John Lewis Defects

[billythrilly7th]

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gvnRe70QBVkhy6TXOJTypSymFWvA

Civil rights icon and Democratic Party elder John Lewis Wednesday defected from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama, in a hugely symbolic blow to the former first lady's White House campaign.

The 68-year-old Democratic "superdelegate" made his decision after a period of public agonizing, but said he wanted to be on the side of history.
"John Lewis is an American hero and a giant of the civil rights movement, and I am deeply honored to have his support," Obama said in a statement.
The veteran Georgia congressman is one of the 795 party luminaries and lawmakers who can vote how they like at the party convention and may have a vital say in sealing the presidential nomination.

Buoyed by his wins in 11 nominating contests in a row, Obama has eroded Clinton's lead in the superdelegate count heading into pivotal nominating contests on Tuesday in Texas and Ohio.

"Something is happening in America," Lewis said.

"There is a movement, there is a spirit, there is an enthusiasm in the hearts and minds of the American people that I have not seen in a long time, since the (1968) candidacy of Robert Kennedy," he said.


Well said.

I think the superdelegates will align themselves with the candidate with the most pledged delegates.

They have to.

There would be an uproar of historic proportions if Obama was robbed.

The democratic party would cause irreperable damage to itself.

If Hillary has the most pledged, they should go with her.

But these types of defections are huge. The rest of the party elders will go with the will of the people.

"There's something happening in America."
KBC Band
1986

[Robert Toy]

The rest of the party elders will go with the will of the people.
How novel

[billythrilly7th]

How novel

:ROFL:

It would be a nice thing.

[William Haskins]

http://a547.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/127/l_52356ceb609932c17a5099855b4b618a.jpg

[sandyn]

And black supporters of HRC in Ohio are being pressured to lend their support to O'man also, made to feel as though they are 'Uncle Toms' or worse.

How much of Lewis' defection is because of race? Another story in the NYTimes suggests that has a lot to do with it.

The absolute worst reason to lend your support to a candidate is to be pressured to do so because of the candidate's race, religion or gender.

I find this incredibly sad. Not much seems to have changed.

[billythrilly7th]

http://a547.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/127/l_52356ceb609932c17a5099855b4b618a.jpg

http://voteforbreakfast.com/images/super_barack.jpg

[sandyn]

OMG, bt. That's a stretch, my friend.

[billythrilly7th]

OMG, bt. That's a stretch, my friend.

Yeah, but it's a cool pic!

[InfinityGoddess]

How much of Lewis' defection is because of race? Another story in the NYTimes suggests that has a lot to do with it.

I don't think the race issue has to do with it. I think it's more indicative of where the political winds are blowing, and it just happened to be in Obama's direction.

The absolute worst reason to lend your support to a candidate is to be pressured to do so because of the candidate's race, religion or gender.


Well, you know, there are women who support Hillary primarily because of her gender, and don't bother to look at how she does on the issues. Which, if you look closely enough, really isn't all that progressive compared to what most Democratic voters expect in their candidate.

Whereas Obama is probably further to the left (if only slightly) than Hillary. He's not ideal (at least in my mind), but he's somewhat better and thus, he gets more support from the unions and progressives as a result.

[sandyn]

I don't think the race issue has to do with it. I think it's more indicative of where the political winds are blowing, and it just happened to be in Obama's direction.



Well, you know, there are women who support Hillary primarily because of her gender, and don't bother to look at how she does on the issues. Which, if you look closely enough, really isn't all that progressive compared to what most Democratic voters expect in their candidate.



Was not speaking about Hillary or Obama when I posted this. Simply said that IMHO the absolute worst reason to back a candidate is their race, reglion or gender.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...

[InfinityGoddess]

Was not speaking about Hillary or Obama when I posted this. Simply said that IMHO the absolute worst reason to back a candidate is their race, reglion or gender.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...

And I'm saying that there are people who actually do support them on those basis, but that it isn't Lewis' reason.

[sandyn]

Well, we both know that's right...there are people who support a candidate because of race or gender. But still, it is sad...:(

[billythrilly7th]

The absolute worst reason to lend your support to a candidate is to be pressured to do so because of the candidate's race, religion or gender.

I find this incredibly sad. Not much seems to have changed.

The only thing worse than lending your support to a candidate because you've been pressurred are the bullies who pray upon you to do that in the first place.

I have zero respect for someone who says "You're a woman, you should be voting for Hillary" or "How can you not vote for Barack, you're black!"

The people who sucumb to this pressure I feel bad for. They should have had the strength to stand up.

Now...I don't know how any democrat who cares about this country especially after 16 years of bitter partisanship wouldn't vote for Barack.

Since their policies are pretty much the same.

Seems like the smart thing to do.

No peer pressure from an American who cares about his country.
;)

[InfinityGoddess]

Well, we both know that's right...there are people who support a candidate because of race or gender. But still, it is sad...:(

I'm a white gal supporting Obama. So I guess I'm a "traitor" to white womanhood. :tongue;

[sandyn]

Not at all, IG, so long as you're voting your conscience, not someone's else's. Got no problem with that at all. :)

And, bt, no pressure here. I'll vote for whomever I feel is right. If I decide I can't vote for whomever runs, I won't cast a vote. Have to vote my conscience...

So there! :tongue

[billythrilly7th]

Not at all, IG, so long as you're voting your conscience, not someone's else's. Got no problem with that at all. :)

And, bt, no pressure here. I'll vote for whomever I feel is right. If I decide I can't vote for whomever runs, I won't cast a vote. Have to vote my conscience...

So there! :tongue

Come on, ya gotta vote for someone. Not necessarily Hil/Bil or Obam.

Linden Ladouche.

Someone!

Thank you.