Thanks to Sen. Clinton for doing what's right; Now her supporters need to heed her example.

[Ken Burch]

We need unity. There are no longer any differences between HRC and Obama that are more important than beating John McCain.

Senator Clinton gave an eloquent speech and embraced unity and the future. I welcome all of her supporters who will join her in that, and I think that all Obama supporters will join me in making them welcome in the Democratic unity tent.

I ask those of you who are still angry or who still wanted the HRC campaign to go on to find the way to let your anger go, grieve for your cause, and then join us. We always had more in common with you than you ever would have had with McCain. West Virginia miners, Pennsylvania steelworkers, Hispanic voters, LGBT voters, and working women have NEVER been treated with respect or concern by any Republican. No Republican candidate has ever been more worthy of your support than the Democrat that was in the race. You are as important to Barack Obama as you were to HRC, and probably more important. You will not be left out in the cold in an Obama presidency, since Barack Obama needs all of your votes to win.

As for those who saw the Obama campaign as "sexist", I hope you can see the truth:

Barack Obama was always just as committed to a feminist agenda as Hillary Clinton. The millions of younger women who backed him throughout, and the women of color who also did so, saw this.


And the sexist statements from some presumed "Obama supporters" were in all liklihood GOP plants seeking to reak havoc and spread division within our ranks. They were the work of Karl Rove, not anyone in the Democratic Party.

We can win with unity. We will all matter in this administration if we do win. No one who backed HRC has anything to gain from a McCain victory. Please join us. We need you. We respect you. We were always on your side on the issues, and we remain so today.
Don't let payback be the enemy of progress.

[ginnyinWI]

1. I think we'll be unified sooner than anyone imagined.

Obama is uniquely qualified to become that uniter because of all the backgrounds he's come from. He knows how to talk to the people, inspire and lead them.

[monmouth]

2. Very nice, straight-forward post...k&r

[earthlover]

3. Those disappointed at not having a woman president should remember....

John McCain is MALE!

He also is wrong on all the issues, not the least of which is choice.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MH1]

16. You won't vote for Obama?

[LowerManhattanite]

24. Apparently not...

...as said poster has stated here and elsewhere.

Thus, the delete. :)

[VeraAgnes]

4. Obama has his work ahead of him.

He alone needs to unite the Party. he has to cross that obstacle to demonstrate his ability to lead the party and the country.

[Ken Burch]

8. Unity is the work of all of us.

We are trying to reach out to Clinton supporters. But those Clinton supporters have got to accept that the race is now over, that their candidate did get a fair shake and had a fair chance, and that Obama's victory is legitimate. I can't really see that this is too much to ask.

There is nothing that could possibly happen in an Obama Administration that could possibly be worse than four to eight years of John McCain. If we lose this year, in all liklihood we'll never elect another Democratic president.

[slinkerwink]

5. thank you! 80% of Democrats now support Obama!

[niceypoo]

59. Whose supporters drove whose supporters away?

[MethuenProgressive]

6. "the sexist statements from some presumed "Obama supporters" were in all liklihood GOP plants"

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Ken Burch]

12. It's exactly what the GOP would arrange.

There's no way those were authentic Obama people.

At least not anybody that was important.

Is there a reason you are holding a grudge about that?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

22. Unthinkable!

...
The specific group we are targeting is a cross-section of white, female voters
over the age of 40. Internal polling reveals that this group is the most likely to
support John McCain after Obama wins the nomination. However, we expect
Obama’s numbers to improve following Clinton’s drop. Our job is to make sure
that number stays as low as possible.
...
http://file.sunshinepress.org:54445/mccain-schmidt-clinton-astroturfing-2008.pdf

[PBS Poll-435]

23. Please, don't hog all the fun. Let me join you.

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[niceypoo]

58. I had to do a double take when I read that too.....

The denial of some people is so thick as to be laughable.

[BlackVelvet04]

9. And the sexist statements from some presumed "Obama supporters" were in all liklihood GOP plants see

does that include Randi Rhodes?

[PeaceNikki]

10. No, I believe Randi Rhodes is just a classless twit.

[JoFerret]

14. Indeed.

too bad.

[dorkulon]

20. I don't care much for Rani Rhodes, but calling politicians whores

is a long-standing tradition, and most often used on men. I have called many male politicians whores in my lifetime; it's about being willing to do anything for money, nothing more.

[1Hippiechick]

11. There are no longer any differences between HRC and Obama that are more important than

beating John McCain."

Well said. Bravo!

:kick:

[JoFerret]

13. Thanks to Sen. Clinton for doing what's right; Now Obama and his supporters

need to heed her example.

[Zuiderelle]

15. My God. When will people stop condescending to Hillary supporters?

I support Hillary, and now I support Obama. I don't have to be told what to do, and it's insulting to keep reading this tripe. Many of us have very good reasons for having supported Hillary instead of Obama, and we really, truly don't need to be lectured about unity.

[MH1]

17. Please see post #7.

Probably as long as posts like that show up at DU.

Thank you for doing the right thing.

[Zuiderelle]

18. So, because a few people are upset, it's ok to condescend to all of us?

I understand people who are hurt and disappointed right now. I wouldn't even think of lecturing them at a time like this. People need time to heal. Insults and condescension will not convince anyone.

[MH1]

19. You are probably right,

but at the same time, there is a lot of hurt and anger on the other side, too. "Winning" doesn't take away the insults and smears that have been spread. It will just take time and "unity" - and ultimately, shutting down the posters that refuse to stop spreading the crap.

People should just back off on the lecturing, for now at least, but some are having a hard time comprehending how anyone can claim to care about women's issues, and then threaten to withhold their support from Obama.

[Zuiderelle]

21. I'll be VERY happy when the posters spreading the crap are shut down.

[Tyler Durden]

27. The MEMORY of some Obama supporters is seriously faulty.

Including the OP.

To PISS in the cornflakes of your opponent's supporters and then wish them "bon apetit" is really insulting.

[Ken Burch]

41. If you already support Obama, this wasn't directed at you.

It was at those who were STILL attacking Obama and who still didn't think, even though Obama clinched this week, that HRC should get out or that they should stop bashing Obama.

The man hasn't done anything to deserve this level of rage. His nomination doesn't hurt anyone in the party.

[Zuiderelle]

55. You did not direct it at a subset. You directed it at "her supporters."

I don't have a clue what "rage" you are talking about.

[Ken Burch]

56. I should have phrased it as "all of her supporters"

And, for that rage, you could look at the threads started in the HRC group AFTER last Tuesday. They knew it was over then, yet they kept attacking and they still wanted Obama stopped.

[Zuiderelle]

57. Why on earth are you talking about last Tuesday. She conceded on Saturday.

[Ken Burch]

60. It was over Tuesday night. Her supporters knew it.

They had a right to grieve for their defeat, but they were wrong to keep attacking Obama after he went over the top in delegates.

There was no reason to keep bashing after that.

[Zuiderelle]

61. And you are wrong to keep complaining about it a week later.

[Ken Burch]

62. I was just answering your question.

If HRC had gone over the top that night, all attacks on her by Obama supporters would've stopped then and there.

[Zuiderelle]

63. Right. Now THAT is funny.

[Ken Burch]

64. It's not funny because it's true. We would've stopped the moment

HRC went over the top in delegates and would immediately have worked for unity.

[Zuiderelle]

66. You might have, but from what I've seen, I very highly doubt that all would have.

And it's no different among Hillary supporters. There are always people that are stupid.

[Tyler Durden]

25. Perhaps after you post an APOLOGY for some of your nasty ass posting.

Some of those disparaging comments came from KEN BURCH.

And if you don't remember or suggest that they came in the heat of the moment, that doesn't excuse you.

You don't want "PAYBACK?" Then I suggest you stretch your memory, and render some of that "RESPECT" you claim you had.

Personally, I don't remember it. And don't ask me for any freaking LINKS.

[MH1]

28. Uh, he did.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6324043

[Tyler Durden]

32. Lord, did you READ that at all??

"I really tried to avoid personally attacking any DU'er, and apologize now to anyone(especially in the HRC campaign)that was offended or felt personally attacked by anything I said."

TO ANYONE THAT FELT....

Good Grief. We excoriated Republicans AND Democrats for their "half-apology" ...."...tried to avoid...", and "...anyone who felt..." garbage, and Burch gets a pass.

I know two people who aren't posting anymore in part thanks to Burch. PISS on partial apologies.

[JVS]

35. It reminds me of Clinton's RFK assassination apology, except hers wasn't quite as good.

[Tyler Durden]

36. Yes, REMARKABLE similarities....

Similar to the Obama McClurkin semi-denials.

The point is, it's just that, a qualified, semi-apology. THAT is the point I'm making.

And YES, Burch has offended on many occasions. As have you. As have ME.

But I don't think my candidate needs my help, does she...like certain others?

[JVS]

37. In the nominal case we use "I" instead of "me"

[Tyler Durden]

38. Nice post, Hitler.

It's far too early on Monday to nitpick.

[Ken Burch]

44. Look, I DID try to avoid personally attacking anyone.

I never used sexist language and started a thread to denounce those who did use sexism as their reason for opposing HRC.

I phrased that OP as I did because there was no intent to personally attack anyone and because I honestly can't be sure of who all I may have offended versus who may simply have been hostile to me as a supporter of Obama.

The OP was NOT a "non-apology apology". It was the most accurate way I could phrase it.

My opposition to Senator Clinton was based on the fact that she based her campaign on keeping the more conservative forces in the party in charge and(after Pennsylvania and West Virginia)the racial aspects of her campaign. I also felt that it would be a clear message to young people and African Americans that they weren't welcome in this party if Obama were, after leading for months and months, stopped at the last minute. I felt no personal hostility to HRC supporters, only frustration that they were still trying to stop Obama when it had been clear that HRC couldn't come from behind to win and that it would do more harm than good for her to win at the last moment. OK?

I was trying to be conciliatory, but this was difficult for me considering that HRC people kept bashing Obama and Obama supporters even AFTER last Tuesday night when they knew it was over.

It goes without saying that Obama would do everything positive that Senator Clinton stood for, and it's also clear that he won't leave Senator Clinton's supporters out in the cold. They need to trust in that now.

[terrya]

26. Hillary's supporters can think for themselves.

Christ, she just conceded yesterday.

They'll all get on board. But stuff like this is lecturing. No one wants to hear someone directing them what to do.

[Arkansas Granny]

29. I am voting for Obama, but it is not because of any pleas from Obama supporters,

it is in spite of the things that Obama supporters on this board have said. I have maintained all along that I would vote for the Democratic nominee. I just thought that Hillary was more qualified for the position than Obama. However, Obama has won the nomination and therefore, he will get my vote in the GE.

As for your last paragraph, I don't have any need or desire for payback, but I saw how much Obama supporters needed and respected us over the last several weeks and your words and the words of others calling for unity ring hollow.

[MethuenProgressive]

34. I recommend this fine message.

Thanks, Arkansas Granny.
:dem:

[Ken Burch]

45. I'm glad you'll be supporting the ticket.

I would have supported Senator Clinton had she been the nominee.

And I'm glad you don't want payback. A lot of the posts from Senator Clinton's supporters in the last few weeks had been sounding like they did. Nothing personal towards you.

I condemned and still condemn any sexist attacks on Senator Clinton. I even started a thread to condemn them. Please don't tar all Obama supporters with the same brush. I think it will ultimately turn out that the worst statements were actually from Republican plants. Any actual Obama supporters who said such things should apologize or be tombstoned(and I think a lot of them were).

My greatest concern was that nominating Senator Clinton would leave the DLC and the more conservative elements in control of the party.
Had she ever explicitly disavowed them, it would have been easier to accept her as a potential nominee and it wouldn't have cost her any significant voting blocs.

My other concern was the attitude of what I hope was an outspoken minority of her supporters that Barack Obama simply had no right to have been a successful candidate for the nomination. Once it was clear, as it was after March, that Senator Clinton had no real chance of catching him, this attitude, I sincerely felt, was an attack on the whole party and our chances for victory. And it was this that led me to say some of the harshest things. I just didn't want the people's movement, the youth movement within the party, to be crushed . We couldn't have had any chance of victory if they were told they weren't welcome.

I hope Senator Clinton is appointed to the Supreme Court. In my view, this would give her more power, for a longer period of time, and without partisan constraint. In this context, I felt, she would be a great progressive.
She'd also be a fine Attorney General. But I would have backed her as nominee. OK?

In the end, we are on the same side.

[DenverDem23]

30. I agree 100% eom

[democracy1st]

31. K & R

[RB TexLa]

33. I'll be unified when I vote for your *not our* nominee and when I attack McCain, but that's it.

[Ken Burch]

40. What is it about Obama you feel such hostility about?

We're reaching out to you folks. There's really no reason you should feel our candidate is below yours.

All we're saying is that it was time for the attacks on the nominee to stop.

[RB TexLa]

42. I haven't attacked your "not our" nominee.

[Ken Burch]

43. Why do you insist on referring to Obama as "not our" nominee?

He's the person who has clinched the nomination. An Obama nomination isn't a defeat for you and doesn't mean you'll be left out in the cold.

You can't still be hoping he'll be stopped.

[RB TexLa]

46. I hope he wins. As far as left out part. I've already had a check returned

from a local party organization, saying they don't need or want my money, time or vote.

[Ken Burch]

47. They RETURNED your check? Who were those idiots?

If I were you, I'd call the DNC and tell them this happened, also the Obama campaign. There's no excuse in a local party refusing support or votes because of who somebody backed in the primary. That was just outrageous and stupid of them. Where did this happen, btw?

[RB TexLa]

48. It doesn't involve the DNC or the Obama campaign. Victors get the spoils.

[Ken Burch]

49. That should still be reported. There's no excuse for you being treated like that.

And what kind of morons actually turn down DONATIONS?

You should bust those folks.

They were idiots.

The Obama campaign nationally would never approve of them, and needs to know if people are doing that in their name.

I'm disgusted to hear that you were treated like that. It was inexcusable.

Please accept my individual apologies for that. Those people had no right to do that to you.

[RB TexLa]

50. There's nothing to apologize for, they won, they have every right.

[Ken Burch]

51. They do not have the right to disrespect someone like was done to you.

That is not something that any decent Obama supporter would approve of. Please let somebody in the statewide campaign or party know about this at least.

That kind of treatment is not acceptable when we need unity.

I am disgusted that that was done to you. Those freakin' idiots! What were they thinking?

[FatherTime1408]

39. Anyone got a link to her concession speech?

I missed it, and can't seem to find it. THANKS!

[Dinger]

52. Well,

I'll think about it.

[Ken Burch]

53. OK. That's a start.

And I want you to know that, however you vote, I respect anyone who uses Johnny Cash quotes in his posts.
The Man In Black was one of my few heroes.

[Dinger]

54. : )

Me too:)

[TexasObserver]

65. Agreed. It is time to move forward as a united party behind our candidate.

[NYC_SKP]

67. True, but Hillary has much more to do, no?

Support of our candidate will require a sustained effort by Hillary (and by Bill).

In the coming weeks, if they stay off the radar, their silence will be deafening and might be seen as never having been sincere about their support.