I've read maybe a dozen diaries in the last two days, wherein people respectfully, beautifully, and with well-crafted words explain why they can't vote for HRC if she gets the nomination.
Oh, they cite many excellent reasons. Her pro-war stance. Her embrace of John McCain's talking points (those video clips of her posted by Kos are particularly damaging). Her complete unwillingness to support the Party above herself.
Those are all great reasons, but I have something simple to say in response:
Please Shut the Hell Up.
You all can see from my various posts that I do not support HRC. In fact, I really fucking hate her and her DLC-style. I disagree with her on so many issues now that I actually have trouble keeping tabs of them all.
Her recent embrace of John McCain's "lifetime of experience" pretty much sums it all up for me. Yep, I fucking hate her -- and I have family members working on her campaign.
But, by god, if she is the nominee, I'll vote for her. I don't want her to be the nominee; I'll fight bloody hard to make sure she isn't the nominee, but if I lose, then I'll suck it up and vote for her.
And you should, too. That is what every Democrat who supports Obama OUGHT to do, so that the Party has the best chance to win in November.
Please don't tell me that you have some obligation to "protest" by "not voting." Your decision not to vote simply sends a message that you have no intention of doing your part to stop the Republicans from seizing the presidency.
Please don't tell me that your vote "doesn't matter" because you live in a red state or a reliably blue state. I don't want to hear it. Voting says more than just "I support this person." It also sends a message about Party strength, Party loyalty, and Party affiliation. Not voting is as good as campaigning for the other side in this election.
Please don't tell me that there isn't any difference between the candidates. Yes, HRC is like John McCain in too many ways....but she differs from McCain on a number of critical issues, from the environment to abortion to the role of the state department. And while I have no love for the DLC-types she surrounds herself with, don't you think we might see a difference in the advisors of John McCain and the advisors of HRC?
Fine, that doesn't convince you? Then try this on: your diaries threatening to abandon HRC aren't helping anyone other than you.
They aren't helping Obama You just make it look like his followers are petulant and fickle. No one who matters right now -- that would be (1) the superdelegates, and (2) the currently unpledged delegates from the remaining states -- not one of them gives a flying goddam that you won't vote for HRC.
They aren't helping HRC You weaken her candidancy, if she should obtain the nomination. How does thagt help Democrats? Answer -- it doesn't.
They aren't helping the Party You suggest (wrongly) that the party will shatter if you and others don't vote for HRC.
They aren't helping Howard Dean How can Dr. Dean finish off his term successfully when y'all are encouraging people to leave?
If you absolutely MUST protest and won't vote for HRC, then, OK, so be it. I think you are an idiot, but obviously, my opinion doesn't matter. However, if you really are a Democrat, then exercise your protest silently.
Enough with the grandeloquent diaries, explaining in detail why you feel that you cannot support the Democratic nominee. Enough with the grandstanding. Yes, you don't like HRC; I don't like her either. Yes, you think she'd make a weak nominee; I think so too. Yes, I agree with all that you say, but you saying it right now isn't helping the Party in the least.
Go: fight for Obama. Go: rail against every anti-progressive position HRC takes. Go: give Obama money.
But stop trying to convince other people that they should not vote for the Democratic Nominee, no matter who that is. That is something Republicans do. Not us.