My friends, today is a day of firsts.
Of course, we begin with the fact that the first non-white male in American history has been nominated as a major party candidate for the presidency of the United States. Of this, much has and will be written or said.
Today, also, marks my first time ever posting a diary on MyDD, or indeed any blog ever. I have been a devoted reader of this and other blogs for a long time but have never felt compelled to write anything. Today is the right day to start.
I am young, African-American, and male. And I have been a Clinton campaign staffer during this primary season.
About 20 minutes ago, I went to Facebook and signed up as a Barack Obama supporter. This shouldn't have been a big deal - I mean, it's an internet site, and all I did was click a button - but my heart was literally pounding as I did it. It is exceedingly difficult for me to acknowledge that this primary season is over, both as a political junkie and as a Clinton supporter. But acknowledge it I must. Despite whatever unfairness, prejudice, and error - real or perceived - that has occurred during this primary season, there is little doubt that it is over, and that Barack Obama has secured the number of delegates necessary to win the nomination of our party.
Now, let me make it clear, I will continue to support Senator Clinton's decision not to concede until she decides that the time is right. I would gladly cast another ballot for her if given the opportunity. And politically speaking, the theatrics of her withdrawal from the race are so important that I think it would have been malpractice to do haphazardly it last night. But the fact that she has not formally conceded does not change the fact that Obama has won and she has lost. I firmly and honestly believe that she had the right and the obligation to people like me, who have so much invested in her candidacy, to see this thing through to the end. I resisted so strongly the calls for her to exit the race prior to yesterday because the idea of a "foregone conclusion" when the race was so close and so many people left to vote is anathema to democracy. But the time for her concession is coming, and don't let the punditocracy whip you into a frenzy suggesting that it is not. That is NOT based on any inside information, but rather the reality that as of YESTERDAY (not March 4, not April 22, and not May 6), Obama crossed the threshold. The end is now.
So I write today to offer one word of advice to everyone was involved in the primary campaign: humility. To Obama supporters, but also to Clinton supporters like myself. Webster's defines humility in the negative: the absence from pride and arrogance. All of us, especially on a day like today, and especially in the blogosphere which has become so poisoned during this primary season, could use a little more of it.
To Obama supporters, you won. But remember that, even in the most generous count (excluding Florida and Michigan and using caucus estimates), you did so by about 400,000 votes out of 36 million cast. That is 1%. 50.5%-49.5%. Spare me the talk about delegates for a moment and simply realize that nearly half of the Democratic primary electorate voted for the other guy - er, gal. I say this not to disparage the victory whatsoever, only to suggest that nearly half of your friends, colleagues, ideological and political compatriots did not share your preference. To win in November, we should work to make sure that every single person in that 49.5% votes for Obama. And while much of the onus lies with the candidates themselves, it does no good - none at all - for Obama supporters to proudly and arrogantly celebrate the death of Hillary Clinton's candidacy. The hopes and dreams of a lot of people go with her. So be humble. Sympathize. Find or remember what you like about Hillary Clinton - who is, after all, a Democrat - and give it voice. Ask for the support of her voters rather than demanding it. It doesn't take much to extend the olive branch.
To Clinton supporters (especially any campaign friends of mine who might be reading this), we lost. It is okay to admit it, and it is more than okay to say that Barack Obama was not your first choice, but he is certainly now the best choice. There is a point at which devotion to your party and your country comes before devotion to your candidate and, I submit to you, that point has arrived. And particularly for those who gave, who volunteered, and who worked on behalf of Senator Clinton, there is great wisdom in the words of Teddy Roosevelt:
The credit belongs to the man in the arena whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Be proud of what you've done - I sure as hell am - but lose with grace and humility. We have been bested by a great competitor and, hopefully, a great President. And even if you are not ready to click the Facebook button, I have every faith that Barack Obama will do what he can to earn all of our enthusiastic support over the next five months. So keep an open mind and don't let disappointment become a substitute for good judgment.
Thank you for reading. I hope you will recommend this diary and look forward to reading your comments.
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