I'm an Obama supporter, but I take no pleasure in HRC's defeat

As I have noted before, I stayed 'on the fence' for a long time before deciding, just prior to the Virginia primary, to support Obama over Clinton. And as I've often said, I would have supported and voted for HRC if she had won the nomination.

So, I think its important to state that while 'my' candidate is going to be the party's nomninee and while I think that is the best result, I take no great pleasure in HRC's defeat. She and Bill, while far from perfect, have been strong leaders in the Democratic party for two decades and have raised money for and given money to many Democratic candidates who I am happy are now in office.

In a way, when I think of HRC, I am reminded a bit of Hubert Humphrey. Like HRC, HHH never got to the pinnacle and in part it was factors beyond his control, including the 1968 convention, that hurt his chances to do so. I was a supporter of RFK and then Gene McCarthy back then, but I would have been happy for HHH to have ended up as president. I met him during that campaign and found him very inspirational.

I've also met HRC and found her to be both impressive and quite human in person. Just as Obama inspires me -- how he makes me feel that I'm part of a movement again, just as I was at an earlier time in my life, I can understand how those who have met HRC or experienced one of her rallies in person, could come away inspired by her, just as I was inspired by HHH. I think that one of the things that HRC couldn't overcome, however, is that while she is a warm person in the flesh, she has a "colder" presence on TV. Obama is one of the rare politicians who shines both in person and on TV. Bill Clinton was another one.

So I take no joy in the fact that HRC probably will not get to the top -- that she won't be the first woman to be president of the US. And some of the things that have gone on during this campaign have diminished her somewhat in my estimation. But I recognize the sadness and disappointment that she must feel and that her supporters must feel. Thus, while I had bookmarked a number of posts leading up to the IN and NC primaries so that I could toss them back in the face of certain posters, I have deleted all those threads. It would be wrong for me to gloat because for all of my attempts to remain civil and balanced in the debate on GDP, I am certain that I have allowed my own inner-snark to carry the day on more than one occasion. We all say things in the heat of battle that maybe, on reflection, we wish we could have said differently. My candidate has won. I am glad because I think that is the best result. If I am dancing it is because of that fact, not the fact that someone else lost.

I would hope that all of Obama's supportershere at GDP -- or at least most of us -- could eventually reach the point where we are celebrating a victory, not a defeat. And where all of HRC's supporters -- or at least most of them -- can move past their understandable disappointment and even grief and recognize that the result that will best preserve HRC's legacy is the election of the Democratic nominee in 2008.

Time for real Dems to come together and move forward.

NGU.

for me it's that simple

And I agree with most of what the OP said. At times, I have gotten angry at Clinton, yesterday being no exception, but I do feel bad for her, and appreciate all that she and Bill have done for this country.

When Obama wraps up the nomination I will go out and celebrate, but I will be celebrating Obama's victory, not Clinton's defeat. And I admit that I will probably be a little sad watching her concession speech.

race before she makes any more hard working white people comments. This divisiveness sucks. PERIOD.

Obama has work to do.

I'm saddened as well-by the hate and misinformation. Whenever I click on "comments" section from any newsite regarding ANYTHING about Hillary or Bill Clinton it's like all reason has left this society. I will be voting for Senator Barack Obama in November (proudly)but pray that the Clintons' can restore some balance and order to their lives.

Big Obama supporter, but this anger and viciousness against the Clintons is way out of hand.

A year ago, 80% of that bandwagon (at least on DU) would have been big HRC supporters.

Some people can't keep it in perspective.

Even her pandering and desperation makes me more sad than angry. And to the extent that she doubts the electability of a black president, a huge number of people would have shared that concern even a year ago.

In the end we are all dems and the only defeat we should take pleasure in is McCain's.

:kick:

a person who may never have existed at all.

I am celebrating Obama's victory, though.

who enthusiastically voted for Hillary to be my senator.

thanx for trying to change the tone around here... we need this. I will be doing my part, as Hillary bashers will get no support from me whatsoever, we need to be together and any rubbing anything in peoples faces must end immediately!!!

Let's WIN in November!!!!!