One way or another, this primary season is winding down and entering a new phase. Whether or not HRC decides to run all the way to the convention, suspends her campaign, or "acknowledges" that BHO has enough delegates to secure the nomination, the time to run campaign primaries and caucuses is over.
November is looming large!
This is my note to my friends and loved ones who have worked to see Hillary Clinton obtain the nomination.
A bit about my background: this is the first time I have been involved in a presidential campaign; in the past I've said "ok, we see who the nominee is and I'll support him/her." That is what I did in 2004.
In 2004, I actively worked for Senator Kerry, and it hurt like crazy when we came up short. I sulked for days afterward.
But I didn't go through the primary fights; this year was the first time.
My note to the Clinton supporters.
Yes, we disagreed on who should get the nomination. But let's review what we have in common:
- We both think that we need to get out of Iraq.
- We both think that diplomacy is a better answer than war, except for the most extreme of circumstances.
- We are both outraged that President Bush lied us into this war.
- We are both outraged that upwards of 46 million Americans don't have health insurance, even if we differ on the usefulness of mandates.
- We both want good Supreme Court Justices to be appointed; more Alito's and Roberts' are unacceptable.
- We both believe that our economic policy has been tilted heavily toward those who already wealthy.
True: we may differ on the best way to obtain these goals, but we share these goals nonetheless.
Now let me tell you what I think of you:
- I admire the way you fought like hell for your candidate! I appreciate the donated money, the phone calls, the going door to door, etc.
- I admire the way that you advocated for your candidate, be it in the newspapers, calls or e-mails to superdelegates, your blogs or your talking to your neighbor.
- I acknowledge that you and your candidate added to the discussion. There is no way in the world that the Democratic nominee can ignore the issues that you brought to the table!
- I acknowledge that you brought excitement to the process. You also made me work harder than I normally would have.
- I acknowledge that you registered new voters and got more people excited about the process.
Now on the emotional level: Please accept my handshake and hug; those are sincere. I'd be damned proud to have you as a teammate.
Personal sidenote
I visited my family (in Texas) last week; I reported in an early diary that most of my family are Clinton supporters.
I had lamented that I had missed out on the Texas festivities. So, my sister brought in her Hillary megaphone and we had our own rally right in the house! She yelled "HILLARY" and I yelled "Yes We Can", and she same back "Yes we can is not a plan", etc.
It was a fun experience.