First let me state that I am NOT a member of PUMA. I am a Clinton supporter currently undecided about how I will vote in Nov.
While I admire you for trying to head of a movement that may indeed prove fatal to Obama's chances of winning, I am not convinced that it will be possible.
As a bystander to PUMA, I can tell you this. My will to remain loyal to this party is chipped away daily by the continued "head in the sand" approach that the Democratic leadership is taking regarding uniting its base. Yesterday's event was helpful, but if they think that is going to cut it, they're very wrong.
I know that history reflects that the base gets in line behind the nominee - but this primary was like no other in history! How your friends in the leadership cannot seem to grasp this, I do not know.
There has never been a woman running for president.
There has never been a primary this close.
There has never been two candidates so beloved
Yes, I'm saying "two" because I recognize Senator Obama's supporters feel as passionately about him as I do about Senator Clinton.
Add to that the unchecked media bias, the FL and MI fiasco (which is another illustration of the leadership's incompetence), the blatant sexism, and the vitriol spewed by Obama supporters in internet battles that continue to this day... its a recipe for disaster.
And what are the chances the Republicans would be running the most moderate candidate in decades?
The DNC had numerous chances to deal with these fires before they turned into a raging inferno, but they let themselves down at every turn.
Instead of trying to ram this primary into a mold they were accustomed to, why didn't they take ADVANTAGE of the fact that we had two great candidates ready to make history.
Instead of pressuring supers to make a decision to crown Obama given all of the above, what if the DNC had done something revolutionary as the primaries ended?
Let the Supers make up their minds in August, but state:
"We acknowledge the historical campaigns of both these great leaders, due to the virtual tie and the fact that neither candidates will reach the amount of delegates needed to win... Senator Clinton and Senator Obama WILL BOTH be on the ticket no matter what." Clinton and Obama could have immediately set to campaigning together against McCain. End of story.
The two bases would have rallied quickly, secure that they would be represented.
Instead, the DNC chose to beat Clinton down with a sledgehammer before our very eyes while ramming the untested, most liberal, most hyped, yet less experienced candidate down the throats of the moderate wing of the party. The very part of the party that could very well go Republican. The liberal Obama supporters NEVER would have voted for McCain if Hillary was at the top of the ticket!
Oh, Governor, I do worry that this party has made a big mistake.
But thank you again for being at the forefront of acknowledging the problem, that shows immense leadership and is truly commendable.
If only you were running the DNC!
Posted by A concerned citizen (not verified) on June 28, 2008 - 3:38pm.
Governor Rendell -
First let me state that I am NOT a member of PUMA. I am a Clinton supporter currently undecided about how I will vote in Nov.
While I admire you for trying to head of a movement that may indeed prove fatal to Obama's chances of winning, I am not convinced that it will be possible.
As a bystander to PUMA, I can tell you this. My will to remain loyal to this party is chipped away daily by the continued "head in the sand" approach that the Democratic leadership is taking regarding uniting its base. Yesterday's event was helpful, but if they think that is going to cut it, they're very wrong.
I know that history reflects that the base gets in line behind the nominee - but this primary was like no other in history! How your friends in the leadership cannot seem to grasp this, I do not know.
There has never been a woman running for president.
There has never been a primary this close.
There has never been two candidates so beloved
Yes, I'm saying "two" because I recognize Senator Obama's supporters feel as passionately about him as I do about Senator Clinton.
Add to that the unchecked media bias, the FL and MI fiasco (which is another illustration of the leadership's incompetence), the blatant sexism, and the vitriol spewed by Obama supporters in internet battles that continue to this day... its a recipe for disaster.
And what are the chances the Republicans would be running the most moderate candidate in decades?
The DNC had numerous chances to deal with these fires before they turned into a raging inferno, but they let themselves down at every turn.
Instead of trying to ram this primary into a mold they were accustomed to, why didn't they take ADVANTAGE of the fact that we had two great candidates ready to make history.
Instead of pressuring supers to make a decision to crown Obama given all of the above, what if the DNC had done something revolutionary as the primaries ended?
Let the Supers make up their minds in August, but state:
"We acknowledge the historical campaigns of both these great leaders, due to the virtual tie and the fact that neither candidates will reach the amount of delegates needed to win... Senator Clinton and Senator Obama WILL BOTH be on the ticket no matter what." Clinton and Obama could have immediately set to campaigning together against McCain. End of story.
The two bases would have rallied quickly, secure that they would be represented.
Instead, the DNC chose to beat Clinton down with a sledgehammer before our very eyes while ramming the untested, most liberal, most hyped, yet less experienced candidate down the throats of the moderate wing of the party. The very part of the party that could very well go Republican. The liberal Obama supporters NEVER would have voted for McCain if Hillary was at the top of the ticket!
Oh, Governor, I do worry that this party has made a big mistake.
But thank you again for being at the forefront of acknowledging the problem, that shows immense leadership and is truly commendable.
If only you were running the DNC!