MyDD :: I apologize to Clinton supporters

I apologize to Clinton supporters

by AHiddenSaint, Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:07:14 AM EST

I know many will not forgive me, but I apologize for what went on during the primary. During the pie fight wars I might have posted some stuff on dailykos that didn't help. I am 27 so I will admit that I am immature on a lot of levels, but still trying to grow and learn in life.

First off let me say I did volunteer in Texas to help on election day. I tried to do my best to make sure that things were fair. From 7am to 5pm I did poll working. At 5pm I took a break to try and get things ready for our caucus night. The whole day I told everyone equally about the caucus. During the caucus I tried to be fair and look for both sides to help. This was my first time ever to be put in that type of position. I stayed till 10:30pm that night. It is a memory I treasure.

Second no matter how many times I apologize I can not apologize for all the things that people felt were wrong. It is part of our past, but I feel very strongly about trying to help Unite us together again. This is my first diary at Mydd so I ask that others will forgive me.

Third I have learned that change will not happen unless we do our part to happen that change. What I learned from going to meetings in Texas is that we can help our own community in many ways. August 8th I will be leaving Texas, but I plan to do volunteer work within my community. I also plan to stay active within local Democratic happenings.

Fourth I am Transgender and when I do move I will start counseling towards becoming pre-op. Being Transgender and soon to be Transsexual gives me a unique position. I get to see the world from both male and female eyes. I will make mistakes no matter what gender I am, but I will at least try to learn from them.

I am sorry and will try to do my part to help in uniting.

Tags: Barack Obama supporter, Forgive (all tags)

Permalink :: 48 Comments :: Post a Comment

Whatever! (1.00 / 0)

Maybe you could be more specific - what did you post on dailykos that was wrong. Did you think it was wrong at the time you posted it? How do we know you won't repeat this for political expediency?

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:31:29 AM EST

The history is there (2.00 / 4)

I do not want to bring up things because A I am here to try and mend fences. There was a lot going on during the primary for one I was a Edwards supporter who went Obama. This was my first primary to watch and I got a caught up in a lot of things. We are all human.

What I will say is I have two friends in real life who are Clinton supporters. One of them called me the day that Clinton endorsed Obama. She told me I'm sure you are glad that he won. I responded to her no I'm not glad, but sad because I know she was honest about her support. We were on the other side, but my friendship to her mattered more then politics.

My other friend that was a Clinton supporter I encouraged her to get invovled when the primary happened here. Even though we were on different sides I wanted her to share some of the experience I had here. That is why I learned it isn't about bloggers or blogs because there is going to be people out there who no matter what is posted my say one thing. Because my friends were honest it matter to me.

It is not about the past to me, but moving forward and trying to heal. That is the point of this. I'm trying if possible to do some small part to help.

by AHiddenSaint on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:46:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

What are you apologizing for then (1.00 / 0)

If it's not about the past. Are you apologizing for the fact that you were nice to your Clinton-supporting friends once Clinton endorsed Obama?

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:50:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

no (none / 0)

offline I was nice to them the whole time. Real life was different from the blogsphere. When Clinton was in Indiana I tried to help them find events to go to.

by AHiddenSaint on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:57:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Not buying your apology (1.00 / 0)

This diary attempts to paint yourself as a saint for apologizing yet you specify nothing. I think you're just making shit up for party unity and you're not sorry about anything.

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:59:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

If you think I am making things up (none / 0)

That is the right you have, but know I came here at my own will. I came here to try and reach out. I know you will most likely not forgive me, but I am here now trying. The question is will you make a attempt to try as well?

by AHiddenSaint on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:19:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I am sure you feel bad (1.00 / 0)

I just don't know what it is you feel bad for.

Good luck to you, I have a friend going through hormone treatments right now.

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:22:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

catfish (none / 0)

as someone who's followed hidden saint's diaries, i'll vouch for the sincerity. this is a good faith effort.

Visit us at TexasKAOS, where we're taking Texas back!

by annatopia on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 08:16:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

catfish is a concern troll that was (2.00 / 2)

banned at Dailykos.

by slinkerwink on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:12:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Smooches for slinky - have a two (1.00 / 0)

So flattered by your attention!

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:27:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Smooches for slinky - have a two (2.00 / 1)

I didnt think very highly of catfish, but now that I know he was banned at DKOS (as was I, however I was a 'republican troll' instead of a 'concern troll') I have a much higher opinion of him/her!

If you want Unity, nominate a Democrat

by rankles on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 05:03:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Very healing and gracious. (none / 0)

I commend you for writing this diary.

That's it, baby; let's go win this election!

by Beltway Dem on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 05:58:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I apologize to Clinton supporters (2.00 / 1)

Im sure everyone has said shit this primary season. I dont hold anything against you or anybody else.

[where in TX were you?]

lemon716, mydd's little lemon drop;

by alyssa chaos on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:34:44 AM EST

Uh - I do (2.00 / 2)

It didn't just hurt one candidate. It hurt the party, it hurt women. It reinforced stereotypes about women. And the silence condoned this behavior, thereby encouraging it.

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:41:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Uh - I do (none / 0)

at this point im pretty much over it. it did hurt, I agree.

[ill forgive but Ill never forget all the awful shit]

lemon716, mydd's little lemon drop;

by alyssa chaos on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:45:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Well I will be fine. But women (1.00 / 0)

it reinforced stereotypes about women. The Democrats are supposed to be the party that champions people of color, women.

If the Democrats don't stand up for women who will?

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:51:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well I will be fine. But women (none / 0)

Where is your diary supporting Michelle Obama while Fox refers to her as Obama's "Baby Mama?"

by NeverNude on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 11:17:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Michelle Obama's education (none / 0)

Michelle Obama is about to find out what happens to an intelligent, articulate, thoughtful, well-educated, and opinionated woman who also happens to be First Lady.

Its rummored that Michelle Obama does not like Hillary Clinton and is an obstacle to putting Clinton on the ticket. It will be interesting to see if M. Obama's views of Hillary change over the course of the next couple of years. It will be doubly interesting to see if M. Obama reaches out to Hillary and offers an olive branch.

I was pleased to see Laura Bush's comments about Hillary and Michelle over the weekend. She showed a very un-Republican trait of being able to turn her own unhappy experiences into a sense of compassion for people outside her family. I'm happy to join the fight against those who are going after Michelle.

by dbrown04 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:06:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

bloody hell (2.00 / 1)

I'm tired of people laying all of Clinton's probelms at the door step of sexism

Were things said by some that were sexist? Yes

But the fact is that Clinton lost because she was out campaigned, because the people she paid to advise her were wrong, becuase she ignored the cacuses and because people that advised her didn't know how delegates were awarded (the whole CA is winner take all).

What's next? Are people going to say that if I didn't vote for Clinton that it was because of sexism?

Overplaying the role that sexism had in the race is just as bad as underplaying it.

-7.33, -3.35 The song that best describes life

by drache on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 03:52:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Clinton's camplaign problems are no excuse (none / 0)

I'm the first one to admit that Clinton's campaign made mistakes, big mistakes. I'm even willing to consider the possibility that sexism and misogyny were not the definitive factor in her defeat. I'll even go so far as to entertain the possibility that the Clinton campaign strategic failures were a direct consequence of fact that some (many) people in her campaign were not able to give Clinton full credit for her abilities and accomplishments. Clinton's political successes didn't start until mid March when she caste off the "successor of Bill" meme and took on the truer and more genuine "defender of the disaffected."

So, why Hillary lost is no longer relevant to this discussion. The legitimacy of sexism and misogyny is. It's there. It's real. And it's about to attack Michelle Obama.

Obama supporters would be a lot smarter, to say nothing about intellectually honest, to acknowledge the parallels between what happened to Hillary and what is about to happen to Michelle, and enlist our support in coming to Michelle's defense. This strategy of decrying sexism (and racism) applied to Michelle while trying to deny the same to Hillary is dumb politics and requires a bit of cognitive dissonance to boot.

by dbrown04 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 04:10:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton's camplaign problems are no excuse (none / 0)

I am sorry but till it happens there is no parallel really.

Ms Clinton made her own bed really starting in 1993 when she tried to railroad though her healthcare plan without compromise and without consulting other leaders.

I won't say that I don't have some sympathy for her but I still believe as I always have that whether she was male or female she has always largely been her own worst probelm with her insistence on her way or the highway.

People in thier rush to defend her forget that Clinton is probably the most polarizing Democrat (if not political figure in general) of our generation. About half the people like her, about half hate her and there's some very legtimate reasons for that.

So no I don't think Ms Obama is 'next' because where Ms Clinton is largely devisive polarizing and unyielding Ms Obama isn't.

You probably won't like that and I'm not trying to pick a fight really but that's how I see it

-7.33, -3.35 The song that best describes life

by drache on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 08:22:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You don't know the history (2.00 / 1)

From day 1 Republicans went after her. They didn't like the hat she wore to Bill's inauguration. They didn't like her cookie recipe. They didn't like her hairdo. They didn't like that she changed her hairdo in responses to criticism about her first hairdo. This all happened long before the debacle over health care.

She may have caused herself problems with her strategy around health care. But the Republicans would have gone after her regardless.

Clinton's problem was that she was a First Lady with an attitude: Smart, articulate, well-educated, and professional.

Progressives buying into the Republican slime machine I just don't get. The public knew nothing of Hillary's strategy for designing a plan. But they knew all about the dishonest Republican "Harry and Louise" ads. Ads the Obama campaign were perfectly happy to pick up 16 years later.

So I reject your thesis. Hillary's problems had nothing to do with her real personality. They had everything to do with a Republican slime machine willing to say anything to take her down. Its baffling to me why Obama supporters are not even the slightest bit apologetic of doing the same.

by dbrown04 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 09:12:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You don't know the history (none / 0)

You can reject my thesis all you want, but your arrogance is just wrong.

I don't know the history? How do you know that?

I mean if you want to debate this we can but I'm not going to put up with you arrogantly and smugly imply that my opnion is void just because.

What I reject is your idea that some how being professional, smart articulate and well educated means you have an attitude.

I'll be the first person to admit I don't truely know Clinton any more then I do Obama. I don't hang out with them; I don't go and have a beer with them. But I do know and react to what I see and what I see is that Clinton went from being persistent and even her own person to being egotistical and arrogant. To thinking that she was entittled and deserving simply by her she was.

shrug

It's possible that's just perception that the truth isn't that but then I say it's her fault becasue then she's not getting her message across.

This isn't about what the GOP says or doesn't say this is about me thinking for myself and frankly not buying what Clinton is selling.

Personally I'm insulted that you lump me into the GOP slime machine by saying I'd do anything to take her down. Frankly that's not the case as I at one point had respect for her, I might not have been friends with her, I might not have liked her policies but I had respect. That went away though because of her actions.

And that's where Clinton lost me as one of her supporters, when she started this game of playing whatever tactic she thought would win then accusing Obama of doing the same.

Again maybe that's just perception, but it's one she created herself and really only has herself to blame for that.

Just how I see it.

-7.33, -3.35 The song that best describes life

by drache on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 11:06:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Well, I apolgize for being rude, sincerely (2.00 / 1)

Here's one point that you made:

Ms Clinton made her own bed really starting in 1993 when she tried to railroad though her healthcare plan without compromise and without consulting other leaders.

I don't believe that this is true. The Republican attack started on inauguration day. People were really confused about having a First Lady who wasn't interested in cookie recipes.

Ms. Clinton may have made some mistakes in the way she handled her health care plan. But that is not the way it seemed to me at the time. I knew at least one of the people that worked on the plan. He was a philosopher. There was a genuine attempt at putting together a thoughtful program that took into consideration as many peoples concerns as seemed possible.

The plan was then shot down by some dishonest advertising sponsored by affiliates of the Republican Party. Obama picked up this advertising and attempted to use it against Clinton in March and April. Hence my reference to the Republican slime machine. But you are correct that I should not have associated it with you.

As for things Hillary did in this campaign that were unattractive, I'm not going to disagree with you there. I could offer some defenses on her behalf, but it's probably not worth it at this point.

by dbrown04 on Fri Jun 13, 2008 at 03:05:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

apology accepted (none / 0)

Well to be honest with you could be right, you really could and I know I can't deny that possiblity (or rather shouldn't).

That said I find it hard to believe that Clinton can be such a polarizing figure solely due to the GOP slime machine; that to me is giving them too much credit.

I do agree that on the whole I'd rather not rehash this current campaign just now as it's still a little too new for most poeple.

<shrug>

Like I said before I was one of those that wanted to give Senator Clinton the benifit of the doubt when this primairy started in Januaury.

I was sure that whatever she had really done or really was wasn't as bad as most people believed.

But her actions over the last ~6 months seem to belay that and thus I have to question every assumption I ever made about her.

That's really all I can say on the topic

-7.33, -3.35 The song that best describes life

by drache on Sat Jun 14, 2008 at 11:25:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

A lot happen on both sides (none / 0)

Tnere was a lot of crazy things going on this primary season. I watched Democratic Underground, Mydd, Dailykos, a place called Commongroundcommonsense, and a few other sites. I saw what happen to both sides. I was niave on some things, but I fell fray to the primary season. There was a lot of stuff going on out there that wish could have been different, but there is nothing we can do to change that all we can do is try to mend fences.

You have to understand one thing I know many will not forgive me, but I can here facing that. I could have just run away, but instead I am here now trying to help. I do not know the best way to do this. I just felt I had to try something.

by AHiddenSaint on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:53:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

It can be different next time (1.00 / 0)

if you share a little of what you saw.

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:57:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

many Obama supporters were called Cult members (2.00 / 1)

Sexism was being thrown around a lot but I would have been proud to support a woman for President. I just had honest disagreements on certain issues. I never hated Clinton, but a lot were accused of hate if you said anything bad. It is one reason I got caught up in a lot of things.

We were always told Obama was not Electable. There was so much guilt being placed upon Obama for every little thing someone else did including supporters. If someone did something wrong people told us that they were not going to vote for Obama or that one little action from one person equal every supporter. This did not help on our side and pushed a lot of people in directions.

Yes some things were done unfairly to Clinton supporters I admit that. I think a lot of people including myself were being drawn in by the emotion of it. It is hard when you see things not to make up reasons to fight back.

I believe Obama isn't perfect no person is and I'm not naive about that. I loved the Calf. debate I believe it was when there wasn't anything negative done and we were actually able to talk about the issues. When it became personal people responded. Groups pushed back against other groups while many formed factions.

It is sad what happen to both sides and I truly do wish things could have been different. If I had better control over my own emotions I may have gone a different path on how I posted things.

by AHiddenSaint on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:14:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

OK if you don't want to share what happened (1.00 / 0)

I can't force you to.

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:18:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

In Garland Texas (none / 0)

will be moving to Indiana

by AHiddenSaint on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:48:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

garland? (none / 0)

hidden saint, get ahold of me via email. i'd love to buy you some drinks before you leave. we're only an hour apart (i'm in arlington).

Visit us at TexasKAOS, where we're taking Texas back!

by annatopia on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 08:17:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I apologize to Clinton supporters (2.00 / 1)

Very heartfelt and much appreciated.

Good on your counseling and in the future. You are making a very brave decision.

Linfar's co-blogger opposing John McCain

by psychodrew on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 01:48:50 AM EST

I plan to be smart there (2.00 / 1)

I do not plan to rush things. I told about that part because I plan to become a woman. I will be facing a lot of those challenges that other women face. A lot more will be thrown at me because society can be cruel. I do understand on a lot of levels why people felt strong about supporting a woman President. That was never the reason why I became a Obama supporter. I would love to see us someday have a Woman in the White House.

by AHiddenSaint on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:05:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Ugh - just read the whole diary. Sorry (2.00 / 1)

I did the drive-by commenting before reading.

Well being transgender has enough challenges so I will lay off.

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:16:25 AM EST

It is ok (none / 0)

That is why I am trying to reach out.

by AHiddenSaint on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:22:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Honest question and I mean no offense (1.00 / 0)

are you saying you engaged in sexism? Did you realize at the time that it was sexism?

I think even women engage in sexism, even "feminists" engage in it without realizing it.

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:38:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

No I engaged in primary pie fight (2.00 / 1)

You do understand what a Pie fight is right?

by AHiddenSaint on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:44:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I remember the famous pie diary (1.00 / 0)

and think of a pie fight as an honest disagreement over what is and what isn't sexism.

by catfish2 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:53:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I remember the famous pie diary (none / 0)

Pie fight in this case were blogs against blogs. During the Primary season a lot of pie fighting was done. It became separate Clinton or Obama since it was blogs against blogs.

by AHiddenSaint on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:56:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

*shrug* (2.00 / 1)

We all said things we shouldn't have. Thanks for the apology, though. Maybe I should apologize for some of the bile I spewed, but... meh, I think most people around here know that I've tried to make amends.

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.

by sricki on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 03:01:39 AM EST

Re: I apologize to Clinton supporters (none / 0)

I'll forgive you, sure. Why not. Thanks for saying it.

And congrats to Obama for being the presumptive. I'll work hard for him if he becomes the official.

But please forgive me if I hope that the superdelegates will vote for Hillary Clinton in Denver, because I still believe she's got a better chance of beating John McCain, and a better universal health care vision.

November is not going to be easy with Obama at the helm, and we can't afford to lose it. Again.

by leisure on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 04:06:48 AM EST

Re: I apologize to Clinton supporters (1.00 / 3)

Good luck with the unity movement.

I will forgive Obama when he counts all the votes. Until then, he will remain Obushma in my eyes.

If you want Unity, nominate a Democrat

by rankles on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 06:32:01 AM EST

Re: I apologize to Clinton supporters (1.33 / 3)

The damage has already been done. There was a headline in today's NY Daily News heralding Obama rather weak 6 point lead--"Clinton is Toast". Ah, the Obama loving press still can't resist that salt in their hands. I won't support Obama in this election.

by handsomegent on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 08:18:50 AM EST

good luck on (none / 0)

on your transition

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 09:48:22 AM EST

Re: I apologize to Clinton supporters (none / 0)

Thanks for posting this. The one thing that seems to have been lost on many, many people is that we are all real people behind these screens.

This is the first major election that will truly be impacted by the internet. 2004 was a precursor but didn't really get there.

In the past few years I have noticed tremendous rudeness all over the internet in all sorts of forums from sports cars to television reviews.

I guess the younger generation, with its familiarity of cell phone texting, IM chats and Web Logs, has fallen into an acceptance of this rudeness as a form of hipness or inclusion. They also fall into a trap of ganging up on people and drumming them to silence or departure.

People's emotions are easily damaged and grudges are born out of these mistreatments.

Elections are very emotional events and it is my observation that almost always, votes are cast for emotional reasons and not logically based on issues. That is a problem that Democrats have never understood and explains how people like Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon and George Bush get elected.

The worst thing one can do to forward their message is to insult and alienate the very people that you will need as allies in the future. Deep, bloody cuts can have terrible results that may turn friends away forever.

As we move forward, I hope all people on the internet can think a little harder before they press the "Post" button about how their words and behavior will be accepted and interpreted by their readers.

by wblynch on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:45:22 PM EST

Re: I apologize to Clinton supporters (1.00 / 1)

How about a moratorium on apologies until HRC apologizes for bullshit, George Wallace-like, "hard working white people..." comments - How about an apology for that, not for "if I've offended you.." but a genuine apology for reinforcing the most harmful and unfair stereotype raised by any candidate in this race. How about an apology to our African American friends and neighbors? Until we get that, any apology by Saint or anyone else is premature and uncalled for. Hardcore race-baiting by a Democratic candidate is simply unacceptable. No VP, ever. She needs a primary challenge in NY....

by PositiveFreedom on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 06:34:38 PM EST

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