We are women who support Hillary Clinton for the presidency of the United States. We do so because we believe that she will be the best president for the entire country. And as feminists, we also believe that Clinton is the best choice for attending to issues of special importance to women.

We write to you now because it’s time for feminists to say that Senator Obama has no monopoly on inspiration. We are among the millions of women and men who have been moved to action by her. Six months ago, some of us were committed to her candidacy, some of us weren’t, but by now we all find ourselves passionately supporting her. Brains, grace under pressure, ideas, and the skill to make them real: we call that inspiring. The restoration of good government after eight years of devastation, a decent foreign policy with ties to world leaders repaired, withdrawal from Iraq and universal health care: we call that exciting. And the record to prove that she can and will stand up to the swift-boating that will come any Democratic nominee’s way: we call that absolutely necessary.

I can't get through any day without listening to some kind of music (even if it's me humming). My students are always bringing me CDs they've burned with music I've never heard and it's a wonderful thing. It's especially important to me now during these often rabid primary schmimary times. What tunes have you been bellying up to lately? What gets your feet moving, your blood pressure down, your face grinning, your eyes a little damp, your.....Well hell, you get the picture.

I was writing this as a response in another diary and was called away. By the time I got back, finished and posted it, that diary was no longer showing. I wanted to bring this out because it's something I'm struggling with in this time of quelling, fanning, encouraging and/or discouraging rancor. There are harsh words against Obama here because I feel harshly. The fact that I feel this way to the extent that I do is very troubling to me.  

First diary here, so gentle please if there are screwups.

I have made no bones or apologies about not endorsing Obama, but this is not -- believe me-- a hit diary. I am mystified by the support for his candidacy, and I'm sincerely asking those who support him to explain why.