Please Hillary, let the healing begin
Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 06:00:44 AM PDT
This diary will certainly be perceived as a bit presumptuous. I acknowledge that. But all indications are that Barack Obama is about to win his second state today in New Hampshire. He's already won handidly in the crucial bellweather towns of Hart's Location and Dixville Notch! And rumors from Tim Russert and others are that the Nevada Cullinary Union is set to endorese him tomorrow if he wins. I'm not saying this race is over, but if Obama wins handidly here in New Hampshire, then what kind of campaign do we want going forward?
I don't want to suggest that Hillary Clinton and John Edwards should drop out. Not at all. In fact, I kind of hope Edwards campaigns for a while. I love hearing his message and I want him to keep having a public stage for more people to hear it. What concerns me though are reports that the Clinton campaign might sharpen the knives even more with a loss here. The NYTimes has an article today on the Clinton campaign chronicling the teary-eyed speech yesterday and the stress, in general, that the campaign is feeling. They discussed what might happen with a Clinton loss here today. Included is this very disturbing paragraph:
Win or lose, Mrs. Clinton plans to leave New Hampshire with a fighting spirit and moving forcefully to contrast her plans with Mr. Obama’s, most likely including television commercials criticizing his positions on health care and, possibly, Iraq in a point-by-point style. She chose not to do that in New Hampshire, advisers said, because there were only five days between her arrival from Iowa and the primary — not enough time to do damage.
We do not need this campaign to turn nastier, especially when it is becoming clear that Democrats - heck, much of the country - is starting to coalesce around a very special candidate in Barack Obama. I know there are criticisms of Obama... I held out a long time on him because of some of those same criticisms. But to try and bring him down with a nasty campaign would be nothing but desperation from the Clintons and would not do them any good in the long run.
As frustrated and hurt as some may feel now, I have to think in another couple months, some of these wounds will start to heal and you'll find yourself able to support - even defend Obama. I believe this based on my experience in '04 as a major Deaniac. I couldn't stand John Kerry during the 2003 and early 2004. I hated everything he stood for - which was stupid really, because he was a pretty good Senator and had done some great things. But I knew Howard Dean was the best candidate who could truly transform our party, first, and our country second. When he started to go down, it was very painful. But within about two months, I was able to feel ok with Kerry going forward. I even gave him money (at Howard's urging, of course). Once that Republican machine starts attacking one of your own, you kind of circle the wagons again.
I even feel this for Hillary. As much as I've grown to see her as the opponent during this past few months and as much as I've wanted so badly for her NOT to be our nominee, when I see the corporate media or Republican smear machine go after her, I get defensive on her behalf. Its an instinct. And most will feel it here too for Obama eventually.
So, this is certainly not a call for people to 'get over it' and start supporting Obama. Not at all... I expect this process will take time. But, I do think the time for a nasty fight between Democrats (including the Clinton campaign going nuclear on Obama) should be coming to an end.
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