This all started on Tuesday, on the same day as the Potomac Primaries, just a few days after the Washington Caucus, and less than a week after I finally moved off the fence and decided to support Senator Barack Obama's campaign to secure the Democratic nomination for President. Until he left the race, I'd planned on supporting former Senator John Edwards.
Campaign events in Seattle made it possible to hear both Senators Clinton and Obama on two successive days last week, and the distinctions between the candidates in their approach to their audiences made all the difference, because their stated goals are fairly similar, at least from a high level overview.
As recently as the caucus, I could have gone either way. I'll probably still vote for whichever of the Democratic candidates gets the nod, but there's a little more enthusiasm now behind my support for Senator Obama now, based on the deluge of email from one particular campaign.
Starting on Tuesday, there was this in my inbox:
Subject: You touched my heart
From: "Hillary Clinton" <info@hillaryclinton.com>
Date: Tue, February 12, 2008 11:20 am
Dear Vanya,
I will never, ever forget how you were there for me when I needed you the most. When
you learned that my campaign needed your help, you didn't hesitate. And the
overwhelming generosity that you showed in the past week is like nothing I have ever
seen.
As the race for the nomination continues, I hope you'll remember that you have made
this campaign your campaign. Our victories are your victories. I know that you are
standing with me and that I can rely on you for help. And with your support, I know
we'll win.
I wanted to share some of the kind words and stories you've shared with me over the
past week, along with some of my favorite recent moments from the campaign trail.
Take a look at the album on my website here:
http://links.hillaryclinton.com/...
Again, thank you so much for all you have done. My heart is truly full.
Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
After that, my commentary was something like this: "Errr, Senator? I supported your opponent, and will continue to do so until the nomination is settled. After that, i'll support the nominee, whichever one of you it is."
Then there was the next day's email:
Subject: What you and I know
From: "Hillary Clinton" <info@hillaryclinton.com>
Date: Wed, February 13, 2008 10:09 am
Dear Vanya,
All through this hard-fought campaign for the Democratic nomination, you and I have
met challenge after challenge head-on.
Every time they start to count us out, we prove them wrong. And we're going to keep
proving them wrong as many times as we need to until we win the White House.
You and I know that only the people, not the pundits, get to decide where this race
for the Democratic nomination will end up. And, before very long, the people who
depend on us the most -- working families who have been hard-hit by the failed
policies of the Bush administration -- will have their say in states like Wisconsin,
Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Pennsylvania and others.
Let's show them what we're made of. Contribute now.
<link redacted>
Don't forget who we're fighting for: families who need universal health care, people
struggling to survive the Bush economy, folks desperately trying to hold onto their
homes, students grasping for the American dream. They're the reason we need to work
hard, and we need to win. And winning means having the passion, energy and resources
to aggressively compete in crucial upcoming primaries.
Make a contribution to win.
<same link redacted again>
When we embarked on this journey, you and I promised each other we'd stick together
through every point and every moment of opportunity. That's what we've got to do --
right here, right now.
Are you with me?
Let's get it done,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
P.S. Remember, no matter how many times they try to count us out, you and I will
keep counting on each other to help drive our campaign to victory in the weeks
ahead.
<same link redacted yet again>
Senator Clinton, i know what it is for which we're fighting. More importantly, i know that we're on the same basic side. I wouldn't ever go on the record with a comment like this about state caucuses: that they are "primarily dominated by activists" and that "they don't represent the electorate, we know that."
I'm sorry that you feel that those of us who attended the caucuses are primarily activists and that we (your supporters included) don't represent the electorate. I'd dare disagree with you, though. It takes dedication and committment to put aside several hours to go and caucus, and even longer to do so from an informed perspective. Voting- whether in a primary or general election- is comparatively simple. I can't recall it taking longer than fifteen minutes to complete selecting candidates for all the offices, standing in line and so on. I spent three hours just helping set up for my caucus and assist in making sure all us 'activists' had a place to voice our opinions by helping to run it.
How dare you, ma'am, figuratively spit in the faces of people who are dedicated enough to be involved and then so brazenly turn around and ask for our money. I'll make a pledge to you, right now, Senator Clinton. I won't go out of my way to remove myself from your mailing list, but every time you ask me for money, I'm going to donate what I can at that time to Senator Obama's campaign- because I get the impression from him that he doesn't see us as divided into caucusers and primary voters, but as people who can work together as agents of change.
Yesterday, nothing from Senator Clinton, just something fairly innocuous from Chelsea, in which I don't recall seeing any solicitations.
Then there was this morning. This time, though, instead of just redacting her contribution links, i've replaced them with my own. I can't afford a lot, but $5 is manageable. If any of you feel led to join me in letting the Hillary Rodham Clinton machine finance the Barack Obama campaign $5 at a time, have at it:
Subject: Bright lights and speeches
From: "Hillary Clinton" <info@hillaryclinton.com>
Date: Fri, February 15, 2008 11:32 am
Dear Vanya,
When the bright lights are off and the speeches are over, who can you count on to
listen to you, to stand up and deliver solutions?
Americans need solutions to the challenges they face every single day, and they are
depending on us to deliver them. I'm in this race to make a real difference in
people's lives, but first I need you to help me win.
Critical primaries are approaching, and I need your help now in this neck-and-neck
race for the nomination.
Contribute now to help us prepare for the next round of primaries.
http://my.barackobama.com/...
The story of this campaign is your story. It's the story of hundreds of thousands of
people who have contributed to this campaign.
It's the story of how grassroots supporters came through at the exact right moment
-- when I needed you the most. I can't tell you what you've meant to me.
You've made the difference for me all along, and now I need you again. There's never
been a race for the nomination this close, and what you do right now could be the
deciding factor in this race.
Contribute today and help me win.
http://my.barackobama.com/...
Every day on the campaign trail, I talk with people who know how important the
result of this race is for themselves and their families.
I promise you this: I will do everything in my power to wage a strong campaign
worthy of you and all those who are rallying to our cause.
Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Yes, I'm trying to change the world of the nomination fight, $5 at a time, for as long as I can afford to do so or until the Clinton campaign stops asking me nearly daily for my money. It's a shame that in her speech in Seattle I didn't hear her really come out and ask me for my support or my vote; but if she wants to do some fundraising, I'll be glad to redirect that to the candidate who did ask me for my support and my vote.