My heart goes out to Hillary

[Bluerthanblue]

in all seriousness. I'm not one of her supporters. I don't like many of the tactic's employed by her campaign.

BUT-
I believe that being President means more to Hillary than most people can understand. She's done what she had to to get where she has gotten to. There have to have been times in her life when the path to the Oval Office seemed overwhelming, when pressing on required more than she thought possible.

Less than a year ago, her dream was almost certain to become real. Before the first vote was cast.

When I put myself in her position, I have to say I cannot see a way out that is acceptable. Some bridges are in flames and there is no clear way forward.

What would you do if you were her? I can't help but feel the incredible weight of disappointment and discouragement she must be struggling to try and avoid.

Even though I resent some of the things she (and her supporters) have said and done- I feel very sad and concerned for her. This has got to be a terrible time.

She is, when you step away from all the crap that is politics... a sister, a breakable, vulnerable, fellow human being who is struggling to find her way through this crazy thing we call life.

I wish her wisdom, comfort and peace~ I wish that for us all.

[helderheid]

1. k&r

[blackboard]

2. Nope

Nope, Hillary is being selfish selfish selfish. If the situation was reverse the Hillary campaign and the democratic party would've kicked Obama out of the race by now. I'm tired of the party giving this lady a free pass. I guess Obama needs to jump to the moon and back to get some respect.

[helderheid]

3. welcome to DU

[livetohike]

5. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[niyad]

12. welcome to DU

how interesting that you know what the party would have done to peter barack obama.

he doesn't have to jump the moon, he merely has to stop disavowing parts of himself and his life.

[nichomachus]

28. What problem do you have

with calling him by the name he prefers to be called by. That's cheap and tawdry.

I don't understand Hillary supporters asking for civility towards her and not being willing to give it in return.

[niyad]

34. you are making a lot of assumptions here. cheap and tawdry?

okay, how many times have you criticized people on these boards for what they call Sen. Clinton?

and perhaps you can figure out the peter part--others have.

[DJ13]

15. I'm tired of the party giving this lady a free pass.

You and me both!

Welcome!

[Bluerthanblue]

21. I find it easy

to respect Obama. Respect isn't what I'm talking about-

Compassion is. And this isn't about 'the reverse'- It is about here and now. It isn't about what we might call 'acceptable or unacceptable' behaviour or personality traits.

It is about a fellow human being- who we have witnessed on our National Stage- living out her destiny. And regardless of whether we agree with her methods, or even her goal- can we not feel some empathy? Some compassion? The connection that we as fellow humans have to one another.

It seems so 'cut and dried' to those of us who aren't living in either her or Obama's shoes- but to them it is so much more, don't you think?

We are more alike than most of us want to admit. The things that bother us most in others are often those things we dislike and struggle with oursleves.

I hope you find a place of common connection. Beyond the wounds and words, we are just flesh and blood,- beautiful and flawed at the same time.

peace~

[MonkeyFunk]

4. I think she's disappointed

but not broken. She knew all along - and Bill said over a year ago - that she might not win the nomination if she ran. They believed she'd win the election if she got the nomination, though.

She's strong. She'll continue on the national stage for a long time to come.

[Arrowhead2k1]

10. In the beginning maybe but

she must have felt like she was inevitable when it was just her and the black newbie.

[MonkeyFunk]

14. the black newbie?

wtf?

[Arrowhead2k1]

18. I'm talking from her perspective.

Chill, I didn't mean it as an insult. I for one will be supporting the 'black newbie' wholeheartedly. ;)

[MonkeyFunk]

20. The tendency for Obama fans

to cast the Clintons as racists is just disgusting.

[Arrowhead2k1]

24. Nah, her campaign managed to do that itself.

Never forget Bill and Geraldine's comments...

[Arrowhead2k1]

6. It must be hard for her when

she felt so entitled to the office to have some new guy swoop in and ruin her one good chance! :rofl:

[galaxy21]

7. Her willingness to exploit racism was extremely dissapointing

Exploiting racism for personal benefit, is the only thing actually worse than racism.
This whole 'win at all costs'...it's appalling. Anyone willing to do anything to win, doesn't deserve it.

[MonkeyFunk]

16. I think Obama's willingness

to exploit racism was extremely disappointing. Go figure.

[galaxy21]

19. Ummm...what?

Did Obama force Bill to compare him to Jesse Jackson? Is Obama constantly mentioning how Hilllay can't win blacks?

[MonkeyFunk]

22. I don't think the comparison to Jesse jackson WAS

racist. And it was a throwaway line in an impromptu interview - who made it a big deal?

Calling Obama's story on the IWR a "fairy tale" wasn't racist - but team Obama pretended it was.

Look around this board and see all the people portraying the Clintons as racists. It's just not true, and it's disgusting.

The obama team has tried to use racial politics at every step of the way.

[galaxy21]

33. The big deal was that if he wanted an example of a guy who won SC but didn't win the nomination he

could have said Edwards....why go back 20 years to compare him to jackson? It makes no sense. Unless, you theorise Bill was trying to turn Obama into the black candidate.

[MonkeyFunk]

46. Because Jackson won it twice

and wasn't born there. It was a better comparison.

[oviedodem]

It is sad and if she is truly going ot call off the dogs on Obama until 6/15 I say

that we and Obama should do the same and focus on McCain wholeheartedly.

[niyad]

8. k & r

like you, I wish that for all of us.

pace

[Bluerthanblue]

25. thanks

:hug:

it begins with each one of us

[Diane R]

9. I don't feel sorry for her. Her pursuit of her dream is coming at a high cost to our party.

[Bluerthanblue]

27. I believe we are all guilty of

hurting each other in pursuit of 'our' own desires at some point in life.

I also believe that when people do things that make it very difficult to 'like' them, they very often need our compassion more than any other time.

I can't tell you what you should or shouldn't feel- nor would I want to. I'm encouraging you to try imagine life from her perspective right at this moment- to imagine what that might be like- how we choose totreat each other is up to us as individuals- we can act, or 're-act'. And our actions affect others even when we don't intend or realize it.

peace~

[LisaM]

39. I don't think people who can't feel compassion belong in the Democratic party

I honestly believe that Hillary would make the best president of the three people running. That's why I care so much. But it doesn't mean I didn't feel sorry for Obama when he had to do that press conference about the Reverend Wright. I did feel bad for him.

[enid602]

11. Hill

If she had just been promoting herself and not issues (eg, health care), I can see why many might feel her struggle was not worthy. A few years from now, we might well appreciate her stance on health care.

She and her husband had the great fortune to lead this country at its zenith of power and influence, and lead they did.

[Teaser]

13. I really don't have a problem with HRC

or even, necessarily her campaign. Politics ain't beanbag and I'm glad someone took it to my candidate hard and low.

THIS IS SPARTA, motherfuckers, and this is how we make warriors.

[sandnsea]

17. She'll be fine

Maybe she'll stand on her own two feet, really fight for the people, and come back and win it in 8 years.

[renate]

23. without meaning to speak for her,

... my guess would be that she feels an additional burden as the representative of the dreams of many women of her generation--my mother being one of them--and those before, who marched and endured and struggled and sacrificed for equal rights. (Women these days still have to face a certain amount of sexism, but nothing like what they did just a few decades ago... because of the women who worked so incredibly hard and so tirelessly to change things.) Now she's the first woman to be a feasible candidate for the presidency, and the "what might have been" factor is probably huge, having come so close.

I'm not saying that personal ambition isn't involved too--nobody who comes this close to the presidency is without ambition--and I'm not saying that Obama's candidacy isn't equally huge for the people who gave so much (and even more--I know of only one suffragette who died for the cause) for civil rights. But I think an historic candidacy like hers would be hard to give up. I do feel for her on a personal as well as on a political level, I really do.

[meow mix]

26. my furry ass goes out to hillary

for purposely dividing white democrats with race bait. kiss it hill

[LVjinx]

30. Unhelpful

And, from a Hillary supporters perspective, actually the opposite of what happened.

Obama will clearly be our nominee, but this childishness needs to stop. The party IS divided, and I see what continuing to antagonize Clinton supporters accomplishes outside of, well, antagonizing them. That's precisely why 20%, no, 30%, no, 40% of them now say they won't support Obama. It needs to stop.

What's important now is November. That means us coming back together, without false charges of racism being thrown back and forth. People who continue this narrative do so, I believe, are actually doing Obama more harm than anything Hillary could possibly have done. Charges of racism will work even less successfully against Republicans than they have against your fellow democrats, for which you should be deeply ashamed.

[BlooInBloo]

32. What meow mix said.

[Catherina]

36. I just read two more HRC "Whites" threads. What you said n/t

[Raine]

43. Totally agree...

I don't feel sorry for her at all. I'm sorry about what's she done and continues to do to our party. :-(

[seabeyond]

29. this is character here. what would i do. quit and jump o n obama campaign and reconcile

character is important. it isnt all about us as an individual and certainly not if she felt she ought to represent all in this nation.

i just keep thinking less of her. i want more out of people than this

[Bluerthanblue]

31. I understand,

and I agree. Character IS important. And I find Obama's character to be much more in line with what seek in a president- (and why I enthusiastically support him)-

I guess what I was trying to encourage was to connect with "Hillary"- the person behind the persona. Underneath the, focused, tenacious, aggressive, energetic image that we see, hear and react to, is someone very like "you" and "me". Flawed, fragile, with feelings and failings- And to imagine what she must be feeling... well... it's overwhelming to me.

My kids have taught me that my acceptance and compassion is often needed the most, when anger and resentment are my first inclination. But we have to be the change we want to see in the world a great man observed.

I want a better world than this...- one baby step at a time :hi:

peace~


( edit: Check Spelling is my friend)

[hfojvt]

35. I think that the primary goal of "being President" is not a noble one

Why should it be so important? Because she will do things that Obama won't, or can't? Which things? Because she would win and Obama won't? She certainly has not been helping Obama to win even though the race is now just as over as it was after Wisconsin. Because she would help the Democratic Party in its other races and Obama won't? I think that is ridiculous since she has been loathed for years while people are still unsure about Obama. It's been pretty obvious to many for a long time that she will fire up the Republican base like nobody else. So why has she been unable to see that?

I called this back in October of last year (and put it in my journal for reference). If she really cared about Democratic principles or the poor and working class, she never would have put her own ambition ahead of their needs or the needs of the Democratic party. Even now. If she is sad, who is she sad for? For the working class, or for herself?

Cry me a fricking river :nopity: She's worth $30 million dollars and is a US Senator and has written one best-selling book (or two) and can easily get a deal to write another one. She could probably get a job as a columnist for the NY Times or as a TV commentator, a good paying, low work, high status job that many people would give their right arm for, and I am supposed to feel sorry for her? I who have an MA and am working as a janitor these last six years, following my career as a factory temp? I, whose lifetime earnings at the age of 46 are barely equal to one year's salary for a US Senator? I can no more feel sorry for her than I can for Tom Brady and Bill Belichek. Yeah, it hurts to lose, and they wanted really badly to win, but they've still got a better life, by far, than most.

[Bluerthanblue]

37. believe me I can understand and

on many levels ....agree? (not the word I need) with what you have said- and said well.

I think that what you are saying is probably more accurate than not- but I also think that there is more narcicism and 'self' in everyone than we admit, or even realize-

Why did Bill C run? was his run self- LESS or a more concealed ego journey. His selfishness when it comes to his sexual appitite was exposed at his, Hillary's, Chelsea's and many other people's expense. That didn't make the pain and suffering that he endured any less-
Even when we "by rights" deserve what we 'get'- does that mean we can't cultivate empathy and compassion for a person who is going through what Hillary is experiencing, and that which still lays ahead?


I think that to Hillary- her 'success', her 'fulfilment' as a person has become bound up in the quest to become "president". Is that a 'good' thing? Not from my perspective, but then- it isn't my journey to make. I've read a LOT about several of the candidates, and from what I've learned about Hillary, I believe that she is a person who is particularly unable to face the reality that you can do everything to achieve what you want - and yet NOT have success. I've watched this unfolding-... the intensity of her campaign- almost a 'mania'- (I know manic) a kind of ruthlessness that no other candidate has even come close to displaying.
Her dads approval was something she always craved- and something he seemed unable to give to her, no matter how hard she worked to 'earn' it. I think she really equates her value as a human being, with her 'acheivements' and not winning the White House is proof (to HER) that she "isn't good enough"- which explains why she is so driven and tenacious in this race.

As for the money-... her physical advantages- I'm in a similar situation to you Hfojvt- I've NEVER been well off financially- and never will be- I've also known some real trials and sorrow- But I see my life through a very different lens as a result.
Richard Corey sings through my head as I write this-

What really matters in life isn't found with money- or fame- or fortune. What really matters is our relationships with others- and our true self.

Money and power may make life easier- but it doesn't make it "richer".

Obama has something that Hillary is still seeking (IMO) and that is the understanding that he IS enough- just as he is. That knowledge is one of his best strengths (IMO)

sorry for running off like this. I suspect you have known more fullness in your 46yrs than some 'privlidged' people ever get to experience.

I know I have-
peace~

(in short- the compassion I feel for Hillary isn't based on whether Hillary's presidential desire is "noble" or "narcissistic"- it is based on our mutual humanity.)

[galaxy21]

38. I think its sad for anyone who fails

Edwards campaigned when his wife had cancer, Romney spent a fortune, Fred Thompson quit his job on law and order...etc

It's unfortunate for Hillary, but why did she put herself in that position of being so obsesses with the presidency?

[Bluerthanblue]

40. I don't think she

did this 'intentionally'-

I think Hillary would have been far better off to have kissed the WH goodbye in 2000 and never looked back- (I'm speaking about her as a person- not professionally) - but that wasn't how she is 'wired'.

As for the Edwards' I almost pointed to them as a couple who understand what is truly important in life. They know this better than many people do- and they've learned it from some terribly painful experiences. Romney 'sacrificed' little by giving of his "money"- he has more money than he knows what to do with to begin with. Fred.... I don't know what his motivation was- and don't think his 'heart' was in the race to begin with.

It IS sad when anyone suffers. Even when they bring on the suffering through their own actions. Maybe ESPECIALLY when they bring on a good part of their own suffering. Because, as you pointed out with your ending question- she should have been the one person who could have controlled what has happened. in theory anyway.

peace~
:hi:

[hfojvt]

44. I think it is sad when a rich and powerful person stubs their toe

and people seem to feel that their pain is the equivalent of somebody who has lost a limb or lost a child or something. From a big picture perspective it looks like a paper cut to me. I feel bad, a little, for somebody with a paper cut but I expect them to get over it pretty easily.

[Cha]

41. My heart does not go out to Liars who

are warmonering panderers. Maybe she should have stood for something way back in October 2002 and fought bush like she does Obama. ONly with bush she could have pointed out the truth instead of lying like she does when she's smearin' on Obama.

hilary depends on victimhood.

[Bluerthanblue]

42. I can't say you are wrong- but

if I only offered compassion and empathy to those who haven't failed in some aspect of their lives- (and sometimes failed terribly) I'd have to be incredibly stingy. If I only cared about those who are easy for me to 'like' and 'respect'- or who 'deserve' compassion and kindness- how does that improve anything?

It is so much easier to build walls than it is to build bridges- That is something Obama has spoken about often and well. Something we need to consider and hopefully embrace as much as we can- imo

peace~

[Lucky 13]

45. I might feel that way later, but I want a concession speech first.

[barack the house]

47. But really no-one has done anything to her. Hillary had every chance till going negative.