Sadly, this diary won't be half as long as I'd like it to be. It's just a recording of a short, but insightful experience I had recently when Bob Nash (a long with a number of other former Clinton administration officials) came to Arkansas State University for a forum.
The forum itself was not about the campaign, but a number of people quickly turned it to that in the question and answer session. One guy, who I knew to be a Republican, actually pretended he was an Obama supporter and used the oppurtunity to trash Senator Clinton when asking Mr. Nash, essentially, how anyone could trust Hillary.
Nash took the oppurtunity to praise Obama, saying he was proud that an African American had a real shot at the Presidency and was bringing new people into the party, but said that he had come to know and respect Senator Clinton and believed that she would make an excellent President. Well, so far so good.
I went up to Nash and shook his hand, explaining to him that the guy who had questioned him was actually a Republican and that I'd have to pay him back for him, to which he laughed and urged me to do so. I then went on to tell him that I was an Obama supporter, and he simply smiled and said "Nothing wrong with that." Our visiting professor, Mrs. Janis Kearny, who used to be President Clinton's personal diarist, rushed over and jokingly told him I was a good Democrat. He encouraged me to stay involved, but then shared a very revealing statement:
"Her time is now but his time will come."
At that I just had to laugh to myself. Don't get me wrong, I think Mr. Nash is a terrific guy and I wish we had the whole day to talk. But I was struck by what seemed almost a sense of entitlement that seems to emminate from the Clinton campaign. As if it's simply her turn and Obama should wait his. In my head, I've always thought that was a very Republican trait, and as messy as our process tends to be, I'm glad our candidates, more often than the other side's, have to fight for the nomination rather than have it handed to them as their "turn" comes up.
Still, I was rather reassured by the encounter. Mr. Nash struck me as a great guy who would be a lot of fun to just sit and talk with. He has a great since of humor too. And after talking with him and hearing his praise for Obama, I've come to trust that, despite all the bluster about how Clinton supporters will bolt for McCain, most of them will stay right here and come home for Obama in November. And the few that do leave? Let them. As Mr. Nash unwittingly suggested, the new voters Obama is bringing in will more than make up for it.
Update:I can't believe I forgot to mention this earlier. Shows that I really need some sleep. Nash did did bring up the often repeated argument that Hillary Clinton is winning all the states a Democrat needs to win to be elected. At the time, a thousand things ran through my head, but we were short on time so I kept my mouth shut. But I thought it was interesting to hear that argument come right from the horse's mouth.