Clinton at the Convention
Disappointed and bitter Clinton backers want her name placed in nomination at the Democratic Convention later this month. Some of the things they’re saying, though, are interesting. (All quotes taken from the linked article, above.)
“It’s a simple thing to do, and it’s the biggest sign of party unity,” said Laura Spanjian, a San Francisco Clinton delegate who also supports the move. “If we do that one thing, the Hillary people can get past it – and move on.”
I wonder how, exactly, this is a sign of party unity? Catharsis, maybe. Unity? No. It strikes me more as trying to scratch an unscratchable itch.
Clay Dougherty, another San Francisco delegate for Clinton, said that “if the situation were reversed, the Obama people would feel the same.”
“For the first time in a generation, it’s been a close election … and this was such a unique situation,” he said, in which the first major African American presidential candidate competed with the first major female presidential candidate. “We need to honor both candidates,” he said.
I’m not so sure that Obama backers would be clamoring to have his name placed in nomination had he lost the nomination. I agree with the need to honor both candidates. Clinton’s support was impressive. She deserves some respect, which she is being shown with a prime time speech at the convention.
Clinton still hasn’t released her delegates. If her supporters are so concerned about party unity, why not ask her to release them?
I’ve said before that I didn’t see the harm in Clinton’s name being placed into nomination at the convention. I felt that if it helps her supporters to move on and makes them feel honored, great. I’m starting to re-think that, however, and am starting to think that it’s more like Ted Kennedy in 1980, which hurt Carter in the general election. I’ve had enough of the PUMAs and I think that the bitterness they’re showing is not much more than sour grapes. I think that if they’re truly Democrats, they need to get over it and move on.
I understand the disappointment. If Obama had lost, I would be disappointed too. But I would have taken a moment, then come out strongly for Hillary. It’s time for the PUMAs and other Clinton backers to do the same. Enough already.
Deanna – Party unity my a**!
If these women believed in party unity in the “slightest” they wouldn’t be persisting with this foolishness.
If they want catharsis – if they want to PURGE their emotions – they should go to San Francisco to the Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plan where they want to rename the facility the ‘George W. Bush Sewage Plant’; they can PURGE there!
Let them all be on their merry way – I’m tired of hearing about them.
Deanna – I have to agree with Paulette on this. Our county Democratic Chairman is a Clinton delegate (probably forced on him by the State committee in Pennsylvania) and he freely speaks about supporting Obama. He knows what needs to be done and doesn’t waste his time or other peoples time whining about a loss.
I agree with both of you. (I’ve come around, I guess.) I’m definitely getting tired of the PUMAs. It’s time — really — for the PUMAs to move on. Clinton lost. It’s reality. Obama is the nominee. Support him.
I’m glad you’re covering this. I’ve been a little tense in my writing as of late. These never-say-die Clinton supporters really frustrated me a couple of months ago. It’s okay to love your candidate but we need to rally together to beat McCain in November.
And now they’ve returned. We can’t afford these games. Not now. There is just too much at stake.
I agree. There is too much at stake to play games with this election. We really do need to rally together. But I feel like if some can’t, then they need to go away.