How serious of a concern are the "Democrats" who say they won't vote for Obama?

[democrattotheend]

Maybe I just spend too much time reading blogs, but I am getting really nervous about all of the people who say they won't vote for Obama if he is the nominee. I hate to admit it but Wright has hurt him..he has lost some votes that are not coming back.

I'm also worried about the militant Clinton supporters who feel that she was wronged, that she's losing because she's a woman, that she was somehow cheated out of the nomination because of sexism or because the Democratic Party rules did not all work in her favor. I think it's BS and I don't see how they can claim Obama is illegitimate at this point, especially if at the end of the primaries he has more votes and more delegates even with Michigan and Florida, which is quite possible, especially if you give him the Michigan uncommitteds (and I don't see how you can argue that giving him 0 votes is reflective of the will of the people of Michigan). But some women seem to think that Hillary was passed over for what they perceive was a less-qualified man, and it angers them. The backlash against NARAL and the women in Ohio who are planning to campaign against Obama are making me really nervous about the ability to unite the party.

Maybe these people are just a small but loud group, but it's starting to scare me. Hopefully if Clinton eventually drops out and endorses Obama most of her supporters will come around, but that's not the sense I am getting.

I don't know if a joint ticket is even the right answer...a lot of Clinton's supporters don't want her to be Obama's VP, and a lot of his supporters don't want her on the ticket. I'm seriously afraid that there are a lot of Clinton supporters who figure McCain would be a one-term president and think they are better off voting for him or sitting the election out to give her another chance in 2012.


Is anyone else worried about this? Am I taking a vocal minority way too seriously, or is this a real concern?

P.S. Before you label me a concern troll, check out my journal, and read the posts I have written about campaigning for Obama in several different states. I would like to have a civil discussion with input from Obama supporters and Clinton supporters, if that's humanly possible.

[fascisthunter]

1. Not Serious Enough

Those saying so are probably angry or just GOP trolls stirring the political pot.

[gateley]

2. I've had it with them --

If they're more concerned about making a statement, or "showing us" that our candidate is lame, than they are about our country, our childrens' future, our troops abroad, womens' righte, etc., then fuck 'em. I'm tired of begging and trying to reason.

We'll just have to make sure we GOTV and ensure that our Dem nom gets an overwhelming majority of votes to decimate McCain. That's all we can do.

GO DEMS 08! :patriot:

[PoliticalAmazon]

13. Try to be patient while they move beyond this huge disappointment....

Just my opinion here, but I think it is unreasonable to expect them to get over the disappointment before Hillary has even conceded the race.

Hillary's supporters will do it on their own time-table, not yours.

[janx]

14. Sage advice. n/t

[gateley]

18. It's not just Hillary supporters --

I've seen Obama supporters say the same thing. Either way, I DO understand but I've just given up trying to be reasonable NOW. Reason and emotions are two different animals, and we've all become WAY too emotional as of late.

I'm just backing off until a nominee has been named, that's all.

[VotesForWomen]

24. don't worry. you'll feel better when O loses.

[Forkboy]

26. Projection.

[caledesi]

3. Thanks for your concern. NT

[woolldog]

4. They are a vocal minority, most of whom will get over it.

They're trying to scare people like you. That's the only card they have left in the deck and it's nothing more than blackmail.

Obama still polls well with a drop off in democratic support because he picks up independents. And the number of democrats and independents is much larger than the number of republicans. Put a guy like Webb on the ticket and he will pick up moderate Republicans. Peruse these polls results.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1064a208Election.pdf

[janx]

5. I always hate the tail end of a primary season.

People vent, behave badly, and generally make fools of themselves. What you're seeing is some people who are a vocal minority and some others who are probably Republicans trying to cause trouble.

[PoliticalAmazon]

7. After Dean left the race in 2004, it was ugly for awhile, but most came around. ....

We need the Hillary supporters' votes to win. Hopefully, after some time has passed and Hillary isn't stirring the pot anymore, the majority will take a second look at Obama and find something to like in him.

There will be some who won't, and instead of insulting them or criticizing them, IMO, it's best to just wish them the best and wave goodbye as they start down their own path.

[janx]

11. I remember it well!

It was actually worse than this time around. But people did come together and get some work done.

[democrattotheend]

19. It took me a little while to come around

I was mad about the way Dean had been treated by the media and the party and it took me a while before I was willing to volunteer for Kerry. I wasn't even sure I was going to vote for him at first, but that was mostly because I did not think NJ would be competitive. When it started looking competitive I voted for Kerry without thinking twice.

I'm just afraid people don't hate McCain as much as they hate Bush, and a lot of people think he is a) more moderate and b) likely to only serve 1 term, making him less harmful.

[GarbagemanLB]

6. Emotions are high right now. There are months to heal wounds. Of course some won't vote for him

no matter what, but I suspect the vast majority will indeed end up voting for Obama.

[AtomicKitten]

8. Feh. They'll roll around on the ground for a while and be alright.

The Democratic Party will not be held hostage by a few disgruntled poor sports.

[mkultra]

9. they are chaffe

[DevonRex]

10. People who like war, no health care and no abortion rights

can vote for whomever they choose.

[bobbert]

12. I'm sure once she campaings FOR Obama after he's the nominee

it will all subside. She is a very good speaker and motivator, I'm sure her concession speech will motivate many people to campaign for Barack Obama. The rest of them will become fewer and fewer over a week or two I'm sure.

[ima_sinnic]

15. just ignore them, they are small-minded repuke bigots, part of Operaton Chaos

either that, or just reacting strongly in the moment, but will have several months to come to the stark realization that they can vote Repbulican, and vote to continue the neocon nightmare -- or they can vote for the Democrat.

In any event, the numbers of fresh, new, excited voters, disenchanted Republicans, independents, and real Democrats is more than enough to win in the GE, I am convinced of it -- as long as the votes are fairly counted.

But watch for upcoming dirty tricks that Hillary will make sure cannot be traced to her -- but I'd suspect her hand in them nevertheless. I just do not trust that scheming woman.

on edit: regarding Rev. Wright--once voters are more exposed to Barack, especially if they can get to a speech, or can hear their friends/neighbors being very enthusiastic about him, and also weigh their options against McCain and continuation of Bushit policies -- I think Wright will become irrelevant. I mean, at the height of the "crisis," he did very well in the primaries.

[VotesForWomen]

25. heh.

[graywarrior]

16. It's called E over I

Emotions over intelligence. Can't talk them down off their high horses because they're brains are screaming and running around in circles right now.

[barack the house]

17. We have Bob Barr running that will split the Republican vote and our turnout is way higher for each

of our candidates individually. Polls previously put Hillary ahead in WV before wright controversy hit Obama Bill is a local hero. Randi Rhodes is always vindicated right with time she says we win big. There was always going to be those resistant to change.

[leftofcool]

20. Why worry?

[democrattotheend]

21. Because I want Obama to win in November. I want a Democrat to win.

And we can't do that without a united party with all hands on deck. I am under no illusions about how tough it is going to be to get Obama elected even with a united party...divided we don't stand a chance.

[iconicgnom]

22. What, me worry?

[VotesForWomen]

23. well, considering O folks have accused 1/2 of dems of being racists, there might be something to wor

worry about.

[Forkboy]

27. Irrelevant martyr wannabes.

I wouldn't worry about them in the slightest. The vast majority will come around, and those that don't will be replaced by new voters and new Democrats. They're intent on going down with their sinking ship. Let them.