Of course, what's remarkable about this attitude is the glaring short-sightedness it represents. Here is a group of people who, in a fit of pique, are willing to abandon their chosen party and the principles it represents because the candidate of their choice was not selected to be the party's nominee. Never mind that everything they believe in could be overturned by a Supreme Court rendered even more conservative by John McCain. Never mind that McCain represents a party whose leaders, ideas, and principles have created unmitigated disasters for the country. What's important to them is that they exact their revenge.
In my book, anyone who would so easily abandon their party just because they're miffed that their candidate lost is not a true Democrat.
The fact that some Democrats have indicated a willingness to cross over to the dark side and vote for McCain in November is, of course, a concern. Most observers, though, believe that the party will unite behind Obama and the dissenters will eventually come to represent a small, insignificant minority. Much will depend on Hillary Clinton and her enthusiasm or lack thereof towards Obama's candidacy.
The bottom line is this: Barack Obama is going to be the Democratic nominee for president. The historic nature of his candidacy will make for an exciting contest in the fall. His ability to attract Republicans and independents will boost his chances. Hopefully, the Hillary worshippers will come to realize that the Democratic party is bigger than just one person. It represents ideals and principles that are bigger than just one person. Hillary's diehard supporters should celebrate the fact that her historic candidacy, even in defeat, has opened doors for other women (maybe even Hillary) to walk through in future election years. They should join with Hillary and their party to help take back the White House.
Article comments
1 - Ted
Here's an important piece of advice: If it looks like it's going to be McCain/Palin anyway (and that should be a "no brainer" for Team McCain), McCain should announce NOW or VERY SOON, rather than later towards the convention. There's currently a growing chorus for Obama/Hillary (as VP) ticket (in fact the Dems are likely aware of the Palin phenomenon). If the GOP waits while movement for Hillary as VP grows -- even worse until after it is solidified that Hillary will/could be VP pick -- selecting Palin will be portrayed by Dems/liberal media more as a reaction by GOP selecting its own female (overshawdoing Palin's own remarkable assets), rather than McCain taking the lead on this. Selecting Palin now or early (contrary to the punditocracy) will mean McCain will be seen as driving the course of this campaign overwhelmingly, and the DEMS will be seen as merely reacting. And, there's absoultely no down-side to this because even if Hillary is a no-go as VP for Obama, the GOP gains by acting early. McCain the maverick. Palin the maverick. Do it now!
There's no reason, and actually substantial negative, in McCain waiting to see what the Dems do first insofar as his picking Palin as VP, because, no matter who Obama picks, Palin is by far (and I mean far) the best pick for McCain and the GOP, especially in this time of GOP woes. The GOP can be seen as the party of real 'change' (albeit I hate that mantra, change, change, bla bla), while not really having to change from GOP core conservative values, which Palin more than represents.
In light of the current oil/energy situation, as well as the disaffected female Hillary voters situation, and growing focus on McCain's age and health, Palin is more than perfect -- now.
(Perhaps Team McCain is already on to this.)
2 - elizabeth
It's really disturbing that there are a slew of female anachronistic nuts out there, not willing to act like adults. I don't think these women represent a majority of Hillary's supporters (if I'm wrong, and they do, then there is something seriously wrong with this country), but it's telling. They are women fighting a twentieth century battle in a world that has moved on to the twenty first. Geraldine Ferraro is their most vocal/famous representative. But you notice, there are few prominent feminists who have been heard from lately, so I'm assuming most of them have woken up to reality.
3 - anthony
Ted,
There is one thing that you have failed to consider. This is the GOP you are talking about. This is the party that had invented hating Hillary Clinton, way back when she was merely the first lady and not a politician in her own right. If you had listened to any of the conservative commentators on radio and TV over the years, you would know that the GOP is not going to be the first party to put a woman in a position to become president. A lot of conservative Republican already don't trust McCain. He is not going to jeopardize his already weak support among the religious conservatives by putting a woman on the ticket.
4 - Baronius
Anthony, I don't think that many conservatives would object to Palin as a woman. She doesn't have enough experience for the VP post though. McCain is going to be attacking Obama's lack of experience. He's going to need a running mate who can assume the office at a moment's notice, or he loses the issue.
5 - Dave Nalle
Anthony, hating Hillary Clinton and hating women are hardly the same thing. If the right woman or the right black man came along, the GOP would leap at the chance to score a first like that before the Dems did.
Palin is very appealing, but because she's from Alaska she doesn't add enough demograpic strength to the ticket.
Dave
6 - Bob G.
I think you have totally missed the point of the Hillary supporters. Hillary is viewed as a moderate compared to Obama, and her support comes from middle class Americans, blue collar, women, and the 60+ crowd because those groups tend to be moderates. McCain is also viewed as a moderate who is to the far left of Bush and the evangelical wing of the republican party. So it's not surprising that many of Hillary's supporters will swing to McCain instead of to Obama. Also, in the event you haven't noticed in the last 5 months, the media and the Obama camp have attacked Clinton and her supporters on a consistent basis calling us ... "recknecks", "racists", "uneducated", "lower educated voters", "bible thumpers", "clinging to their guns", "bitter"; and the blogs have been much worse. Clinton herself has been called horrible names by Obama supporters all over the internet ... "murderer", "liar", "bit*h", "who*e","racist" ... to name a few. She has been shouted down during rallies by people yelling "iron my shirt", "make me a sandwich", or "bake some cookies". So, is it any surprise that Clinton supporters are angry and are ready to cross party lines rather than support Obama after being attacked, insulted, and intimidated by the Obama camp & media?
I have voted straight Democrat in every national, state and local election for 29 years. After this primary season, I will not only be voting for McCain, but will also be sending my very generous donations to Republican candidates.
7 - Doug DeLong
Bob G,
You're exactly the kind of Hillary supporter I'm talking about in my article. You whine about the unfair attacks on Hillary, but ignore the equally offensive attacks on Obama.You're willing to vote against your own interests because your feelings are hurt. You're willing to abandon your party of 29 years because you don't have the maturity to see past the petty and sometimes not-so-petty bickering and slights that are present in every campaign.
Well, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. The rest of us will spend our time making sure the Democratic nominee, Barack Obama, becomes the next president. You go ahead and pout if it makes you feel better.