Clinton supporters - get over it

Caution ... political rant ahead ...

Tonight we saw the primary season for the United States presidential campaign come to end (finally). And Barack Obama received the number of delegates he needed to clinch the nomination for the Democrats. It's over.

I was just watching the local news and they were interviewing a bunch of Hillary Clinton supporters who were saying that they are so upset and bitter that they are going to vote for John McCain.

What? Ha! ... oh wait, I think they're serious. For real?

These aren't so-called independents "on the fence" ... these are hard-core Democrats. I really hope, for the future of this country, that these people just need a couple weeks to get over their bitterness. You are not a Democrat if you defect and vote for McCain. Period. That's fine ... people switch parties ... it happens. But, don't give me this schist that you are still a Democrat. Admit that you are no longer a Democrat and deal with it (whatever that entails).

So, what to do? Sit down, take a deep breath, and compare the policies being discussed by Clinton, Obama, and McCain. Are Clinton supporters going to sit there and seriously say that McCain's policies are more aligned with Clinton? Are you going to vote for McCain to spite Obama? I don't think so.

My guess (hope?) is that Clinton does the right thing and, in a few days or a week, after the dust settles, she'll convince her supporters that becoming a Republican is not the best use of their time.

If you are a Clinton supporter, a Democrat, and can prove to me that McCain's policies are more aligned with Hillary's ... please do so below. I'm not talking about identity politics or character, or if something was unfair, blah blah freakin' blah. Give me some nutrients.

~

UPDATE (6/5/08):

The above post was from the night of the primary and directed towards those who were literally threatening to vote for McCain ... to become a so-called 'crossover' voter.

This is the text of an e-mail Hillary Clinton sent her supporters (found here):

Dear X,

I wanted you to be one of the first to know: on Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.

On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy.

This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.

I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.

When I decided to run for president, I knew exactly why I was getting into this race: to work hard every day for the millions of Americans who need a voice in the White House.

I made you — and everyone who supported me — a promise: to stand up for our shared values and to never back down. I'm going to keep that promise today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.

I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Senator Obama. The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.

I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the commitment that you have shown me in the past 16 months. And I will always keep faith with the issues and causes that are important to you.

In the past few days, you have shown that support once again with hundreds of thousands of messages to the campaign, and again, I am touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.

I can never possibly express my gratitude, so let me say simply, thank you.

Sincerely,

[Hillary]

Hillary Rodham Clinton

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