Grumbling Clinton supporters make Democrats nervous

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: Grumbling Clinton supporters make Democrats nervous
By Rebecca Sinderbrand

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- While Sen. Hillary Clinton was endorsing Sen. Barack Obama, some of those weighing in on her campaign Web site were less willing to concede. As Clinton wrapped up her remarks Saturday in Washington with a plea for supporters to work "as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me," many were posting messages saying they would never vote for the presumptive Democratic nominee. A few even called on her backers to visit Sen. John McCain's campaign Web site.

"I love her and will vote for her in 2012, but it's McCain all the way now," wrote one within moments of the former first lady's address. Whether that sort of statement signals a defection to the presumptive Republican nominee, a voter less likely to make it to the polls on Election Day or just a bit of low-grade, post-primary grumbling -- it's the sort of sentiment that makes for a nagging, low-grade anxiety among nervous Democrats and brings a gleam to the eye of McCain....

A newly released CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll found that if Obama does not select Clinton as his running mate, 22 percent of her supporters would stay home this fall -- and another 17 percent would vote for McCain. "That's just one estimate of the 'Clinton factor,' and it may not be an accurate predictor since it piles several hypotheticals on top of each other and asks people to guess their state of mind five months from now," said Keating Holland, CNN's polling director. "Nonetheless, it does indicate that unmotivated Clinton supporters may be a bigger risk to Obama than defections from the Clinton camp to McCain."....

***

McCain's maverick reputation has always translated into significant support from independent voters, but the diminished appeal of the GOP brand this year may translate into a weaker showing. Despite emotions still raw from the bruising Democratic primary, an appeal to Clinton voters could be a tough sell for the Republican....

***

And on most major issues, McCain's positions are completely at odds with those of the Democratic working class and women voters he's hoping to reach: in favor of the Iraq war and Bush's tax cuts, against abortion rights and health care policies favored by many Democrats.

Obama advisers say they think the passion of the primary season will soon fade, and the party will unite around the senator from Illinois. But they've moved quickly to cement party unity: Last week, a thank you message -- and a plea for visitors to "show your support" for Clinton -- appeared on Obama's Web site.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/09/clinton.supporters/index.html

[mrreowwr_kittty]

1. When some of us pointed out how those comments shouldn't have been left on her blog

We were accused of not promoting unity, and told that we needed to give Clinton supporters "space". I predicted that the MSM would jump all over the page after page of vitriol on that site, and they did. The blog should have been moderated or shut down.

[aquart]

4. Freedom of speech being the first thing to go under Obama rule?

Only good news from now on? You have no idea how you sound, do you?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

5. Please re-take Civics 101 so you won't look like such a fool

Are you aware that you are posting on an Internet discussion board that is moderated right now? I'm sure you've had enough of your posts deleted by now that you understand that websites are private entities and your ability to express yourself on them is at the owner's discretion. Free speech has nothing to do with it.

Allowing page after page of bitter anti-Obama posts to remain on her official website, after her concilliatory speech on Saturday is yet another indication of the sloppiness and lack of professionalism of the Clinton campaign.

[PoliticalAmazon]

11. ITA. Anything suppressed always erupts in a more purulent form.....

IMO, we need to know what people are thinking and how they are reacting to situations.

I learn the most from the posters with whom I disagree, and I welcome all opinions, even if passionately worded.

When politeness and good-news-only are enforced on message boards, the board (to outside readers) looks odd and the content soon becomes irrelevant to the reality of what is currently expressed by the rest of the world.

Just my opinion...your mileage may vary.

[Windy]

2. CNN wants the "race" to keep going for their ratings.... nt

[papau]

3. Must not have Hill as VP - hide the blog! - a DU solution

[mrreowwr_kittty]

6. As a Clinton supporter, you should be embarrassed by that blog.

It is not helping make her case to be VP, if anything it's doing the opposite.

[Rene]

7. Nope.....obama 'advisors' should believe it. It's true

mccain will be held in check by a Dem congress.

[PoliticalAmazon]

12. Can we really say that we are certain all posting divisive comments....

regarding not voting for Obama are Democrats?

I think there is the possibility that there are some Republican agitators posting there, and that must be taken into consideration.

[Starlight]

14. Fake outrage created by Republican congressional staffers? Like FL 2000?

[ladjf]

8. The Democrats have managed to contrive a way to lose a race

that by all other indications should have been a landslide. Congratulations! While you wild-eyed
Clinton backers are voting for McCain because you are mad, the entire world continues to go down the
tube with yet another disastrous Republican regime at the helm.

I don't think you are going to find the Republicans to be very sympathetic with any of the human rights issues.

The recent successes of the Republican Party have partly been allowed by veiled racism. Their new
strategy will be an alliance with Clinton's army with the same terrible outcomes for ALL.

[DeepModem Mom]

9. I really don't get being so blinded as to vote GOP. Surely, these folks will come around --

I sincerely hope so. I supported Obama, but have admitted that I wasn't pleased with HRC's press coverage. But to turn my anger about that issue into a vote against all we stand for as Dems -- with all that's at stake -- is beyond my comprehension, and the ultimate in "cutting off your nose to spite your face."

[ladjf]

10. Unfortunately, many people are capable of acting against their

best interest just because of some emotional issue. I do believe that most of the "mad" ones will
calm down and do the right thing.

[PoliticalAmazon]

13. I think Dems will come around eventually, too...

But there is the possibility that some of the posters on places like Hillary44 are simply Republican agitators posing as Democratic Hillary supporters.

[LiberalFighter]

16. We don't know that these people are Democrats or wolves in sheep clothing

[LiberalFighter]

15. Suggestion.. go to the website and leave critical comments about CNN