A Response to Salon’s Story on PUMA: The Most Important Reason Clinton Voters Will Not Support Senator Obama
By Ani on June 23, 2008 at 1:40 PM in Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, David Axelrod, Donnie McClurkin, FISA, Health Care, Hillary Clinton, Iraq, Israel, Just Say No Deal, JustSayNoDeal.Com, MoveOn.org, NAFTA, PUMA, Qualifications, Race Card, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., Tony Rezko, William Ayers, Women and Children
Salon magazine published an article today: “Will Clinton supporters vote for Obama?,” by Rebecca Traister. The story’s subtitle: “The attack of the PUMAs, or a dozen reasons why Clinton voters are still too angry to come home.”
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Here is the main thing your article fails to take into account, and the main thing every single media outlet in this country likewise ignores: The number one reason we will not support Senator Obama for President is that he is not qualified for the job.
Surprised? Let’s examine this more closely.
This man has missed over 40% of his votes in the Senate. If one examines the votes he has missed, they actually are politically risky and require moral courage. So far, he has exhibited little.
He voted “present” 130 times in the Illinois State Legislature and voted “wrong” six times, i.e., he said “oops, I accidentally pressed the wrong button” — so either he is incapable of multitasking, or he is dishonest, just making choices for political expediency.
Aah. Thou hast hit it. What are the clues to his actions as nothing more than political expedience and opportunism:
A man who sits in a divisive and racist church for 20 years and lies about his knowledge of the contents of these sermons, then throws the church under the bus when it becomes politically critical for him to do so.
A man who is closely associated with the likes of the convicted criminal Tony Rezko, buys a house with his help, receives $250K in campaign contributions and allows Rezko’s slum holes to flourish in his State Senate district while likewise claiming ignorance — yet lies before the American people and says he barely knows the man and only did five hours of work for him years ago.
I will not even delve into his long working relationship with the man from the Weather Underground, ex-terrorist Bill Ayers, which he has likewise downplayed and/or denied.
This is a man with a questionable record on women’s rights, voting ‘present’ numerous times, who has also said “many pro-choice Democrats don’t understand that abortion is a wrenching moral issue.” Really? How insulting.
This is a Democrat who campaigns in South Carolina with Donnie McClurkin, an “ex-gay” man “reformed through prayer.” I wonder to whom Senator Obama was pandering in that state?
This is a man who runs slightly to the left of Hillary Clinton only to flip flop on every position he originally took including: public financing, FISA, his positions of Iraq withdrawal, the Iran threat, Israel, NAFTA and more.
Senator Obama is a man who insults the Bill Clinton presidency, a time of peace and prosperity, while extolling virtues of the disastrous Reaganomics. He calls himself a Democrat?
Most devastating, Senator Obama is a man who, together with his campaign manager and surrogates advantage themselves at every opportunity by playing the race card unjustly.
Senator Obama is the product of splendid marketing. Nothing more. Even MoveOn.Org, naively endorsing him without vetting his true positions, is starting to turn on him — realizing that, they too, have served their purpose and are now going to be thrown under the bus as he must move to the center to shore up his flagging presidential bid, as his initial “American Idol” appeal is now waning.
So, please, do all of us ‘bitter’ voters a favor and stop mischaracterizing our motives. Some of us actually have principles and put our country before our party. We care deeply about America and about our fellow citizens of every background. We would like a person of solid character with a consistent record and sensible, coherent policies to lead our nation. Someone with a 35 year history of working for the rights of children, women, veterans’ benefits, first responders, health care and education. Someone who will take a tough stand on the issues and have the courage of his or her convictions.
For your information, I have just described Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
:::::::
See my previous story here, “An Open Letter to Vice President Gore.”
But this is the one that just jumps out at you. Obama (voting “present”) did not vote yes or no on a bill that would allow certain victims of sexual crimes to petition judges to seal court records relating to their cases. Obama cast the lone present vote in a 58-to-0 vote. Obama’s campaign said he believed that the bill violated the First Amendment. The bill passed 112-0-0 in the House and 58-0-1 in the Senate. He was the ONLY vote not in support of sex crime victims! There is just no excuse or rationale for that. Is he the ONLY person in the entire legislature to see that the First Amendment violates the right to privacy of the victim? And which part of the Amendment is violated? Religion? Speech? Assembly? Press? Petition? When I stumbled upon this in the Trib article, I just stopped. It is so important to victims of sexual crimes – be they men or women – that nothing you say or do after that point of departure is meaningful. It is a callous lack of regard for the human and humane rights of someone once victimized. And there is no way to explain “present.” None.
I’d like to see someone with the guts to ask specifically about this particular “present” vote (in detail) during a debate and ask Obama to explain his rationale.
This emply suit has absolutely NO business being a candidate for president!
You summed up my thoughts precisely with this….
“The number one reason we will not support Senator Obama for President is that he is not qualified for the job.”
Thank you.
Hmmmmm…..That was my # 1 reason until I realized Obama is a FASCIST…..He is corrupt. GOOD ARTICLE.
**** OBAMA IS UNFIT FOR ANY ELECTIVE OFFICE ****
Beautifully written piece.
Yes, he is not qualified, but the fact that he doesn’t realize his inadequacy for the position is what is really frightening. It’s #43 all over again.
Let’s send suggestions to McCain’s camp about what to ask Obama.
I despise Barackula, just loathe him and what his supporters I know are starting to understand about me is that I won’t come around. Ever. See for me, it was never that I was so much pro Hillary, although I did like her and am a huge supporter now, having watched her power and strength for months. No see, the problem with me is that I’m not exactly pro Hillary. For me it’s always been that I am Anti Obama. You can’t chnage that either. no VP pick or Roe v. Wade scare or issues can undo the fact that the guy gives me the creeps and I see him as a blatantly narcissistic, arrogant, lying, con man! He can’t change that no matter what. I am 100% pure Anti Obama. I will not ever knowingly elect a fraud as POTUS. Never. Let me repeat just to be clear, never!
probably just mis-pressed one of those pesky darn ol’ button thingys again.
Hey, how about a YouTube video about some of Obama’s more blatant “present” votes and his “oops, I pressed the wrong button” votes? Flineo — this is a suggestion for you!
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/12/20/america/20obama.php?page=2
Used to read the International Herald Tribune when I lived in London … why are the best journalists not in America?
It proves that Obama is only interested in political expedience. he takes both sides of every issue so he can tell the voters on both sides that he is on their side.
There is a post today at Riverdaughter responding to the Salon article as well, and the emphasis in that post regards the fundamental issue of Obama’s illegitimacy as the nominee due to a manipulated primary process.
For me, his inexperience was the initial reason I was not drawn to him. That has became more apparent as a liability during the debates and the primary season. He does not understand diplomacy–even within his own party–or know how to manage conflict. Then, I started to notice the overbearing arrogance in many different instances. Oh: and don’t forget the weak character, race-baiting, sexist contempt, and continuous lying.
These all add to the conviction that he is unsuitable for the presidency, but like the Riverdaughter post, for me the most basic issue is the unethical and manipulative behavior of the Obama Campaign and the DNC. The disenfranchisement of 2 states (until it was politically convenient to include their delegates in an fraudulent manner), and the RBC’s lack of integry and principle is non-negotiable. They ignored the will of the people, violated their own Party Charter, and decided to carry him across the finish line, selecting the nominee for us. For that reason alone, I will never vote for him and endorse the party’s abuse of power.
This defies understanding.
And if he believes so much in Freedom of Speech, why has he hired his Internet gang to shut us up???
The Obama Rules
1. If his mouth moves, he’s lying.
2. If he writes anything, he’s plagiarizing.
3. If he’s against something, he’s really for it but only as
far as it will help him.
4. If he’s for something, see above and invert.
5. If you disagree with him, you are a racist.
Feel free to add on. There have to be sub-groups of all of these.
The Jelloman (AKA: BOBO the magnificent)rules
1. If his mouth moves, he’s lying.
2. If he writes anything, he’s plagiarizing.
3. If he’s against something, he’s really for it but only as
far as it will help him.
4. If he’s for something, see above and invert.
5. If you disagree with him, you are a racist.
6: BOBO will never say to the camera what he can get his campaign to say to thousands of reporters behind the scenes.
7.If he calls you “sweetie”, he means, stay out of my way and behave, if you want me to call on you.
oooooh! to quote Merv Griffin
I like that one a lot!
Well if Tim Russert had done his job (you know the one that everyone said he was passionate about) I think he would have brought up some of this important information.
Hmmmmmmmmm! Why didn’t he?
cause he worked for GE, immelt , also, sam nunn-board member there board member of Chevron, Iran, Iraq Venezuela oil hmmmm
GE does business with Iran..
uhm hmmmm
Hi Beebop, I have a friend who is challenging me when I say that Obama has no record of supporting women’s rights. She refers me to the Naral website. Do you have a link to the information you are giving above?
I’d also appreciate from anybody other links that give any info on Obama’s actual voting record on reproductive. sex-crime victims or women’s rights.
The link is there from the International Herald Tribune. Your friend needs to do some research! Hope doesn’t make it so!
The Independents website lists voting records for all politicians. Go there. It is great!
When the NARAL PAC endorsed Obama over Hillary Clinton they had a massive revolt of their members and because of it they have lost tens of thousands of members and donations. It’s Hillary who’s good on women’s rights repro or otherwise.
Over on John McCain’s website a few weeks ago, he had a little quiz about the differences between his and Obama’s voting records. One of the questions was, “Who was the only senator to vote against the ban on human cloning?” The answer was Senator Obama, and Obama was quoted as saying, “I pushed the wrong button.”
I sure don’t want that man anywhere near any buttons that might launch a nuclear attack. Do you?
Probably, Obama wants to clone himself. He didn’t press the wrong button. He wants the Obamas from Brazil. ( had to change the title of that movie, to prevent be accused of being a racist, not that that would stop his followers. Hell, to them the word fairytale is racist. Personally, I think he was offended by the word “Fairy”, since he’s is still in the closet.)
LOL….Perhaps he already has and the Obama Clones just cannot get
their actions and facts straight…..Hmmm let’s see…..
Obama clone # 1 - great teleprompting skills. Lousy at improvisation.
Obama clone # 2 - may be prone to joy riding in Limo’s.
Obama clone # 3 - Enhanced jive dancin skills but poor bowler.
Obama clone # 4 - Enjoys waffles but poor ability to control pouting.
How many clones could there be……chuckle…..curiouser and curiouser….
How many clones? As many as it takss…and in his case it takes a village.
that’s hella funny.
beebop-
I dont think he can cast a positive vote when it comes to womens rights, which most sexual crimes are commited by men against women, that would go against his true beliefs. That of saria law. Racist, Marxist, antisemitic, dishonest and the list goes on and on. Same reason he can’t put his hand on his heart while pledging allegance to our flag or why he can’t wear the lapel.This is what I have come to believe. He will throw each and every supporter of his under the bus. He just needs to be through with them. Why we can see his true colors and so many others can’t. Already so many with voters remorse. I can’t believe it has gone this far. Brazile, Oprah, Pelosi and the like should read what you have posted hear. How could they be so naive? GOD BLESS AMERICA….
The author writes a piece about how Obama makes politically expedient decisions when voting, and you back it up with an example of when he was the only one to not vote in favor of a bill.
Wouldn’t the politically expedient thing have been to vote along with everyone else? Seems he is wrong for going with the crowd and wrong for going against it.
Of course there is a way to explain it, for instance his floor statement at the time. He was actually a sponsor of the Senate Bill but when the language was changed he felt it violated the First Amendment and he explained why.
The “present” vote really was an accepted tactical measure in the Illinois senate although Obama did a crummy job explaining that. Usually it was done in a larger group but Obama was the sole several times and either solo or in a group of 6 or less voting present 36 times. There is almost always a floor statement on the record and when he was the lone present vote it was almost always constitutional.
Look whenever there was a claim made for or against one of our candidates I researched it. The Present votes sound bad but they are not, it didn’t mean undecided, Several papers have researched the votes and there was just one they felt might be him being unwilling to take a side for political reasons, just before he rab against Rush for US Rep. (Not this vote) One of the articles I remember was in the NY Times and it was called “It’s Not Just ‘Ayes’ and ‘Nays’”
When Obama doesn’t even know how many states are in the United States, what type of allegiance does he have with this country?
amen!!!
don’t forget for one minute that this isn’t a fight either… we must fight for the country’s sake against Obama and his band of crooks…
a. hillary
b. mccain
america first!
Obama is a liar. Obama and a pliant Democratic congress would be the death of this country.
Does anyone remember what happened when the Republicans controlled both the legislature and the executive?
I believed Clinton could stand up to the Dem congress, but I know Obama will not. He has no principles, he changes as the political wind blows.
I want divided government. By all estimations the Dems will increase their numbers in congress. I will vote for McCain in order to have checks and balances. Let the two party’s fight it out, and come up with compromises. I do not want to see what the Dem congress will rubber stamp for Obama.
Divided Government ‘08′!!!
On the chance that Obama is elected, for the first time in my life I’m voting republican. And not just for the presidential slot, but all the way down ticket. On the chance that Obama is elected, I want as many republicans down ticket as we can get.
Gotta say I agree. McCain is not my “protest” vote. I truly believe he is the better candidate when against Obama. My protest votes will be the down ticket dems — namely any dem that openly supported Obama during the primary.
Neither of mine are protest votes, but are more towards trying to keep the checks and balances in order as much as possible.
also agree
same here. Check & balance.
I do NOT TRUST Obama. He is a disrespectful,egoistic PHONY!
Not fitted to be the POTUS of my great country.
America needs a break from another incompetent,deceitful,dishonest leader, whose,”opps, I press the wrong button,” is so SCARY!
An 8th grader is smarter than Obama: 57 states!
Spoken like a true democrat.
Mawn, What a great idea! Oh, wait…what you suggest is simply the reinstatement of our checks and balances as our forefathers intended. Well, you’re still brilliant–it’s a concept long forgotten by too many!
P.S. LOVED the Constitution they wrote, didn’t you? I highly recommend it to all Americans as a great and informative read. Heck, I even recommend it to politicians! ;))
Obama is a Political Coward! Always was and always will be! Those of us here in Illinois that have PAID attention to this man know this all too well!
He votes when it is politically convenient for him to do so and he does not when it suits his needs! he is nothing more than a Political Slug! PERIOD!
Yup, I totally agree with the quoted reasons!
NOBAMA EVER!
Amen from me!
This was the most condenscending article I have read in quite awhile.
yes the Salon piece is right up there with NBC jackaxx Capus saying women will come back to MSNBC b/c they have nowhere else to go..
heard of Fox Capus? moron..
Walter Shapiro’s companion article about how we will all come home because we have nowhere to go was even more infuriating. At least Rebecca Traister offered some of the reasons that we are , lets say , UPSET!
Both writers came to the same “nowhere to go” conclusion however. This just tells you that if we don’t vote for McCain, the Dems will never get it and we’ll be outside the loop forevermore.
OH! I just had to remark and break from reading to comment after seeing this ““Will Clinton supporters vote for Obama?,” by Rebecca Traister. The story’s subtitle: “The attack of the PUMAs, or a dozen reasons why Clinton voters are still too angry to come home.””
Are the only ones in the B O Camp delusional? We ARE home. They’ve taken over the Club House to make their own rules, drink and deny reality. We choose not be be a member of their Club, that’s all. After all, someone is going to have to get back to real responsibility when they’re done playing house.
OK, now back to read the rest.
When Salon publishes this stuff, it’s all the more reason to create an even more powerful backlash against Obama. Talk to your friends and neighbors and warn them about Barackuda.
Government should go back to its strictly constitutional functions. To put it bluntly, quit taxing one man at gunpoint to put a check in the hands of another man.
Hi Ron Paul - what are you doing here?
Let me put it this way, with apologies for tweaking a little saying of the late RFK.
I look at liars already in public office, and ask why.
Others look at liars not yet elected, believe them and ask: why not?
John, wouldn’t you enjoy watching Barky and Howard take that writer’s bullshit advice, just so you could watch them bleed?
Uppity:
I sent you an e-mail. Don’t know if you got it but any help you can toss my way, I would be forever in your debt.
Me too!
“When Salon publishes this stuff, it’s all the more reason to create an even more powerful backlash against Obama.”
Exactly.
These Obamabots in the media still haven’t learned to keep their ignorant, arrogant big mouths shut.
Please remember Hillary will now have to say “nice nice” to EMPTYSUIT. That’s the way it works.
Don’t forget in November all the lies.
WE WILL REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER.
The media, the DNC and the Obamabots are still in denial. I thought they had moved on to anger, but they have regressed back to denial. None of them want to admit the truth. I think accepting the truth would shatter their world view that they’ve created for themselves.
They won’t be in anger until they lose in Nov. Then watch the finger pointing as they tear themselves apart.
There was an intersting take at Real Clear Politics that they always blame the messenger. Looks like this time there will be plenty of messengers to take a hit.
“The media, the DNC and the Obamabots are still in denial. I thought they had moved on to anger, but they have regressed back to denial. None of them want to admit the truth. I think accepting the truth would shatter their world view that they’ve created for themselves.”
Definitely.
They’re deep in denial. I think that they will progress quickly to anger and bargaining in late August if/when the Supers officially hand Mr. Flim-Flam the nomination and more Hillary supporters throw their support behind McCain during the Republican convention about a week after the Democratic convention.
Five months will not be enough for Obama and his sleazy minions everywhere to erase the memories of their scummy behavior and the blatant hijacking & theft of the Democratic nomination. Many are still in deep anger about Bush and thieving Republicans stealing the Presidency - and that was EIGHT YEARS ago. So kool-aid drinkers thinking that all will be forgotten in November is simply ridiculous.
OH YEAH! Well said Ani and thrilled to put my name on this post in agreement!
so what’s wrong with vindictive?
bitter is a tad passive. it must be wishful thinking on their part.
They just HOPEY we won’t vote against him … the polls will show them that we not changey our thinking with regard to the Big Stinky!
they confuse bitter angry with committed and determined
The BOBOweenies seem to see all things opposing their dear beloved jelloman, BOBO the magnificent as bitter, hateful, or racist.. LOL even the traffic lights.
I will not support Obama or vote for him!It’s a sad day when we have a great democrat as Hillay R Clinton and in which she has won the big states and bell weather states and more and now they want to use senator Hillary R.Clinton to help Obama win the states that Obama did not.
We all saw and heard all the treatment and the planned election from Donna Brazile-Howard Dean said.
I would think they wanted a democratic to win.Hillary was that person but with the bashing-msnbc and more Hilalry stil won hands down.It’s really not that they want a democart-It’s which one the democratic candidate they want to win.but that one was
And she won the popular vote.
A man and a woman are living in the same house. The man lies to a woman and dispects her in every way possible. The woman has had enough. She finally leaves the house.
And she doesn’t come back.
She’s still too angry to go back home. But she’ll eventually get over it and come back to daddy.
PUMA
Barack Obama is the kind of guy who thinks he can break her jaw and then come home later with flowers.
Uppity-
I believe that is his mentality. That is why he is married to the kind of woman as mo. She has that entitlement mentality which fits right into his type. She is always the victim. Pittiful isn’t it?
Ghetto Presidential Seals, Chocolate Cities, All Whites Off The US Dollars. 40 oz bottles on the White House Lawn, People we got to stop this Obama madness. Rappers are already talking about Freak Neek up in the White House. Obama wants a Ghetto World…Jay Z singing Got 99 problems but a bitch aint 1. DJ Quick spinning the joint Bitch Better Have My Money and Farrakhan and Wright leading the White House Prayers On How To Beat Whitey Azz Today.
Go away Fred. Your comments are not part of a civilized discussion.
Although Fred’s comment is out of line, it does raise an important point. I’m tired of Dean’s DNC and the BO campaign viewing everything through racist glasses. Us criticizing him has nothing to do with the fact that he’s Mulatto. He’s incompetent; period.
But you know, I’m a typical white person, right?
The Obama campaign keeps instigating the RACE CARD, and then blames the opposition.
Obama, “and did I mention that he’s black”.
Obama and Axelcrap have a strategy to get the Black Vote pumped up for a high turnout, and get the White Guilt Sympathy vote. It worked in the primary, but will likely backfire in the General.
Why? No one wants to be called a racist from someone standing on a racist pulpit.
Most whites are going to tell Spike Lee to cram his Chocolate City up his Chocolate Ass.
Spike Lee and the Hip Hop Gansta Culture is a loser for Obama.
But that is what the O’boy campaign will get for fanning the flame of the RACE CARD.
BTW - A high black turnout at best could win Obama the popular vote concentrated in the large cities. But he will lose the votes in the key swing states, and lose in the Electoral College.
Fred is just giving us the scenario created by Obama & his supporters, who is using the race card since day one. To the surprise of sane voters, it worked!
I am so burnt-out hearing the Obamas, DNC, Chicago dirty political machine using the race card. Obama is getting once again the free pass from the media.
Never do they talk sense about issues. Flip-flop, YES!
Is this what Obama means when he says “Change”?
Pathetic! Michelle is right.
The pissed off electorate is a lot more silent than you are big guy. They will give you your message on November 4.
So many real life people seem to offer anecdotes about disenchanted Dems that they know, more often than not, longtime ones. It is hard to know exactly how many of us are out there, but the subject just doesn’t seem to go away, so I doubt that its a phantom issue.
I guess we will only know for sure on Nov. 4 how much staying power it has. My guess is that based on how the Dems are telling us to get over it and Obama doesn’t really want to waste any of his precious time assuaging Hillary supporters, it will not go away in time for the election. Heck, many of us are still smarting about the obvious chicanery of the 2000 debacle — what’s a few months?
Now that’s funny.
Agreed. Barak is a fraud to his supporters but we see him very clearly. It has been very educational though. I though that Black Liberation Theology had disappeared along with the Black Panthers and that people decided to put civil rights into action. Good to know that Farrakhan and his ilk are still screaming about white devils. He sets civil rights back 100 years.
And sets back women’s issues in the workplace about 50 years.
Obama can’t campaign with that JayZ song anymore. It turns out Michelle is a problem.
lol
Don’t forget them baggy ass pants with their underwear showing.
<a href=”WaPo
Oh yeah. We’ve seen so much of the “white” side of Barack Obama. Hmmmmmmm. Ninety Nine Problems and the Bitch Ain’t One!
Only one problem and it’s that bastard.
LITTERALLY!
Just as I predicted last week. Next flip will be now he’s more white than black. Whether it comes out of his pandering lips or not, the inference is right there in front of you. It’s made to appeal to liberal white guilt and those who can pat themselves on the back for being racially inclusive. In the meantime, he kisses up to BLT and Farrakhan. He’s disgusting.
Yeah, down is up, wrong is right, backward is forward, white is black and black is white. It’s almost Roveian.
Oh, oh! Wasn’t it said that if he were a white man he’d have never gotten this far? I agree with Ferraro BTW. Anyway, he might want to stay black. If he’s white, he just looks inexperienced compared to McCain. Not to mention Black is t