People keep saying that Hillary has the white vote regardless of the political opinions of those “working class, poorer educated” people because she is white. Does Barack have the black vote because he is black regardless of the political opinions of the black voters? Doesn’t it go both ways?

From the other side of the race issue; why isn’t Obama standing up to the 90% + of black voters and say ‘If you’re only voting for me because I’m black then I don’t want your vote’?

Of course we are also ignoring the ‘cute’ factor; that would be an interesting poll.

The recent Congressional defeats for Republicans have, in my judgment, given a great boost to the idea that an ideal vice presidential candidate for Obama might just be — yes, Sam Nunn!

Good lord, David - your age is showing. Sam Nunn is seventy years old and has been out of the senate for twelve years. Most voters have never heard of him.

I don’t think that Hillary will get out of this race until the very end when Obama gets enough delegates to win or the superdelegates have to decide the winner. But once that happens I do think that she will be the classy lady that she is and bow out gracefully.

As to whether or not she’ll help Obama. She may say that she will but her whole heart won’t be in it. I mean you can definitely see that there is bad blood between the two.

Besides that if racism is rearing it’s ugly head again there really is nothing that anyone can do to stop it. It is what it is. People have there beliefs, no matter how wrong they are, and they will stick with them.

What ploy are the super delecgates trying to pull on the American people? BHO is not predidential material. This Harvard educated lawyer does not know how many states there are in the union. So much for affirmative action. He associates with people with princples that are agsinst our moral core. Just because we were “sold” on a war doesn’t mean we need to swallow another lie. Hillary please stay in the race. It should be a criminal act for BHO to be selected by the Democratic party. Our country has suffered enough near treason events. The next 4 years are critical, we need balance in the Supreme court. Why is the Democratic party and the press forcing BHO down our throats? Unless they really want McCain to win.

While watching the results coming in from West Virginia last night, I was perturbed by argument Hillary makes regarding what states President Bill Clinton won. Is she the one running for president or is it Bill? She needs to remember that she has to run on her own merit, not steal from her husband’s past glory days. That’s a done deal…been there, done that, it’s over!

You ask the question, “Will she help to put a stop to the rising signs of racism that are creeping into the campaign?” No. Simply because the Clintons are out to win at all costs. She will take any votes for any reason. She and her camp have consistently used the race issue to further herself in this campaign. In my opinion, it has only hurt her.

I have lost a great deal of respect for Hillary during this entire campaign. Is it enough for me to cross over to McCain if she doesn’t get the nomination? No. We cannot afford another Republican administration next time around. I am not sure we can afford a Democratic one either but I am willing to give Barack Obama a try simply because he promises a new direction. I certainly hope he can pull it off being that Washington DC is such a cut-throat environment.

I am disappointed that Hiliary and Bill change with the day, a very Carpe Diem approach. I would like to see some consistency. I have loved Bill Clinton since he first ran for president, supported Hiliary because of Bill and am disappointed at their “Anything To Win” attitude. I am more disapppointed in the country and all the prejudices that still exist. With all that Barack Obama has to offer, they can’t see past the color of his skin. I have changed my vote, I vote positive reinforcement, I vote OBAMA. I want to see positive change injected into this thing.

Mr. Gergen,
I respect your opinions and always enjoy your commentor when you are on AC360. That being said, please explain why it is seen as racist for 67% of white voters in WV voting for Senator Clinton racist, but when 90% of black voters in NC vote for Senator Obama, it is expected? Do we have a double standard for the black vote?

Last night Rep. Clyburn from South Carolina was being interviewed on one of the cable news shows and he was asked about why the white vote went so overwhelming for Sen. Clinton in WV. I can’t quote what he exactly said, but he said that the white voters in WV respected the Clintons very much and were supporting her because of her and President Clinton’s past records on the problems of the people of WV. I wanted so must to ask Mr. Clyburn then why had 90% of the black voters abandoned Sen. Clinton? She and former Pres. Clinton have had solid support in the black community until now. It appears that the vast majority of black vote is going to Sen Obama simply because he is African-American. And many white voters resent this deeply, not only in WV, but in many other states. So when you say she will have to help stop the rising signs of racism, you must also include the Obama campaign as well, not just lay this on Senator Clinton’s doorstep. It is just as much of a problem with Sen Obama as it is Sen. Clinton.

Fight all the way to the convention, thats how to handle it..

She is very good at playing the victim - poor little me, working so hard for the citizens and those big, bad, guys are attacking me.

Last night, MSNBC showed a few clips of her earlier speeches when she was angry and attacking Obama. Yikes! Quite a contrast.

She can be as charming as she wants going forward, but those previous speeches and remarks are going to come back to haunt her -especially if she is selected for VP.

Thanks David for telling it the way it is.
I’m a news junky, but I’m starting to be disillusioned with CNN because every show, including Larry King, has to have a debate about the news that’s being covered. At least when you’re on, it seems to be down the middle, without pushing one of the candidate’s agendas down our throats.
Thanks again, Bob, Dominican Republic.

Why are you so determine to only focus on the endgame?
The game is not over and people are still voting.
Have some respect for millions of people that are still have right to choose their candidates.
CNN you are as arrogant as your candidate Obama.
]
Shame on CNN for being bias.

Mr. Gergen, most people on the 360 blog find you the most fair. I don’t.

I am an American first and a Democrate second. I will not vote for Obama because I feel he is not qualified to lead the country. If I had been born when Kennedy ran I would not have voted for him either. He also was not ready to run the country.

In my lowly opinion the media derailed Hillary and made Obama more than he really is, and I can hardly wait for the media to turn on him, and they will. And please remind him all the time that he said this will be his only run for presiden.

I agree that Hillary Clinton should make an effort to distance herself from the racist views of some of her West Virginia supporters–the tone of her campaign in recent weeks has been troubling and it has been a disappointment to watch someone I’ve admired over the years taking their campaign in such an unfortunate direction.

Will she go gracefully?

…seriously, have they ever done anything gracefully?!

I am just in a world of disbelief. Has everyone forgotten that the DNC has tossed the delegates and voters of Florida and Michigan aside. They just do not count. While the media and pundits continue
Hillary Clinton’s post mortem, there is no talk about where she would be today in the race if she could actually count the delegates in the win column for the two states she won. How about covering that issue for awhile. It seems noteworthy, in light of the fact that two states of voters are being disenfranchised from their right to vote, and was’nt it the debacle in Florida last election cycle that had the supreme court deciding our next president in spite of what the voters wanted? What about this story.

Wanda

She won’t go kicking and screaming like the SNL skit because nobody will pull her off the convention floor. Obama will win , she’ll speak at the Inauguration, move into the WH and the world will still have to give Hillary her space and wait until she is ready to go home.

Hillary has not lost the nomination yet so she does not have to get out of the race. Obama has not won yet. If she loses I’m sure she will do it gracefully as I am sure Obama will if he doesn’t win.

I honestly wish Obama supporters would stop assuming the nomination he hasnt won yet. However, Hillary has been graceful about everything so far in spite of all the negative press and all the nasty and hateful remarks and false accusations about her its only making me support her more.

I am one of those 50 year-old woman voters who supports Hillary Clinton. I am not sure I will even vote if she doesn’t get the nomination. It has nothing to do with race and everything to do with experience and qualifications…and she has it all.

I think it is reallly amusing that the commenators and the press are calling for Senator Clinton to take the high road (which she has in this campaign) after months of savaging her in the press by calling her derogatory names and belittling her over and over again. Women I know are furious. We are well-educated, lots of graduate degrees and we resent how personal and nasty the press has been. Remember the “pimping of Chelsea Clinton” comment?

I think you will find that many women will sit this election out. I am beyond disgusted with the Democratic Party too for how she has been treated.

David:

The speech that she gave last night to her supporters in West Virginia served many purposes. She stated her case to the superdelegates for her own nomination, but she also spoke to her supporters about the urgency of putting a DEMOCRAT in the White House in November.
Senator Clinton will do the right thing. She has a life long legacy in cival rights, children’s rights and politics that she would want to protect. She will support Senator Obama as the Democratic nominee.
In her concession speech she will speak of the things that you have commented about.

Former Senator Sam Nunn would be an excellant VP for Senator Obama. He could help to bring along some of the conservative Democratic voters that Senator Obama seems to be seeking, but has been unable to reach in some states. As former Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, he also comes with military affairs credentials.

Susan
Phoenixville,PA

Great piece and excellent suggestions for the end game. I only hope Hillary Clinton has it in her to handle this with grace, dignity and with the best interest of the party in mind.

Common sense from Mr. Gergen as usual. How come no-one else is talking about all those white people who vote for Mrs. Clinton just because she is white? They like to talk about Black people voting for Obama because of his race without mentioning the whites who do NOT vote for him for that very same reason. In any case, he has more of the White vote than she has of the Black vote.

Anyway, who cares, she is out and he wins. If she can’t even get the majority of her own party to vote for her, then how does she think she will be more electable in November than he is?
OBAMA 2008 & 2012

Will she go gracefully? NO WAY. After her speech last night - my guess is she will move the goal post again and try to take this fiasco to the convention in August. Hillary and her entitled backers believe if she can’t have the Presidency then no one shuld and she can try again in 2012! Being selfish is understandable when you’re 2, not in someone of Hillary years.

Regarding you second point Mr. Gergen, I would not hold my breath for Hillary to say anything this kind. It is obvious from her recent comments she welcomes any vote no matter the motivation. Now she’s taking $ from 11year olds.

Hillary can bow out gracefully, take some time to pull all the knives from her back. Take a well deserved vacation with her family. In 4 years times she will be so needed to clean up the terrible mess Bambam will have created. At this very critical time in USA history to have an arrogant, self serving, egomaniac in charge will be a disaster. Hillary can sit back with a smile on her face like & the rest of us & watch USA implode.

Wow, David! I love you! So, why aren’t you running for president?

She must handle the endgame by ending the game…Now. This is not some sporting event with three pointers and touchdowns, it’s election politics. Mike Huckabee knew when it was over and he dropped out, why can’t Hillary Clinton do the same and bow out? She only continues to hurt the democratic party by carrying on this fight.

David Gergen, I couldn’t agree with your comments more. Except, as Arachnae stated . . . I don’t know who Sam Nunn is!

Hillary, like Michigan and Florida, has the right to be heard until the very end; although she could not overcome her woefully slow start, she will have left behind an image of a passionate, qualified, person that really wanted the job; Obama lacks the outright passion and struggles to be believable; once Michelle Obama decides that her husband will run with Edwards and once that ticket is defeated by McCain, Hillary will be laughing all the way to the bank; in four years, she can surround herself with a better team that is more in tune with the general public and decide if she wants to run again.

I am glad Hillary hasn’t got the support of the loser(Kerry, Edwards. etc.) This is a bad sign for the fall election though. I’ll still only vote for Hillary, even if I have to write it in……………….

Mr Gergen - you are brillant - the Clinton campaign should have hired you for your advice - unfortunately Mrs Clinton will not exit gracefully because she feels she is entitled to the nomination - I have just watched her on the Situation Room and she seems to be in a parallel universe - I am a Florida voter and I knew my vote would not be counted but proudly voted for Senator Obama anyway

If she truly cared about the greater good of the Democratic Party she would have a press conference and endorse Obama and then campaign for him - she has divided this country

I don’t buy the argument that her supporters would not vote for Obama - the issues are so radically different between the Dems and the Reps - any voter who supported Clinton would have to be insane to vote for McCain and another 4 years of Bush

Well said, David Gergen. I too, wonder if Hillary Clinton will bow out gracefully or listen to her supporters and run as an Independent. That’s always a possibility.

God willing supporters of Obama and Clinton can come together and move this country forward towards a better future than is offered by McCain and the RNC.

I am hoping that we, the people, are sick and tired of the rhetoric, hate-and-fear-mongering, of the Iraq war, of young soldiers losing their lives for oil…….. of the $10 TRILLION in debt and counting!

PLEASE AMERICA WAKE UP, DON’T BE FOOLED AGAIN BY REPUBLICANS! WE NEED CHANGE ………. NOW!

OBAMA/CLINTON (IF NOT CLINTON….. THEN RICHARDSON)

Dear David Gergen,

My friends and I did something funny: we did an Angel reading with Angel cards on the candidates. And after five readings the answer were steady and the same type of angel card kept on popping up for each candidate:
Obama: the angels of creativity, new ideas, joy, family support
Clinton: the angels suggested her to listen to her inner voice, be honest with herself and to take a good hard look at the reality
Mc Cain’s angel cards were sort of odd and suggested that some type of entrepreneur business will bring a lot of profits and an joyous family bound, and lots of free time suggests retirement.

Let’s see if the angels are accurate, I am curious.

I’ve been criticized by many women, especially this ‘over 50′ crowd that you refer to, Mr. Gergen, because I don’t support Hillary Clinton. I support Barack Obama. I’ve been accused of not being ‘true to my gender.’

Excuse me…but when did voting for a president come down to my gender…or my race for that matter. I happen to be white. I am well-educated myself, living a single, middle class lifestyle, but with blue-collar, farming country, small town roots. Many in my family are the type of people one would find in West Virginia who would vote for Hillary Clinton, (if they weren’t raging Conservatives.) And yet, I still choose Barack Obama. I don’t fit neatly into anyones demographic, I make a choice of conviction.

It worries me that those who criticize me for this choice are the type who you mention in this article, the women who are bitter at seeing a ‘woman’ lose to a ‘black man’. Why should it be about a woman losing to someone who is African American, when it should be who you feel is qualified to win. If you think Hillary Clinton is, that’s great, and I might not agree, but I won’t think less of you for it. And I certainly wouldn’t throw a temper tantrum if she gets nominated and refuse to vote. It’s silly, it’s foolish, it’s certainly not good for the country, and that sort of minset only means that you lose on both ends…not only do you not get Hillary Clinton, you get John McCain to boot.

I am Hillary only. Without her ,there will be no election,and I have many who share this thought.
So if that it how it winds down.have a great day watching NBC and
pat yourself on the back for being smart and not listening to all the media spin.As for the people who have no education,sometimes they
are smarter than the educated. John Edwards,it is people like you that
turn off the American people.not because you went for Obama,but your timing,You sold yourself short when you dropped out,and you sold out again today.

This is ridiculous all of a sudden the Clintons are racist. You want Hillary to tell voters she would rather not have their vote if there not voting for Obama because he’s black ? Did Obama tell the people of N.C. he would rather not have their vote because they were not voting for Hillary because she was white or a woman ? After Obama’s speech we thought it was great because now we could talk about racism in the open. Then when people are ask by exit pollers about race we want to sweep it under the rug. Why is Hillary being blamed for bringing race into the primaries? What about Rev. Wright and his comments ?
I am part hispanic and support Hillary and will fall in line behind Obama IF Hillary does not win the nomination. I am not a racist nor could I afford to be with my mixed back round. Mr. Gergen I know you like Obama but your artice is out of line.

I hope that Hillary will run as an independent since the voters no longer have a moderate Democratic Party but endorsed a far, far left liberal as candidate. Obama is more of a socialist than any other politican today.
Even if she asked her supporters to vote for Obama, at least 20 to 30% will not vote for the radical Obama.
The VIPs of the Democratic Party and the media bias just elected Senator John McCain as our next President.

Will she go gracefully?
On Blitzer she said she will do whatever it takes to get Obama elected. Next question. > Hillary, if Barack chooses another person for VP, will you campaign strongly for Obama? (”Whatever it takes”!?)
Several posters in the various CNN BLOGS have pointed out the highly important point that Obama will be viewed as a liar if he chooses a VP running mate that is heavily invested with lobby groups. Nothing personal against HRC, but he will be discredited if he chooses her.
I saved one of the posts.>>> It speaks the truth, and an Important truth. Obama does not want to turn off his young voters and his independent support.
thasan/ohio May 12th, 2008 3:53 pm ET
Neither Barak or Michelle really wants to offer that slot to her.. for the number one reason: SHE REPRESENTS ALL THAT HE IS FIGHTING!!! old Washington policies/tactics…
——–
Oh, and why isThe ‘landslide’ in West Virginia such a big deal? It’s so.. Today’s News. Don’t forget Obama had similar ‘landslides’ in Virginia, Wyoming, Vermont, Washington, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alaska, Colorado, Columbia, Georgia, Kansas, Iowa. He blew out all 4 of her tires in Idaho, Illinois, Virgin Islands. (he leads in all categories, including landslides)

Are elections as exciting as this in canada?

David,

Now that John Edwards has endorsed Obama and looks to be a good candidate for Vice President, he may be able to deliver the blue collar workers to Obama rather than Clinton. The women may be a different story - a lot of us value experience and without Hillary on the ticket McCain looks very good.

On racism, there seems to be a double standard here. IF you are white and vote for someone other than Obama you are racist. If you are black and vote for Obama simply because he’s black you are not racist. Seems like both candidates need to work on this one.

I don’t think the race in Mississippi can be used to predict any major sea changes in the way the South votes. In Alabama its business as usual so far - and that means Republican. This race has seemed so different and such a roller coaster ride at times but in the end I think we may find voting continuing along historic lines.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

He’s been called sexy on The View. He’s been ordained by Oprah. He’s smart, smooth of walk, and well spoken. He says he represents change one can believe in (whatever that is). The media folks have already given him the win and want his opponent out before he has technically won. Now he has pretty boy Edwards gushing praises upon him.

What on earth are all you democrates so split up over ? Why are nearly 50% of you rejecting this stud ? Why is he not taking the swing states by landslides ? Or for that matter, why is he not ahead overall 60-40 at lthe least ? Are you’ll blind to the greatness of this man ?

However, seems like a lot of people know somethings not right in Whosville, doesn’t it. You democratic power brokers are about to nominate a big liberal loser and that is OK by all of us independents and swing voters. . . we tried to give you fair warning by the votes we cast.

I am amazed at the way pundits and Democratic party publicity-seekers keep trying to make Hillary quit. As far as I know, the convention isn’t until August !! That’s 3 months away !! Do you honestly believe that Obama, Clinton or McCain haven’t gotten their strategies figured out, for the run-up to Nov ???? They’re worried that Obama wouldn’t have enough time to prepare for his contest with McCain. If that’s so, then maybe he’s not well-prepared to be President. Sen Clinton would be ready in a flash. I can tell you …many of us will either sit out November or switch to McCain, because we feel Hillary was so savaged by the press, the Obama campaign & the mealy-mouthed party fathers. It has become a matter of principal.

David: Always enjoy reading your take on this race. So, will she go gracefully? My guess is that she is playing this race like the “good ol’ boys” would. If she has to bow down, I believe she will do it gracefully. Afterall, she is a woman!

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

I thought I heard today on the Situation Room that Obama supporters are going south to register every black person in the south to try and win the election. Isn’t that racism?

92% of the black vote steadily going to Obama, that is REAl racism, David…

I believe it’s obvious why they want Hillary to bow out… They want to seat FL and MI so they don’t loose their votes in November. With her in the race Obama won’t allow it!

I say stay in and force the issue!

The process isn’t over yet, so why are we talking about how she will leave??? Again, assumptions being made about who will win the nomination. Hillary has had to endure, for months, near constant bashing from the media and pundits alike yet they all expect her to “be a lady” and leave with dignity. Why should she give you guys anything when you feel you can treat her any way you wish….and get away with it, I might add???

The big problem here isn’t race, it’s gender. Men and women alike talk about how great American is, that we have equality between the sexes….until it’s time to put their money where their mouth is and they just can’t do it. The majority of men simply can’t stomach the idea of answering to a woman. Suddenly all the stops get pulled out and people go haywire….the amount of sexism that has taken place by the media and Obama and his supporters is unbelievable. But no one says a word about it, except for women who can recognize it for what it is…..and then they get accused of playing the gender card.

Frankly, I’m still convinced that Hillary will win the nomination, will win the GE, and will be in a position to take on all the men who stand in the way of true equality……which is something that is so threatening to these men that they will do anything to derail her. The DNC is certainly no exception as they have taken part in trying to destroy her campaign and hav enot said one word about all the sexism that is taking place, yet they will scream bloody murder if someone even mentions race…..because all white people are racists, ya know.

Hello, David!

Years ago, my elderly & long-wedded grandmother caused quite a chaotic & memorable scene when she attempted to climb into my grandfather’s open coffin during the crowded pre-funeral visitation. Took several of us to help her to disengage before she hurt herself and/or knocked the coffin over & my grandfather out of it!!!

Doubt that Hillary will let go of her presidential bid any more easily. And, her endgame could be a spectacular - not necessarily pleasant - scene. Democratic party leaders need to be on high alert! Good luck with that!

She should leave……. and let’s get this show on the road! Also, it seems that she is dealing with her pride issues here, she should really display her strength by getting out of this race.

First I would like to say that Mr. Gergen is the best! I believe that Hillary knows that Barack is going to win and she is staying in it at present to “clean up the mess”. I hear it in her voice, she knows it is over, but if she stays in until the end every voter will feel that they were part of it and then will come out in November and put a Democrat in the White House.

Thank you John Edwards, now we need Jimmy Carter and Al Gore, and yes we need Hillary.

Obama 08

The pundits need to wake up and realize that people are SERIOUS when they say they won’t vote for Obama. I have been a democratic voter for 30 years and this will be the first time I don’t vote in the general election. The women in my rather large extended family (mom, daughter, aunts, cousins) and a lot of the me have all vowed not to vote in November if Hillary Clinton is not the candidate. It is not so much a vote against Obama, but the treatment of Clinton by the media, pundits, democratic party leaders. The unbelievable bias for Obama and the outrageous sexism has completely turned us off to the general election.

She wants the right thing thing done in Michigan and Florida 2.3 million votes are not been counted, shame on Howard Dean. If I was voting in the general election and I came from one of these states I would be damned if I voted democratic party, and I have for 36 years.
Totally discusted at how Howard Dean and the Donna Brazils of the DNC have done. This is going to hurt the vote.
Go Hillary if not Go McCain
You two will have my vote bye Obama and Rev Wright

We hope that Hillary continues to fight for the nomination. Although I have been a democrate all my life, I will not vote for Obama or any ticket that includes him. Why would I want a anti-American racist to be our president? We are starting a blog, Women Democrates for McCain if Obama is the nominee. Several nurses in my area are going to see if the nurses association will also start a national blog to support Hillary only or vote McCain. Wake up democratic party/super delegates, we WILL NOT support Obama even if it means voting for McCain.

I hope she willl run as an independent or wage a write-in campaign. There are millions of us who cannot support Obama because of his 20-year spiritual advisor/mentor relationship with Rev. Wright , and we would gladly welcome the opportunity to continue to support this brilliant, strong, tough woman. Also, John Edwards just sent a message to his daughters to get in the kitchen and start cooking; they can’t do anything else because they’re women!

I was ambivalent about Edwards/Clinton/Obama when the race began. They all looked pretty good. Then it was down to two. and then Obama came to our town to speak, Clinton started the kitchen sink game, Rev Wright was dragged out, and through it all, Obama remained calm, cool, and collected. I decided, and I want to make it clear that I am one of those middle aged white women who are supposed to back Hillary, that Obama had the elegance of a statesman, and the mind of a global thinker. More importantly, he has the wisdom to hold his “head while all about him, others are loosing theirs and blaming it on him, and trust himself when many doubt him, but make allowance for their doubting too….” I think Kipling had Obama in mind when he wrote his poem! I want THAT man as my president!

I am still amazed by how easily the MEDIA is conned.
You did not get how bad Bush was until 7 years later. You were amazed by how you got hoodwinked by the runup to the Iraq war and you still have no clue to the fact the price of oil was the issue.
Now you have a Democratic candidate who has won only Republicans Strong hold states and you think winning the majority of these states that will not be in the Republican column makes him the best candidate to run against McCain.
What are you thinking!!!!!!!!!
I can not wait until November when you go back to read this email and wonder why I got it right, and you in the media have still no clue.

David,
How can you be so sure that Clinton voters will vote for Obama?
I have been a Democrate all my life and WILL NOT vote for Obama.
Just admit, you and your co-horts plus MSNBC have bashed Hillary for months.

As for West Virginia being “different”, THEY ARE AND THEY ARE PROUD to be smart enough to see the con man that Obama is.

Why is it so wrong for Hillary to say she gets white voters, but even the bias media can say Obama gets black voters, and that is okay. Shouldn’t he and you admit that Obama gets black votes for the simple fact that he is black. I bet 75% of his voters have not idea what his ideas are, they are just voting for a black man.

Hillary was shafted by the press and that she is a woman. Obama had it light for weeks.

Shame on the American press.

Hil is a better uniter,candidate.

Obama will lose against McCain and come Nov 5th, the Dems will be embarrassed again! They never learn.

WOW!!!! Is anyone willing to say why was John Edwards on the ballot in West Virginia, and furthermore, who were these people who casted a ballot in his favour?
Seems we have many more like the guy who printed the T- shirts with Obama’s likeness to Curious George and have the nerve to say he meant nothing of it. HELLO!!!!

I agree Lee Beaver…
HRC should get more respect… she is a woman, a former first lady.

Americans are rude when they wanna be.

I agree, I cannot vote for Obama. Either I vote for Hil or vote for McCain, or sit this one out.

We love you Hil.

I’ve read though your blog. Being neither rep.,or dem. I can’t for the life pf me belive what I am seeing? All this stuff about Michelle Obama having a say ? What about racism? How did Mr Obama get this far without the support of white voters as well as other races.I will vote for Hillary even if the Dems. Don’t suport her so I”ll cancel someones vote forMr Obama sweety.

I will not vote for Obama. Edwards and Obama ganged up on Clinton and it is clear Clinton is popular with us regular folks. Clinton should leave the Democratic party because the Democratic party has left her. If Clinton runs as an independent, which she should, she has my vote and the votes of many, many women, blue-collar workers, regular folks in general.

All, can we stop this racial discussion? it is nauseating. This is 21st century and we still cannot get over racial divide. Let us take a cue from Mr. Packwood, a caucasian who decided to go to Morehouse college with a fulbright scholarship, and will be the first non black valedictorian for the class of 2008. The eyes of the world are upon us, let us move this great country beyond racial divide.

David Gergen:

It is an honor to have this opportunity to interact on this blog with you.

You are the most respected contributor here at CNN. I always watch for your input into the political debate. Your perspective is always reasoned and carefully articulated.

I think you have a very special perspective having served as a White House Advisor to the Nixon, Ford, Reagan & Clinton White House Administrations. You are highly regarded for your current position as Profess of Public Service at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government & as Director of its Centre of Public Leadership.

David, I was blown away by your comment about a week to ten days ago when asked about Hillary Rodham Clinton as a choice for Vice President. Your comment was: “Barack Obama would need a Food Taster”.

It took me awhile to completely understand, but I am totally in agreement with your opinion.

The so-called “Dream Ticket” would be a “Nightmare Ticket”, and nothing but a “Three-Ring Circus”.

Barack Obama message is one of CHANGE. He has proven himself to be very capable candidate by the way his campaign has been run. The Clintons do not represent CHANGE.

Barack Obama is a born Leader & Visionary. I await his Presidency in 2009 with optimism.

Anyone who could stay in a church preaching so much hate for TWENTY years is not the person to run this country. We are ready to elect an African American, male or female, but not this man. He has been pushed by the media as a “Rock Star” like we a voting for American Idol but this idol has feet of clay

Quote from Bill in Tenn……..”I respect your opinions and always enjoy your commentor when you are on AC360. That being said, please explain why it is seen as racist for 67% of white voters in WV voting for Senator Clinton racist, but when 90% of black voters in NC vote for Senator Obama, it is expected? Do we have a double standard for the black vote?”

I ‘ve been wonderfing this myself.

I live in WV and I am also white.I voted for Mrs. Clinton and it makes me angry that we are seen as racist for voting for the candidate that we feel can beat McCain in November and be the best person to lead our country in these trying times while in all of the previous contests black voters have voted overwhelmingly for Obama and nothing is said in regards to them being racist and voting for Obama just because he is black which I can guarantee you happens more than the other way around.

The media never dwells on the fact that over 90% of blacks vote for Obama while not over 90% of whites vote for Clinton.
So with this scenario which candiadte is actually benefitting from so called racism?

I am very concerned about Clintons’ comment that the West Virginia voters are voting for her because she would be the better President and will fight for them. Thinking that race is not an issue in their reasons to vote for her. If she believes race is not a reason why West Virginia has supported her so strongly then I cannot trust her since of reality.
I feel that she needs to take a stronger stand against this issue and not make it a non issue when it is still major issue in some parts of our country. We have come a long way but there is still work to be done in this country in this area. If she is not willing to admit this and face it head on then I have concerns.

Do not assume I will vote for Obama in the “end game”. I not only will not vote for him I would not vote for a ticket that puts Hillary in the VP slot. This has been the worse case of sexism since woman got the right to vote. I am so insulted by the mob mentality to attack Sen Clinton every way possible. She was never given a chance. I am sick to death of seeing a bunch of fat aging men and a couple of unattractive women (who look adoringly at the men) tell the American people who we want to be president!

I am also one of those white senior voters and I wiil not vote in the Nov. election if Hillary don’t win the nomination. It has nothing to do with race but has to do with experience and who will serve our country best., which is Hillary.

I agree with you totally. Hillary has disappointed me from the get-go on the stance she took toward Obama. She has not displayed one ounce of greatness that I might expect in a president. She is not able to see the big picture where she and her husband could have led our nation beyond our national divide on race–someting I thought they had an affinity for understanding. We have lacked great leadership during most of the past 40 years. And, David, do you think she will “work her heart out” for Obama if he is the nominee? I imagine it will play out very much the same way the Clintons helped Gore when he ran. What do you think?

Well i guess i am a racist,i like John Mc-cain who happens to be white,so i guess that means all the white votes tha went to obama means they are what? 90% blacks vote for obama,wonder why,could be because he is black,i am really confusd,wish mc-cain was black so i could vote for a person of color and still maintain a choice and be correct.Guess i will have to stick with who i think will do a better job,NO MATTER WHAT COLOR THEY ARE!

Hillary will dispute the May 31 findings if not in her favor and bring the entire matter before the convention. If she truly believes that she is the only one that can win the election for the democrats, then she’ll go all the way. The votes don’t really take place until the convention. The super delegates votes aren’t final until they vote at the convention. The 92% of the black voters for Obama is what started the race concerns among whites - after that white voters have concerns.

Well if Obama wins the nomination and loses in November(which is highly likely)we will have to wait 4 more years until we could correct the poor choice that the people have made and hopefully Mrs.Clinton would run again.

WRITE IN VOTE for Hillary!! The mens vote will be split between Obama and McCain and she can win!!

Will most certainly not vote for Obama if he is candidate and does not offer Hillary VP

I agree with the idea of having Hillary run for the general elections either as an independent as some have suggested here or by possibly starting a new branch in the Democratic Party. It’s time for American politics to grow beyond a two party system and maybe this was the election with enough power and freshness to spur on this positive step toward growth.

Most countries have numerous political parties which allow for a more fair and accurate representation of the values and political ideologies of their populace. Having more than 2 parties would also prevent any 2 parties from gathering such significant monopoly over the politics of a country as the two main U.S. political parties have.

Why is everyone putting so much unnecessary pressure on Democrats to come together when we really don’t want to? It’s not Hillary’s job to convince us to support Obama if she decides to step aside. We as members of the Democratic Party don’t want to support Obama because we don’t agree with his message or don’t feel he has enough experience or a whole range of other reasons.

And there are a significant number of us and we deserve to have our voices heard. We are the ones who don’t want Hillary to quit. We want her to continue running in this election and speaking for us. The more we are pushed into supporting a candidate we don’t want to support, the more it is giving rise to negative feelings in us toward him and his supporters. It’s the pressure to coalesce and cut the primaries short that’s creating the tension.

If Hillary’s campaign was respectfully allowed to run its full course, there would be significantly less animosity. But with the way things currently are and the way the media has been extraordinarily biased in their support of Obama, it seems there is no choice but to take the next step and start a new more moderate branch of the Democratic Party and select Hillary as its nominee.

The same way the Republicans have the Neo-Conservative members of their party, Obama can come to represent the more extensively left-leaning segment of the Democratic Party. It would probably be helpful for the Republicans to also make that distinction clearer in their party by allowing their Neo-Conservative members to form a new branch within their party.

This way we would move away from a forced duality of left vs. right and begin to differentiate according to our beliefs about various issues. Just like emotional maturity in individuals is typically conveyed by realizing that life is more grey than black and white, a focus on issues rather than a left vs. right distinction could be a very welcome and sophisticated step forward in American Politics.

I’m 54 years old, I come from a long line of Democrats, and I’ve voted in every presidential campaign since I was old enough to vote. I’m a strong Hillary Clinton supporter and I’ll tell you why I will NOT vote for Barack Obama. I highly resent the way Hillary has had the rug pulled out from under her every single time she’s had a fantastic accomplishment. It’s like the “powers that be” are determined that she will NOT get the nomination even though she’s the better qualified candidate. I’ve lost a lot of faith in the Democratic party. They’re promoting a popularity contest–NOT a contest of issues and accomplishments. I’m done.

You Democrats ( I guess) who say that they will not vote for Obama if he wins its because you wern’t going to vote for him anyway and are probably Republicans. They call you people blue collar rural, uneducated (gee) I wouldn’t want to be sterotyped like that., however some might call you poor white trash, and I am white. Get over it.People! . racism is not anything be proud of.

Annie Kate and Harry must not have any black friends, since they seem to think that black people support Barack Obama just because he is black. Did they hear of any black people supporting Alan Keyes, Clarence Thomas or Condelezza Rice, who is both black and a woman? Word up, white people - we black people are every bit as discriminating as you white folks.

Hopefully Hillary will take it all the way to the convention. This country needs her to fix the mess left behind by a Bush just as Bill did and she has to do everything in her power to see that the best one for the job gets it………..HERSELF!

I have just been reading some of the comments about Obama and the issues of him and Jeremiah Wright. Understandably what Wright says is hateful, however look at the time with which he came from. Wrights ideas come from what he experienced, and I am a student of history so I can understand where he is coming from. Think of your grandparents or elders, do they not have ideas and views that are not in tune with the times? You had to listen to them for years and years, do you hold those views? I know that I do not and have heard things from my grandfather that I would never agree to. To hold things that the Rev. Wright has said against Obama is to say that he has no free thinking ideas. My second thought is that for those of you who have said you would vote for Hilary but not Obama, what is so different from Hilary and Obama? Black and White? Male and Female? For the most part on the issues their ideas are very similar. I think to vote for McCain is to vote for more of the same, and honestly do any of us really want that?

I take offense to your discuss about Hilary Clinton and base of support, beinging under educated women and women over 65. I am a educated women who will not under any circumstances vote for Mr. Obama. I am one of those women who will not vote or vote republican, for the first time ever. The leaders of the party are all idiots with no back bone, and sheep following the leader.

I think Hillary should walk way with her head up high and sit back and watch her party make a big mistake because there is know way the Republican going to let a African American be a president . That is one reason Hillary know this and everybody esle act like race do not play apart be for real we need to talk about this. Race will play apart of this president race. I think if we want Democrat in the white the best we have is Hillary.

A lifelong Democrat about to vote for McCain?
With CNN, talk radio & media worshipping BHO…is it possible that when he gets the nomination…then they will turn on him and “uncover” the dirt? Sure picks up a slow news day.
Do the Powers that be want someone they can control, BHO or more of the same, McCain?
We the People deserve to have Michigan and Florida included in the process.
Edwards, stumping for Veep-speech stating BHO can create “one America” is ludicrous when BHO has ascribed to divisive thinking for 20+ years just like his Pastor of Choice.

All of the information regarding this political campaign I have learned from watching CNN. I don’t watch any other station so everything I have heard has come from CNN. I’ve watched the newscasts talking with the black people who are voting for OBama and I’ve learned from the political discussions on CNN that the blacks are voting for the black guy as a matter of black pride. Why didn’t Obama campaign in West Virginia. According to CNN, it’s because there was not a significant black population in West Virginia. Of course this race is about race. The black people are attempting to elect a black president. They (not all) don’t care if he as any presidential plans or whether he has any experience or whether he will be able to handle the job or any type of international diplomacy, just that he is black. I will not vote for him. I don’t care if he is black. If he had experience, or plans, or talked about anything but hope and change, I might be interested. I will not vote for him. period. I hesitate to vote for McCain although he would be my second choice. I intend to vote for Hillary Clinton. If Hillary Clinton is not the democratic candidate, I will write her in and will encourage as many people as possible to write her in. Unfortunately that will probably put McCain in the White House, but at least it won’t put OBama in the White House. I wouldn’t vote for him if he were white, pink or green. He’s not, in my opinion, Presidential material at this point in his life.

This guy is supposedly the nominee (although we aren’t done voting yet) and he didn’t have the common courtesy to show up in West Virginia. What is that? A serious error and serious inexperience.

Besides that, the people of Florida and Michigan are Americans. I believe the Constitution is being seriously challenged at this point by the DNC. Who exactly gave the DNC the right to disqualify voters because of when they voted? Did they check with each individual voter in these states and ask them if they wanted to give up their right to have their vote counted so that they could vote early. This is insanity. No wonder our country is in such a mess. And now if we do count them, lets be sure not to count them the way they were cast, because we must be fair to O’Bama (need another pillow?). So lets give some of Hillary’s votes to him so that she doesn’t win. (This from CNN). Now, that makes a lot of sense. Either we won’t count your vote or we’ll give it to the guy you didn’t vote for. He took his name off the ballot in Michigan cause he knew he wasn’t going to win. Probably in preparation for just this sorry state of affairs. Do we have to keep giving him extras so he’ll be okay if he does become the nominee?

And “Hillary should drop out, please drop out, why aren’t you dropping out?” C’mon. Too much heat for O’Bama (need another pillow?).

Wonder what Edwards was promised. Second run at the VP.

I’m done. If necessary,
WRITE IN HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT.

People say the are voting for Hillary because she is more “experienced” have you read her Senate record? Have you reviewed the bills she pushed forward? People are not voting for Hillary they are voting for the Clintons. Hello, the Clintons were already in the White House for EIGHT YEARS. Blacks are voting for Obama because we have reviewed his record we do know what he stands for. We are just dumbfounding why the Clintons who the Black support 100% are not backing the Obama. Turn aroung if fair but I guess the Clintons don’t feel the owe anybody anything. I think some blacks feel like the Clintons have slapped blacks in the face. They are so self-centered they don’t even recongize that they are trying to set-up a dynasty of Bush Clinton Bush Clinton. People that would be 28 years of Bush/Clinton do you really think anythng would change? Hillary would still prosecute the war and she would set-up the next run for Chelesa in 2016 or 2020. By then Jenna Bush will be ready to run. If we keep doing that no one will ever hold the presidency unless they are a Bush or Clinton. Look at how people are reacting to Clinton now. Why let her run if you didn’ expect her to maybe lose. Hillary was a shoe-in. Obama caused a lot of his own problems and she still ran a losey campaign. Cost overrun, pandering to every interest group, dismissing Economist opinions. If she knows more then the Economist how could she possibly have voted for the War. Why didn’t she exercise some independence then? I’ll tell you why. She only wanted to do the popular thing lwhich at that time she thought was to vote to give Bush a blank authority to wage war. Look at her whole campaign. She’s hasn’t taken one risk in any of her stands She is pushing her version of healthcare because that is the stand of the Healthcare providers. But there has to be a penalty if you don’t enroll and there is the “Got you”. Obama wants to lower the cost make it more afford the healthcare and drug companies don’t want that because it will dig into their profit. Gas tax want to know what Obama said? He said do another stimulus package to get people through the summer. He suggested same amount or increase it. That’s a real solution. Repealing the tax for the summer if just silly. We can more than afford to pay for another stimuls package. Need I go on. Obama has the better plan. Check out his website. I compared his and Hillary’s side by side. There is no difference execpt on Healthcare funding, the gas tax and the war and those a major issue differences.

O’Bama didin’t even go to West Virginia because it didn’t have a significant black population. What kind of “nominee” for President would do something like that. They weren’t important enough for him to even show up.

Michigan wasn’t even important enough to him to keep his name on the ballot because he couldn’t win. Probably preparation for this situation we are now in with their votes.

Let’s be sure to give O’Bama some of those Florida votes for Hillary because he surely can’t get them on his own. Now that should make Florida happy that they voted.

The black people are voting for the black guy. They call it black pride. This information from CNN. That makes it a race issue.

You can blame it on Hillary if you want. The media has done a fine job of that and she’s been able to handle it. O’Bama probably couldn’t and might need another pillow.

I won’t vote for O’Bama. I don’t care that he is Black. He could be green, pink or purple for all I care. But he ought to have a plan by this stage of the game, and he doesn’t. We are in too much of a mess for a guy with no plan, just hope and change. Everybody hopes and everything changes everyday, but that is not enough.

I don’t plan to vote for McCain, tho I think he is a better choice than O’Bama. I plan to vote for Hillary Clinton. If she is not the nominee, that will be a bad choice.

If necessary, WRITE IN HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT. Unfortunately, that may ensure a McCain victory, but at least it won’t be O’Bama.

Why aren’t you reporting on the possibility that the remaining superdelegates could choose Hillary for the nomination? She does have a compelling case, she has won all the swing states by large margins, and Obama does indeed have a problem with white working class folks, who would end up voting for McCain over Obama. After all they voted for Bush twice. The Superdelegates and the voters get to decide this race, not the media or the pundits.

Hillary will end up winning the popular vote after MI & FL are counted, and all the races are over. I do remember petitions going out at the end of January to the superdelegates to vote for the people, and to not overturn the popular vote. The irony is that they were Obama supporters who led those petitions, and they will have to live with that when Hillary wins the popular vote.

Don’t underestimate Hillary or her supporters.

You never understand how some people are so naive until you read what they have written. Race not gender was the great issue of the day when put against the two candidates. This meant Senator Clinton never had to explain why she would be a good president in spite of being a woman and Senator Obama had to explain that he’d be a good president despite being black.

Senator Clinton had a major advantage by being the wife of a former president which enabled her to run and win a senate seat (the only elected office she ever held). She then was able to parlay this advantage into a credible run at the white house. The problem is that she didn’t win a majority of states, the popular vote, and now the superdelagates.

In the beginning the superdelagetes were in her pocket because she was a Clinton and they expected her win to be inevitable. Why? It was believed that her opponent, Senator Obama, didn’t have high enough name recognition in the country to have a credible shot at the nomination yet they would flaut his running in the Democratic Primary as a plus for democrats. They then turned away from his running as a plus when it appeared that he may likely gain the nomination so they tried to muddy his name by saying that he had no real experience. This charge made no sense considering that nearly all elected officials at the federal level have at least local or state experience. The media focus on Rev. Wright made no sense neither because he wasn’t the one running. Yet Sen. Clinton attempted to
use this non-issue as a wedge. That didn’t work.

The final shot from her desperate campaign was that poor, uneducated whites liked her and didn’t trust Obama well enough for the Democratic Party to win the general election in november. This would sound like a great argument to use if it weren’t so flawed. In modern election history Democrats have only attained the White House with an abundance of the black, not white, vote. In fact the group that Sen. Clinton is courting to make her claim have voted Republican overwhelmingly against Democrats.

I wrote all this to point out that Sen. Clinton, not Sen. Obama, always had an advantage and still managed to lose. I understand her supporters are very sore at that fact, but that doesn’t mean that now you vote against your interest because your candidate loses. The Republican nominee John McCain isn’t very liked by his party but I believe in november they will rally Around him to win the election. If people in the Democratic Party play the game of hurt feelings and either vote against the party nominee or don’t vote at all then the Democratic Party doesn’t deserve to exist.

Why are people still voting for Hillary Clinton. She can’t even manage her campaign, how can she manage this country. We are in debt now and we will even go deeper in debt if she becomes the president. She used the race card to win West Virginia. She should be ashamed of herself. She can’t even address the race issue just because she is selfish. Obama has shown that he can lead this country. You be the judge.

Come on people, let’s get together!! Stop fussing and consider the Supreme Court. You folks, on both sides of the Clinton/Obama turmoil, get over it and vote for whichever democrat wins or McCain will change our Supreme Court in ways that could overturn some important laws. …….AND continue this war, AND give tax breaks to the rich and the corporations for another 4 years! Really…..I am an Obama supporter, but I would gladly vote for Clinton before McCain this year. I am not CRAZY!! Keep some perspective!!

Hillary Clinton cannot win the general election, period. She will draw in every right-wing, conservative, and Republican who made the Clintoin era the era of endless investigations into the Clintons–they are Krypton to that group. Whatever Bill might have accomplished, he did not because he was too tied up in his own stupid mistakes and relentless attempts to get him out of office. Maybe the economy was better during the Clinton era, but much did not get done because of the side issues and “Clinton fatigue” is responsible for the George W. Bush era. I think Hillary had 8 years to get the health care she promised before the first Clinton term and failed to do so, tried to do it in secrecy, and did it with big business as her major advisors (she was not interested in what we physicians had to say, or the nurses or other health care providers for that matter). She is devisive and and will say or do anything to get what she wants but she does not follow through after she gets what she wants. She has made it impossible to get elected in the general election, further, by playing the “race card.” She appeals to ignorant, uneducated, poor people who don’ thave the capacity to figure out she’s just stringing them along, and she has definately lost the black vote if she manages to steal Obamas first place on the ticket and that will lose her the general election. There’s a reason Limbaugh wants Repubicans to cross over and vote for her–he knows she will lose. We should have learned our lesson with electing a second Bush–and this second Clinton would be even worse. She is in bed with big business–where do you people who thinks she’s so “middle class” Bill and she are getting those millions she can loan her campaign? Do your homework, please. Yes, I want nothing more than to see a woman president before I die–but NOT this woman; she would set the woman’s movement back to th e18th century. She is not a liberated female and the proof is she is still with Bill. She voted for and is partly responsible for the Iraq debaucle. Even I could tell the people were being sold a bill of goods when they tried to equate Iraq with al Queda. Hillary should get a clue and bow out graciously. We need to move forward, not backwards–and she is two big steps backwards.

I think that people should be able to vote for the candidate of their choice for whatever reasons they have. But we have to accept that race and gender have played a big role in the primary race and will probably continue to do so into the general election. I do think that not voting for Obama because he is black reflects hatred that will not make us a more perfect union. But most African American support Obama because his message makes us proud. We support him because we believe in his message and his ability to make change. If you have paid attention Obama has earned that support in the Black community. African Americans support him at 92% but that has not always been true. That number has grown just like his delegate count!!

It seems odd to me that this blog about Hillary Clinton in filed under Barak Obama; just as we could expect from the news coverage of this campaign. Why then, in accordance to your argument would Obama not denounce the voters who happen to be African American that support him.
No one can really knows what what collectively determines a vote, but I can tell you this- Americans have evolved. It is no longer an issue of color or gende, people care about their families, their gas tanks and their homes. Who ever can deliver this is where the determination begins.
Why are you asking if she will bow out gracefully at all? This is a respresentative republic that can only be heard when the voices speak. So why are we not listening? How can we disenfranchise these voters?
And who, Howard Dean, in their right mind would allow a state let alone two, to stray from democratic convention rules at all. This wouldn’t be a blog if Dem rules weren’t allowed to be broken. She will not bow out because she has every right to let the people speak. How did this become a rediculous election process, to which our country’s greatness was revered. Obama hasn’t even filled a whole term in the Fed. Senate- there should be more decisive qualifications to run for President of the United States.

Thanks for the honest opinions, David. The news is either filled with political correct smiles and insinuations or over the top, opinionated rants. Your blogs are always refreshing.

I too am tried of the Clinton drama and wish HIllary would think more about her party than her own self-interest. As I’ve said many times over the past year, I would love to see a woman president in the Whitehouse. Hillary is not the right woman for the job.

Clinton is not being forced out of the race unfairly or for sexist reasons. She is being asked to honestly examine the reality of her situation. She cannot win the nomination. Why does she continue to fight? She didn’t lose the nomination because she’s a woman. She lost the nomination because by painting herself as anti-intellectual and using racism as a tool to win, she insulted “egg heads”, “latte sippers” and “blacks”. That shows a glaring lack of character and judgement and indicates she may not be a president who is capable of uniting all the various people of this great country.

The difference between the voting demographic for Clinton and Obama is this: whites who say race is an issue are voting for Clinton because they do not want a president who has black skin. Blacks who say they are voting for Obama because he is black are doing so because they have been insulted by the Clinton campaign’s racial coding and focus on inciting white bias as a way to win. It is very possible that if Clinton had run a clean campaign many conservative, black Democrats would have voted for a Clinton. Early in the primary there were larger numbers of black voters voting for Clinton. That support shifted significantly after Bill made several racially tinged comments and the Clinton campaign basically abandoned African American voters in favor of hardworking, white blue collar voters. I’ve heard all the biased remarks on all the networks. I’m a white, middle aged woman who grew up in a predominantly white small town. Many remarks made by the Clintons and their people, which I’ve heard and read, are subtly racist. It’s time to be honest about “wink and nod” racism.

Lastly, MANY white voters are voting for Obama because he is the strongest candidate. I’m one of those voters.

Obama 2008

If Hillary would stop constantly worming in political dirt against the front-runners of her party, then her plastic face, obsessive income and uncomfortably autocratic family ties - if all those (for me) automatic disqualifiers weren’t always defensively “in your face Jack” - then I would be happy to know that Hillary is running for President. She is NOT going anywhere, until Obama updates American democratic appeal …Glad when its over. Clinton family Presidential profiteering has gone far enough. I hope Chelsea gets a UN post some day soon.
…thoughts from Canada, Earth’s most endearing autocracy (lol)

I agree with Scott. If whites and/or women voted for Hilary like the blacks
are voting for Obama, he would not be where he is. He may get an array of votes, but it’s obvious it’s the young and blacks. I think someone should poll the “young” voters, Black, White, Asian, Latinos, young, old, rich, poor and from all over and ask why they are voting for Obama. I say this because the “young” voters I’ve asked have no real answer. No specifics just change, or superficial answers like looks. My point being I believe many are on this bandwagon for “change”, but once this passes I think the election will come and go for many of these voters. I’m not saying ALL the young have no clue or ALL the young do not get the issues.
You CAN count on the mature voters who really understand issues and how they affect your life. As far as Edwards, he made a good pitch for Hilary. The woman who Erica Hill interviewed was right on about this notion of Obama. To Gloria : you mentioned people will come around come Nov., I’m sure some will decide to support Obama, but speaking for myself, it won’t happen. I’m saddened that I won’t vote, but I don’t believe he is the strongest candidate and I do think Hilary’s been “railroaded”. I’m not saying she’s perfect and without flaws and that I agree with all she says and does. I do feel he is a bit arrogant and condescending. I’m not overly eager to have Michelle as the first Lady. What’s with the superdelegates, do they change with the wind?
There seems to be no camaraderie, trust and confidence.

And…I believe in political efficacy , but I will NOT vote Democratic if Hillary doesn’t get the nomination. Obama doesn’t seem to have enough experience to grasp any sense of reality.

I can see your concerns about race creeping into the election process but you forgot to mention that when the same question was asked in Alabama what percentage said that race played a role in thier vote? Look at that question in all the states where there was a large block of black voters that Obama won in. I heard someone say that 31% of voters in Alabama said that race was a consideration and a large majority of democrats in Alabama were black. I think you went out on a limb to frame Hillary as a devisive candidate and totally overlooked the results in other states. Its called slanting your story and I’ve used it myself in the past but I never pretended to be fair or balanced while I was using it.

I could care less what color any of these candidates are. I’ve looked at thier resumes and thier past performance and I found Obama lacking and I don’t see how any serious journalist could have looked at his experience and record and seen anything different. John McCain for years has been “tagged” by his own party as a democrat in disguise because he is not far enough to the right. McCain is a left leaning conservative and Hillary is a conservative Democrat. Obama is what ever flavor is required to win the day from what I’ve seen so far. I really think he is pulling the wool over a lot of people’s eyes. Hillary or McCain are the only two choices in my view. I respect your opinion even though I don’t think it holds water.

I am a 20 year old African American male from Louisville, Kentucky. I tune into Anderson Cooper 360 every other day to keep up on my politics. I wouldn’t say that I am politicaly inclined, but I do have a mind about such things. I don’t think the question at hand for the democratic party is how should Hilary Clinton or Obama save face at the end of the race versus the how will the american voters handle either candidate losing to the other. I will be voting Hilary Clinton on the day of our primaries coming up next Teusday. And it saddens me that time and time again I turn to cnn and hear about massive numbers of followers who will not give their support to Obama if Hilary should lose. I am not slandering the republican voters’ choice of their presidental candidate. But what all democrats need to keep in mind that rather you are picking Hilary or Obama, these opponents have said that they will work together for a unified government. We have lived years under republican control. We have seen our soldiers come and go, our housing be yanked from underneath us, our parents struggle to make ends meet yet alone think about college for their youth, we ourselves have seen a huge struggle in the past eight years. And no matter if it is Hilary or Obama that I am voting for in August, I would encourage ever democrat that I know to step forward in unison to elect not just the better presidental candidate, but the better party for 2008. We can no longer divide ourselves and put up walls between our neighbors. We must unite as a common forefront, no matter the race, religion, or gender, to better our lives as well as our childrens’ and childrens’ children. It is time that the people put their foot first and understand that eight more years of radical republican views will destroy our country as well as man of our son’s lives. The best way for not only the presidental candidates to save face, but also the american people, will be a unified voice under either democratic candidate for a change that will help American back to it’s foundation as the world’s leader.

I happen to be one of the older blue collar voters that BO has been having so much trouble with. He has not been able to pull the wool over my eyes. It is not about color it is about ability and honesty.
He claims to be an agent for change yet is supported by the Kennedys for gods sake ! Edwards and Kerry and Dodd oh my. You can not get anymore inside washington than these guys.
Are you all blind ? He went to Wrights church for 20 yes t w e n t y years and claims he had no idea about Wrights beliefs. Ever been to church ? Ever been able to keep a secret about your reverend , pastor or priest ? I did not think so. Is he deaf ? He borrowed a speech from the governer of Mass. and never gave him any credit untiil BO got caught. He did not have the sense to keep his name on the Michigan ballot. He did miserable in debates where he has to think on his feet and could not coherently answer a question about why he loved his country. He refused a revote sponsored by governer Corzine, James Carville and others. He is a good orator but where I live bs walks action talks. Should BO win the nomination I am voting for Mccain in November , the rest of my ticket will be straight democrat. With both the house and senate will keep Mccain in check until Hillary can run again in 2012 . I am sorry to tell the rest of you your king has no clothes.

I don’t understand what the Obama supporters see as being him having proven himself? The only statement they make in regard to his proving himself is the way he has conducted his campaign. How soon we forget. Obama’s Campaign made as many if not more attacks than the Clinton Campaign and also were first out the door with those attacks.

I also don’t feel Americans need comments like those of David Gergen’s at this time. If I was a Voter in WV I would be very ired at being called a Racist for nothing more than employing my right as an American to choose a Candidate of my choice!

It is not the Candidates that are using Race as an issue it is the Media and the American citizens and it has to stop. It is destroying this Campaign and turning Demomcrats against Democrats. Surely Americans can see it is this type of destruction that is MAKING Republicans Smile. If Democrats want to see their Candidate in the White House it is time to unite and see both Democrat Candidates as Viable Contenders based on their leadership qualities, the issues and their plan of action on the same. Stop letting Media Hype interfer with what is truly important ! At the end of the day, it is Americans that will suffer if the wrong choice is made.

Last night I accidentally saw Anderson Cooper while working out. One of the pundits on the show claimed Barack Obama did not have any “fresh” ideas. Here are some of Obama’s ideas on the environment. I got them from a recent issues of Newsweek magazine from an article titled the Tree of Us by Jerry Alder.

Obama wants the following
1. A cap-and-trade syste to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.
2. Raising the efficiency standard of automobiles to 52 miles per gallon by 2026
3. Renewable energy to generate 25 % of US electricity by 2025
4. Having biofuels supply 60 billions gallons if fuel by 2030
5. He does support coal-to-liquid fuels if they emit 20% less carbon than conventional gas.
6. Believes that nuclear power is ‘not optimal” but sill should be used as an energy source.

Obama’s positions have a few flaws, albeit he has done some back-pedaling on certain ideas like clean coal. Syn-gas is environmentally a very dirty process, as is coal mining which pollutes the air and water supply. Nuclear power poses severe and costly problems with the storage of nuclear waste, as well as environmental damage. Obama also does not consider the possibility of producing algae from the emissions of coal-fueled nuclear plants, which could be turned into biofiel. He needs to specify that biofuels must come from supplies that do not compete with food crops. Corn ethanol is a lousy biofuel. He also needs to find ways to save the rain forests which are extremely efficient means of capturing carbon emissions. Like Clinton and McCain, Obama has said nothing about the rising level of methane in the atmosphere - a far more deadly gas that carbon dioxide

And according to recent reports by James Hansen,the chief climatologist of NASA, these stands are timid. By 2012, the polar ice cape will be gone. The Antarctic ice cab is melting rapidly. If we do not act decisively in the next 3 years - our whole civilization is doomed.

So your pundits are misinformed when they say Obama does not have any ideas. They simply do not cover those ideas. In terms of the environment. , while some of Obama’s ideas need revision, they are far sounder than McCain’s which amount to a perpetual gas tax holiday and promote nuclear power, which only mean higher energy bills for the future.

I’m disappointed that the DNC wont see the votes to the end and seems to want to simply take me out of this chance to cast my vote. I live in South Dakota and by all comments I hear and read, I simply don’t count. I am expect to side with Obama “just because” I support Hillary. That is not going to happen. Obama himself plays the race card by his constant reminders of “pity the poor little black boy” who grew up in Hawaii and private schools. He has no real record in the Illinois senate or in the Senate in Washington. My vote for McCain in November will be because Obama is not what I want to see in the White House. His own actions forbid me to vote for the complete unknown. I will live with my November vote if Obama is my only Democratic choice.

Why is everybody accusing white voters for racism? Black people where overwhelmingly for Hillary when she announced her candidacy. Then suddenly 95% of them turned their back to white women candidate and went for black candidate. If this is not racism than what is it?

Initially, I was not a Hilliary supporter, but the more I see and hear her, and the more the press bashes her, the stronger supporter of Hilliary I become. Obama can give a great prepared speech.. he would truly make a great motivational speaker, a pastor, or a used car salesman. Without his notes or teleprompter– there is nothing. He whines if debate interviewers ask him tough questions, and mobilizes with blind loyal followers to mount protesters against the interviewer. then he refuses to debate. I find him arrogant , very much like GWB, a little prince who is entitled. I will never vote for him— Many of us plan to write in Hilliary’s name in November, if Obama. The Obama coddling press should NOT determin who our candidates are! enough already. MLD

I’d like to set the record straight .The majority of AA’s are not “abandoning” B. Clinton but choosing the candidate that offers the most inclusive hope as they’ve always done (e.g. JFK, Carter ,Clinton.) If it were on ethnicity alone ,the Rev’s Jackson & Sharpton should have had larger support in tne AA community. in this campaign the racial divisiveness began thru the Clinton’s for obvious reasons.They should apologize to the country for agitating a problem that you’d expect someone in their position to lend resolution.The bottom line is any strides Black leaders have made benefited far more than than the AA community & that’s how true leadership should be,inclusive.

will some one please let hillary know that dinner is over and she can leave now?
her aguements to me are senseless. barack has shown that he can win more red states in the south and more swing states. the percentage by which he gets the white vote is much higher than the percentage by which she getss the black vote, even though blacks are only about 12% of our population.

Unfortunately, her largest wins have been a testament to the nation’s lingering struggle with racial prejudice. This is being played out for the whole world to see. I grew up in Pennsylvania and know first hand the level of racial intolerance common there as well as West Virginia.

How can Senator Clinton be proud of the statements she has made indicating that the white, working-class voters will not vote for Senator Obama… she should be ashamed of herself spouting this as if it is a bage of courage.

If she wants to end this race with any level of respect, and leave a legacy to be proud of, she should denounce her part in this and move toward building ONE AMERICA!!