Well, we see today on MyDD something of a pushback against the idea of Democratic unity in this coming election.
To some degree, the initial split was caused by a polarization: Clinton supporters were damn sure that she was the best candidate, and thought the race validated that assertion. Obama supporters were damn sure that he was the best candidate, and thought the race validated that assertion.
Now, we have a different polarization: those who think that unity is the best course, and whose who do not want to embrace it.
The solution to this new split isn't going to be found because one side is "right." Even if unity supporters are "right," it will not matter unless you can bring everyone in behind the idea of unity. If those who want to disengage are "right," than the nomination shouldn't have gone to Obama, but it won't matter unless they can convince the super-delegates of that.
I don't care how right you think you are.
If you, an Obama supporter, personally insulted Clinton supporters ONCE, and you're now tripping over yourself trying to be nice, I can understand how someone sees your kindness as false.
If you, a Clinton supporter, personally insulted Obama supporters ONCE, I can see how an Obama supporter may not completely trust you.
The great fallacy of elections is that the person best for the job wins. That's not true, nor will it ever be true.
The winner is the person who can convince the most people that they are the best for the job. (If you think Clinton was this person, shoot me an e-mail and we'll talk)
Even if unity is the best course now, your task isn't to browbeat everyone here onto that course. Your task is to make it possible for them to do so. I recently sent an e-mail to Larry Johnson, which read in part:
Barack Obama is shrewd. He is conniving. His image doesn't match how much of a conventional politician he is. He chose not to defend Bill Clinton from racist allegations. He welcomed an overwhelming, race-related black vote. He had some members of the media in the tank. He was wrong on Selma and on his Great Uncle. He chose not to heavily invest in Appalachia. He does have strong relations with lobbyists. He did knowingly sit through harmful sermons on race.Bill Clinton is not a racist. Hillary Clinton is not evil. The media did have sexist commentary. The market did have sexism. This sexism cost Clinton votes. Hilary Clinton would be a stronger candidate in an election today than Obama.
The message is truthful, but it doesn't represent all of my feelings about Obama; I have supported him for over a year now. Instead, my message was written for Larry Johnson, and it worked; Johnson was very respectful and reasonable in his messages back to me.
Your task, unity supporters, is to convince others that unity is best now, not to repeat the reasons you believe it is. People are hurt, angry, upset, and annoyed. If they stay this way, it doesn't matter how wrong you might theink they were to hold that opinion.
What will matter is that you didn't turn them around.
It is possible, I promise you, and I've done it more than once. You thought it was self-evident that we should have elected Gore and Kerry, but America didn't. If you treat unity the same way, relying on it's "self-evidence," then you squander the strong supporters of Clinton who can do us so much good.
Unity ain't cheap.
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