great president.

And it was stolen. People had to stand in the rain for hours. Terror alerts were manipulating us in fear, and Bush would speak in closed bubbles.
Democrats attacked Kerry for not fighting, even though he would not have been able to count votes that were not even cast. They still come in to bash him. i cried and could not eat anything more than oatmeal for a week. Depression set in. My dad had died the year before, and I had to face this one with only my partner. We both missed his council and wisdom.

Now. Defeat can be crushing.
Losing a primary is painful.
Having an election stolen is more painful.
Having your heroes bashed for losing just adds to the bitterness.

But nothing hurts more than assassination.

i will vote for either candidate.
We have to win.
I understand your pain, I really do.

but if you have read this far, you know it to be true.
This is why I have tried so hard to get people to be civil to each other.
Folks from both camps have made fun of me for this.
Get a thicker skin, they said.
It is just an anonymous forum, a cesspool. no real people are involved, they said.
But I know different.
I am real.
You are real.
People feel real pain over this, and over the taunting.
Words matter.
People matter.

I understand.


:grouphug:
I cannot spellcheck this for the tears.
Thanks for listening.

[stellanoir]

70. This post warrants it's own thread.

Wish I could K & R it.

thanks

[MagsDem]

73. I came here absolutely willing to be won over by Obama

But his supporters convinced me that all my misgivings about him were correct. This will be the first election in my lifetime that I just could not vote for the dem candidate if it is him. I don't think he deserves to win, but if he does it will have to be without my vote. Obama supporters act like so what... they have no idea the damage they do to their candidate in the GE. I will always think of him as the man who turned our party into nothing better than the rethugs. His talk of uniting the country is as much BS as the crap Bush spewed. Sorry to say, but that is how I see it.

[Bongo Prophet]

76. I respect everone's right to do as they think and feel, MagsDem.

Still spent from that confessional, and hope the OP is helped even a tiny bit by it.

I have people i respect voting for each of the candidates, some here on this thread.
I understand that taunting asses make it harder to even think about it, some here on this thread.

Some people are just not gracious.

When some Obama supporters taunt Hillary supporters with "shrill" or some sexist bullshit it hurts me.
When some Hillary supporters taunt Obama supporters with "cultist" or some racist bullshit it hurts me.

I have no words to cover that.
I feel the pain, but recognize how little power I have.

We should celebrate the end of the Bush era - if we can end it, that is.
the neocons that surrounded Bush, then Giuliani are now attached to McCain.
It is much bigger than you or me - and more people will die with them than either dem, I think.

Because I have felt so much pain, maybe I just want to keep others from feeling it.
It is not about me anymore- and never really was.

If you want to leave it blank and vote downticket, or just sit it out, I would not lecture you.
I know your views on "a black man" not winning this state or that.
I have seen you taunt Obama supporters - but still, that too is your right.

I read much more than I post, but take note of the dynamics here.
There has been much damage done by both sides.
Each side will think themselves blameless, and let it all fall to the other side.
Most will just disappear, and probably be proud of the pain they have caused.
I cannot approve of that, but it is the right of each to follow their own conscience.

[MagickMuffin]

77. Wow, thanks for the in depth prospective

Of loss and hope and dashed dreams. Dreams of hope turning into despair, with a few victories sprinkled in along the way, followed by more heartache. Democracy is messy and something we should never turn away from, or we will continue to lose elections. Stronger in numbers as the saying goes. If ALL Democrats voted in mass there would be less likelihood of stolen elections. That's why I love Howard Dean, he gets it, we have to get everyone involved, not just the inner circle, but ALL of us.

I also believe you should turn this into its own post. Maybe some people here could benefit by your experience of all the issues you wrote about.

[MagsDem]

71. I understand -- not a huge HRC supporter, but...

I am just sickened as a Democrat by just about every aspect of the BO campaign.

[MrSlayer]

75. Of course it wasn't as close as this nor a long time coming but I was crushed when Clark dropped out

in 2004. Literally crushed. I was upset for days, not crying but wanted to. I was furious, felt cheated by the media for not covering my guy enough and not letting his message be heard. When he joined with Kerry the next day and hit him with the "permission to come aboard, sir" line I wanted to throw up. But once the summer came on and the swifties were out I was very much on Kerry's side. I volunteered for him, donated and talked him up to anyone I could. Hell, I got into a crazy screaming match with one of my father's Limbaugh listening friends and just tore him a new asshole without any respect whatsoever, embarrassing the shit out of my dad. You would have thought I was on Kerry's payroll by the time November came around and he was my very last choice in the primary.

It has to be worse for you and all of Senator Clinton's supporters because your candidate's chances were far better than mine and even though it isn't over, it does seem like the writing is on the wall. This was to be the culmination of Hillary Clinton's life's work and it's been stolen away by a perceived young upstart with limited experience but a herd of charisma and oratory ability. It hurts, I know it does but after it's over we all need to review what our priorities are. And our number one priority has to be preventing John McCain and the Republicans from maintaining their control of the executive branch.

Grieve, rage and punch holes in the wall if you have to but once you get that out remember that we need our candidate in the Oval Office come next year even if it's not your first choice, even if you loathe the guy from our party. The country is at stake. We simply cannot afford to let it slide further down the spiral. Besides, Obama's platform isn't really much different than Hillary's, everything will be ok at the end of the day if he wins.

[chknltl]

79. First: Thank you for supporting Senator Clinton

She is still in it but it is looking like not much longer. I want her to stay in a little longer though, let democracy run it's course. This will strengthen BOTH of these great candidates. The nominee will need that strength when we go up against the mCcain bull shit express. Senator Clinton is still a viable candidate, should something tragic happen to Senator Obama or if she somehow turns things around, she will be our next President.

If the roles were reversed between Senator Obama and Senator Clinton...things would likely be uglier here in the DU. I don't know this but I suspect it because many here feel that corporatism is what is killing America's democracy...that is why many DUers have placed Senator Clinton at the bottom of their list. Regardless of the facts either way, many perceive her as the Democrat most tainted by corporatism...as that list shrank the anger and fear rose, hence much of the hostility. Had she been the front runner still at this point, had Senator Obama been in her position lagging in the polls and in popularity, well I suspect that the fireworks here in the DU would have been even more spectacular. That bit is off topic but could make a great thread I suspect...if someone had thick enough skin to post it, I am not so brave.

Back to the thank you. Senator Clinton supporters have given us someone who would make America a fine President. One I believe who would have kept us OUT of Iran. That factoid all by itself is a biggie for me. There is no way Madeline Albright would have advised the new Clinton Administration to have done otherwise. (She still influences both Bill and Hillary and DIPLOMACY is her motto!). Secondly, like it or no, there was much prosperity for most of us during President Clinton's time in office, Senator Clinton may have brought us back to those days in the sun. Senator Clinton supporters, you've fought for and given the world that ray of HOPE. Thank you.

Soon it may be that we will need that strength and support you gave for Senator Clinton. Soon it may be that America will need you to back Senator Obama. No he is NOT your ideal candidate, nor is he the ideal candidate of most here...well not originally as many many of us once pinned our hopes to Senator Kucinich or Senator Biden and Dodd etc. We are here now and we gladly welcome you in with open arms. You have been scrappy fighters and we need that fight! Join us.

My prediction and my dream for America:
I predict that, barring unforeseen tragedy, Senator Obama will sweep into the Whitehouse with a landslide victory.
I say this for a number of reasons.

First: Senator mcCain hitches his wagon to the bush 19% popularity. There are a number of reasons that this popularity is so low but I suspect chiefest of those reasons is due to the pinch the voters are feeling in their wallets. We The People know the source of that pinch: bush! Anyone who runs on platform of furthering that pinch will start out with a great disadvantage. We The People by and large are done with 'solutions' to that pinch offered up by the very group which does the pinching. It is that simple. Advantage Obama

Second: There is a VERY unpopular war going on. Senator mCcain promises more of this and worse he seems quite willing to expand on that war by taking on Iran. We The People are sick of war, most of us know that bush is after Iraqi oil and if possible Iran's oil as well. Senator Obama is promises to bring this 'war' to a quick close and shows no interest in attacking Iran. Advantage Obama

Thirdly: Senator mCcain is easily seen as someone backed by corporatism. It is the rare American Voter who feels that lobbyists are a good thing. Senator Obama is too new to the game to have a need for a baggage train so large. Yes, he does have his corporate sponsors but not in the numbers that mCcain has accumulated. Advantage Obama.

Fourthly: America wants change...as of late they perceive Senator Obama as an agent of change. Senator mcCain, by hitching his campaign to bush is NOT seen as an agent of change but as someone who wants to maintain the status quo. Advantage Obama!

Fifthly: Senator mCcain is NOT seen as to reflect the core values of conservatism...his possible supporters are diminished considerably as many choose to sit things out and others choose to switch teams and support Senator Obama. Advantage Obama!

Sixthly: The republican campaign strategy of swift-boating and lies and attacks is being perceived as more business as usual. Senator Obama so far is not by and large known for that kind of campaign. As we get deeper into this election process, the mCcain scream machine will find itself in a death spiral as they go after Senator Obama. Instead of hurting him they will strengthen him as more and more voters rally around his call for CHANGE!

And lastly: Does America REALLY want change? Look at the Obama surge for your answer. Each time that the Clinton campaign tried to do harm to the obama campaign, Senator Obama emerged even more popular. Remember Senator Clinton's "shed a tear" moment? It was perceived as quite genuine by the voters, voters who now are united against the status quo. That moment turned out pretty good for Senator Clinton didn't it. That is proof enough for me that We The People are done with status quo politicking. Senator mCcain will have no other way to politic. Advantage Obama!

This is why I predict that Senator Obama will surge into the White House with a landslide victory. I ask you supporters of Senator Clinton, when the time is right be there for us, be there for America, join us, lend us your fight, send Senator Obama into the White House with a terrific mandate from We The People: YOU PROMISED US CHANGE, WE HAVE GIVEN YOU THE CHANCE, WE WANT CHANGE! NOW DELIVER, DAMN IT!

[Beacool]

80. I usually stand by my word: I will NOT vote for a man

who I think is neither prepared nor deserves the presidency of the last remaining super power in the world. I'll support any Dem. at the state and local level, but will not give a penny to the DNC nor volunteer a minute of my time. I could never see myself making phone calls and holding fundraisers on his behalf. Frankly, I don't even think that I could wear this guy's button.

:shrug: