So I’d like to pose a few questions to Hillary supporters out there - not to be antagonistic, but to hopefully help understand what’s going on from the other side’s perspective. I’ve been a steadfast Obama supporter, and I know that it becomes easy to view this entire debate through that lens - in the interest of trying to counter that, I’d really like to hear an honest (i.e. not the stuff I see people saying on Hardball etc…) assessment of how Hillary supporters see the situation. So to the Hillary supporters out there…
1) how do you see this ending?
2) If Obama has the lead in pledged delegates and the popular vote (which may or may not happen, but if), then how would you explain to an Obama supporter why the nomination going to Clinton is “fair”.
3) As an Obama supporter I understand the argument that if Hillary gets the nomination, many of his supporters will not see the process as “fair” and may sit out November as a result. I’ve heard the same thing said about Hillary supporters if Obama gets the nomination - what’s the rationale? From my perspective, it’s not obvious why a Hillary supporter would think it was not “fair” if Obama wins the nomination after getting the most delegates and winning the popular vote.
Again, I’m asking these questions not incite a debate, but to hopefully try to understand where the other side is coming from - any thoughts?
4 responses so far ↓
1 Catherine // Mar 10, 2008 at 12:09 pm
1) how do you see this ending?
-I can’t predict the end yet though it looks like BO has a better chance.
2) If Obama has the lead in pledged delegates and the popular vote (which may or may not happen, but if), then how would you explain to an Obama supporter why the nomination going to Clinton is “fair”.
-Because so many people are voting for him simply out of emotion and rationally we need a leader who can handle the healthcare crisis, knows something about foreign policy, has worked with republicans before, is tough enough to take what Washington dishes out, etc. In sum, because that would be a vote based on the mind not the heart.
3) As an Obama supporter I understand the argument that if Hillary gets the nomination, many of his supporters will not see the process as “fair” and may sit out November as a result. I’ve heard the same thing said about Hillary supporters if Obama gets the nomination - what’s the rationale? From my perspective, it’s not obvious why a Hillary supporter would think it was not “fair” if Obama wins the nomination after getting the most delegates and winning the popular vote.
-I would think it was “fair.” I just wouldn’t think it was smart. It would be akin to the reason that people voted W. into office-”they just liked him…”
2 Howard // Mar 10, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Catherine - thanks for responding.
i really was trying to provoke a thoughtful dialogue to understand the perspective of a Clinton supporter that I realize I’m too biased to see for myself - maybe my questions were biased, i don’t know…
but i was left a bit wanting by your suggestion that the reason Obama supporters should see an eventual Clinton victory as fair, despite a lead in the elected delegates and popular vote, is that you are right and we are wrong. you are thinking with your mind and we’re not… you’re smart, we’re dumb, etc…
if that’s all you got, i think the party is in for some trouble… I really do want to see this as “fair” regardless of who wins, but i need something a little stronger than Clinton supporters telling me I’m an idiot…
3 John Wells // Mar 11, 2008 at 7:50 am
I have to weigh in on Catherine’s comment that “so many people are voting for [Obama] simply out of emotion,” etc., etc. This seems to be a common theme from the Clinton campaign (although not actually from most Hillary supporters that I know), this notion that somehow those of us who support Obama because of emotion, because of “a speech,” because he’s an “idol.” Well… bullshit. I’ve liked Obama for more than a year because I like the calm, rationale, pragmatic approach he brings to politics (and has brought throughout his career). Many Democrats seem to want a “fighter,” someone who will be as nasty and polarizing and mean to the Republicans as the Republicans are to Democrats. I’m not one of them. I want someone who is cool-headed and thoughtful, not someone who wants to “fight” over everything. I think that’s the central debate in the primary: between those who want a new approach and those who want to go to war with the other side. And that’s all well and good. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. What I resent ares the repeated slurs that, simply because he sings a different tune, Obama is somehow an inexperienced, empty suit (sometimes masqueraded as the messiah), and his followers are delusional idol-worshippers. As everyone knows, Obama has a longer record of legislative experience than Clinton, has more foreign policy experience at this stage of his career than most first-time presidents (ie. Carter, Reagan, Clinton, GW Bush) and has the demonstrated judgment to make critical decisions based upon sound policy, not political expediency. This is not a decision based on the heart, but very much one of the mind.
4 Ari Cole // May 2, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Dear Colleagues,
I cannot speak for Clinton supports but I’d like to chime in on the debate anyway.
I believe a fusion ticket of Clinton-Obama makes the most sense…Who’s on top…Well give it to the pretty lady of course. Sorry Team Obama.
Then everyone in the Dem party will probably be happy….I hope.
I must admit I am with Team McCain, but that should not exclude me from the debate here at Harvard.
And may the Best Team win in November.
Ari Cole, BS, MD, MPH, MPA/MC
Harvard Class of 2008
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