What a pathetic diary to be enshrined into the top spot here at Mydd.  Some people just can't let it go or just don't have other measures to unleash their inner anger of the Clintons.  They seem hell bent in devoting much of their energy on the every action or non-action of the Clinton's and attempting to lay blame on an imagined monolithic group known as "Hillary Supporters".

One just imagines how much energy is wasted during these rants.  Time that could be dedicated to wage an Anti-McCain campaign, time that could be used in promoting Obama's platform or time dedicated to the some of struggling Democrats running for congress.  What a waste.

Reality check.  The primaries are over.

Hillary Clinton is her own person, and made one hell of a run at the nomination.  She is an icon for the Democratic Party and will continue to be for many years.  She has loyal supporters, most have stated their support for Obama for the greater good of the party and the average American citizen.  HRC has done all that has been asked of her, and has done a mighty fine job considering the emotional and closely contested primary.  I will respect her and her supporters, because I could have easily been in their shoes.

As for the ones who won't make the jump.  It is their decision.

As for the aforementioned diary regarding Hillary and disrupting the convention, I have some views...

I don't know who's driving this rumour bus, but it sure as hell isn't Hilary Clinton.

I would argue that you might not be driving the bus but you're on board giving directions.

After all, there aren't any REAL stories to cover.

Yes there are...Why aren't you writing about them instead?

On another note: I am so fucking sick of the "Hillary was victimised by gender bias" meme I could puke.

Wow, and what rock did you crawl out from under?  Take the blinders off, sweetie...and do you kiss your kids with that mouth?

After February, she was toast. Stick a fork in her (and that is NOT a goddamned misogynist violence against women expression get over it), she'd have been better off quitting, end of story.

Yeah, that's what I would like to see in a person who is fighting for the ordinary American.  A person who wants Universial Healthcare, who wants to fight for the rights of women, minorities and the GLBT community, who cares about every single child in this country, who hates the GOP with every ounce of her being...Yeah just quit, when times get tough and give up.

She showed some true grit and wasn't going to give up on her vision of a fair America for everyone.  I'll take a hundred of her over a quitter.

Next time, try and use your time more wisely.

I just got back from registering voters for Obama in Cleveland and Pittsburgh.  I was at Jacobs Field and PNC Park during baseball games and we registered voters in the parking lots before the games and I took in a couple of games myself.

It was great weather and I was happy to meet people who were excited with the opportunity to vote.  Many people offered why they were prepared to vote and change the direction of this country.  Issues such as unemployment, lack of healthcare, loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan, gas prices, cost of living and the environment were echoed over and over again.

Afterwards sitting in a Pittsburgh hotel I had time to reflect on all the input I received and began wondering,  why would someone who cited one or more of the aforementioned areas of concern ever vote for John McCain and a four year extension of Bush's policies.  It really dumbfounded me.

I wasn't concerned with the die-hard Republicans or the wealthy POV, they will always back their party.  My thoughts gravitated toward middle class moderates (Both Repub and Dem), and the so-called PUMAs.  Why they would expose themselves to 4 more years of economical hardship and vote for someone that will do nothing to improve their quality of life?

For the moderates, is it because some are under-educated and don't fully realize the differences between the two candidates?  Is it because they are afraid of Obama's inexperience?  Is it because they think he's too liberal?  Is it because Obama is black?  Do they really believe all the smears or do they just rely on them to justify their apprehension toward Obama?  Is the Obama campaign's message wrong?

Someone tell me.

For the PUMAs, whose mission is to "teach the Democratic Party a lesson".  Do they despise Obama and his message that much?  Why will they vote Democratic down ticket but not for Obama, doesn't that go against their mission of what they are trying to accomplish?  Do they not value HRC's message of how important it is to have a Democratic POTUS?  Do they really think John McCain isn't that bad?   Do they believe Obama is a sexist?  Do they really believe that what they are doing is for the best interest of their family and our country?

Someone tell me.

I am a 38 year old white male.  I am a single father with two boys (4 & 9).  I have lost two good paying jobs over the last four years because of Dubya's economic policies.  He and his administration, personally, have made my family economically unstable and has planted doubts about our future.  I now work two menial jobs, with just enough money to pay the bills and keep food on the table.  Because of rising prices and lack of quality paying jobs I have been forced to dip into my sons college funds thus endangering the ability for them to go to college.  Thanks to HRC my two sons have healthcare, I, however, do not.  I have a cousin on his second tour in Iraq, and have to comfort his wife and baby daughter on a weekly basis.  George Bush has made it very personal to me and I intend to do everything in my power to ensure his policies and agenda comes to an end in January 2009.

Now I don't agree with every stance Obama takes on the issues, I have never fully agreed with any such candidate. I do, however, know he is the person that I feel will do what's needed for people like me and will fight for the middle class.  There are two people remaining in this presidential race, many wish they weren't these two people, but it is what it is.  

One vows to continue down the same old path ensuring that the rich get get richer and the common folk get shafted.  He vows to continue a war and maybe start new ones.  SS is in jeopardy and healthcare isn't even on the radar.  He loves big oil and sure as shit doesn't give two shits about our children.  Women?  Yeah right.

The other vows a new path forged with more emphasis on the middle class.  He wants to get us out of a war and urges diplomacy over violence.  Has stated that he wants HRC to "spearhead" the effort to universal healthcare.  He wants all children to have the opportunity to succeed by improving our schools and making college affordable for everyone.  Stands up for women's rights including equal pay and the right to choose.

I believe my story is very comparable to a majority of  people in the US.  So why would this type of person vote for John McCain over Barack Obama?

Someone tell me.

As KO just reported on Countdown, CBS news' Katie Couric interviewed John McCain today in which he was asked about the Obama's view of the Surge and how it aided in establishing the Anbar awakening. Exchange below...

Couric: Senator McCain, Sen. Obama says, while the increased number of U.S. troops contributed to increased security in Iraq, he also credits the Sunni awakening and the Shiite government going after militias. And says that there might have been improved security even without the surge. What's your response to that?

McCain: I don't know how you respond to something that is such a false depiction of what actually happened. Colonel McFarlane (phonetic) was contacted by one of the major Sunni sheiks. Because of the surge we were able to go out and protect that sheik and others. And it began the Anbar awakening. I mean, that's just a matter of history. Thanks to General Petraeus, our leadership, and the sacrifice of brave young Americans. I mean, to deny that their sacrifice didn't make possible the success of the surge in Iraq, I think, does a great disservice to young men and women who are serving and have sacrificed.

They were out there. They were protecting these sheiks. We had the Anbar awakening.

In a recent controversy started by one of Senator Clinton "Hillraisers" (those who raised $100,000 or more for HRC's campaign) in which Ricki Lieberman stated that she was declining to help bundle donations for the Democratic nominee, Barack Obama, Senator Clinton let it be known what she thinks of such action or non-action.

Lieberman watches over her program entitled "Electability Watch", with the hope of convincing superdelegates to change their minds and to vote Senator Clinton as the Democratic nominee.  Even though Ms. Lieberman insists that her only desire is to "see a Democratic president in the White House" next year, her and her program send out daily email blasts that are critical of Senator Obama and she constantly refers to Obama as "aka Bush 3".

Examples "including comments comparing Obama's planned nomination speech to Nazi-era rallies in Germany."

I have heard from many Survivors and their children about the symbolism and implications of use of rules to undermine our core democratic values. Ellen Mendel wrote that "I was born under Hitler in Germany, and reading about the plans for the Obama throng in the stadium in Denver and the implications which have been spelled out, gives me the chills...the DNC will deliver the country to Obama on a platter. I wonder when it will hit them what pawns they have been in this Faustian tragedy.

Another, "As someone who escaped from France during WW ll, I hope that I'm not being over dramatic when I'm more than uneasy with stuff like Obama's possible Denver stadium theatrics and the calibrated negotiations going on about the convention."

Many emails blast Obama and his past associations and attempt to tie him to Louis Farrahkan, William Ayers and Tony Rezko.

Other "theories" she has written about include:

In a recent edition, she advanced a theory that the reason Obama's fundraising operation has started to show some signs of wear is because all those small donors during the primary were, in truth, closet McCain supporters who, instead of donating to his foundering campaign, were trying to destroy the most formidable Democratic candidate (that being Clinton). "And now they do not have to contribute anymore," Lieberman wrote. "Some may have even gone back to funding McCain whose fundraising has gotten better and better."

and

During the recent Jesse Jackson controversy -- in which the civil rights leader was caught expressing his desire to "cut [Obama's] nuts off" in a hot-mic moment before a television appearance -- Lieberman's email suggested in back to back items that the entire incident was engineered by Jackson and Obama as a cynical bit of propaganda and that the incident was a true reflection of a growing displeasure among key black leaders with his candidacy.

So much for her statement that her only desire is to "see a Democratic president in the White House next year."

What does Hillary Clinton think about these types of people and their causes?

A spokesperson for Sen. Clinton implicitly distanced the candidate from Lieberman's effort, telling the Huffington Post: "Senator Clinton fully supports Senator Obama. She continues to urge all of her supporters to get behind him. ... She continues to do everything she can to rally folks behind him. We don't support any effort that doesn't."

A remarkable woman.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/16 /clinton-distances-herself_n_113094.html

Obama wants to get our troops home from Iraq...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants affordable healthcare for everyone...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to keep a woman's right to choose as law...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to improve medical care and educational opportunities for our veterans...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to improve our educational system...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to pay our teachers more...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants equal pay for men and women...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to tax the weatlhiest among us and give tax breaks to the middle class...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to create a foreclosure fund for those losing their homes...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to save our environment...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to protect Social Security...McCain doesn't.

Obama supports the GLBT community and their right to Civil Unions that give same-sex couples equal legal rights and privileges as married couples...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to make college more affordable...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to provide all children with Pre-K schooling...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to provide all-children with more positive social activities and funding for new facilities...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to keep our young men, young women and future men and women out of war...McCain doesn't.

Obama wants to end George Bush's hideous term at 8 years...McCain doesn't.

Clear enough?

This diary is intended for only those people who consistently make a fuss about the younger generation of voters who support Obama. These people have labeled these  voters as "naive", "green", "inexperienced", "adolescents",  "immature", "amateurs",  "juvenile", "don't know any better", ""ignorant on the issues", "drinking the kool-aid",etc.

I give to you a recent pew research finding....

One pattern that differs from previous surveys of political knowledge is that younger voters are significantly more knowledgeable about the candidates' positions than are older voters. For example, 60% of voters 18-29 correctly say that Obama is pro-choice, compared with just 51% of those ages 50-64 and just 41% of those ages 65 and older.

Your Honor, I rest my case...

http://people-press.org/report/?pageid=1 336

Click the link for the table...

As it is playing out it seems Johnny McGaffe cannot go more than a few days without sticking his foot in his mouth.  This time on the missile tests performed by the Iranian National Guard.

In one of his latest "Greatst Gaffes" the 71 year old Senator from Arizona tooted his own horn by claiming that he had voted to "condemn" the Iranian National Guard as a terrorist organization and then went on to slam Obama for refusing to vote.

"This is the same organization that I voted to condemn as a terrorist organization when an amendment was on the floor of the United States Senate. Senator Obama refused to vote."

Open mouth insert foot...Again!  According to voting records Mr. McGaffe also missed the vote on the Kyl-Liebermann Act...Whoops..

The problem with the critique? McCain also missed that vote on the Kyl-Lieberman amendment on September 26, 2007. Records show that Obama was in New Hampshire and McCain was in New York instead of being in the Senate chamber for the vote in question.

The gift that just keeps on giving....

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/200 8/07/10/mccain-misfires-on-obama-attack/

I have been an Obama supporter from the beginning of the primaries.  I have donated, phone banked and canvassed in 3 states for him.  My support comes from a strong desire to see this country change it's image in the world, change the way we treat the poor, minorities, women, the LGBT community, each other and to secure a better future for my two sons.  I have spent money I really don't have, I have travelled to states with time I could have been working...and I do this because I truly believe our country is way off the track and I fear for our children's future.

Having said that, I was a violent Hillary Clinton opposer.  I would demean, degrade and disrespect the woman...I had convinced myself she was selfish, a dirty campaigner and a liar.  I believed she thought she was "entitled" to the nomination because she was a Clinton.

However, I finally saw the light.  I cannot pinpoint an exact time when this happened...it could have been when she kept on fighting when everyone said she was finished, it could have been when she exhibited what a policy wonk she is, it could have been seeing my sister getting involved in politics for the first time because of Hillary, it could have been the meaningful discussions I have had with Clinton supporters on mydd...but one thing is clear to me, Hillary wanted to make America better and had the plans to do so.  I would have been disappointed if Obama would have lost the primary but I would have been more than happy to work my tail off for HRC...but it would have taken time.