Democracy Has Prevailed.

March 17, 2008

On the Chanting Obama Protesters...

Just wanted to add a few lines to the discussion.

Specifically, I mean the discussion in this comment thread. It looks as though at a recent campaign event for Senator Clinton some Obama supporters were chanting "Hillary go home" or some such.

First off, let me say that the Obama supporters were completely within their Constitutional rights as the right to express one's ideas publicly (especially one's political ideas) is one of the founding pillars of this democracy. I realize that each side wants to make sure the best candidate wins the nomination (and of course each side thinks that its candidate is the best candidate) and is fighting to make sure that happens.

But here's something to think about (and I remember something similar from my time with the local Dean supporters 4 years ago): No matter who wins the nomination, after the nomination is decided, when we'll have to work together, try to imagine campaigning with someone you were screaming at (or someone who was screaming at you) in February or March or April. Now think again about screaming at a fellow Democrat.

The goal is to make sure the next President of the United States isn't John McCain, right?

Well, isn't it?

I will try, in my own postings here, to keep this in mind. And to the extent that I am guilty of it, I apologise to all the Clinton-supporters who read this blog.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

The goal is to make sure the next President of the United States isn't John McCain, right?

I certainly understand your goal, Dayvoe. But my goal is to make sure that the next President of the United States is acceptable, and I worry that neither major party will give us an acceptable candidate.

Schultz said...

Agreed David, but with regards to Saturday's parade there was an issue that may have resulted in more of the yelling and heckling from the Obama supporters who were forced to march on the sidelines.

Apparently the parade's organizer would not let the Obama volunteers march in the parade, making up some excuse about their signs not being approved because they made too much of a "political statement." The signs said "Obama for President" Meanwhile, Hillary's supporters were allowed to march in the parade with their Hillary signs. The treatment and disrespect shown to the Obama volunteers was an obvious slight due to the mayor and county executive's endorsement of HRC and I would like to hear the organizer's side of the story (supposed to get his name soon).

Anonymous said...

The Obama supporters with whom I have spoken have uniformly described pro-Obama, rather than anti-Clinton, chanting. They also described the relationship between the Obama and Clinton camps along the parade route as spirited and friendly, which strikes me as the right tone.

The P-G reported that when a busload of students chanced upon the Clinton event in Bloomfield, the children chanted "Obama." Perhaps some election-edgy adults could take a cue from the children regarding campaign etiquette.

On the other hand, a disturbing speech-related issue concerning the St. Patrick's parade: Reports that some participants were required to ditch anti-drink tax signs if they wished to parade.

Anonymous said...

The P-G reported that when a busload of students chanced upon the Clinton event in Bloomfield, the children chanted "Obama." Perhaps some election-edgy adults could take a cue from the children regarding campaign etiquette.

Here's a link to the P-G article infinonymous mentioned in the comment above.

From the article:

The news conference was closed to the public, but Clinton supporters -- and detractors -- learned about it and crowded the sidewalks outside. Standing in the midafternoon rain, Mrs. Clinton's opponents shouted, "Go home, go home," prompting Mrs. Clinton's supporters to drowned them out with a chant of, "Hill-a-ry."

Maybe I'm just nit-picking but the hecklers were merely identified as "detractors" and "opponents" but were not specifically identified as Obama supporters.

I wouldn't be surprised if the hecklers were Freeper types. I witnessed similar crude heckling by Freeper types outside the Church Brew Works in Bloomfield when Howard Dean came for an event in 2006.

Anonymous said...

The situations described by infinonymous are good examples of the way the Bush Administration has treated the Bill of Rights and the downstream consequences of it.

This is an example of a government -- city government -- restricting free speech rights -- a clear violation of the First Amendment. Now even tin-horn dogcatchers feel they can ignore the US Constitution.

This is one of the reasons I will NEVER vote for Hillary Clinton.

Anonymous said...

This is one of the reasons I will NEVER vote for Hillary Clinton.

It should be one of the many reasons you should do everything in your power to ensure John McCain is not elected President.

Despite the MSM's continual fluffing of McCain as a "Maverick", a McCain Presidency would be just as bad--and possibly even worse--than the disastrous Administration of George W. Bush. Whatever your feelings toward Hillary, she would be a far superior President than McCain.

BTW, did anyone else notice that in today's P-G, Dennis Roddy repeated the tired old lie that former Gov Robert Casey was prevented from speaking at the 1992 Democratic Convention because of his anti-choice views. Casey was denied a speaking spot not because of his anti-choice positions, but because he refused to endorse the Clinton/Gore ticket. Then Boston Mayor Ray Flynn who was also anti-choice spoke at the Convention because he DID endorse the Clinton/Gore ticket.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry, I will never vote for McCain, either. I decided years ago that from now on I will vote only for a person I can stomach.

I am NOT claiming that there is no difference between Sens. Clinton and McCain. However, neither of them has the attributes to be a decent president, and I will not vote for another incompetent for that office.

If you feel that Sen. Clinton would make a good president, then I encourage you to vote for her. I will not.

Anonymous said...

Intelligent debate or name calling rudeness? Words do hurt and they stick with you for years.(thus Rev. Wright's anger). I was the only Stevenson supporter on a bus full of Eisenhower supporters. I really got beat down and after Stevenson's loss, I could hardly look at those people again. But, I had to get back on that bus, I was having a fourth grade spelling testthe next morning. I did grow up though and learned to listen quietly while others make their points. Sometimes they actually reach me. If youg people want us to hear them, they need to stop the yelling and name-calling.

Anonymous said...

'tis true that the Clintons bring their own baggage, and plenty of it -- distinguishable from anything anything associated with the Obama campaign -- to any event. (The degree to which they deserve it is a matter for debate, with the answer probably to be found between extremes.)

At a Bill Clinton appearance last week in western Pennsylvania, a couple of guys were holding large photographs of Monica Lewinsky in front of the former president throughout his speech. The likelihood that those boors were Obama supporters is remote, in my judgment.

Anonymous said...

As Hillary will only get this nomination by outright stealing it, I will not vote at all in November if it comes to that.

Anonymous said...

John K. says: Well who was doing all the O'Bama (He is Irish LOL) chanting? And what were they chanting? Perhaps Rev. Wright is cool. Or Rev. Wright is the man! LMAO And of course O'Bama knows nothing of what Rev. Wright has been preaching.

Anonymous said...

John K. says: My peenie is laughing out loud so that you will look at it! Lookie!

Anonymous said...

I can't support Hillary Clinton. She has run a pathetic, racist campaign which has damaged this country and undone much progress that was made.

It continued today when Bill used the word "mugging" to describe the tactics of the Obama camapign Nobody can tell me that this isn't racist code.

If Hillary gets the nomination, I will cast a blank ballot for President, vote for the Democrat for Congress and School Board, vote on slots in Maryland, and go home. That will be the extent of my participation in the process.

Bram Reichbaum said...

... ... so much for being so unreservedly excited about covering the race for the nomination. This shit is getting uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, I'm just gonna throw this out there: Who cares about the Rev. Wright's comments? I mean, aside from the fact that Obama denounced them. I mean, is what he was saying even that far outside of the mainstream?

Seriously. If you listen and understand it in context -- sure it's a little volatile, and sure it's a little provocative, but none of it is exactly new or not-acceptable. Like black Americans don't have some reasons to be upset, looking back. And not even looking that very far back ... dude was old. How many Republicans should resign because they were friends with Strom Thurmand?

That hardly puts them in KKK country ... it's ironic anyone would even equate the two.

Anonymous said...

I can never vote for Sen. Obama for the way his campaign played the race card throughout this campaign. His supporters have shown that they are nothing but thugs.

From them heckling Chelsea and following her around with "got pimp" signs to the way they disrupt appearances by Bill and Hillary.

To the idiot precinct captain on YouTube who thinks it would be fantastic if Sen. Clinton was assassinated.

To the racist and race baiting pastor he has associated himself with for 20 years.

I would be willing to overlook the fact that he doesn't have the experience and qualifications to be president but I can't overlook the nasty and divisive way his campaign has run and the people he associates with.

Anonymous said...

Seriously. If you listen and understand it in context -- sure it's a little volatile, and sure it's a little provocative, but none of it is exactly new or not-acceptable. Like black Americans don't have some reasons to be upset, looking back. And not even looking that very far back ... dude was old. How many Republicans should resign because they were friends with Strom Thurmand?

Who are you kidding? You're scared to death that you could be "called up" to defend this country. You just want peace! Yeah, so do I, but somebody has to try and secure it. You wouldn't be brave enough to protect your kids. God! somebody might drop a bomb on you and then how would you play your x-box? Selfish,egocentric? How do you think you got your spoiled brat priviledges? On the blood and bravery of your forefathers. Oh my God!!!!! Could somebody drop a bomb on you? YESS!!!

Anonymous said...

this seems to be the only active post, so I want to say this. It is wrong for white voters to judge Obama on his preachers words. He must now come forward and tell us that he has been listening to a man who tells his followers this: Go home and love and marry that woman you have children to. Go home and help her get them off to school, help them with their homework, Teach them to forgive the history of slavery. Teach them that white folks today cannot relate to the past horrors, but want to. White folks who read Toni Morrison's book, "The Beloved", are incredulous! But they want to make a difference. They are sorrowful over such atrocities committed by any human. Teach the black men to form gangs. Gangs that rise against the drug dealers and pimps. Be men who stand up and identify killers of children. Teach black men to come out of the shadows, to know the difference between bravery and "sntching". Tell us you have heard Rev. Wright teach the children in the congregation that the "No Child Left Behind" law was made to help them. It is an opportunity to enter a world where a job application can be filled out. teach those kids that missing 67 days of school, and when he does attend, laying his head on a desk and telling the teacher to f*** off, is counterproductive.
Yes, I'm ranting! But if more black preachers talked like this, I would think Black Americans would stop hateing and start living. God is love.Don't preach hate. Don't fill childrens heads with excuses.



1

Anonymous said...

The only question is: how close were the Obama supporters to the entrance of an abortion clinic?

Anonymous said...

B.R. I couldn't agree with you more. Anon 6:01, you write pretty good for a sixth grader. Now go to bed you have school in the morning. Obama yo mama,Your mother should have entered the abortion clinic. No question.

Bram Reichbaum said...

Wow, I wasn't expecting "blood and bravery of my forefathers."

Anonymous said...

If your concern is that we have to work together in the Fall, why did Hillary recently say that McCain was more qualified than Obama to be President?

Anonymous said...

Didn't the Clinton's back Lieberman in the Ct. Senate race? I wonder if Hillary will pull a Lieberman and run as an independent or better yet McCain's VP, after all he's qualified to be commnder and chief.

Bram Reichbaum said...

YES! She should run in November as an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats, just like Lieberman. Meanwhile, let's all vote our consciences (Obama) in April, and let's encourage the superdelegates to do what's best for the party by giving it to the candidate that won (Obama). Perhaps there will be no need to have a close call.

Anonymous said...

"Anon 6:01, you write pretty good for a sixth grader. Now go to bed you have school in the morning." Thanks, I did very well on my PSSA's and my teacher wants me to tutor a 9th grade black kid who can't write his name. He's a good kid, but his mama let's him stay out late so he's not very alert when he does come to school.

Anonymous said...

John K. says: McCain will be the next President. Get used to it. He is no conservative but then neither is Frau Hillary.

Anonymous said...

John K. says: My dicky is bigger than your dickie! LOOK AT MY DICKIE! See me! See me!

Maria said...

Bram,

AaaaH! It's so cute how little you know about your own candidate.

Obama backed Lieberman in the primary (as did Hillary):

"I know that some in the party have differences with Joe," Senator Obama said, all but silencing the crowd. "I'm going to go ahead and say it. It's the elephant in the room. And Joe and I don't agree on everything. But what I know is, Joe Lieberman's a man with a good heart, with a keen intellect, who cares about the working families of America."

Then, with applause beginning to build, he finished the thought: "I am absolutely certain that Connecticut's going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the United States Senate."


Also, Hillary did not back Lieberman after he lost the primary. She helped Lamont.

Bram Reichbaum said...

Sorry, I missed the relevancy of that comment.

Anonymous said...

First off
Hillary backed Lamont the Democratic Primary winner,
Saddly he
is endorsing Lieberman go figure...
Obama gave support to Lamont first, then turned around supported Lieberman
Obama rallies state Democrats, throws support behind Lieberman Associated Press U.S. Sen. Barack Obama rallied Connecticut Democrats at their annual dinner Thursday night, throwing his support behind mentor and Senate colleague Joe Lieberman. Stephanie Reitz March 31, 2006
The Associated Press
Obama rallies state Democrats, throws support behind Lieberman

By Stephanie Reitz, Associated Press Writer | March 31, 2006

HARTFORD, Conn. --U.S. Sen. Barack Obama rallied Connecticut Democrats at their annual dinner Thursday night, throwing his support behind mentor and Senate colleague Joe Lieberman.

More:

* Globe City/Region stories |
* Latest local news |
* Globe front page |
* Boston.com

* Sign up for:Globe Headlines e-mail |
* Breaking News Alerts

Obama, an Illinois Democrat who is considered a rising star in the party, was the keynote speaker at the annual Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner.

Lieberman, Connecticut's junior senator, is under fire from some liberal Democrats for his support of the Iraq War. He was key in booking Obama, who routinely receives more than 200 speaking invitations each week.

Some at Thursday's dinner said that while they were pleased with Lieberman's success in bringing Obama to Connecticut, they still consider Lieberman uncomfortably tolerant of the Bush administration.

Obama wasted little time getting to that point, calling it the "elephant in the room" but praising Lieberman's intellect, character and qualifications.

"The fact of the matter is, I know some in the party have differences with Joe. I'm going to go ahead and say it," Obama told the 1,700-plus party members who gathered in a ballroom at the Connecticut Convention Center for the $175-per-head fundraiser.

"I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf," he said.

Obama received widespread attention for his keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, delivered while he was still a state senator.

Lieberman became Obama's mentor when Obama was sworn into the Senate in 2005. They stayed close at Thursday night's event, too, entering the room together and working the crowd in tandem.

Despite the camaraderie between the two, the crowd was clearly more receptive to Obama's remarks than Lieberman's speech about party unity and the potential for Democratic victories at the ballot box this fall.

In fact, scattered boos greeted Lieberman when he took the podium, and he had to stop three times during his remarks to shush the crowd so he could deliver key points.

Ned Lamont, a Democratic activist and anti-war candidate from Greenwich, is challenging Lieberman for the party's nomination this year. Legions of supporters of Lieberman and Lamont both attended the dinner.

Lieberman, who is seeking a fourth term, also faces an Election Day challenge from Paul Streitz of Darien, who is trying to win the Republican nomination.

Some Democrats at Thursday's event said Lieberman's support of the Iraq War is still a sore point with them. In fact, the Democratic town committees in Windsor and Manchester both recently passed resolutions condemning Lieberman's stance.

"Those of us who've been on the shooting end of the war gallery aren't happy at all about what's going on," said Warren Packer, a Manchester Democratic Town Committee member and military veteran. "I think he's done some good things for the state, but he has to answer for the war."

But that view was not shared throughout the ballroom.

Former Connecticut Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Maloney, who voted against the launch of the war while he served in the House, said he thinks Lieberman's other accomplishments will overshadow the concerns about his stance on the Iraq War.

"I'm still confident my position was correct, but I just as strongly believe that Sen. Lieberman voted his conscience," Maloney said. "Even those of us who don't agree with him on that one issue have to credit him for doing what he thinks is the right thing."
© Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Obama is a two coat joke, he got you fooled, "Oh" he talks pretty looks good, but he lies, he knows Reverened Wright and his stance, he has said he is his spiritual advisor, he knew for tweenty years...

Anonymous said...

Obama supporters came right up to Hillary supporters waiting for the the Saint Patricks Parade, marched
right through them chantting "OBAMA", of course Hillary supporters started to rally there cause and out matched on there cheer, of course they where told to hold there little rally across the street, about 15 Obama supporters, it was no match but it was en-appropriate, there was no need to march through the Hillary supporters, but I find this is how Obama supporters are, but look at Obama, he has people like Isiah Washington & Donnie McClarkjn up on his stump, Homophobia, Sexism, Racism, these are what these people are about, I am Democrat and proud, I cannot and will not vote for a person who has not the experience, or the decencies, to promote a diverse and positive campaign...

Anonymous said...

Isaiah Washington -- A Terror on the Set?
Posted Oct 22nd 2006 3:00AM by TMZ Staff


Isaiah Washington got into it big time with Patrick Dempsey on the set of 'Grey's Anatomy.' Now TMZ has learned that Washington has had other on-set blowups.

A simmering feud between the two actors bubbled over last week, when Washington reportedly got in Dempsey's face, said some "disgusting things," then allegedly pushed "McDreamy" against a wall and choked him. We're told the incident was so intense it shut down production for a short time.
Now TMZ has learned of two other incidents that make Washington sound like "Dr. McNightmare." In the year 2000, Washington was shooting the TV show "Soul Food" for Showtime in Toronto. Washington and an actress, who played his wife, were shooting a scene in which Isaiah was supposed to give the woman a superficial kiss. We're told to the horror of everyone, Washington grabbed the woman and planted a "forceful, aggressive kiss."

The actress became irate, which then infuriated Washington who began screaming at her. At that point the director stepped in to correct Washington, and the actor went off on him. Executive Producer Tracey Edmonds then took over and Washington went off on her.

In 1997 there was yet another incident on the set of the TV show "High Incident." Washington was a guest star on the show, but we're told the gig ended abruptly after the actor had a physical altercation with a crew member. We're told it was serious enough that police were called.

As for the "Grey's Anatomy" melee, there are reports that Washington taunted Dempsey by saying, "I'm not your little faggot like [name redacted]," referring to a fellow cast member. Yesterday, "Grey's" cast member T.R. Knight revealed to PEOPLE magazine that he's gay, possibly prompted by public revelation of Washington's outburst.

this is the man Obama thinks is wonderful and paraded through the south on the stump, and Obama was told about it but thought nothing of it...
"OBAMA" is a racist, sexist,homophobic joke..