Over the past several weeks, I've read diary after diary worried that Clinton had fatally ruined the Obama Campaign for the fall. I disagree and would argue that Obama has emerged stronger and better prepared for victory in the fall.
We began over a year ago with an embarrasment of riches. Clinton, Richardson, Dodd, Biden, Edwards, Obama, the little guy from cleveland and the crazy one from Alaska. All would be better presidents than the current one. They debated issues in a record number of debates with increasing numbers of viewers. They highlighted issues like the economy, iraq, gay rights, womans rights, civil rights, environment, health care, trade practices, immigration, proverty. In that group, we have potential cabinent members, supreme court members and a future President. Together they made me proud to be a democrat.
I thank Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Christopher Dodd, Joe Biden, Richardson, and Dennis K and all their supporters for making Obama a better candidate. Obama has emerged from this process stronger, better and fired up to win in November.
Key Primary facts -
- Contested Primaries in all states resulted in record turnout and volunteer participation that created an incredible volunteer network and infrastructure for the fall.
- Obama is "VETTED" and survived. He handled issues with the flag pin, being called a muslim, the pastor problem, etc. His staff responded quickly and well. By November, people will be tired of hearing of these so called "issues".
- Voter Registration and participation is up. The fact that so many people voted in the primary allowed them to confirm they were registered properly for the fall. They are less likely to be removed from the voter rolls for inactivity having voted in the primary. Over 35 million primary voters voted for either clinton or Obama! That is incredible!
- Obama is a better campaigner and debater. We all know that he can inspire and give an incredible speech, but PA forced him to do more smaller town meetings and focus on blue color voters more effectively.
- The issues belong to the democrats. The democratic debates focused on issue after issue with debates devoted to specific issues even. The republicans skipped most targeted debates and the debates they did have sounded like a Ronald Reagan Seance.
- Grass roots financing has taken off. The clinton and Obama campaigns got individual people used to donating and established mail lists that will be invaluable for the fall. Never before have so many individuals donated to Presidential campaigns. Just wait until the Clinton, Edwards, Richardson, Dodd, Biden firepower is added to Obama's already impressive firepower! This will help dems at all levels of government compete with the republicans.
There will be some bumps in the road, after all we are democrats and it can't be too easy. Clinton supporters will need time and space, just as all the passionate supporters of the other campaigns needed. When they look seriously at McCain, they will realize that Obama stands with them on the issues they are passionate about. And Obama is ready to win them over because he proven he has the skills, talent and the positions to win the majority of the democratic primary electorate.
Ok, that is my rant. I'm so incredibly proud that Obama will be our nominee. My step father was a freedom rider in the 60 and was jailed for several weeks in Mississippi for registering voters. I wish he was around to see Obama become the undisputed presumptive nominee. The fall will be brutal with false, racist attacks by the right, but Obama has shown he can overcome, win and get our country back on track.
p.s. Don't panic if you feel that Clinton does not go far enough to endorse Obama tonight. Tonight she will celebrate her own record making campaign and thank her own supporters for all their work and effort. They will grieve a very hard fought campaign. In the end, Obama will control the news cycle as the definitive presumptive nominee. When Clinton meets up with Obama for a unity event in the future, that will allow Obama to control another news cycle at a future date so it is all good!