Stop the Smear Obama Supporters

I noticed a post from an Obama supporter here tonight, propagating a meme I've seen shouted from the mountaintops for many months from the Obama camp and their supporters, and I think it's time to take a definitive stand on the issue now.

Here's the link to the example post:
http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/5/4/4531/ 33733

And all of you progressives thought you were imagining things.  No, now it has been confirmed.  Maybe McCain should chose Hillary as a running mate if she does not get the Democratic nomination.  Is it conceivable that this is in fact her preferred fall back position and not making sure Obama is defeated in 2008 so she has another shot in 2012?  And could it be that this would in fact be the Dream Ticket for the Republican Party?  Just think Bush III combined with Nixon.  Can it get any better than that?  It would be the unbeatable combination.

This is the most ridiculous smear I've seen out there.

You Obama supporters need to get a hold of yourselves before it's too damn late for some of us Clinton supporters to turn back. Yes, I understand that we should look past the supporters and just at the candidate, but I am THIS close to saying that 100%, I will NEVER back Obama in the general.

Hillary is trying to posture as a Republican? Are you joking? This is especially insulting to me as a GLBT American because of her record standing up for us, her knowledge of our problems and her backing of civil unions and other equality measures for gay Americans. That is NOT pro-GOP. A  strict time line for Iraq withdrawal is NOT GOP. Covering every single American citizen with health care is NOT GOP.

Do you all not get the f*cking idea that backing one somewhat conservative position (gas tax holiday) does not magically turn someone in a GOP politician, or a Republican? Shit, I'm moderate on some issues, maybe right-leaning on a select few, but that does not make me a Republican. Half the attacks Barack uses about Hillary's health care plan are straight from the Rove playbook, should those make him a Republican too?

Hillary Clinton has fought for progressive causes HER ENTIRE LIFE. I am SICK of fools like you trying to tell us all that she's a Republican, or no longer stands for progressive causes. Her commitment and track record as an agent of change for rural children, for adoption rights, for health care, for education--is UNSURPASSED in this race and you all know it.

And the last time I checked, the Obama supporters here always trash right wing news sources (AH HEM NATIONAL REVIEW), but I guess that's only when it's not to your advantage to quote them, am I right?

The stuff you all are talking about is insulting to Hillary supporters as well as anyone who's watched her career, and I'm SICK of it. The Hillary hate from the Obama camp is BEYOND excusable and this smear is unacceptable.

This is what we get from "Hope, Change, and Unity"?

Then you can take it back to where it came from, because I will never want ANY of it.

Hillary Clinton is a progressive. Her policy positions are progressive or MORE progressive than Obama's on almost every count. The idea that she is going to run off to the side and suddenly start bible thumping and buddying up with McCain for a GE run is ridiculous, and it's wrong.

I am EXTREMELY angry about this. It's one thing to compare Obama to McGovern, it's another thing to compare a Democratic Party lifer to Richard Nixon, especially one who has fought valiantly for progressive causes like women's rights, and the other things I have named above.

I'm sick of it, I'm done with it, and as far as I'm concerned, this party could have done without all this "new" support Barack Obama has brought in, especially if it means memes like this being the new standard. This isn't my party anymore. These smears are the same ones that were being used against McCain by the GOP. Do you want us to be the GOP?

Jesus...



Display:


I'm mad as hell. (2.00 / 5)

And I'm NOT taking it anymore.


Hillary supporter for Barack Obama in 2008
by zcflint05 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:07:45 AM EST

Re: I'm mad as hell. (2.00 / 2)

I agree that that particular comment is out of line.  Many of us Obama supporters feel as though our candidate has been trashed here (and on other websites such as hillaryis44.com and taylormarsh.com), much as I'm sure many Hillary supporters feel the same way about dailykos.

None of the above is right.  I feel that the Clinton campaign has taken advantage of numerous unjust smears against the Obama campaign.  I'm sure the same could be said in reverse.

What we have to realize is that we are all Democrats, some of us progressive (like myself and the diarist), and some of us just a bit left of center.

I will be mad as hell if Obama does not win the nomination, as I feel (at least to this point) he has justly earned it.

That having been said, if Hillary is the nominee, I will ABSOLUTELY vote for her over McCain, as there is way too much at stake in this general election to let intra-party squabbles get in the way of having a Democrat in the White House.

Supreme Court Justices, Iraq/Iran policy (which concerns me a bit with Hillary, but McCain has been QUITE clear about), and the protection of our environment are FAR too important in this cycle to let another Republican handle things.

Let's come to our senses people.


by doschi on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:18:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm mad as hell. (2.00 / 2)

I agree. Thank you for understand my anger--and what  is a very fair post.

The only trouble is, the post I linked was just an example. I'm starting to see this meme being trotted out every day--and it concerns me deeply.


Hillary supporter for Barack Obama in 2008
by zcflint05 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:25:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm mad as hell. (2.00 / 4)

I think a main issue here is that HRC supporters understand that Dailykos and related websites trash Hillary all the time.  We know that and we don't care.

By contrast, Obama's fan base gets so bothered and riled up that fellow Democrats could dare criticize their icon of change and wonder.  

So they come to MyDD like missionaries, maybe hoping to convert us heathen deviant Hillary supporters.  To their dismay, there are some highly intelligent and objective voices here.  To even greater dismay, the Obama fans with a conscience understand intellectually that most of what Hillary's supporters explain is very accurate and pragmatic.  But they have a hard time reconciling that with their emotional devotion to his enigmatic promises of change that sound so touching and wonderful.  

The dissonance results in random drive-by blogging attacks.  
   


Young lifelong Democrat. One of over 3,000,000 voters who kicked McCain and Palin out of Pennsylvania, permanently.
by BPK80 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:17:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm mad as hell. (2.00 / 0)

IF Clinton gets the nomination, then aren't you going to need support of Obama's supporters? I mean that street runs both ways. I've witnessed some of the most vicious attacks by Clinton supporters towards Obama supporters not only here but else where--everywhere as a matter of fact.

I'm tired of it as well, and wonder what type of a Democratic Party will be left after this primary! It's one of the worse I've seen since the Kennedy--Carter campaign--and we know what happened after that one don't we--Reagan.

I'm mad as hell as well--and sick of this whole campaign--and really wondering about the future of the Democratic Party IF it can survive at all.

Sorry but i also needed to say these things as well--and just so you know, I've been a member here for almost as long as I have been in Daily Kos, maybe even longer.


by Wary on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:41:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm mad as hell. (none / 0)

No need to apologize; your opinion was well-stated and respectful.

There are angry people and vicious people on both sides of the divide.  The general impression however is that Dailykos is impervious to dissent.  I do agree with that.  


Young lifelong Democrat. One of over 3,000,000 voters who kicked McCain and Palin out of Pennsylvania, permanently.
by BPK80 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 05:19:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Political Realignment (none / 0)

Most don't seem to realize that a historical political realignment is happening between the old Bush-Clinton politics focused on divisive polarities and the new politics of everyone having a place at the table. The new coalition will consist of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents moving on to the next stage of political evolution. For every Clinton supporter left behind there is a Republican who will rise to something higher and join the new coalition.


by ImpeachBushCheney on Sun May 04, 2008 at 10:51:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Political Realignment (none / 0)

If you've been following closely, you'd see that with every passing day and successive primary, the "realignment" you speak of is an embarrassing polarization of the electorate based on race.

90% of AA's and 25% of the "everybody else" vote might get you somewhere in a Democratic Primary in North Carolina but for a general election, it's a very losing recipe, demographically speaking.  


Young lifelong Democrat. One of over 3,000,000 voters who kicked McCain and Palin out of Pennsylvania, permanently.
by BPK80 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 05:16:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stop the Smear Obama Supporters (2.00 / 3)

i think senator clinton just said in the last couple of days she would support obama and campaign for him, if he wins

this was during a speech when she was interrupted by obama supporters chanting his name

neither manners nor common sense seem to be prized commodities among the most vocal and visible obama "supporters"


by blackflag on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:37:35 AM EST

Re: Stop the Smear Obama Supporters (2.00 / 4)

Great diary.  This quote struck me:

"Hillary Clinton has fought for progressive causes HER ENTIRE LIFE."

It made me realize that the O-bot wing of the party really doesn't care about progressive policy.  What they're looking for is an identity, latching onto the latest fad.  They're very much style over substance.  

In fact, everything about Obama has been style over substance.  


Young lifelong Democrat. One of over 3,000,000 voters who kicked McCain and Palin out of Pennsylvania, permanently.
by BPK80 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:09:57 AM EST

Re: Stop the Smear Obama Supporters (none / 0)

You mean like back when she was a "Goldwater Girl?"


by doschi on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:00:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Loose talk about obliterating Iran (none / 0)

is not progressive.


by Bee on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:34:26 AM EST

Re: Loose talk about obliterating Iran (none / 0)

What she said exactly about Iran was to respond to a question that asked what she'd do if Iran attacked Israel with nuclear weapons.  She responded by saying we'd do the same thing.  Israel is an ally and we've signed a treaty. What kind of response would be acceptable--and that's a real question?


by TinaH1963 on Mon May 05, 2008 at 04:43:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stop the Smear Obama Supporters (2.00 / 1)

You bring up a good point.  If the Obama supporters continue the smears and the divisive tactics, they will drive the Hillary supporters away.  I keep trying to talk myself into trying to ignore some of it because I want to feel good about supporting the dem nominee, no matter who it is.  It's getting harder everyday.


by badu on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:40:15 AM EST

they will drive the Hillary supporters away (2.00 / 2)

Will?

Did.  Done.

It's too late, I'm not voting for that race-card playing extremist.


Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.
by switching sides on Sun May 04, 2008 at 09:02:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: they will drive the Hillary supporters away (2.00 / 3)

Yes, I know - so much for being a Uniter, eh?  He needs to start showing that talent, if he's got it.


by badu on Sun May 04, 2008 at 09:07:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Stop the Smear Obama Supporters (2.00 / 0)

OK, its nice you decided to call out the smears from Obama supporters.  I hope you decided to next call out the cut and paste smears from Clinton supporters which make the rec list every day here.


by Bobby Obama on Sun May 04, 2008 at 09:21:03 AM EST

"progressive causes HER ENTIRE LIFE" (2.00 / 0)

Well, there was that stint working for the Republican House Caucus.

But the McCain/Clinton ticket meme is silly.




Democratic Candidate, US Senate, Wisconsin 2012
by benmasel on Sun May 04, 2008 at 09:23:58 AM EST

Let them go (2.00 / 1)

Let them air all of their paranoid delusions. It only hurts their candidate.


Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are. - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
by anna belle on Sun May 04, 2008 at 10:11:24 AM EST

Re: Stop the Smear Obama Supporters (none / 0)

This is so Sean Hannity - take an over-the-top statement by someone, which very, very few Obama supporters subscribe to, and attribute it to all Obama supporters.  We've seen it, been there, done that.  You're not original.  Give it up.  Try making rational arguments for Hillary.  


I like baked beans.
by SpideyDem on Sun May 04, 2008 at 10:17:51 AM EST

As an Obama supporter, I will second... (none / 0)

some of what you say.  I do believe she is a progressive (although not always since she was a "Goldwater girl").  I further have and will continue to pledge my support for her if she is the Democratic nominee.  But I do have many issues with the way she has campaigned.  I think it's been divisive and that she has been more willing to praise McCain than Obama.  And I am very concerned about the fact that she is receiving constant praise from right-wing sources that used to brand her as a "murderer."  I also wonder why she is embracing the right-wing media that has vilified her since she came onto the national scene until this election cycle.


John McCain wants you to be poor!
by nklein on Sun May 04, 2008 at 10:35:08 AM EST

Re: As an Obama supporter, I will second... (none / 0)

I appreciate your comments, but I'd like to point out that HRC has not embraced rightwing media.  Rather, she's talking to the other side, which is what you need to do to be President of the United States, not the left-wing of the Democratic Party.


by TinaH1963 on Mon May 05, 2008 at 04:40:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: As an Obama supporter, I will second... (none / 0)

She and her campaign trash Keith Olbermann, while praising Fox.  She sat down with a person who has funded countless books, newspapers, "documentaries" and such designed to convince the American public that Hillary was a murderer.  And then accepted the praise and the endorsement of said figure, without even asking for a retraction.  Forgive me if I don't see this as shining example of reaching across the aisle, but more like two groups with a common enemy.  The sad thing is I really think she thinks "Obama is the enemy."


John McCain wants you to be poor!
by nklein on Tue May 06, 2008 at 12:54:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Stop the Smear (2.00 / 0)

This is the most ridiculous smear I've seen out there.

One of the most absurd smears I've seen was when someone tried to say Michelle Obama was referring to Hillary when she said, "If you can't run your own house, you certainly can't run the White House".

It was quite clear to anyone that heard her speech that she was talking about how she and Barack managed time with their children.  Media Matters has the details.

Indeed, as Media Matters has noted, after stating, "Our view is that if you can't run your own house, you certainly can't run the White House," Michelle Obama continued: "[S]o we've adjusted our schedules to make sure that our girls are first, so while he's [Barack Obama] traveling around, I do day trips" in order to be "home before bedtime." Marc Ambinder, associate editor of The Atlantic, wrote that one "recurring theme of her stump speech" is "the hard choices she and Sen. Obama have had to make about their work/family balance."

Of course, a mindless partisan could just say Media Matters is part of the kool-aid cult and discard reality in favor of what they want to believe.  /shrug



Lost rate and rec for issuing a '1' to a trollish comment. The troll, not so much.

by map on Sun May 04, 2008 at 10:53:40 AM EST

The ball is in Obama's court (none / 0)

let's see if the Obama supporters can take this challenge...and see it for the maturity it requires.  


by 4justice on Sun May 04, 2008 at 10:57:51 AM EST

Re: Stop the Smear Obama Supporters (2.00 / 0)

I agree that this is a silly meme, but as far as cutting it out before it's too late, I'd advise some Clinton supporters to take a long hard look in the mirror, on that one.


Torture me once, shame on you; torture me and get away with it, shame on us all.
by freedom78 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 11:43:56 AM EST

Re: Stop the Smear Obama Supporters (none / 0)

This idea is far-fetched, but it's not the most ridiculous smear of the campaign. I've read much more ridiculous smears against Obama here on MyDD, most of which have been presented as facts rather than hypotheticals like this one. At least the person responsible for this smear had the good sense to ask "is it conceivable?" and "could it be?" rather than pretending he has incontrovertible proof.  


by jdusek on Sun May 04, 2008 at 01:09:26 PM EST

Re: Stop the Smear Obama Supporters (none / 0)

It was a pretty ridiculous diary if one were to look at the title alone.

However, it's par for course on both sides, let's not pretend it isn't.


John McCain smells like mothballs.
by asherrem on Sun May 04, 2008 at 02:04:04 PM EST

Re: Stop the Smear Obama Supporters (none / 0)

Why can't we all just get along. Both sides have  candidates they back very tenaciously. We cannot take chances here with 4 more years of Bush McCain. Which ever way this goes, I will support whomever the democrat candidate will be. I may not like who it is, but it will be better than giving it back again to the Republicans. So I say this to all; before you pounce on your fellow democrats, think about our boys and girls we are trying to bring home from Iraq, Universal Healthcare for some of us who cannot afford insurance, and the other issues our nation must address. Compare that to the differences we have with each other here and now.


by hidesrtdav on Sun May 04, 2008 at 03:25:15 PM EST


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