Tripp Jones: My fellow Clintonites, it's time for Obama

[kevinmc]

FOR SUPPORTERS of Senator Hillary Clinton, like me, it's time to get behind her rival, Senator Barack Obama.

The exposure of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.'s outrageous and divisive remarks has injected the raw emotions associated with race relations into the presidential campaign. This new dynamic raises the stakes in an already high-stakes race. Our responsibility as progressive-minded voters is to show Americans a positive alternative to the toxic politics of race. Rallying around Obama now increases our chances of doing just that. Obama has run a positive and inspiring campaign, and has attracted a majority of pledged delegates. It is hard to envision a scenario in which Democratic superdelegates override the will of millions of primary voters and caucus participants. Obama will be the nominee.

Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding Wright presents Republicans with a polarizing wedge issue to exploit with general election voters. This approach not only risks an Obama loss in November - denying us a fresh, capable leader - but it would set the country back in its racial reconciliation process. Americain 2008 should be better than that.

As we have done at many key junctures in our nation's history, Democrats and other progressive-minded voters must lead the way. The current firestorm is an opportunity to move beyond the anger and resentment that have characterized our nation's dialogue on race. By throwing our enthusiastic support behind Obama now, voters of all political stripes can echo the candidate's refrain, "Not this time."

There have been many moments in our history when we failed to heed that call. Twenty years ago, as a staffer of Governor Michael Dukakis's presidential campaign, I observed the use of the now-famous "Willie Horton" ad to undermine a good man's character, fan the flames of racial division and distract voters from the most important issues of the time.

Not this time. We have an opportunity to show that we have learned from our mistakes. The first step, which Obama took in his recent speech on race, was to condemn Wright's offensive rhetoric.......


http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/04/05/my_fellow_clintonites_its_time_for_obama/#

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. now if Taylor Marsh could be so gracious.......n/t

[Deep13]

2. Fuck that.

Besides the fact that Obama has made it absolutely clear that he does need or want me or others of like mind--really, that bridge is ash now--he still can't win in November or govern if he does win. Maybe it won't be a 49-state sweep, but it will be pretty red on election night.

[JCMach1]

3. I don't agree with your tone, but the content is correct

Once again we will be nominating a loser and it pisses me off.

[jgraz]

5. How, exactly, do you see Obama losing to McSame?

It just seems ridiculous that such a strong candidate would have any problem with that crazy old coot.

[JCMach1]

9. Take a look at the electoral map...

If McLame takes FL, OH and other Bush states he's in. Obama may have a path, but it's a LONG list of small states.

Also, it looks like McCain is competitive in MI, PA, NH, MN, and WI. Throw in VA and if McLame takes any of those the Obama strategy is down the tubes.

I give you it is early, but what should be a cake walk is going to be a difficult struggle.

[jgraz]

10. An electoral map argument at this point is beyond ridiculous

We are currently 7 months out from the general election. Do you remember what the primary map looked like 7 months ago?

[JCMach1]

11. Exactly, it could also be worse by that time

But I suspect you would agree that if Obama is the nominee the battleground states will be:

OH, VA, CO, MN, WI, MI, PA, NV, MO, IA and possibly NJ

Obama would ALMOST have to run the table of these states to win. One big (like OH) and one medium-sized state and McCain would likely win.

It's not an easy path to victory

Obama with 271 running the table in the upper mid-west
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/campaign08/electoral-college/?dList=ia,ca,ct,de,il,mo,nj,ny,ore,pa,ri,mi,wa,me1,me2,me0,md,wi,hi,ma,mn,vt,nm,dc&rList=nh,nv,sc,fl,al,ak,ar,wy,co,ga,nc,ok,tn,ut,la,va,az,nd,oh,tx,ms,ind,ne0,ne1,ne2,ne3,wv,ky,id,mt,sd,ks&uList=

McCain with 275
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/campaign08/electoral-college/?dList=ia,ca,ct,de,il,nj,ny,ore,pa,ri,mi,wa,me1,me2,me0,md,va,wi,hi,ma,vt,nm,dc&rList=nh,nv,sc,fl,al,ak,ar,wy,co,ga,mo,nc,ok,tn,ut,la,az,nd,mn,oh,tx,ms,ind,ne0,ne1,ne2,ne3,wv,ky,id,mt,sd,ks&uList=

[jgraz]

13. Maybe, but the trend lines are all in Obama's favor

Remember, this is a candidate who gains ground wherever he campaigns. That's opposed to Hillary, who drops in the polls when she starts campaigning.

[jgraz]

4. You seem so happy about that prospect

Lucky for us your scenario is beyond ridiculous.

[donheld]

6. When did Obama ever say he did not need or want you or anybody else?

[splat]

8. We don't belong in your religion, we don't worship your god

[DogPoundPup]

14. Love the cat and mouse fight ...

"When did Obama ever say he did not need or want you or anybody else?"

Do you feel the selection rovian rhetoric of 2000 and 2004 all over again? I sure do...man!

Here is a good article to clue you in where this kind of shit comes in from 'those' ones....

*Hillary and Race Relations: GOP Tactics that Threaten the Democratic Party
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-schumacher-and-debbie-bookchin/hillary-and-race-relation_b_95231.html

[BigBearJohn]

7. Dont shoot me for this, but sometimes I feel like I'm being recruited by the Moonies or something.

This whole 'movement' feels like a grand-sized revival meeting.
Like all I have to do is beg forgiveness, accept the blood of Christ
and I will be saved and re-born. Very eerie. Hallelujah.

[psychmommy]

12. i feel like you guys just can't see past these blinders.

you guys are all caught up in these rw talking points and hateful rhetoric. methinks you are not really dems.

[BigBearJohn]

15. I guess you can't be a 'real' Dem if you are not a Obama supporter.

[DogPoundPup]

16. I guess you might have something there

Her divide-and-scare tactics that her handlers have borrowed so adeptly from the Republican playbook are working to do just what the bushevics are hoping...divide the Democratic Party headed