Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Hey everyone! Good Morning! First!

CNN is giving a fairly accurate report of Hillary's campaign ending., based on what I have heard from people who are closely connected with the campaign.

The Hillary people are all over the place as far as how this has turned out:

Bridge-builders --- moving toward Obama.
Switchers --- moving toward McCain.
Loyalists --- planning to write-in Hillary.
Goners --- leaving the Democratic Party.
Vacationers --- scaling back their DEM activism.
Revolutionaries -- dialing up their activism for a third party.
Burn-outs --- are fed up with politics.

Based on the conversations I've had with many, many, many people, the Bridge-builders are fewer in number than all the rest.

Hi Morning Bloogers,

Alicia--you are correct. After the vitriol during the Democratic primary, Bridge-Builders are few. I must admit. I'm not one of them, either.

I couldn't post here yesterday because, like Senator Clinton, I needed
time to figure out what I wanted to say. And, like Hillary, I'm still not sure
that it's time to purge. But, I cannot disguise that I am disappointed that
Mrs. Clinton was out-maneuvered by the slick Obama campaign. I don't
feel like getting into a nasty, mean-spirited debate with some on this site right now, so I'll try to avoid collisions with them.

I read all the posts yesterday and many reflected my thoughts.
Right or wrong, I'm still steadfast in my resolve not to vote for Obama.
Pundits and party elders have decided that Obama will be the nominee.
But, I won't support him, even though Hillary must.

Hi,

Typo--I meant bloggers.

what about us bloogers?

Michelle Obama is scheduled to be a guest host on, "The View"(18JUN08).

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hKzn_BsqE8Ga44wh9jPSMhVaCYWwD913I9J03
_________

How 'bout them Red Wings!!

Both of you have your good points--bloogers and bloggers alike.

Correction:

Bloogers are likable enough.

Check out Stephen Colbert's advice to HRC...hilarious!!

John McCain's green screen challenge
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/index.jhtml

good morning gang.....

Alicia.... according to your list.... I'm a loyalist....
I will be voting for Clinton as a write-in but not out of loyalty to her..... but because I want to send a message to the DNC about the process...... I expect the nominee of the Democratic party to be decided on democratically.....

Corey & Dexter...... Congrats on the Red Wings win! I am very happy for the both of you..... and any other Red Wing fans posting on or reading this blog....

as of today i will write Hillary in as my candidate..i'm not ready to endorse anyone else...so it's been a real ride....

Yes, I got the email from Hillary. It looks like she is stepping down. It breaks my heart.

At this time I will not support either of the two candidates. Maybe a third party could jump in. Is that even possible? I think there would be no better time for it.

It is a shame that these two are the best this country can offer. I am shaking my head and wondering why. Am I still sleeping.?

Carol

At this moment, watching Michelle Obama on "The View" would
be like having a root canal for me.

alicia - Great list & correct about folks not switching to Obama. (Although, to hear the MSM tell it, he has the support of Hil'ry's folks. They have ceased being journalists to become propaganda artists.)

I'd rather fight than switch. Now the job is to get 18 million people on the same page re: write-in, etc. I'm not ready to discount a Clinton WH. BO is absolutely the wrong person for the job. I liked him better when he was an unknown entity; the more I know, the less I want him anywhere near the oval office.

if you switch from hillary to george mccain...mr. overturn roe v wade, mr. nightmarish, confused iraq policy, mr. here's a $2000 tax break good luck with health insurance, mr. way too old and out of touch...if you make that switch, you're either a moron or a republican.

OK, OK, i know...same thing.

http://www.cafepress.com/LibertyMugged

I know it's crowded under all the campaign buses, but could someone find room under one for peggy noonan?

blue,

I know what you mean.

ct,

Hillary's letter of concession really was difficult for me to read--like you,
it broke my heart, too.

Any minute, an Obama supporter will probably attack this post .

Is this what we're trying to do, prove we're a "wonderful country"?

The DNC needs to be taught a lesson & I'd rather not do it by supporting the GOP, but I would if it turns out to be the only viable choice. I would love to see a 3rd party for those of us in the middle, but what would be truly "historical" would be the first woman president, who was also a former First Lady, obtain the office outside of the big-two. A trifecta.

It's time to organize for the general.

Sturgeone,

Peggy Noonan is scary weird. That voice. Her constant moral indignation
and self-righteous condemnation of the Clintons is pathological.
I'm searching for a bus right now.

If, as the saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, it puts the lie to the myth of "the Clintons will do 'anything' !" I'm so sick of hearing that.

BO doesn't stand a chance against the GOP. They will paint him as anti-American & I'm not so sure he isn't. He has definitely had a make-over to make him pro-America in the past month. He has a trust issue with everyone except the people that voted for him in the primaries & that will not win him the gen'l.

blueINdallas,

I've been talking about the idea of a third party with many of my Democratic
friends. There just isn't a place for centrists, middle of the road people,
in the Dem party anymore.

The Democratic party left me. Obama doesn't need white women 40 or over. I'm 43 and have been make to feel like a senile old woman by pundits and
Obama surrogates. This primary season the DNC let me know their
feelings loud and clear.

I, too, received the HRC letter...I was very touched, until I got to the end and read the last word...CONTRIBUTE.

I voted for HRC and also contributed money/time to her campaign. I still hold out hope, that she will become our president(if not this year...in 2012).

I am very disappointed, however, that her campaign could not send out a simple "thank you" letter...emails don't cost anything and they only take a second to send.

I'm just sayin'...

It is not surprising to me at all how many men either can't get a woman or can't get the woman they have to have sex with them on any regular basis. I was listening to one of my favorite radio shows yesterday and all of the callers were men saying that all these Clinton supporters needed to get on the bus. "Either you're with us, or you're with the terrorists!" God forbid a man thinks like a woman for three minutes and says, "I understand that you are disappointed. Devastated even. Take some time. Feel it. Own it. And when you are ready, we will listen to you. We hear you. We see you. We respect you. And we want to ask for your vote." OK: Maybe not so touchy feely but the way a man would say what I just said. UGH.

Based on the conversations I've had with many, many, many people, the Bridge-builders are fewer in number than all the rest. Posted by: Alicia Knight

Alicia,
loved your post.
We all must fit somewhere in that list.

I'm still steadfast in my resolve not to vote for Obama.
Pundits and party elders have decided that Obama will be the nominee.
But, I won't support him, even though Hillary must.
Posted by: prof marcia | June 5, 2008 7:05 AM

Marcia, you posted just what I feel. I will not support him.
Thank for coming back today.

So Alicia,
According to your list I am a Goner! LOL....

The letter was touching, very grand and true. I expected nothing less from HRC.

I admire the woman even more.

Poor, Peggy Noonan.....Who will she bark upon now. You have to pity these people. She knows her only stinch for being on TV is now gone. Out of frustration you get reactions like hers.

One thing I hope, is that HRC takes a long holiday. Just quit the secene Hillary, let the party ramble.....

Don´t blame me...... I voted Hillary!

Ally,

Your sentiments are exactly what Hillary meant in her speech when she
said, "What does Hillary want?" She said, she wants respect for the 18 million
voters who supported her. I think she was echoing what you wrote. That
a lot of her women voters feel dissed, not respected for our feelings--how hard we worked, how disenchanted we are. Pundits and the Obama
crew won't even give us a week to grieve. Why should we ever forget the
way we were treated? Why should we fall in line and vote for Obama?
I know some Obama supporter will rant on about how we can't let
McCain win, but, frankly, at this moment, I don't care if he does.

Hi Patsi! Many will be happy to see you posting.

I, too, received the HRC letter...I was very touched, until I got to the end and read the last word...CONTRIBUTE.Posted by: LushIsLinda Author Profile Page | June 5, 2008 8:12 AM

I read somewhere yesterday, that she got $11 million in those 2 days around the last election.

I was listening to one of my favorite radio shows yesterday and all of the callers were men saying that all these Clinton supporters needed to get on the bus. "Either you're with us, or you're with the terrorists!" Ally

Not all men. A lot of them get it. Just about half don't.
Too bad that half is the most vocal.

Posted by: prof marcia | June 5, 2008 7:58 AM

Peggums is a fav of the Obama supporters as was Bobo Brooks until he wrote this weekend that Obama does not connect with the working class.

I really do think Senator Clintons letter of concession to her loyal supporters was heartfelt. I don't begrudge Hillary trying to pay off her campaign debts. She worked really hard. But, I can understand some feeling uncomfortable with the
invitation to contribute attached.

Hey all! Good morning. Congratulations to Corey on the Red Wings victory.

Thank you Alicia for your excellent classification system for describing the various factions and fractions within the Clinton camp going forward. We should save that list so everyone can quickly reference where they are on the spectrum (I'm in the a "bridge-builder" camp). Jamie, would you be willing to compile the list of Trailmix HRC supporters and how they fall today? It would require the HRC supporters here to post individually reporting their status, then you could compile -- a la your horserace pools. (For those who missed it, Alicia's original post is 6:13 a.m. at the top of today's thread)

BTW: Some sock puppet keeps posting my copyrighted definitions of "spindrool" and "spinarrhea" from a couple months ago. Last night it was under the name of "Bye Bye Bry Bry." Please cease and desist, or my attorney will be in touch with your sock drawer!

I am very fortunate to be married to a "sensitive new age guy"...he feels my pain and acknowledges my heartache over HRC's loss...

...oh, but he is still voting for BHO...LOL!!

http://www.lyricsdownload.com/lavin-christine-sensitive-new-age-guys-lyrics.html

Not all men. A lot of them get it. Just about half don't.
Too bad that half is the most vocal.

Posted by: chloe | June 5, 2008 8:31 AM

Chloe: I agree. I am married to a lovely man. That's why I said I am not surprised "how many men" have issues with women. And there are a lot. But ALL of the male callers on this radio show yesterday were like: GET ON. SIT DOWN. AND SHUT UP. Appalling. Four or five days for Hillary to gather her thoughts after a 17-month campaign and she can't have four or five days? There are five months until the election folks. Plenty of time for Obama to be smeared by the Republicans. Be happy you have five days to prepare?!

BTW: Some sock puppet keeps posting my copyrighted definitions of "spindrool" and "spinarrhea" from a couple months ago. Last night it was under the name of "Bye Bye Bry Bry." Please cease and desist, or my attorney will be in touch with your sock drawer!

Posted by: LardassLiberal | June 5, 2008 8:37 AM

my lawyer says you are full of it and it's in the public domain and that you are a big baby and if you can' take the rough and tumble of public posting you should stay of the intertubes

Ally,

I couldn't agree more.
I have very little to say today, because you guys are channeling my thoughts and feelings perfectly.

You are all better than therapist.

The only choice I can make without feeling I made a wrong choice ....is to write Hillary in. This is my only choice I will be able to trust!!!
I have to at least say, I felt as though John McCain gave Hillary the respect she earned.....Obama I am just not believing him.. He should have mentioned Bill Clinton in some of his speeches early on when he always talked about Ronald Reagan.

My lawyer says you have no sense of humor. And coming from a lawyer...that's quite an indictment. Relax. It was a joke.

My lawyer says you have no sense of humor.

My lawyer says the same thing about you

LOL

Then you should tell your lawyer to stop plagiarizing my lawyer and come up with his own material.

Lard, we're used to you being a "little mean" at times.
But, I knew it was a joke and laughed.
We're a little touchy right now. Humor us.

BTW: I purchased several of those really graphic HILLARY posters that came out about a month ago. I am considering sending one around the country (to Trailmixers and some of my friends) and have supporters sign it, have it framed and then send it to her Senatorial offices.

Stay tuned for a place for the Hillary supporters to sign up to receive "the tube." By signing up to have it sent to you, you would need to agree to send it to the next person on the list after you sign it. If you want to know what the poster looks like, you can view it here:

http://www.hillarystore.com/store/HC0925.html

Then you should tell your lawyer to stop plagiarizing my lawyer and come up with his own material.

Now you're starting to sound like Obama.

LardassLiberal,

I agree that Alicia's list is great. But, I've got so many emotions floating
around right now that, at different times the last 24 hours, I've been each one of
of the Hillary people she listed. Currently, I couldn't choose one.

Ally,

I like your suggestion!

I have to run off soon to get the kiddos to school then go to Warrenton for biz. Thanks for the kudos on list. I thought of it late last night when I got a phone call from a dear friend who wanted to tell me that he had gotten a call from the Obama campaign to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at Obama's rally in Manassas My friend is a retired Navy Commander, White House Fellow under Clinton and a national delegate for Clinton. He said he didn't agree to the request until he' checked with well-placed folks in the Hillary camp, and they gave him the greenlight. What else could they say? I suggested that he was being played by the O-camp because he is a veteran, a Clintonite, and Latino. He knows that he's being selected for his demographic. Ultimately he said he was going to do it because he wanted to be a "bridgebuilder" and advocate to the Obama camp that Hillary should be the VP.

I shared with him that he as likely one of the few. Only the extreme DEM operators are going to make that switch as readily as he will. I've been a DEM operator for 30 years and I still don't know where I would place myself on the list. Probably a Vacationer. I'm trying to keep an open mind. There is no way I could tell anyone else what thy ill do since I don't know the answer to that myself.

Adele describes my mood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoT4FVRDg_8&feature=related

Ally,
thanks for the link!
It's so cool I'm going to order one too.

watch and weep... 8~(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTdImHOj3Bg

Clarification:

In reference to Alicia's list. The only Hillary-person type I haven't felt and am
fairly certain I won't is the "moving toward Obama" Bridge Builder.

The Clinton people need to recognize that it is not coincidence that Obama's vote was more efficient. I have discussed this before. Part of this had to do with the fact that the delegate allocation system contains biases that happened to favor Obama. However, part of it had to do with the fact that the Obama campaign had a better understanding of the system. It found the possibilities and made the most of them. What's more, the Clinton campaign let it do this. Simply put, Obama out-maneuvered Clinton. Clinton supporters need to respect this.

Meanwhile, Obama supporters need to recognize that their candidate is the victor not because he put together a majority coalition, but because he out-maneuvered Clinton. This was a highly intelligent strategy, but it was not a grand feat of majority building. Obama supporters need to recognize that their candidate won not because "the people had their say," but because his campaign out-smarted her campaign. Accordingly, they need to respect the candidate whom they could not beat in a straight-up fight for votes.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2008/06/obamas_tko.html

Well, let's just see if he can outsmart us in the GE.

I feel like the loyal customer who was pressured by a trusted salesman to buy a dog product because he was desparate for a sale. On this day 40 years ago, I awoke to the news of the RFK assination and felt badly for my college friends who loved him. Today, I grieve for but cherish this valiant stateswoman and her family, supporters and staff who left nothing on the table and gave us grace under friendly fire. My instincts have taught me that when something doesn't feel right, it isn't.

For me, it is time to step back, let go the hopes that
I may have had for the promise of what Hillary as the
dem. presidential nominee would have meant.

At this point I could not honestly make a decision as
to whether to support Barrack Obama or decide to
vote for an alternative, even John McCain.

I will continue to watch & listen for the next few months
evaluate what is said & done by all sides, knowing that
there is ample time to reflect & decide.

No rush to jump on board for me.

MSNBC always brings on this Claire McCaskill and I see now why. She thinks she might be picked as vp.

MSNBC always brings on this Claire McCaskill and I see now why. She thinks she might be picked as vp.

Posted by: lizbeth | June 5, 2008 9:09 AM

If they pick McCaskill the Democrats can kiss the Hispanic vote goodbye and how will the latte left deal with her poor position on FISA

BBBB: I believe that the Obama campaign's strategy was developed hand in hand with Howard Dean. And that would include the calendar. Those February caucuses were the nail in her coffin and it is all just a little too convenient for color TV. However, in point of fact, she absolutely did make a severe tactical error.

My concern is that the Obama campaign is sending out the signals that they don't need her voters and that, my fried, may end up being his huge tactical error. Or not. I have said before that he has some pretty good bean counters working for him. The probably know exactly what percentage they think they can afford to lose...

I feel like the loyal customer who was pressured by a trusted salesman to buy a dog product because he was desperate for a sale. On this day 40 years ago, I awoke to the news of the RFK assassination and felt badly for my college friends who loved him. Today, I grieve for but cherish this valiant stateswoman and her family, supporters and staff who left nothing on the table and gave us grace under friendly fire. My instincts have taught me that when something doesn't feel right, it isn't.

PS: Penguins, who took the Red Wings to the mat, get better and better every year.

Good Morning All,

Understanding your feelings of grief, I won't stay long.

But my post is on issues that involve Women's issues. At the very least I want to hightlight Senator Obama's stance.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/womenissues

And i would also like to challenge you to find any other stands for Women's issues besides McCain's stand against Roe V Wade.

Take care and good luck.

Good morning All,

Alicia

Great breakdown. I'm somewhere between Goner and vacationer.

Bethyboo

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/hillary-courts-vp-rejection.html#comment-96658

Read your description last night and we seem to have a great deal in common. I may be a shade more fiscally conservative, but it all sounded correct.

Claire McCaskill would be a grave miscalculation. Trust me, they won't make that mistake.

Lizbeth...if McCaskill gets picked, I might run back across the bridge as fast as I can.

BBBB = KGC? If so, I've missed you.

Posted by: Political Operative... | June 5, 2008 9:11 AM

Bitter old women have managed all these years without you and your bullcrap

Promises mean nothing. What is a factor is the tone set by the custom and practice of the Obama campaign to demean women so take your crappy platform and shove it up someone's mailbox that care about your lies.

Obama simply cannot pick someone who was so visibly and annoyingly in his camp for the past 5 months. That's why McCaskill is out of the question. Sibelius(sp?) wasn't quite so annoying, but I'm not really sure what she would add either.
He needs to reach out if he wants to widen his circle of support.

LL you ,may think of me as you wish.

How's Chopper?

Posted by: Political Operative... | June 5, 2008 9:11 AM

Well, at least he's using his real name this time.
Not that he needs to. I'd recognize him no matter what name he uses.

I don't know if anyone saw Roy Sekoff on Abrams last night but I believe he represents the majority of Obama supporters (at least the HuffPo crowd). They do not want Clinton on the ticket. No way. No how. What I thought was interesting was how he pointed out that Obama is running on New Politics and there is nothing new about the Clintons. Why would he bring along the Clintons to this new style of politics? To be honest, I think he is speaking in code for a New Democratic Party. And I believe the New Democratic Party leaves many of the Old Demographics out. Again I ask: Where will these people go? We need a real third party in this country and we need it now!

He's snoozing away as we speak. Doing great. He's gained 2.5 pounds since I got him in late April -- and looks like a little badass now. But he's sweet as can be.
Thanks for asking.

On a different note, today & tomorrow are 2 days that
always prove difficult to those of us who remember
how things could have been.

It was 40 years ago that I and many friends here in CT were elated that Bobby Kennedy won the CA primary (waited up very late to see his victory speech--it meant that shortly I would be able to proudly cast a vote in the Connecticut primary for Bobby Kennedy--which as we all know was never to come to pass--the next day was a horror--all the hopes were dashed (never to be fully replaced). I would have followed Bobby Kennedy through hell in those days, have never ever felt that way about another politician--bar none.

For those who still remember, today's NYT opinion
page offers shared stories by Robert Kennedy's children.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/opinion/05kennedyintro.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

Nick: You are absolutely correct. Please forgive me if you feel I have ever left the men out of this equation because my dear husband is MORE upset than I am!

I can only speak to what I hear as a woman and how I react to certain discourse being tossed around in the media with regard to Hillary and her exit. It just pisses me off that we couldn't give her a few freaking days to leave on her own terms.

Congrats to the Red Wings, the Pens almost got their last shot into the net. Good series and the best team won this year.

Anybody know where Hillary is going to hold her event on Saturday and is it open to the public?

Vad: Excellent question. If I didn't have a kid leaving for Morocco in 7 days, I would go to wherever she will be...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/concession-politics.html#comment-96720

Lardass

Sure I'll put together a table. I'll back track for all the ones who have already declared. Everyone else, let me know.

ByeByeBri-

you are absolutely right- we need to grieve our losses and we know that at least McCain seems to treat women with respect- I will take that ANYDAY over the unknown of -

And political operative, McCain's campaign HAS PUT OUT something on women- see this:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0608/Duprey_defies_captions.html

Jamie: I am a Goner.

Jamie...that's great! Thanks.
Also...for folks like ProfMarcia..."Undecided" is a perfectly acceptable category.

Promises mean nothing. What is a factor is the tone set by the custom and practice of the Obama campaign to demean women so take your crappy platform and shove it up someone's mailbox that care about your lies.

Posted by: Bye Bye Bry Bry | June 5, 2008 9:14 AM

Bye Bye Bry Bry, Pleased to meet you. I can see you are a formidable person and probably a very respected person here.

I in no way would mislead you or try to invade your space. But since this is a public space, passing on information is generally allowed.

You may not want this information, but there may be others who need help in finding it.

Thanks for your attention and have a good day.

Oh And Alicia? great list!

vadaryl

Is HRC's event open to the public? Reading the letter, I didn't get that impression.

Nick,

You're right, of course I know that many in the 18 million Hillary voters were
men. I never meant to suggest that there aren't millions of great men
who supported and support Hillary. It's just that women were the ones
who seemed the target of the relentless misogyny. As a woman, I'm more
sensitive to the sexist slights and connect to women of this blog who
feel the same way.

Is that what you think that the nearly 18 million she garnered were all women? I don't get it. Nick | June 5, 2008 9:13 AM

Nick,

Anyone can tell you are as strong of a supporter as any that Hillary has ever had.

Some of us women look at it from a woman's point of view, because at times we felt that Hillary represented the receiving side of all the prejudice we've encountered as women. In that way, it felt like she represented many of us. In much the same way that African Americans felt that for Obama. We don't talk like that in order to exclude the loyal men that have supported her though. And are usually not aware that it sounds that way.

That "bitter: remark is one of the most offensive things that Obama ever admitted thinking. The "old women" remark was constantly used by the media and some here.

What did you take most personally in the attacks?

Oh Thank you I am woman hear me roar!

I was studing Senator McCains website. Its a good think someone listed his stance on a blog.

Now back to work. Good luck today.

Daryl, LushIs...

WSJ reports today that Hillary's Saturday event will be at her home (presumably in NY not DC) and will only include a small group of staffers and supporters.

Oh Thank you I am woman hear me roar!
I was studing Senator McCains website. Its a good think someone listed his stance on a blog.
Now back to work. Good luck today.
Posted by: Political Operative... | June 5, 2008 9:29 AM

If you're trying to help the party, you're not.

Jamie: I'm a goner. I have moved between that and burnout. But I can't stop caring about Politics, I love my country too much.

Thanks, LaL 8~)

vadaryl...we can still go(if we leave now)...maybe she will remember you from her Manassas rally!!!!

I can only speak to what I hear as a woman and how I react to certain discourse being tossed around in the media with regard to Hillary and her exit. It just pisses me off that we couldn't give her a few freaking days to leave on her own terms.

Posted by: Ally

But she has had a few days. She's not endorsing until Friday. IMO, she could have saved herself the burn she got from lawmakers yesterday by endorsing, or at least being a bit more magnanimous in her Tuesday speech. Instead it looks like she used her supporters as bargaining chips in a gambit to fuel VP speculation.

"I wanted you to be one of the first to know: on Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.

On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.

I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.

When I decided to run for president, I knew exactly why I was getting into this race: to work hard every day for the millions of Americans who need a voice in the White House.

I made you -- and everyone who supported me -- a promise: to stand up for our shared values and to never back down. I'm going to keep that promise today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.

I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Senator Obama. The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.

I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the commitment that you have shown me in the past 16 months. And I will always keep faith with the issues and causes that are important to you.

In the past few days, you have shown that support once again with hundreds of thousands of messages to the campaign, and again, I am touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.

I can never possibly express my gratitude, so let me say simply, thank you.

Sincerely

Hillary Clinton

Mine did not come with a request for money

PU: She did NOT get a few days. The cries for her to get out were DEAFENING yesterday (and Tuesday night.) Puhlease.

Patsi....
great to see you posting..... people kept mentioning yesterday that you left the blog and I was very sorry to read that.....

I don't think I'm quite as disappointed as some of you are today..... I resigned myself to the probability of McCain being our next president about 6 weeks ago.... as for Hillary conceding..... I respect whatever decision she makes....
although I do hope she takes a nice long vacation..... she deserves it, IMO....

Nick..... my hubby is also a Hillary supporter..... and there's also been a good number of men supporting her on this blog..... I appreciate every one of you.....

Ally,

I guess we just disagree on it. Many of us thought her refusal to drop out - after everything was over, no more primaries, no more RBC meetings - was inexplicable and tasteless.

Oh, and by the way how's the weather out there?

Posted by: Nick | June 5, 2008 9:33 AM

Huge storms last night and this morning. Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch, flash flood warnings. Good times.

I am not a bargaining chip.

Switchers --- moving toward McCain.
Goners --- leaving the Democratic Party.
Burn-outs --- are fed up with politics

Jamie,
I fit into all three of the above.
Can I do that?

chloe: Obama and his supporters don't give a damn about the the party. It has always been about winning and nothing else.

But Obama must be given his propers for choosing Axlerod who knew how to game the system. Hillary showed an amazing lack of judgment by hiring Mark Penn. They took a GE view of the primary without considering the reality of the Democratic Party's flawed primary system. It cost them and us dearly.

Site violation

Ally,

I guess we just disagree on it. Many of us thought her refusal to drop out - after everything was over, no more primaries, no more RBC meetings - was inexplicable and tasteless.

Posted by: Politics of Utopia | June 5, 2008 9:42 AM

She won South Dakota by a large margin on Tuesday. It should have been OK for her to have one last victory rally with her ARDENT supporters and then celebrate Dorothy's birthday yesterday. It has been 17 months with 5 more to go. Giving her until the end of the week was such a big sacrifice?

it was not Obama, nor his supporters, or the media, that asked Hillary to drop out or to not "let her have a few days"

It was her own supporters- her long time strongest supporters and peers- Vilsack, Rendell, et all.

She fought the good fight, and there is no easy way to say good bye.

Nick,

Did you read my post to you? I would appreciate a comment from you
since you specifically used my name.

I explained that I don't mean to marginalize men
but I can only write what I am feeling. I don't purport to be the voice of
ALL Hillary supporters. I am a woman and I try to explain how I feel as a woman in connection to my main complaint during this primary and that is I believe Hillary was treated different, badly, most often, because she was a woman.

How about sharing with me and the other women on this blog your
insights as a man? How are you feeling?

Chloe,

Didn't want to leave you with the wrong impression.

That other Blogger posted a tasteless picture from Politico. Even though it was a McCain person, I didn't think it belonged tailing my post on Women's issues.

Was trying to be sarcastic to that person. Guess I didn't make much sense today and I am sorry.

Alicia,Prof,and Many others
I myself will not Vote for Sen.Obama I have just seen to much via this BLOG and Y-Tube. I will think about going green as Jamie has suggested?Maybe if I was just casually interested I could buy OBAMAS line?But so many others in my Family and friends who aren't interested in politics say they just will not vote this time and this has shocked me!!!! Even my circle of Friends at the gym here in New Smyrna Beach i know of only a few who are supporting OBAMA and these are Dems!!! I will say though most of my Republican friends are not thrilled with McCain but will support him because they don't want OBAMA!!! Just a snapshot of my world here in Florida

Ally- Hillary is not a victim- she is her own person- she entered on her own terms and went out the same- it was her choice. No one forced her to step down when she did.

She is doing it as she has elected to do.

Ooops...Further down in the Wall Street Journal piece it specifies that the Saturday event is at the WASHINGTON home of Clinton.

lizbeth

Awhile back, I describe McCaskill as

"looking as if she is bagging kittens for a swift trip to the river".

This is an accurate description but has morphed into "puppy killer" for her Cruella Deville personage.

Ally- Hillary is not a victim- she is her own person- she entered on her own terms and went out the same- it was her choice. No one forced her to step down when she did.

She is doing it as she has elected to do.

Posted by: Fact Chick | June 5, 2008 9:48 AM

Um, did you listen to the news yesterday? Do you read? The coverage has been vicious. I know she made the decision on her own: frankly, it is the same decision she would have come to WITHOUT THE VITRIOL. Good god almighty, I feel like I live in an alternate universe sometimes.

Ally: I can see it from both perspectives. Defeat is hard for anyone, especially after a long, grueling campaign. It does make sense to have a little bit of time to process things. But from the point of view of Obama supporters, we're thinking: "Hey, we just won this thing. It's finally over! This is a historic night!" So to not receive any kind of acknowledgement from HRC was, for us, distasteful, and for many others, it too comfortably fit the stereotype of the SNL "I am a sore loser" sketch.

vadaryl

LaL read that it's at HRC's home in DC!! What are you and Iris doing on Saturday??? Let's go up...woohoo!!

And Jamie, that McCaskill comment is now part of my vernacular.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/concession-politics.html#comment-96784
"Obama and his supporters don't give a damn about the the party. It has always been about winning and nothing else."

Karen, I know.

"Hillary showed an amazing lack of judgment by hiring Mark Penn. They took a GE view of the primary without considering the reality of the Democratic Party's flawed primary system. It cost them and us dearly."

And I agree.

oh - here is the linky- Hillary Rosen-"I am not a bargaining chip"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hilary-rosen/i-am-not-a-bargaining-chi_b_105133.html

PU: Newsflash: You don't have to care about Hillary Clinton anymore! Isn't it great! You can stop obsessing over her—just have your celebration! That's the beauty of winning!

OK. Gotta run. The dialogue is becoming too obtuse for me this morning. Take care!

Bridge-builders --- moving toward Obama.
Switchers --- moving toward McCain.
Loyalists --- planning to write-in Hillary.
Goners --- leaving the Democratic Party.
Vacationers --- scaling back their DEM activism.
Revolutionaries -- dialing up their activism for a third party.
Burn-outs --- are fed up with politics

Seven options and only one positive for Obama. Not good for the Obster. Personally the Obama folks shoud stop using the name Democratic Party (since what they want is not what traditional democrats have stood for.

I am looking for suggestions for the new name. the first that comes to mind is the Autocratic Party.

Pof U
Give me a Break OBAMAS only been trying to say hes the nominee for weeks and weeks well before all the votes were cast how DISRESPECTFUL to SEN.CLINTON but i know you can't see this but as you are fond of saying we just disagree!!!! And why should Sen. Clinton think you or OBAMA would care about getting a nod from here about his win???? After all isn't she EVIL a Racist not a real DEM. and more hateful things his campaign and supporters have said.

inspiring article about how foreign opinion
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/04/AR2008060402360.html?referrer=emailarticle

Ally, Chloe or anyone,

Do you know anything about Lanny Davis's petition to urge Obama
to pick Hillary as VP?

Should Obama show Hillary respect by asking her to be VP?
After all what other Democrat would be as tough and relentless
a colleague for Obama? She's worked so hard only to be ignored
by Camp Obama.

But, I'm not sure I even want Hillary to be Obama's VP. I don't trust
the man and I don't believe he is ready to be president.

LushIsLinda, BBBB, et al.,

I think the 'contribute' was part of the stationery that was used, not part of the message.

Mailings are extremely expensive. I mean, really, really, really expensive. I don't recall for sure, but I seem to remember that she sent a letter after her senate campaign...but, she had a lot of money then, enough to help others pay off their debt.

Hillary was doing our work for us. After it was clear that she wasn't going to get the nomination, I sent her another $100. I feel obligated in helping her retire her campaign debt; I don't believe her pockets are so deep as many believe. In any case, she was our agent for change and as such, we should help her out to the extent that we can.

I am deeply disappointed in the outcome of the race. Mr Obama has my respect for the extremely effective campaign he ran; but, I cannot bring myself to vote for him. I'll probably write-in Mrs Clinton.

South Carolina doesn't have people make a party affiliation. That's too bad because I feel deprived in not being able to declare my complete independence.

Peace on Earth,

Flatus

PU

"But she has had a few days. "

Not true. On Tuesday night, without the dumb network countdown of SD endorsementss fed to them by the Obama campaign, neither of the candidates would have crossed the line.

If he had had any sense of decency the switch of the SDs and that massive rally could have been set for Wednesday. She would have had her one last win without being stomped into the ground by the Obama gang.

It was just more of that arrogant four vote steal of a power play just to prove they could. It was a viscious mugging for no real purpose, and most important really, really pissed off her supporters.

At this stage I consider him nothing more than a Chicago crime boss claiming his territory. Well my vote isn't up for grabs.

i think it's time to go out to the garden and plant some more flowers..maybe weed the tomatoes today....i prefer to linger in my Hillary world...where i feel everything's gonna be alright...tomorrow's another day..i will deal with it..sooner or later

mornin' all.

jamie, put me down as a vacationer. What the hell else would I be as summer comes on?

maggs, did your relatives fare OK?

My HRC letter also came with no request for a acontribution.

PU, apparently she would have had to drop to bended knee and kiss his butt to satisfy you. You Obama people (just had to di that)that complain because Hillary wasn't quick enough to concede and endorse or effusive enough in her praise of your chosen one are like the little kid on the team that just beat yours who won't shake your hand, but rubs the victory in so you won't only be beatren, but humiliated. Great way to try and win those bitter old women and Clinton kool aid drinkers over to vote for a candidate they didn't think is ready for the presidency. I'd suggest you change your tactics, but you do what you want.

I thought you all might be interested in some news I just received from WLS ABC-7 in Chicago that may put an end to the tape rumor.

ABC 7's Karen Jordan and Cheryl Burton emceed the 2004 Rainbow-Push Women's Luncheon.  Other
employees of ABC 7 attended along with hundreds of Chicago area civic, professional and media representatives. No one recalls Michelle Obama
speaking at this luncheon and our archived video does not show Michelle Obama.

Ally, Chloe or anyone,

Do you know anything about Lanny Davis's petition to urge Obama
to pick Hillary as VP?

Should Obama show Hillary respect by asking her to be VP?
After all what other Democrat would be as tough and relentless
a colleague for Obama? She's worked so hard only to be ignored
by Camp Obama.

But, I'm not sure I even want Hillary to be Obama's VP. I don't trust
the man and I don't believe he is ready to be president.

Posted by: prof marcia | June 5, 2008 10:02 AM

www.voteboth.com

Top of the day peeps,
I'm up now, you can all pile on.

Pogo, Jamie, Ally:

I'm not trying to knock HRC here - I'm merely telling you how many Obama supporters felt about her exit. I understand you guys feel differently about it, which is understandable.

Ally,

I guess we just disagree on it. Many of us thought her refusal to drop out - after everything was over, no more primaries, no more RBC meetings - was inexplicable and tasteless.

Posted by: Politics of Utopia | June 5, 2008 9:42 AM

PU: There is nothing Senator Clinton can do that will ever be acceptable to you. The meme about her speech being so awful Tuesday night is just nonsense. She didn't dance to Obama's tune and she must be vilified for that. The world does not revolve around Barack Obama. He is going to find that out in a big way, unfortunately, he is taking the Democratic party with him. This was a very close race that went down to the wire (a very bad omen for Obama, btw) and if Obama was in Hillary's position right now you would be incensed that everyone was making him quit immediately. She trounced him in South Dakota Tuesday night ... a fact that you and your candidate would rather overlook. She had the right to savor that moment and it's not like he won the primary by some unbelievable margin ... he has barely squeaked by and has run a terrible campaign during the last leg of the primary. He was just fortunate that he built a big lead for himself in February and the reality is the flood of SD support for him didn't filter in until it was certain he was going to be the winner of the primary so there hasn't been some seismic shift like the pundits keep telling you.

This is not the start of a new political movement. Obama's ascension was helped by a ridiculous primary system and a complicit media. Axlerod may look like a genius right now but he has a very large mountain to climb in the GE and vilifying his opponent isn't going to be the way to victory in November. We'll see how successful Axlerod is if he can actually put a campaign together that defines his candidate beyond the words "hope" and "change."

Have you people completely lost your minds?! This notion that Obama is a sexist and/or hates women is absurd. The only thing more ridiculous is saddling this wonderful country with McBush so that Hillary can have another shot in 2012.

McCain is not only bad for America but also for women in general. You need look no further than his trophy wife who he parades around but rarely allows to speak. His positions on womens' issues are contrary to everything for which the women's movement has been fighting all of these years.

I just don't understand why it is that so many Hillary supporters would want to put their fellow Americans through more of what we have suffered these last seven-plus years. Could someone please explain it to me? In the posts above, I see nothing but baseless accusations. Please offer some proof to your claims or just admit you are Republicans trying to split the Democratic party in half.

Marcia,
Everything I've heard has been all over the board.

I've heard she wants Vice Presidency.
I've heard she wants it to be offered in a show of respect so she can turn it down. And everything in between.

I'd be relieved if she turns it down (if offered), or
If she should take it for some reason, I'd trust her judgment.

I think she'll do what's she feels best for her supporters.

Nick,

Thanks for the your response. Let me explain once again. I can only
write about the slights from the Obama campaignthat relate to me. And those tend to fall under the category of misogyny. Sorry if that bothers you, but
it's what I know.

Misogyny or sexism would include gender and age in relation to the way Mrs. Clinton has been treated. Women are more often marginalized because of their age than men. Take, for example, Obama
is considered young at 46, yet any woman voting for Obama over
40 is supposedly an old hag.

Obama's camp has been biased in other areas "bitter working class" but, on a blog, I can't possibly write about ALL the problems
I have with Obama. So, I chose the main problem that affected me and
that is the sexist element of the campaign.

I hope that clarifies my point.

It's good that you are sharing your insights as a man and a Clinton supporter.

Have you people completely lost your minds?! "Concerned_American

Now that always catches my attention.

Concerned_American: I've asked the very same questions before. Expect to be attacked by these people. Luckily, the kind of HRC supporters this board attracts are part of the fringe minority.

Maybe in his heart Obama is not a sexist but his actions say differently. The tone of his campaign surrogates says differently.

Voting present doesn't make me think he has a lot of courage for women's issues...if he needs to be protected then I have no need for him

Let the young women fight for him.
Should have thought about all those things before the campaign said they didn't need us.

Obama is not the Chicago Criminal Jamie,

“She has made history, not just because she’s a woman who has done what no woman has done before, but because she’s a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength, her courage and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight,” Obama said.

“You can rest assured that when we finally win the battle for universal health care in this country — and we will win that fight — she will be central to that victory,” he said. “When we transform our energy policy and lift our children out of poverty, it will be because she worked to help make it happen.

“Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Luckily, the kind of HRC supporters this board attracts are part of the fringe minority.

Posted by: Politics of Utopia | June 5, 2008 10:17 AM

Then, please don't waste your time here. Or ours

There were so many issues of prejudice on the part of the Obamas and his machine that they are too numerous to list: heres's a sample; gender, age, religion, education, national origin, on and on.....My point is that when you concentrate only on the trees, you'll get lost in the forest.
The issue is EQUAL TREATMENT AND FAIR PLAY
Posted by: Nick | June 5, 2008 10:01 AM

Thanks Nick,
Equal treatment and fair play doesn't seem to be that much to ask for.

Mailings are extremely expensive. I mean, really, really, really expensive.
--Flatus

I received my 'thank you/CONTRIBUTE" letter(from the HRC campaign)via email. I am thinking it didn't cost a dime to send.

Concerned American: You better be "concerned." Obama is going to lose in November and lose big.

Utopia, you done some kind of poll or survey you're not sharing with us?

I'm semi opposed to the VP slot for a rather macabre reason.

Over the years, the right wing and other Clinton haters have accused them of bumping off any number of people. I trust the Secret Service, but if anything did happen to Obama as President, you know what the uproar would be not just from the right but any rioting that might logically follow from that point.

NO I don't think it will happen, but if it did, it could be really, really ugly.

I would much rather see her in the cabinet working on major health care policy or just biding time in the Senate. That way, if a Pres Obama messes up, she is there for 2012. If he does a great job, then she has a wonderful job for 8 years and then decide whether or not to retire.

She just may want to tour the world, make millions, and do good works. It should be up to her.

You forgot a category:

Eternal martyrdom: Those are the Clintonites who are comforted by wrapping themselves in a blanket of victimhood. They weren't going to do anything anyway, so it's neither a vote won or lost.

Definitely a lynch mob mentality around here today.

Marcia-

I am a female, over 40, and an Obama supporter. I do not think I am an old hag nor has anyone said that except here. For the life of me, I do not find any sexism from Obama or his campaign- I see him as a man raised by a strong woman, who has married a strong woman, and the proud father of two girls.

I see he speaks to women's issues and has many women in key roles around him.

BUT I can tell you, I felt for months prior to the primary that Clinton's campaign took my vote for granted, failed to have "open " events, and acted as if she was going to be the nominee. I have always liked and respected HRC< and I can say that if she voted against the war she probably would have been my candidate.

In my opinion, it was her campaign that constantly reinforced sex as an issue- I am not dismissing anyone else's views, those are just mine. I respect her greatly and always have- she just was not my first choice.

PofU

Fringe Minority? I guess you better hope we are.

That Contribute is automatically on the bottom of all their correspondence. Don't think it was meant to particularly stand out.

ROTFLMHLAO @ the "Biteme" name!!!!

We know you are marcia.

IT'S ONLY ABOUT YOU. Good luck with that. Posted by: Nick

Not true, Prof. Marcia.
It was about me too.

Corrective Action

Those were nice words, very pretty indeed. Obama delivered the roses and asked for make up sex after Axelrod mugged her.

IT'S ONLY ABOUT YOU. Good luck with that. Posted by: Nick

Not true, Prof. Marcia.
It was about me too.

Posted by: chloe | June 5, 2008 10:28 AM

Frankly, Its hard to miss....