There is a deep respect and sentimental attachment for the Clintons within Democrats and it is not misplaced. In very dark times, they gave us reason to hope and believe. But the times have changed.
Okay, let me state that I support Obama. I hope that that won't be enough to keep you from reading further. I believe that the only road that will lead to an optimal outcome in the election is for Barack to acknowledge that the Clinton years represented our only glimmer of hope in an other wise dismal political landscape. One can obviously point to Welfare reform and NAFTA and perhaps a host of other instances (need we mention Monicagate?) as aspects of the agenda that were not in progressives best interests. But we need to pay homage. I for one felt genuine pride and excitement that a Democrat was actually able to win the Whitehouse and did well enough to reside their for 8 years. Yes, there are all the scandals that one can point to that perhaps led to the last 8 years of Hell that we all wish had never happened. But there is a deep resevoir of good will for the Clintons for at least keeping us in the game. But it is a different time. What is clear to me now is that the times have changed. We now have the possibility to excite the electorate and bring forth an agenda that was never dreamed of in the Clinton years. Back then we were clearly playing defense. Now we have a chance to remake the entire fabric of our Democracy. Clearly this is a product of the failure of the Republican Agenda. But never before has it been so clear. Obama has the opportunity to set us on a new course and to bring so very many new members of this democracy along on the journey. Unfortunately, Hillary's quest represents merely an acknowledgement of the past's last firewall to forces of chaos and conservatism. We respect that. We appreciate the difficulties and pain that standing up in the face of ideological battles inflicted. But this is a new age. It is time to turn the page. We finally have a leader who is unencumbered to the forces of money and political patronage and who speaks to our common sense. It is time to let him lead. So please abandon the rancor. We know where we have been and we appreciate every fight that was fought. But it is time for a new champion to step forward.