This diary is intended for only those people who consistently make a fuss about the younger generation of voters who support Obama. These people have labeled these  voters as "naive", "green", "inexperienced", "adolescents",  "immature", "amateurs",  "juvenile", "don't know any better", ""ignorant on the issues", "drinking the kool-aid",etc.

I give to you a recent pew research finding....

One pattern that differs from previous surveys of political knowledge is that younger voters are significantly more knowledgeable about the candidates' positions than are older voters. For example, 60% of voters 18-29 correctly say that Obama is pro-choice, compared with just 51% of those ages 50-64 and just 41% of those ages 65 and older.

Your Honor, I rest my case...

http://people-press.org/report/?pageid=1 336

Click the link for the table...

Good news for Barack Obama and very bad news for John McCain.
Contrary to polls discussed during the primary season, it looks like McCain's purported strength among Latinos/Hispanics was an illusion.  

National Poll Shows That Latino Voters Favor Obama Over McCain
June 16, 2008

Latino voters favor Obama over McCain, according to Latino Decisions Poll.

A new national survey of Latino voters shows Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama with a nearly 3-to-1 advantage over his rival, Republican John McCain.

http://www.pacificmarketresearch.com/ld/ poll_national.html

The Daily News reports

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics /2008/06/17/2008-06-17_hil_and_obama_tog ether_again_first_joint.html

Hillary Clinton will join Barack Obama for a joint appearance in Washington next week to persuade her donors to begin giving to the Democrats' nominee, the Daily News has learned.

McCain Campaign: Sitzkrieg?

An underlying assumption about tempered expectations is that the Republican campaign will, at some point, launch into high gear in a nasty but effective manner we've come to expect.   Certainly, Obama's current bump in the poll numbers and all the dizzy expectations within the echosphere are partly an artifact of McCain's campaign not making any significant demonstration of force.   It can certainly be argued that McCain has squandered-in terms of time, money, and message-the advantage he's had since clinching the Republican nomination.

So outside the echosphere we're waiting for reality to hit and expectations to become a bit more sober but it's a fair question to ask:  when and how will McCain and the various 527 allies start hitting back effectively?   So far, they aren't.   The shots at Obama have been almost desultory, ill-coordinated, and with little effect.  McCain also hasn't set a grueling pace as a campaigner.

Cross-posted from http://outsidetheechosphere.wordpress.co m/

Hillary Clinton is one of the strongest voices we have for working class Americans, for a change from the disastrous policies of the last 7 years,  for a progressive platform of policies to bring pride back to a country that has experienced far too much prejudice in its past. However, it appears that she will not be able to further these goals as President of the United States of America in 2009.

Up front, for those who don't know me.  I am a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton.  I will still strongly call out those who keep stating Obama is the nominee, as he is quite not there yet.  And I will still defend her and what she stands for.

I have no illusions, however.   I believe that Obama will be our Democratic nominee this upcoming week.  He will get the SD's to swing over.  I also believe once that happens, Hillary will concede and rally her supporters to follow her lead as she endorses Obama.  Hillary has NEVER gave anyone any indication that she would not support the Democratic nominee.  Her campaign has been stating that this primary is over once one of them reaches the magic number, despite the talk of Denver. Of course, they are going to mention Denver.  That's politics.  Since she hasn't conceded, of course they aren't going to state they are giving up.  

However, they have given themselves an out - with reaching the required number of delegates.  Hillary will not be seen as a quitter or loser, but hopefully, as a strong candidate who went to the finish line, but missed it by "that much".  

I have no doubts about the Clinton's - they have spent their whole life in Democratic politics and have strongly supported many Democrats, even some that didn't endorse them in this year's primary.  If we have learned anything, thru Bill Clinton's style, they really know that this is politics.   And politics is about supporting each other, even when there are some bitterness or disapproval.  Hell, I don't even think that the Clinton's or the Obama's really dislike each other, or that they have such bitterness towards each other.  If Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan could get along and respect each other, why on earth do people think that these folks, who share the same ideals and goals, would not?

What is the point of this diary and my ramblings?  I am sick.  Sick to death of seeing things like
a) Hillary should run as an independent.  Sorry, Charlie.  Look at Hillary and Bill's whole history.  They are not leaving the Democratic party until they are dead.

b) McClinton Voters.  Sigh.  That is the ULTIMATE disrespect towards Hillary I have ever seen.  Sure, at one point, I was thinking of not voting or voting Nader - briefly.  However, the thought of voting for John McCain just because Hillary may not be our Democratic nominee is a slap in her face.  You may think this is the ultimate sign of loyalty, but it isn't.

Loyalty:  Loyalty is faithfulness or a devotion to a person or cause.  

I get it - I am loyal to Hillary as well.  But what or who is Hillary loyal to, in terms of this years' General Election, if she is not the nominee?  The cause.  The ongoing cause to promoting our democratic and progressive ideals, such as getting out of Iraq, Universal Health Care, Education, economy, Social Security and so many other issues that are judged on the Supreme Court - Roe V Wade is a biggie.  How we conduct ourselves here at home and around the world;  regaining respect.

This is what Hillary's cause is.  It is the same as Obama's.  Note, I stated the cause, not how we get there.  UHC is one of the issues that I want Hillary to lead in an Obama presidency.  I hope he recognizes her passion and conviction in this area, and will use her and Elizabeth Edwards - Hillary to be the uniter in the Senate (she is damn good at that) and wonk, and Elizabeth to promote it, as she is a shining star and I don't know anyone that doesn't love Elizabeth.

We Hillary supporters can ensure her political career isn't over;  we can support her in NY when she comes up for re-election again.  We can support her by telling us what we think and what is important to us, as her supporters.  

I support Hillary Clinton.  I also support HER cause.  And that cause is to make sure a Democrat is elected to the White House this year.

I'm reading comments in diaries here that have made me so upset recently, that I was not sure I would continue to read here.
My blood pressure is high enough as it is.  

But this is MyDD - and we are all Democrats.  
Whether supporters of HRC, BHO, John Edwards or others, what is supposed to hold us together is our party and the battle to win against McCain in the fall.

The Democratic Party has changed since I was a child in the late 40's & 50's.  

Remember when John Edwards decided to take public financing? Kos and others seemed to think that could hurt the Democratic Party. We have the money advantage right now and are likely to keep it. So why does Obama get a pass on this issue? McCain is very likely to be the Republican nominee. If Obama is ours, he has a huge liability. He and McCain made a pact to use public financing. That would give up our enormous cash edge we will likely have. Why isn't this an issue against Obama?

Just for reference, here are some of the 'pact' details:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/02/us/pol itics/02fec.html