First thing I want to do is to congratulate Barack Obama and his supporters for their wins this past weekend and tonight.  It has been a hard fought few months, and you are reaping the rewards.  With that being said, this is not a diary for you.  This is for the Hillary supporters out there.  I'm not going to go so far as to say you cannot comment here, but I would appreciate if you keep it civil.  I'm not writing to create argument. I am writing to seek solace and to expound on where our campaign can go next.

Where do we go from here? The answer is a conundrum: simple, yet difficult.

In the next few days, the news is going to be all about the losses.  For the supporters of Hillary Clinton, we need to stand strong and weather the criticisms.  We need to listen to that which is fair.  Indeed, there is a lot of fair criticism out there, but we need to not get wrapped up in it.

So, what do we do?

1. Stay on Message - Over the past few days, the level of hatred has been rising here at MyDD.  Unlike most of you, I am new here, and I would not like to see this place go the way of DailyKos and The Huffington Post.  Let's face it.  The Obama folks have just as rational a reason to support their candidate as we do.  We may see it as group think and being for all the wrong reasons, but it does not invalidate their desires anymore than their false ideas about Hillary invalidate ours.  So, we must avoid baiting and taking the bait, and we must elevate the discourse so that we can move forward and win.  Attack when necessary, but do not go for collateral damage just because you can.

2. Take a Breath - I am not advocating that you stop coming to sites and posting, but maybe it is time to take a half step back and look at the bigger picture.  Barack Obama is the undisputed front runner now, but in a lot of ways, that is a relief.  The harsh glare of the media is now upon him, and if my cursory views over the past couple of days are any indication, then the free pass seems to have expired.  The reason Hillary has been dealt with so harshly is because we were arrogant.  We thought we would wrap this up by Super Tuesday, and it did not happen.  Let the Obama people have their moment.  They are already falling prey to the comfort of the lead, and if we have learned anything in the past 16 years, the media likes nothing more than to destroy that in which they created.  Again, be thoughtful.  Don't bait. Just be there, ready to take up the reigns, and then we can truly be the Comeback Kids.

3. Contribute - Supporters are going to be shaken to the core, and they will start questioning if Hillary has a chance.  I will tell you today I was incredibly heartened.  After realizing that I wasn't getting the same campaign emails that a friend was getting, I signed up to be on Hillary's Team, even though I had already donated a couple of times.  After putting in my email address, the website flashed that 123,000+ people have donated in the month of February alone. Keep it up!  Even if it is only a couple of dollars, it will still help get out the vote, and it is needed now more than ever.

4. Volunteer - I heard on the news that Hillary is not yet on the ballot in my home state of Indiana.  You can bet I will be calling around tomorrow to see what I can do to make it happen.  It is amazing to me that my primary might actually matter this year, and I plan on making sure that I do everything I can do to make it even more sweet.  I am sure there are things that you can do in your state.  I am close to Ohio, too, and I think I will plan on going to a rally for her if there is one close to the State line.  Use your imagination, there is plenty you can do.

5. Persevere - I have followed the Clinton's since I was 12 years old (I am 32 now), and if they have taught me anything, it is to persevere.  Things are never as bleak as we think they are, and we will prove to the world that Hillary Clinton is the best choice for President of the United States.  It will be easy to get caught up in the negativity that will be thrown at us over the next few days.  I say listen to it, let it wash over you, and then reject it!  Just as we believe that Hillary will be there for us once she is President, we need to be there for her now, more than ever!

Hillary '08