Interesting read.............

[Beacool]

Why Clinton voters say they won't support Obama

The attack of the PUMAs, or a dozen reasons why Clinton voters are still too angry to come home.

By Rebecca Traister



June 23, 2008 | If you're a dedicated Democrat -- or perhaps even one of those fed-up Republicans we've heard about -- there's a good chance you're pretty stoked right about now. After a grueling but thrilling primary contest, we at last have decided on a history-making, barrier-breaking Democratic presidential candidate. You're excited! You're inspired! You're ready to hit rural Ohio with enough campaign literature to choke a wavering independent!

But why do you keep hearing all these stories about grumpy old ladies still hung up on Hillary Clinton, the ones who're threatening to make a scene at the Democratic convention in Denver, or vote for John McCain in November?

To be fair, it's not just women. There are plenty of Clinton supporters of every demographic description who are still ticked. But yes, it's true that the Clinton base skewed female, and that women over 30 are the most vocal of the malcontents. Some of them are calling themselves "PUMAs" (as in "Party Unity My Ass"), an acronym that makes them sound, appropriately enough, like cougars in a very bad mood. Who are these women, and why are they such buzzkills?

Remember that classic of pop-psychological cheese, "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus"? This offensive but rhetorically useful book (yes, I'm invoking it; address your letters of complaint to [e-mail]) states that often, in conflict, women simply want to be heard. They want to air their grievances and let their opponents know where they're coming from. Now the Democratic Party is moving forward, as it must, but it is doing so without giving the Clinton women a real hearing -- without letting them vent their anger. It is the social equivalent of talking over them, waving off their complaints, assuming they'll come around. This is a mistake. This is only making things worse (even if, as Walter Shapiro notes, history says they will come around, no matter how many PUMA T-shirts and Web sites like this one may be sprouting now).

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/06/23/pumas/index.html?source=rss

[Skittles]

1. these writers' titles are very misleading

they need to say SOME Clinton voters won't vote for Obama - PUMA does not speak for all of them. I absolutely understand the anger of voters who say they won't vote for Obama (I don't condone this) but I CANNOT understand them voting for McCain unless racism is involved

[Beacool]

3. I think that those who say that they will vote for McCain will do so to "punish" the party.

They are furious at the leadership, at the sexism of the media, etc.

This is only June, who knows how these people will feel by November?

[Skittles]

4. they will be punishing themselves and America

they HAVE to know already this

[Beacool]

5. They don't see it that way.

Remember that not every Democrat is a left winger. There are plenty of moderates and conservatives in the party too.

[Skittles]

7. idiots

I remember how many so-called "Democrats" voted for Reagan - absolutely disgusting

[ColbertWatcher]

9. I cannot understand how anyone can look at pictures coming from Iowa...

...and still support any GOP.

[hokies4ever]

10. Why won't they vote for Cynthia McKinney then?

She's a progressive feminist. Hmmm...wonder why...?

[Beacool]

11. Because a vote for McCain would have more impact

than voting for her or Nader? Who knows.......

[bluestateguy]

2. This phenomenon is made out to be a bigger deal than it really is by the bobblehead media

They just need something to yak about, now that the primaries are over. Polls show Obama edging ahead, and each successive poll shows a dwindling number of HIllary voters continuing to hold out.

[Forkboy]

6. What strikes me....

It is the social equivalent of talking over them, waving off their complaints, assuming they'll come around. This is a mistake.

...is that they are effectively doing this to themselves. :shrug:

[dkf]

8. We are not letting them vent?

Who "lets" anyone vent?