Bottom line: Obama, Clinton, and the other Dem Leaders need to have a sit down now...

[Bread and Circus]

They are going to have to work out a unity ticket somehow. It is a really bad idea to string this out both in the immediate and long term sense.

In the short term sense, we need to beat McCain. A long dirty hard slog is not going to help that. The Obama campaign is now preparing to go negative, which is a bad idea.

But in the long term sense, we need to embrace and support the different parts of our working coalition on the left:

Latinos (this is huge and they are going to be more powerful in the future from sheer demographics alone).
Women (the majority of the electorate)
African Americans (the true base of the Democratic Party - through thick and thin)
Youth (they are the future of America)
Seniors (super important demographic in key electoral states)
Middle Class Idealists - my group (this is the way Obama has been able to raise huge sums of money with a well that has never run dry. We also pay a shitload of taxes.)
Labor/Unions (the footsoldiers of the left)
GLBT's (one of the last groups that have yet to see full equality)
And any other group I might have left out (sorry if I did).

I think if this gets ugly or if someone barely wins and the other side feels shafted, it's going to do harm now and for many years to come.

Putting my own personal feelings aside (I have to admit I've built up some animosity in the last 2 months), I think we must have a unity ticket of some kind. My preference is for Obama/Clinton - mainly because we really need to break the stronghold of special interests in Washington and Obama has run the true grassroots style of campaign that is to be the campaign of the future if we really want more progressive candidates to follow.

I admit that neither one of them has a perfect platform and both of their health plans actually suck (Single Payer is the only thing that would really work) but we need to not only win this election but pave the way for the future. Pissing off half of the Democratic base is a really, really bad idea and would be counter-productive to the goals we all share. On the other hand, grassroots style 50 state campaigns like Dean's and Obama's will pave the way for more progressive candidates to follow.

I call on Obama and Clinton to be adults have a one on one closed door 3 to 4 hour conversation with each other, then bring in other adults like Dean, Gore, Bill Clinton, Edwards, Richardson, Biden, Dodd, Pelosi, Reid, et. al. and work this out for the better of the party and the better of America.

I'm tired of fighting my friends. I'm tired of the Democratic Civil War.

I just want a good President I can trust, believe in, go to work for, and give my tax dollars to - knowing they are going to be well spent.

I personally want it to be Obama/Clinton but I can live with Clinton/Obama.

There's a time and place for everything. Now is the time to recognize the people have spoken and there is no clear leader and that both sides represent vociferous and staunch supporters who are vital to the future of the party and America.

And before anyone says "Clinton's negatives are too high, it would never work", I say bullshit. A lot of people really like her and she has staunch support in Women, on both sides of the aisle, and they are the majority of the electorate. I think a ticket with Obama and Clinton is the Right Wing's worst nightmare. All they have left will be racists and mysogenists and that's a statistical minority that will have to learn to open their minds or relegate the Republican party to the back seat for a long, long time.

[bicentennial_baby]

1. I think a unity ticket is a sure loser in the GE, either way

[NJmaverick]

4. Agreed

That doesn't enhance Obama's strength or appeal.

[NC_Nurse]

6. Agreed.

[Bread and Circus]

8. Why?

[Tropics_Dude83]

10. Why?

Women and AA's probably make up close to 55% if not more of the electorate. Too bad if a unity ticket ticks off grumpy middle aged white men. If we win women 55-45 and AA's 90-10 in each state, it's game set match, especialy with women being 54-59% of the electorate.

[redqueen]

18. Agreed.

[Bread and Circus]

33. The "angry white male" voters can't vote twice just because a woman and a minority are on the ticket

Seriously, what bogeyman are people so afraid of?

Either way the "Republican base" is going to be activated to a certain degree.

However, a unity ticket would activate ours more. Clinton will peel some women Republican Voters and Obama will swing Independents that are looking for "new politics".

[redqueen]

34. It's not just about energizing the Republican base... though that is part of it...

it's also the image of her as the "establishment" candidate. Whether it's logical or not, lots of voters don't trust "the system" and don't want another dynasty-type candidate. It'll not only help to energize their base, it'll de-energize some of ours.

[Bread and Circus]

38. but could you agree that if Clinton runs as VP and sheds her asshole advisors like Penn...

that it would be liberating for her?

Remember Gore at one point was a NAFTA stooge while he was part of the Clinton machine.

On the other hand, I agree if she is at the head of the ticket, it might be problematic from an ideological standpoint.

[redqueen]

39. I don't know...

how would it be liberating?

Penn wasn't chosen for her... do you think? I would think she had a hand in that decision.

And yes, Gore was solid DLC... but he isn't anymore. She, on the other hand...

[Bread and Circus]

40. Hillary inherited Penn from Bill. My feeling is that if she ran as Obama's VP she might be able

to do away with the bad apples.

No matter how much stupid shit she pulls and how much I loathe her at times, I still feel she's a good person and public servant deep down. Occasionally, she shows this when she's not manhandled by her handlers. With Obama at the top of the ticket, our party will have a new "big dog" who embraces the politics of the grassroots. I think that would be a great lesson, and thereby liberating, for Clinton to learn.

[redqueen]

41. I like your thought process there...

however I don't share the belief that she's been forced into doing the things she's done by her handlers.

[Bread and Circus]

50. Forced, no. Persuaded yes. She's held hostage by the tyranny of BC's electoral success...

as are we. However I think Ross Perot should get the lion's share of the credit.

[WCGreen]

45. Most angry white males vote republican anyways...

Us slightly pissed of guys will vote for the democrat...

[VotesForWomen]

42. i don't think so, and i really don't like obama. nt

[seabeyond]

2. better do something cause i am pissed. i know i am not exceptional, just average

gotta figure if i am pissed enough not to vote nov then there are many more. i have been obsessive with getting dem in for over 8 yrs

[Hawkeye-X]

3. I am sorry but I refuse an Unity Ticket

Why the hell should we? Hillary has been negative and has hurt herself and to the eyes of the Democratic Party, she is a loser.

Her best bet is get the hell off the campaign trail and endorse Obama or not endorse at all, just get the hell off the trail, so we an focus on the real enemy at hand. We'll find a VP that has the skills that Obama lacks - mainly foreign policy and military matters.

Hawkeye-X

[Bread and Circus]

12. Obama's not 100% clean either. Neither side has done anything that is unforgiveable.

People have a huge capacity to forgive, especially those on the left.

[TeamJordan23]

5. I want Obama to stay away from Clinton

She will always try to undermine him.

Plus it would be so against his Iraq War and Change message. She cannot even apologize for her Iraq War vote.

[liberal N proud]

7. Someone just needs to get with both sides and end the nasties

Shift the focus from each other to the issues and 100 years and more wars McCain.

Let everyone judge who goes after him the best

[babylonsister]

9. No, no, no. I'd rather Obama not sully himself. nt

[Bread and Circus]

15. If you were a Republican, what would you rather see?

A Democratic party united, energized, and excited?

or

A Democratic party at war with itself?

hint: There's a reason why the mainstream media and the corporate powers that be have helped this drag on as long as it has.

[ben_meyers]

21. If I was a Republican

I would be drooling over a unity ticket. A woman and a black man on the same ticket? What country do you live in? Maybe one or the other, but not both. The rest of the US is not DU! Think about it.

[madaboutharry]

23. The mainstream media is enjoying this all too much

Chris Matthews looked almost high last night just from the joy of watching this mess unfold.

[babylonsister]

27. As you know, I'm not

a repub. And I will never be excited or energized by this. For me, Clinton has burned the few boards left on her bridge. And don't blame the media for this dragging on, blame her. She lost 11 in a row and could have exited gracefully but chose to remain. Now, add more months to this process while McCain gets his ducks in a row. She has also threatened lots of things, like suits in FL and MI, which would drag this on further had she not 'won' yesterday.
As Natalie said, I'm not ready to make nice.

[VotesForWomen]

43. more clueless cult devotion. nt

[butterfly77]

11. Everyone can come to the meeting but...

leave out Pelosi...

[Bread and Circus]

13. But do you agree that our party leaders need to come together and work this out?

[butterfly77]

16. As I see it she hasn't been a leader..

she has been following Bushco..

[Bread and Circus]

29. I'm not going to argue the past. Now its the time for these people to show real leadership.

[rateyes]

14. A pox on both their houses. nt

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

17. Agree or disagree, I applaud any level headed discussion of these topics. Good post.

[557188]

19. I can't believe Obama supporters

I can't STAND Obama but I'd support a Unity ticket.

It just goes to show that Obama cult members are only for their guy and not the good of the party. Then they have the nerve to say that shit about Clinton when its really themselves they are talking about.

You people are disgusting.

[madaboutharry]

24. That is really helpful!

Calling people disgusting is a sure way to inspire unity.

[Bread and Circus]

26. I have no idea what you are trying to say...

[VotesForWomen]

44. right; just shows how irrational and out-to-lunch some of these people are. nt

[shaniqua6392]

20. If our candidates were to unite

there would be nothing stopping us. We also need to focus on getting a larger majority in the Congress and Senate this fall. We would have Clinton/Obama and a Democratic majority!! This is what I pray for.

[Asia Expat]

22. I agree.

They would be unstoppable.

And you Obama or nothing fanatics, wake up, this is politics.

[mzmolly]

25. Many good points raised. A sit down NOW is definitely

in order.

[Eurobabe]

28. No shared ticket, if so say hello to Prez McCain. n/t

[Bread and Circus]

30. Prove it. Or at least give some tangible numbers to back that assertion up.

[Eurobabe]

31. I can't prove it, sometime intuition is real

Leave it at that.

[Bread and Circus]

32. I will leave it at that, but I don't buy it.

[Eurobabe]

37. Nobody says you have to, it's my opinion

and opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one. :hi:

[Coyote_Bandit]

35. The work of politics

is inherently practical.

Resources are not unlimited. Resources are currently being utilized that will not be available after the convention. Meanwhile, McCain can focus on building a war chest.

Resentments are festering and the longer they are fed the harder they will be to overcome. And these resentments are not just between the Obama and Clinton camps.

If both of these candidates have desires and ambitions that extend beyond their own egos then they will get together, work out their own deal, and fight for it until the November election. That deal might address more than simply who is top of the ticket. It might also address what issues take precedence, what issues require compromise, what loyalties must be recognized and who might be tapped to assume certain cabinet responsibilities. Of course, it only takes one ego centered and most likely anonymous candidate to prevent such a practical and strategic deal from being made.

If the candidates do happen to miraculously come together and their supporters fail to support that deal then they deserve to get their butt kicked come November. If the candidates can compromise and sacrifice their ego investment then so can their supporters.

[Bread and Circus]

36. Exactly.

[Zachstar]

46. Sorry but HELL NO

Clinton had her chance to become a likely VP choice. If they team up now they will contrast each other so much it will give McCain double the fun on attacking them.

Clinton needs to be politically destroyed and Obama is about to lay the political smack down on her. Clinton decided to pull the chair from under the ring to politically beat Obama with. Obama now needs to respond with the whole political table set under clinton's ring.

Sorry but the voters said they wanted a fight. A fight is what they are going to get. And once Obama has finished politically destroying Clinton he can swiftly move on to politically destroying McCain.

You can thank Clinton for this happening. Now the gloves are OFF.

[aquarius dawning]

49. We're more than happy to keep fighting with gloves off if that's what ya'll really want.

Frankly, I think anybody spinning things in the direction you're spinning them is either completely fucking clueless or playing for the other team. We'll fight for as long as necessary. Furthermore, let's not forget, Ohio voted for George Bush...three times.

[angie_love]

47. You are right Bread. It has to be done, I want the fighting to stop NOW.

If we don't stop this soon, the democratic party is over.

[katty]

48. Agree, Dean needs to gather the troops

[GihrenZabi]

51. Unity? *snicker*

I think we've gone way beyond that already. It's too late.

Hillary just cost Obama his knock-out punch by attacking him personally. She's not getting votes by putting her own experience and character forward, she's just denigrating his.

Obama has no choice but to go negative now. Hillary dragged this into the mud, and he's not going to go down without swinging...we're doomed to a brokered convention now, folks. It's smoke-filled-room political chicanery from here on out, which means the Democrats lose.

We can only hope that Obama goes into the convention with a larger pledged delegate lead to force the superdelegates into going with the candidate with the larger pledged delegate count...if Hillary pulls a fast one and gets the delegates she needs through political chicanery, you can forget about a large portion of the Democratic base even bothering to turn out, and the independents and moderates will run to McCain.

Hillary needed to bow out weeks ago, but her own desire for power is more important to her than the health of the Party, and now the Democrats have a real problem on their hands.

She didn't win last night - she just kept herself afloat.

[in_cog_ni_to]

52. Mr. Hope dragged this into the mud. He attacked her first at the debate. He

threw her sitting on the board of Walmart in her face FIRST. Then, in NH Mr. Hope's surrogate, Jesse Jackson, played the race card when Hillary cried. Jackson said he "didn't see Hillary crying over Katrina victims." Then, we go into SC where the race card was played by Mr. Hope 3 times and accused the Clintons, of all people, of being RACISTS. Get your fucking facts straight before you sling your shit.

[Laelth]

53. Words of wisdom.

Let it be.

:patriot:

-Laelth