An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right

« Sabato’s Crystal Ball Peers at Veep Nominee Choices

On “The Real McCain” »

Clinton to Obama: A Translation

Posted by PETE ABEL, Managing Editor in At TMV.
May 8th, 2008 | Comments

RCP’s Tom Bevan shares a Clinton letter sent today to Obama re: Florida and Michigan.

My completely biased, semi-tongue-in-cheek translation of that letter follows, below the fold. I’m sure this translation will offend many people, so if you’re a Clinton supporter and agree with her efforts vis-a-vis these states, please either (a) skip this post, or (b) let me have it in the comments section.

——————

May 8, 2008

Senator Barack Obama
Obama for America
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680

Dear Senator Obama,

This has been an historic and exciting campaign. Millions of new voters have been brought into the process and their enthusiasm for the Democratic Party and the principles for which you and I have fought and continue to fight is unprecedented.

One of the foremost principles of our party is that people like me, who have done so much for the party, should be given a chance to win the nomination. That principle is at risk if the nearly 2.5 million people who voted in primaries in Florida and Michigan aren’t counted.

I have consistently said that the votes cast in Florida and Michigan in January should be counted. We cannot ignore the fact that the people in those states took the time to be a part of this process and to make their preferences known, regardless of the facts that your name was not on the Michigan ballot and you played by the rules and didn’t campaign in Florida. When efforts were undertaken by leaders in those states to hold revotes, I supported efforts that would best honor the principle noted above, i.e., that would give me the greatest chance of winning the nomination. You and your supporters had a different principle in mind — only God knows what it might have been. In 2000, the Republicans won an election by successfully opposing a fair counting of votes in Florida. I would like to do something similar to win this election by completely changing the rules, mid-stream.

Your commitment to my chances of winning the nomination should be clearly stated and your support for my nomination should be clearly demonstrated.

I am asking you to join me in giving me another chance to win the nomination, by working with representatives from Florida and Michigan and the Democratic National Committee to do what is best for my chances.

It may be my final opportunity to win … so, pretty please?

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

DLS

How different it is now, than earlier:

"We believe Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina play a unique and special role in the nominating process.

And we believe the DNC’s rules and its calendar provide the necessary structure to respect and honor that role.

Thus, we will be signing the pledge to adhere to the DNC approved nominating calendar."

Slamfu

Lol even shorter and sweeter.

"I expect you support my efforts to count the votes where you weren't even on the ballot, and if you don't I'm going to once again try to discredit you in the eyes of America."

Its been working wonders for her and the Democratic party in general so far right?

JSpencer

We Michigan folks were deprived of anything even remotely approaching a legitimate primary. There is no fair way to seat the delegates, except perhaps 50-50, which is the same as not seating them at all.

runasim

I can't get over the 'consistently said' part.
She consistenrly says things until it turns out that consisitently saying the opposite works better.

I would be more supportive if she just made an argument for her current proposal, without the blah-blah-blah.

blog comments powered by Disqus