The threat of Clinton supporters going to McCain are overexaggerated.

[PresidentObama]

I really don't think many of Clinton's supporters will go to John McCain.

I think they understand the stakes are too high, and the chances to turn this country around are too small to fuck this one up and vote for the Republican platform and the Bush third term.

Which do they want?

The Democratic platform which both Clinton and Obama embraced, and had very small differences with each other over. Universal healthcare, strong middle class and an economy that works for hard working Americans, and ending the war in Iraq.

Or the Republican platform. An economy that works for the rich, leaves others behind. A war in Iraq with no end, adding to our debt and soldiers coming back in body bags. A healthcare system that's dysfunctional and leaves tens of millions behind.

Of course they're going to say they won't vote for Obama. They were behind Hillary for 16 months, and stood behind her in the longest and most passionate primary season in HISTORY. Right now, they are bitter and hurt. And they're letting the pain of loss blur what's important to them. They just want to make sure their voice is heard, and represented. And Obama has to speak to them, and understand what they want and talk about those things. And when he does, and he will, they'll come home. A small minority, like those morons at Hillaryis44, won't come home and vote for Obama.

But the vast majority will.

Give them space, be respectful, and when the time is right--talk to them about the future of this country and the fact that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama share a lot a like and they both know the stakes are too high to not elect a Democrat in 2008!

So to those throwing a fit because the Clinton supporters won't come around, take a chill pill. They will. Give them time and space, and let them sort through this loss and make up their own minds. And I have to believe they'll do the right thing!

[GarbagemanLB]

1. This is why the primary couldn't go on until August. It will take a while to heal.

[PresidentObama]

6. Yep, you are correct.

[Zenmaster]

2. Urge them to ACTUALLY go to McCain

The best course of action is to urge them to spend their time with McCain supporters on GOP websites and message boards.

We don't need to bicker with them here. Nor should we pander and cater to their whims.

If they want to support McCain, they are free to make up their own minds. But urge them to actually do so, and become pro-McCain, rather than to just remain here and be anti-Obama.

Once they spend some time with the GOP, many will see that their views are so far out of line, that they will come to their senses.

Conversely, if McCain or his supporters start pandering and catering to their views, that will only serve to turn the conservatives away from McCain.

[Mz Pip]

15. Excellent suggestion.

To know John McCain is not to love him. There is no similarity between him and Hillary. None. But I agree that some people need to learn that on their own. Obama supporters telling them that won't do it.

[EFerrari]

3. They already are. Yesterday there was a Rasmussen poll, iirc

that showed Obama ALREADY polling better among women than Kerry did in 11/2004.

Instead of pumping this hyped story, why not just let voters figure this out for themselves? It's barely three days since Hillary conceded.

[PresidentObama]

7. That's interesting, can you post the poll...?

[EFerrari]

8. For once, I have the link!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=6329014

[PresidentObama]

9. Thanks!! That's pretty interesting.

[EFerrari]

11. It shows just how over-inflated this "issue" is.

:hi:

[PresidentObama]

18. Of course. The media loves to make news out of this shit.

Kind of like when Hillary had absolutely no chance, they overexaggerated every win she got to make the case for the primary to continue so they could have something to orgasm over for their precious ratings. They're the ones who played up Swift Boats in 2004 and Obama/Rev. Wright in 2008. Like I believe a word they say. It's all about ratings.

[cottonseed]

4. This year's media game is covering, "Obama's _______ problem".

His white women problem.
His white working class problem.
His Jewish problem.

A simple comparative between previous Democratic candidate's numbers with Obama's (even at this early stage) always prove that these perceived "problems" are bunk. His media people (including bloggers and internet activists) will need to continue to slap this crap down every time it pops back up.

So far, it looks like the media has latched on to forcing "rejections and denunciations" and covering some non-existing Obama support problem. Pretty straight forward.

[sufrommich]

5. And yet,many willingly play along. nt

[WeDidIt]

16. They need to prop up McCain

They want a close race in teh fall for ratings, but all signs point towards that not happening and it pisses them off.

They've been on a ratings jag throughout the primary season and want more.

[AtomicKitten]

10. Any woman that votes for McCain out of spite is surely no feminist.

I agree that common sense will prevail in the end with most.

[PresidentObama]

17. Indeed AK, indeed.

How have you been?

[AtomicKitten]

20. I'm getting ready to go to Colorado to ferret out and register new voters.

Obama has put about 10 states into play, targeting particularly Colorado and Virginia. He and Dean are implementing that 50-state strategy aggressively, forcing the Rs to defend their strongholds - going for something like this:


:toast:

[PresidentObama]

22. Right on. I'm going to an organizational meeting tonight.

Missouri is going to be important in November.

I can feel it. I love when my state is in play.

[BzaDem]

12. Your fatal assumption is that presidential elections are mainly about issues.

Hillary supporters will hopefully come back and support Obama. But whether they do or not will have very little to do with issues. Presidential elections are unfortunately mainly about personal qualities. People have been voting against their political interests for decades.

[zulchzulu]

13. I've witnessed quite a few Hillary supporters now supporting Obama recently...

...at my Obama table.

Good, strong Democrats...

All this crap is MSM-spewed nonsense.

[Pathwalker]

14. I voted for Hillary, but I'd NEVER vote for McCain.

I have NO problem voting for Sen. Obama, and I like my nose just fine where it is, thank you very much.

[PresidentObama]

19. Good for you, glad to hear it.

[democrattotheend]

23. That's how I felt about Kerry in 2004

He wasn't my first choice and I was not super-excited to vote for him, but I wouldn't say I had to hold my nose either. I was disappointed (and angry for a while) about what happened with Dean, but I was mostly angry with the media, and I had no problem voting for Kerry, though it took me a little while to come around to the point where I was willing to volunteer. Ironically, I like John Kerry a lot better now than I did when I voted for him.

[Pathwalker]

24. Yeah, I voted for Dean, too. I wasn't jumping up and down

excited about Kerry either, but I was happy to support him, since both my brothers were Vietnam veterans, too. AND he was miles above his "opponent".

[earthlover]

21. I think the whole thing is exaggerated

I would predict that many if not most of those saying they supported Hillary but will not support Obama were not Democrats to begin with. Some may have been Republicans wanting Hillary to win so they could run against her in the general, others wanted to prevent a black man from being nominated. I think some of the Democrats who supported Hillary may sit the election out, but to vote for McCain? That is so bizarro I just don't buy it.

Any woman who would support John McCain after the circumstances why he dumped his first wife, has got me scratchin my head in amazement.

Womanizing creep who is not loyal to his family.

[NatBurner]

25. basically

it's a bunch of media hype

[bvar22]

26. There are no "Hillary Supporters".

The Democratic Party nominee for President is Barack Obama.

There are only:

1) Obama supporters

OR

2) McCain supporters.

[PresidentObama]

27. Not so. I consider myself still a Kerry supporter and Edwards supporter.

I still support both.

I happen to support Obama for President, however.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

28. Thank you - great post.

n/t