Government Fail: The Case for Change

As Clintonistas for Obama, we well understand the hard feelings that remain after the primaries. We were on the front lines for Hillary and like many of her supporters, the process of reaching out to the Obama people and working for unity hasn't always been easy. Since Hillary conceded, there has been a lot of debate over Hillary's role at the convention and in the Obama adminsitration and the possibility of a unity ticket and there's also been--thanks to the media, mischievous Republicans and bitter Democratcs--a lot of re-hashing the primary wars.

In the midst of all of the debate over whether party unity will happen and what form it will take, there's been little discussion about why it is so important that we rally behind the nominee. While many stay focused on past grievances and future power plays, few have been making the case for change. Starting this week, that is going to change here at Clintonistas for Obama. In a new series of posts we call Government Fail, we are going to highlight the greatest failures of the Bush administration and the Congressional Republicans. We will demonstrate that this country cannot afford to send John McCain to the White House to continue the failed policies of George Bush.

Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions in this thread. And stop by throughout the week as the Clintonistas for Obama make the case for change.

Making Change Happen, One House Race at a Time

(Cross-posted at PartyBuilder and MyDD)

Wow! Just wow. I've been perusing the FEC filings for the 2nd Quarter today. And you know what?

Democrats rock... Especially our terrific candidates here in California!

I am simply stunned by how well Democrats are doing... And conversely, how poorly these GOP incumbents are doing! It really proves that we have an "enthusiasm gap" in our favor.

When we have Democrats like Debbie Cook, Nick Leibham, and Charlie Brown outraising their opponents in races that are supposed to be "solidly Republican", we know the GOP is in deep trouble. When we have GOP incumbents like Dana Rohrabcher & Brian Bilbray who can't muster up enough support in their own districts, we know we have a real opportunity to make real change happen. When we have this much grassroots support in our communities for our supposedly "longshot" Democratic candidates, we know change is a'comin'!

So let's celebrate! Oh yes, and let's donate to these great candidates and make sure the momentum stays strong! Barack Obama & the Democratic party are following the 50-state strategy, and this is the fruit of their efforts & our labor.

Let's keep making change happen... ;-)

HOUND v. PUMA: What Would Hillary Do?

(Cross-posted at Hillary Feminists for Obama and MyDD)

Apparently, we have a new round of fighting occurring here at MyDD over "PUMA". Now I know it's easy to just become angry and scream about it... However, I'd like for us to all calm down and really think about what this "PUMA" phenomenon is supposed to be all about. Oh yes, and why don't we think about WHO this is supposed to be all about?


So what does Hillary think about this "movement" being built in her name to slash and burn the Democratic Party? Well, I think we now know what the answer is. Hillary couldn't have been clearer in asking us who've supported her all the way to do what she's doing now.





And yes, I really do believe Hillary is 120% genuine now in her support for Barack Obama. Frankly, I think the "PUMAs" who are running around saying that Hillary is being "forced" to do this are onlt reinforcing the negative stereotypes of Hillary being the "conniving, power-hungry witch willing to do anything to mnake it to the top". I really think these "Hillary really doesn't support Barack" rumors are a grave dishonor to both of these wonderful Democratic leaders and everything they stand for.

OK, OK, so some of these "PUMAs" acknowledge that Hillary truly does care about the Democratic Party. So now they ask: Why should we? Aren't they throwing Hillary Clinton Democrats under the bus now? And if we don't "punish" them now, how will they ever learn their lesson?

Well, I'd rather not rehash old battles from the "primary wars". But still, even I must admit that I still have raw feelings over the much of the party staying silent while Hillary and her supporters were being viciously attacked. And yes, as a volunteers who traveled to Nevada for the Caucus there I saw for myself the unsavory lowlights of the caucus system. But hold on, how is electing John McBush an appropriate response to what happened to Hillary?

This is why my heart warmed up when I saw this from PA. Gov. Ed Rendell:

PUMA advocated that Hillary Clinton supporters do not vote for Barack Obama just for the sake of party unity. Even though we in HOUND are loyal Democrats, we agree that no one should cast a vote for President because of a desire to achieve party unity. We believe Sen. Clinton supporters should vote for Sen. Obama because, as Hillary herself said so forcefully and poignantly in her great speech a few Saturdays ago, the best way to achieve the changes she has fought so hard to bring to America, and on which she based her campaign, is to support Sen. Obama, whose policies are almost identical to hers.

The Clinton-Obama plans on health care, the economy, energy, education and on ending the war in Iraq represent the core values that made us all Democrats – values and positions that are light years apart from the conservative policies enunciated by Sen. McCain (e.g., voting against S-CHIP, voting against raising CAF standards, voting against equal pay for women, voting for increased tax credits for big oil and against extending the credit for the production of renewable energy, expanding an increase in the Bush tax cuts, promoting a war without end in Iraq, etc.) If you care about these things, and we believe PUMA members do, then you must support Sen. Obama.

No one worked harder than I did for Hillary and I believe no one could admire her and what she represents more that I do. But we must get over our disappointment and, as Hillary said, not waste time looking back and thinking about what might have been. Our country’s challenges must be addressed immediately, not four years from now. Our beloved country simply cannot afford four more years of Republican do-nothing-for-people government. PUMA members risk just that – it could be a Ralph Nader 2000 redux. Don’t let that happen. Close your eyes and think about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton standing together united at a ceremony for the bill signing of legislation that guarantees every American affordable, effective healthcare.

Now yes, both Gov. Rendell and I may have complaints about certain aspects of this last primary season. And yes, there are ways for us to fix these problems within the party. However, we must not let our anger from the primaries lead us to making the fatal flaw of allowing McCain to make the nightmare of a thrid Bush-Cheney term into reality. Or as Hillary said it on Friday, we have a unique opportunity to make change happen now and "we can not let this moment slip away".

So if you agree with me and you agree with Gov. Rendell and with Hillary Clinton herself, I urge you to look beyond the misplaced anger of the "PUMAs" and take real action to take back our country. Support Barack Obama. Support Hillary Clinton. Ensure that Democrats will be able to compete and win in all 50 states. Oh yes, and why not be a HOUND for Hillary and Barack?