A Matter of Time
Now that Indiana and North Carolina not only failed to help Sen. Clinton make up any ground, but actually deepened the hole she's in, just about everyone and their cousin is admitting that Obama is the presumptive nominee. The only thing left at this point is Sen. Clinton's gracious concession, but it doesn't really matter if it happens today or a month from today.I know I've been hard on Sen. Clinton's campaign here, because at times some of the obnoxious frames she used to attack Obama really ruffled my feathers. However, on balance this protracted primary has been an incredibly positive force for the Democratic party and our chances in November.
More people than ever are paying attention and ready for change, and Obama is a stronger and wiser candidate after the crucible of the primary. 3.4 million new voters were registered so far this primary, compared with about 2 million over the same period in 2004.
So I harbor no ill will towards the Clintons, though I did lose some respect for them during the campaign. Some people who are claiming that Hillary is trying to weaken Obama so that he loses in November and she can run again in 2012. I think that that is totally unwarranted speculation bred from right-wing caracitures of Clinton as coldly ambitious. She will recognize that the interests of the party, the country, and herself are all aligned in supporting Obama and getting him elected.
In the meantime, if you know a Clinton voter, give them a hug! It's tough when your candidate loses (right Babs?) and now it's their time to grieve. Here on campus I know we've all been getting along, because we know and respect each other outside of the campaign, but you wouldn't believe some of the silly stuff online.
So I'm not going to write about why Clinton voters should back Obama because 1) it's patently obvious and 2) People who are saying that they will vote for McCain over Obama are just angry right now, and they'll come around. In a couple months if people are still saying it, then I'll start calling them petulant children and lay out the progressive policy case for Obama.
In the meantime, congratulations to all you hardworking Obama volunteers, because it's only a matter of time until he becomes the first African-American nominee of a major party in American History, and you were a part of that!
