There's a lot of chatter in the blogosphere about Hillary supporters threatening to flee the Democratic Party in droves if Clinton is not declared the nominee at the convention. The argument, as I understand it, is that these supporters feel slighted by Obama, his campaigns, or his supporters, and, as a result, would refuse to support him as the nominee. If you're one of these people, then this is for you. Here's one simple reason why you should support Barack Obama if he is the nominee:
Hillary Clinton will support Barack Obama if he is the nominee.
"I can assure you, as I have said on many occasions, that no matter what happens, I will work for the nominee of the Democratic Party, because we must win in November," she said.
Keep in mind, she didn't say this in a concession speech. She declared her support at the same time she declared victory in Indiana. If Hillary Clinton loses the nomination, she's going to stay and fight for Barack Obama, not pack her bags and go home. And do you know why? For the same reason that many of you have been supporting her for over a year.
She gets it.
She knows that this presidential race is about more than just her. She knows that this country can't survive a McCain presidency, and she's putting her country first by making sure that a Democrat--be it her or Obama--is elected president in November.
Are there differences between her healthcare plan and Obama's plan? Yes, but they both want Americans to have insurance, while McCain will let the healthcare industry keep committing murder by spreadsheet.
Did she and Obama occasionally diverge on their support for Bush's Occupation of Iraq? Yes, but they both want to withdraw our troops, while McCain will keep them in harm's way for at least four more years, letting thousands more of your brothers, sisters, and children die.
Does she, as a woman, bring a unique and perhaps superior perspective on reproductive rights than Obama does? Yes, but they're both pro-choice, while McCain will appoint right-wing judges who will overturn Roe, giving the government control over American women's bodies.
Do you really think that Hillary Clinton, of all people, doesn't know the differences between herself and Barack Obama? And yet she has already declared her support for Obama if he is the nominee. She did this because she knows that John McCain is poison for the United States. If he is elected president, he will destroy this country.
Die-hard Clinton supporters, whatever you may dislike about Barack Obama, always remember that he, like Hillary Clinton, is thousands of times better for America than John McCain will ever be. You can point to Obama's ties to Rezko and Wright in the fall, but you should really be pointing to McCain's ties to Hagee and Bush. Hillary Clinton will be doing the latter. What will you do?
True, the rules do say that no candidate is officially the nominee before the convention, but both candidates will go to the convention, and either Obama or Clinton will come out the nominee. Regardless of the outcome, though, I guarantee you that Hillary Clinton will leave the convention with her head held high, and she will proudly begin to do everything she can to elect the next Democratic President of the United States.
If you claim to be a liberal, progressive, or a Democrat, but you're considering refusing to support Obama if he is the nominee, then you don't deserve to have an incredible candidate like Hillary Clinton--a proud Democrat first and foremost.
Hillary will fight for the nominee, so why won't you?
(Cross-posted at CrazyDrumGuy and MyDD)