For so long, now, anyone who suggests that they believe that Sen. Clinton's behavior is leading not to the end of this race, but to a continuation of it - and possibly an attempt to damage Sen. Obama's chances, has been referred to as someone content to 'spread gloom', or is 'mirred in bitterness', 'unable to let go of a difficult election, and is only making matters worse'. For some of us, that's not the case. We not only believe in Sen. Obama, but we remember the Clinton 90s, and that not all of it was about the party. In fact, much of the Clinton 90s was about the Clintons, and if it benefited the party, what a stroke of luck!
Maddow writes:
First, Obama's campaign should stop believing what most of the press says, and start believing what Clinton says -- she isn't budging. If they don't mind the prospect of a divided convention, then fine -- if they do mind that prospect, they'll have to fight for their desired outcome. Clinton is now arguing that taking the fight to the convention is OK for the Democrats -- even noble. This argument won't be defeated if it is ignored -- Obama's camp will have to rebut.
I think the Obama camp, and supporters, have to stop making the case that Sen. Clinton 'needs time', and begin making the case that we're running out of time. If this campaign ends by June 3rd, I'll be the first to admit my utter shock. I'm guessing I won't have to wake up pleasantly surprised at the news she's finally conceded the race.
Democrats sitting on the fence will have to decide if it's to be Party, Person, or Politics as usual. This is the Democratic Party's election to lose, not John McCain's election to win. Sen. Obama has the ideas, he has the energy, he has the trust and faith of most constituents (including the Party's base), and he's ready to serve.
I became an Independent after the fiasco of the S. Carolina primary when the Person (the Clintons) was chosen over Party. The Party elders did nothing, save a few brave souls such the honorable James Clyburn, to step forward and end the divisive tone the race was taking. When the rest of the party stayed quiet (and I'm referring to the elected elders who could have made it clear that the behavior wouldn't be tolerated) it only emboldened the Clinton camp to continue it's politics of division.
It was white v. black in S. Carolina.
It was black v. brown in Texas.
It was working class (whites) vs. people of color everywhere else.
It's now women v. the 'self-hating' women who support Obama and the men who tell them what to think (as women like myself have too often been defined)
NO MORE. It's time to recognize what's really going on here, and ask our fellow dems to make a choice. Sen. Clinton has been afforded more time, respect, and courtesy than any other character running for office in modern history, to my memory.
Maddow ends with this:
Otherwise? I'll be the twitchy one on radio row at the divided Democratic convention in Denver... spooked by the ghosts of 1968, 1972, 1980...
I've already had that nightmare... I'm hoping not to relive it in 2008.
Update: For pity's sake, the Rec list? Thanks guys! I know that many here appreciate Rachel's message: keep the fight clean but be prepared just in case!