Bittersweet symphony......

[marmar]

First off, let me say that as an African American male and GenXer, I'm very excited about Barack Obama's candidacy and all that it represents - Groundbreaking on so many levels and hopefully the ushering in of a new people-powered era in American politics. And though my first choice was a candidate who didn't run - the only elected president never to serve his term (Mr. Gore) - I'll be excited and proud to campaign and vote for Obama this fall.

But there's also a great deal of sadness in this moment, too. I remember the first election I was eligible to vote in - the 1992 one in which an energetic former Arkansas governor ended the dreadful Reagan/Bush era with a message of hope, and the constant reminder: "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow." I remember my grandfather, who was born and raised in Hope, Arkansas, being so excited about his "homey" Bill Clinton and how he was going to change this country.
And with Bill came Hillary, the brilliant and tenacious First Lady who was not just the president's wife, but a partner. I was in awe of her bravery in taking on universal health care in the face of a nasty, hateful backlash from the Republicans, the right-wingers in the media and the health care business.
And I remember the fallout from the Lewinsky affair, when Bill Clinton's staunchest and most unwavering support came from African Americans. My mother and several of her co-workers wore "Leave the President Alone" T-shirts to work.
So when I listen to the playback of Hillary's remarks about being the only candidate who can win "the hard-working voters, the white voters with little education" (or whatever the exact quote was), it hurts. It really does. It also hurts when her surrogates employ the same right-wing tactics on Barack Obama that the slimy, sewer-dwelling Reich wingers attacked she and Bill with for so many years.

So even though I'm very excited for Barack Obama, it's tempered by my sadness in watching the Clinton campaign degenerate the way it has. This is, after all, the family that got me excited about politics as a college student. They were the first First Family I helped get into office, and the first presidential campaign I ever got out and worked for. It's a bittersweet symphony - I've gained a new campaign to work for, but I feel like I've lost a longtime family friend.

[babylonsister]

1. You're a sweetie, do you know that?nt

[marmar]

3. .... and only another sweetie would recognize that.

:loveya:

[NanceGreggs]

2. Beautifully written ...

... and apparently, straight from the heart.

I know exactly how you feel. I idolized the Clintons for so many years - and I, too, feel like I've lost something I once held very dear.

[marmar]

4. Thank you Nance.....

..... It's been bugging me all day. Like you, I idolized the Clintons......Maybe they've been beaten down by the years in Washington. But then again, maybe they're not what we thought they were.

[NanceGreggs]

7. I'm going to go with the former ...

... that they've both been beaten down, and therefore changed, by their years in Washington.

It may not be true, but I find some comfort in that thought. So I'm sticking with it.

[marmar]

10. Same here.....

n/t

[CitizenLeft]

5. I feel exactly as you do.

It's so disillusioning, so disappointing, to see her - them - sink to this level. I can't even hate them, it's deeper than that. It's like a betrayal. Leaves me just plain numb about them. What a revelation.

[marmar]

6. "It's like a betrayal. Leaves me just plain numb about them."

Exactly.

[gateley]

8. Power and money change people.

Even Gravel (Gravel!) said he was getting a little too drunk on his power and believing it all when he was in the Senate.

:hug:

[marmar]

9. Very true....

n/t

[myrna minx]

11. Bill Clinton was my first Presidential vote in 1992, and I was proud to cast it.

I too am heartbroken by this turn of events. I had idolized the Clintons, but now I just feel betrayed.

[BlooInBloo]

12. It'll be even better when white Clinton supporters call you stupid and a reverse racist.