Calls for unity draw different answers from Clinton voters

Many will support Obama, some say they never could

Sun, May 18, 2008 (2 a.m.)

2008 Caucus

Barack Obama has a lot of work to do.

After a long and contentious presidential nomination battle, Democrats gathered here for their state convention Saturday, with party leaders calling for unity in a tacit acknowledgment that Illinois Sen. Barack Obama will likely secure the nomination.

The message was lost, however, on Clinton supporters, whose reluctance to commit to voting for him in November offered fresh evidence the freshman senator still has to win over many in his own party.

Interviews with a score of Hillary Clinton supporters made clear Obama, a first-term U.S. senator, will have to campaign hard to win them over if — as seems increasingly likely — he is the Democratic nominee in the November election.

Many Clinton supporters said they’re still not sure whether they could support Obama, and some adamantly said “never.”

“I’m struggling with that right now,” said Bianca West, whose conflicted feelings seemed to encapsulate the mood of Clinton supporters as they grapple with the inevitability of Obama as their standard-bearer.

Party leaders who support Clinton, foremost among them her husband, the former president, took a less combative tone with Obama and seemed focused on gently nudging Clinton supporters to back Obama in the fall.

In a speech to the state’s party faithful here that focused on unity, the 42nd president mentioned his wife and Obama only in passing. Clinton trained his guns on Republicans instead.

Since a blowout victory in North Carolina and an unexpected near-victory in Indiana, Obama has racked up big-name endorsements, including that of former candidate and North Carolina Sen. John Edwards. Superdelegates, the party insiders who will play an important role in deciding the nominee at the Democratic National Convention in August in Denver, are moving into his column.

A dust-up last week between Obama and his Republican opponent, Arizona Sen. John McCain, which began with a speech by President Bush before the Israeli Knesset obliquely comparing Obama’s foreign policy to European appeasement of the Nazis in the 1930s, had all the appearances of the start of what promises to be a rollicking general election campaign.

Obama is also winning pledged delegates at state conventions. At Saturday’s convention here, for instance, he won 14 delegates to the Democratic National Convention to Clinton’s 11, even though he lost Nevada’s January caucus by 6 percentage points. (Allocation of delegates is completed through a three-step process of caucus and then county conventions, culminating in Saturday’s state convention.)

Obama captured the convention, where more than 2,500 Democrats gathered, because there were so many Clinton no-shows — evidence, it would seem, of her waning campaign.

To drum up turnout, the Clinton campaign was forced to charter three planes and flew in the famous spouse.

Clinton Nevada Chairman Rory Reid conceded that the dynamics of the race have depressed some supporters.

“When people turn on the TV now they’re being told the race is over,” Reid said, pausing. “It’s been a difficult state of affairs for us.”

But Clinton supporters won’t hear of it.

Many said they want the nomination fight to continue and derided the national media for portraying Obama as the presumptive nominee. Many said they had traveled to Reno from Las Vegas on flights chartered by the Clinton campaign.

“One must die at the finish line and not before,” said Ana Uriarte of Las Vegas. “Like Hillary said, she’s in it to win it. And we’ll do what it takes to get her there.”

She added: “We don’t go away easily.”

Many Clinton backers said they could be persuaded to back Obama, but some, like Uriarte, said they could not cross over.

Uriarte, a 37-year-old Clark County public employee and Clinton precinct captain, said there’s still too much bad blood from what she called caucus-day shenanigans on the part of the Obama campaign. She also cited the controversy over Obama’s former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and his inflammatory beliefs such as blaming AIDS on the federal government.

Uriarte said she’ll write in Clinton in the fall if she isn’t the nominee.

The question of whether to support Obama in November is dividing some friends and families.

Sheila Milko said she’ll support Obama to prevent another Republican from capturing the White House. She depicted a scene of harmony at the convention and praised Obama convention delegates for their comity and respect. “We hugged,” she said.

Her friend Mary Lucero said she’ll vote for the progressive icon Ralph Nader, who did in then-Vice President Al Gore’s chances in 2000, before she votes for Obama.

Louise Wadelski said she wouldn’t vote for Obama because she has “never cared for his style, his lack of experience.”

Her husband, David Squire, said he’ll certainly vote for Obama. He said he’s deeply worried about the Supreme Court, which the next president could help shape because a few justices are aging and/or expected to retire.

Many Clinton supporters, showing their unswerving devotion to the New York senator, said they’ll take their signal from her. This means Clinton will have to play a crucial role in bringing her supporters over to the Obama column, if and when she decides to endorse him.

“Only Hillary can persuade me” to vote for Obama, Wadelski said.

Many embittered Clinton supporters complain their candidate was the victim of a vindictive, sexist press corps.

Party leaders, not oblivious to the task ahead, have begun laying the groundwork to unify the party by winning over the Clinton-leaning grass roots.

That effort was sounded by Bill Clinton himself, when he admonished the gathering: “Don’t you forget why you came here. You did not go to all this trouble to have an argument with each other ... Let’s make our differences clear on the issues, talk about solutions and once everyone has voted, stand united.”

He added that after Democrats determine their nominee, “We have to get this show on the road.”

Other leaders fell right in line.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, who endorsed Clinton before the Nevada caucus, spent her lengthy speech banging away on McCain and calling for Democrats to come together.

Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen, who was courted heavily by all the candidates before backing Clinton, praised the former president’s call for unity and said the party will stand behind Obama, if indeed he’s the nominee.

Kihuen said his constituents, many of whom are Hispanic and backed Clinton by a wide margin, will be happy to support Obama if and when the time comes.

Obama’s failure to win Hispanic votes has been viewed as a key deficiency, with some observers asserting it’s related to racial tensions between blacks and Hispanics.

Not so, Kihuen said. They supported Clinton because of her long-standing ties to the community and memories of good times when her husband was president.

Kihuen said he personally likes Obama and said, “I’m ready for a nominee.”

Assemblyman Tick Segerblom, who backed Edwards, was even more succinct in his assessment of the end of the Democratic race and a new readiness to take on McCain full-bore: “Bigger fish to fry.”

Discussion: 18 comments so far…

By crat3

5/18/08 at 2:40 a.m.

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"Since a blowout victory in North Carolina and an unexpected near-victory in Indiana, Obama has racked up big-name endorsements..." The underlying facts are:

The North Carolina win resulted from black racism. There is no "blowout victory" in black racism.

Obama won only 9 Indiana counties out of almost 100 counties. There is no "near-victory" in such disparity.

The "big-name endorsements" received by Obama reflected a conspiracy between Obama and the "big-name endorsements" to make an end run around the nomination process to preclude the selection of Sen. Clinton as the best qualified presidential nominee by the superdelegates using their independent judgment without regard to any "delegate math."

If Obama swipes the nomination with his end-run tactic before the primary season ends and FL and MI are resolved, he will crash and burn in November and the Democratic Party will be a train wreck.
in November.

The pro-Obama biased media have interfered in, undermined, and subverted the Democratic presidential primary process. The pro-Obama biased media continue to sabotage Sen. Clinton's campaign with impunity. This media tyranny is our democracy's worse enemy.
By afrederick

5/18/08 at 8:46 a.m.

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I am offended by crat3, I am black but not a racist at all, many of my family members are white and black and I have a right to choose the candidate of my choice, just as you have that same right. I do not call you racist because you vote for Clinton. In fact, I supported Bill twice when he ran for President. He received over 80%+, were we racist then, and all the other former Presidents received an outstanding percentage of the black vote, you know what if we were so racist and we knew that our vote mattered, we could have not voted at all, because if what you say is true, then we would not vote for a white candidate ever, so your racist remarks are offensive.

I feel and millions of other blacks feel that we have been used and played like a sax by the Clintons regarding the statements that have come out of the Clinton camp, this has nothing to do with being racist and everything to do with being respected and appreciated. Regardless of past relationships with the Clintons, they sold us out in this election and did not bat an eye. So you can back off the racist attitude by call blacks racist. What would racism do for me as a black woman? I have no need to hate anyone of any race, creed or nationality.

I don't put myself above or below anyone, I am me and you are you, however, we both have a right to our own opinion and vote.
By NVMakz

5/18/08 at 9:56 a.m.

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Obama promises 90% of the black vote. Democrats already get 90% of the black vote. Obama brings 90% of like 12% of the population. Big deal..

Obama has BIG, HUGE problems going forward that he won't be able to hide behind his thin skin color to escape.
By RJRobbins

5/18/08 at 10:24 a.m.

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What has become of the Democratic Party. Think of them as employers getting a resume from potential employess so they can pick someone with the most experience. Is the Democratic Party not interested in the best qualified person for the job? And I am tired of no one giving Sen. Clinton a break here. Instead she is treated with no respect as a person wanting nothing more than to serve this country. I have been a supporter of the Clinton's for ages and have looked forward to this election. Now it disgusts me. I've lost respect for both Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Edwards. Don't they see what an arrogant phony Obama is? Come on, stop trying to take away Sen. Clinton's rights and listen to what she has to say. Please, if we are going to win in November let's put the best person for the job in the White House. I'm sorry but I can't vote for Obama if she does not win. As much as I disagree with what Sen. McCain stands for, I would rather vote for him than Obama. Childish attitude, maybe, but it is either that or don't vote. After this I am going to become an Independent.
By BeepBeep

5/18/08 at 10:31 a.m.

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Okay people!!! Here we go! First, the Clinton campaign has not thrown African Americans under the bus. Things have been said on both sides by campaign people, and others, that stem from ignorance. That truly exists in both camps. [I would vote for President Clinton again if he could run again. Face it, we spent $40M dollars to find dirt on him and the best we could do is find a ****job and a land scandal. Let's investigate Bush and Chaney with the same amount of $$ and see what we will find!] Let's face the facts here: There are many who are voting for their respective candidates because of race, gender, etc. That is a bad way to choose a president! Just because someone looks like you doens't mean that they are "like" you and view the world as you do. [Take Obama's minister as an example. This guy was truly an oportunist who used a member of his congregation to get 15 minutes of fame.] Let's stay focused on the issues and stay away from the racist and sexist positioning that will surely doom the Democratic Party. Stay focused people! If you believe in prayer then do that too becasue the stakes are high in this election. I'm focused and praying....
By NVMojo

5/18/08 at 10:51 a.m.

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LOL! I was there and what I saw was a large number of spoiled "baby boomers" of all colors who are pissed off that they didn't get their way again because it is all about them.

You people are an embarrassment to your age group. Get over yourselves. This is a different world we live in today and putting the Clintons back into the White House is a continuation of the old school thug politics that have led to this country being completely different today. It's not just the Bush family empires fault.

Stop your whining and make a difference instead of making it all out YOU.
By gaypastor

5/18/08 at 3:21 p.m.

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Women versus African-Americans! Are we REALLY surprised we’ve arrived to this level of analysis? I, for one (as a liberal white man), stand by my sisters. If you review the website for the leading organization for women (National Organization of Women) you CLEARLY see their choices to fight not only for women’s rights, but the rights of African-Americans, gay people, etc (the sections are easily seen and identified). If you visit the leading African American organization’s website (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) you do NOT find clear choices that support women’s rights, gay rights, etc. Their subsections speak of youth, education, etc. but they don’t seem to care for women or gays (not even black women or gays). The choice, while quite regrettable, is simply clear…women have more broadly fought for a range of oppressed peoples while African Americans have not. As a pastor who cares about ALL people (and especially all people suffering from oppression) I must stand by the one who represent the hopes and dreams of women…and all oppressed peoples. I stand by Hillary…Hillary for President for ’08! May God be with us all during this difficult time of discernment.
By hinnis

5/18/08 at 7:04 p.m.

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As many of you know, Obama has hired hundreds of paid bloggers to surf the net and spread his lies and propaganda. After reviewing many of these posts, it appears that they have developed a strategy to con Hillary Clinton supporters and Independents into voting for Obama using various ploys, including: (1) The "Supreme Court" card, i.e. if Obama doesn't win, McCain will appoint conservative judges. (2) The "Roe v. Wade" card, i.e. if Obama doesn't win, the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade; (3) The "race card,", which we are all very familiar with since Obama entered the race i.e. if you are against Obama, then you are a racist; (4) The "real Democrat" card, i.e. "real Democrats" will vote for the Democratic nominee whether they like him/her or not; (5) The "baby killer card", i.e. if John McCain wins, he will institute a draft and you will be responsible for the killing of babies; and (6) The "Hillary would want you to vote for Obama" card, which is self-explanatory.

It is important to know that although Obama, his supporters, the DNC and party elite, and the mainstream media have conspired to marginalize the millions of Democrats who have voted for Hillary, or who do not support Obama, they will now be using every trick in the book to "bring the party together" to further the ruthless ambitions of Obama and the party elite. They will want you to forget all about the months and months of biased press, the biased party elite, the insults, and the race-cards. They will want you to forget that the Democratic Party now is the party that stands for disenfranchisement and the rationalization of racism, if it results in the nomination of their hand-picked candidate. They will use all of the above-mentioned "cards" and more, to persuade you to vote for the man who they have preordained as the Democratic nominee. DON'T FALL FOR IT!

Whether you want to write-in Hillary, if possible, vote for John McCain rather than Obama, or sit out the election, remember that your action or inaction could result in the election of the inexperienced, deceptive, ruthless, and divisive Obama. UNLESS YOU DESIRE THIS RESULT, PLEASE MAKE YOUR DECISIONS WISELY.
By RSN

5/18/08 at 8:21 p.m.

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I am an Obama supporter that was a delegate to the state convention.

I had many many encounters with Senator Clintons supporters most of which were very positive some of which almost brought tears to my eyes, a small few of which were very negative and hostile to the point of abusive. I see here the small few are the ones blogging.

I have attended other Nevada state conventions. This one was wonderful. This weekend will be in my heart and mind for the rest of my life.

This is a watershed moment in American history.

The Democratic Party will be just fine in November
By ruthoxford

5/18/08 at 8:36 p.m.

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No, the Democratic Party will not be fine in Nov. I've been a Democrat since I first registered to vote (I'm one of those "spoiled baby boomers" mentioned previously), but I'm leaving the Party this year and registering as an independent. I will not vote for Obama; I'm disgusted with the manner in which both Clintons have been treated by the party "elite" and "elders." As far as the "spoiled" Democrats, I would suggest the bloggers and campus crowd look in the mirror. You know what I REALLY dislike about Obama and his followers: the only way to vote for change is to vote for their candidate even though he has never brought about ANY major change in his political life, and if you don't agree with him, then you're obviously one of those "old" Democrats who doesn't care about the future--the future envisioned by the Obamabots and their candidate.
By RSN

5/18/08 at 9:06 p.m.

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Ruthoxford;

I personally have met and talked to dozens and dozens of people from all over the country who have either switched from Republican to Democrat or have become politically aware and active for the first time in their lives because they are inspired by Senator Obama and because they know our nation is going in the wrong direction.

The Democratic Party is bigger, stronger and richer today than it was 15 months ago.

You may be right, the Democratic Party will not be just fine in November it will be better than it has been since the 1960's.
By bb_church

5/19/08 at 9:43 a.m.

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"As many of you know, Obama has hired hundreds of paid bloggers to surf the net and spread his lies and propaganda."

Is there a credible citation for this? All I've heard or seen is second hand reports of folks seeing a crawl on Fox News that said that Obama had "hired hundreds of bloggers". Now it's part of the internet echo chamber, treated as fact and used to create a reaction. I don't care who you support, but please check your facts before calling people to act, otherwise you have no idea for whom you are actually acting and to what end.
By That_Anonymous_Guy

5/19/08 at 1:22 p.m.

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If you're a Clinton supporter tempted not to vote for Obama, please remember this:

The hard right now has four seats on the Supreme Court (Roberts, Alito, Scalia, Thomas). Justice Stevens, the anchor of the court's left wing, is 88 years old.

If you vote McCain over Obama, you are wagering Stevens will make it another four years. If he doesn't, and McCain wins, we will lose the Supreme Court for at least a decade, and probably longer.

Please look at the big picture before you cast your vote. It's normal to feel frustrated, but the cost of acting it out will be catastrophic.
By Outsider_Looking_In

5/19/08 at 4:29 p.m.

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STRIKE ONE: MICHIGAN
STRIKE TWO: FLORIDA
STRIKE THREE: SUPERDELEGATES

A bad turn of events for Mrs. Hillary Clinton. Some say the Superdelegates must not overturn the popular Democratic choice of nominee.

If the Democratic superdelegates would not vote according to their "conscience and moral judgment" and instead vote according to the "tide of popular vote" then why do they even exist? Why disenfranchise their right to make a difference even if that would mean going against the majority of pledge delegates and believe wholeheartedly that their choice is the right thing to do? For the sake of party unity?

If DNC is not confident in uniting the party post-primary elections no matter who wins the nomination between two great presidential hopefuls, then they have more underlying problems within the party itself that could spell bigger troubles winning the November election against another formidable Republican candidate.
By jfnance32

5/20/08 at 5:15 p.m.

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Hussein is our only hope.

Sincerely,

The Republican Party
By RSN

5/20/08 at 7:07 p.m.

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King Hussein of Jorden was a great man of peace.

Sincerely,

The Family of Nations
By Johnathan_Abbinett

5/21/08 at 8:06 a.m.

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"RJRobbins" any so-called "Democrat" that stays home is a coward and anyone that votes for McCain, as you're threatening, is a traitor - that's how we got stuck with Bush (twice) and ended up with the worst Governor in the history of Nevada!

Please, PLEASE re-think your position and voting for whoever the Democratic nominee becomes!

"NVMojo" as always - WELL SAID!

"hinnis" it's obvious you are a Republican political operative trying to use misinformation and disinformation to confuse the public - are you getting paid well for your treason?

"RSN" very heart-felt comments, but we need all good Democrats, like you, to volunteer your time and make sure you GOTV (Get Out The Vote) in YOUR Precinct, State Senate and State Assembly, and Congressional District to ensure victory - hope and prayer is not enough - we must all work together smart, first, and hard, secondly - right up to the momement the polls close! THAT is how we will be able to make sure the Democratic Party is more than just fine, and is stronger and better than ever!

"Ruthoxford" we all feel your pain and share in your frustration and disillusionment! The truth of the matter is that the Republican Party is 95% corrupt and the Democratic Party is 75% corrupt - but, re-registering as an Independent will shut you out of helping us clean up the corruption in Primary Elections! We need good independent thinking Democrats to stay focused on the big picture of first electing progressive candidates AND winning on our issues! If you are just not capable of accepting the realities of how primaries work to produce one party nominee - then, go ahead and re-register as an Independent. But, for all our sakes, when you do vote - vote smart!

"Outsider Looking In" politics is not bean bag, and it's not baseball either - so, your three strike analogy is cute, but not valid!