Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy

Dear Senator Leahy,

You have commented that Senator Clinton does not have any good reason to contest in elections/primaries. While I can give you several, I shall just give you one- Democracy. I know it is a bold concept, hard to fathom even for somebody with your knowledge and intelligence, but it is one for which several people have fought for and even died for. It is also sort of mentioned in the Constitution. You know that document that you should have read in your capacity as the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee, but one that you have obviously not read thoroughly enough to grasp all the nuances.

So, my humble advice to you is instead of bullying people into forgoing their rights, maybe you should go back and read that document. Oh, while you are at it, you may also look at a phrase called ``High Crimes and Misdemeanors'' and  start using my tax dollars for what you are supposed to do as opposed to taking away my right to express my opinion on who should lead this country. If you are incapable of doing so, maybe we can find somebody else for that job. There are several more capable senators ready to take over that job (Senator Feingold comes to my mind).

Thanks.



Display:


Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 6)

RIGHT ON!  What is Obama and his surrogates afraid of?  A fight??  That doesn't bode well for the fall election.  Obama needs to get out there and continue to make the case to the voters as to why he's the most electable (which is doubtful, in my view, anyway).  


by Middleagemom on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:20:38 AM EST

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

I don't know they're necessarily afraid of anything, just ready for the fight to be over and onto John McCain full-time.

There ARE serious issues and risks to Senator Clinton's career and the Democratic party if this continues too long, but moreso if she and Obama can't play nice. If she keeps telling people "Vote for the nominee, even if it's not me," focuses on her strengths as a candidate, hits John McCain, so she's not perceived as trying to tear down Obama and the Democratic party, she can run until the apocalypse, for all I care.


Hooray for John McCain!
by ragekage on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:30:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 8)

Agree. I just sent him a letter calling him out as a hypocrite with primaries still to go. On top of it he supports a politician who thinks he can dodge counting votes that go against him or drag his feet on revoting for the same reason. Total, ugly hypocrisy.  


by pixclick on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:24:26 AM EST

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 0)

So, can you tell me honestly if the roles were reversed, you'd be screaming at Clinton for her hypocrisy and telling her to shutup and let Obama run?


Hooray for John McCain!
by ragekage on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:31:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 6)

It's a matter of being a legitimate nominee. It's in the interest of both Obama and Clinton that the party be unified around a candidate that won nomination with votes from all the primaries.


by pixclick on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 11:19:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 2)

Including Mi and Fl.


by owllwoman on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 01:17:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

Please stop abusing the ratings system.  If you disagree with someone you do not have the right to troll rate.


by SocialDem on Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 08:07:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

If the race was that close, absolutely. (I'm not a rabid Clinton supporter, though...I just think Obama would be better served by winning some more primaries instead of whining about having to finish out the primary season with another candidate in the race.)


by Alice in Florida on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 02:03:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 7)

Hillary has them runnuing scared.  I cannot imagine any other reason for demanding that a candidate drop out when she is only 1 percent behind in the vote.

Yeah - just one percent.  That figure includes the votes of over two million democrats in MI and FL.  For wnyone to refuse to include their votes in that count means they advocate a 48 state strategy and ther is no way our convention won't be seating those delegations.

And count on this guys - Hillary will NOT be divvying up the delegates contrary to the will of those 2 million voters. We either have revotes or we seat those delegates.  BO will NOT be stealing her delegates.


Donate to Hillary Now!
by alegre on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 10:34:52 AM EST

Yep, this race isn't over... (2.00 / 5)

And far too many votes haven't even been counted yet. Patrick Leahy just can't declare this "over", not when Florida & Michigan Democrats have yet to be heard... And not when far too many states have yet to weigh in.


Help Clintonistas for Obama help Democrats win! :-)
by atdleft on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 11:03:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

if roles were reversed... (none / 0)

If Obama had won MI/FL and was calling for them to be seated despite the violations... if Obama was behind by an insurmountable pledged delegate count and rapidly losing his superdelegate lead... and if a Hillary-endorsing senator asked Obama to drop out under the cirumstances...

Would you hold ANY of the positions you hold today?  Would you say the MI/FL delegates should be seated?  Would you say it's not fair until all the states have voted?  Or would you be joining the call for Obama to drop out?

And please, be honest.  This is for science.


Pave the Earth: One People, One Planet, One slab of asphalt
by fat lady singing on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 12:36:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 6)

I think they are worried that the more exposure Obama gets the more danger there is that something like Wright will crop up.


by Scotch on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 11:19:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

why did you troll rate me on another diary scotch?


"Me Fail English? That's Unpossible." Ralph Wiggum
by canadian gal on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 01:28:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

I don't remember doing that.  Where is the comment?


by Scotch on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 04:05:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

http://www.mydd.com/comments/2008/3/28/2 34323/908/5?mode=alone;showrate=1#5


"Me Fail English? That's Unpossible." Ralph Wiggum
by canadian gal on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 04:06:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 1)

Sorry, it was a mistake.  I changed it. :)


by Scotch on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 04:09:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

FL and MI CHEATED (1.00 / 1)

Seating the delegates as is would be voter fraud, and I'm embarrassed by the Clinton campaign and any other Democrats who support it.  The DNC established the rules, including the calendar, Hillary agreed to it, and those states CHOSE to violate it.  Deciding cheating is okay because it's advantageous to you after the fact is morally wrong and undemocratic.

Michigan in particular was problematic.  Obama wasn't even ON the ballot there (because he was following the rules), so your call for seating the MI delegates as is means the DELIBERATE disenfranchisement of countless Obama supporters.

The state of Michigan offered to do a caucus within the rules, and both the DNC and Obama agreed, but Hillary refused (herself, not through surrogates).  Why?  Because her campaign doesn't have the ground operation required to do well at caucuses.

If you want to call for seating the Michigan delegates because you'll take every single advantage, no matter how unfair, for your candidate, be my guest.  But don't you DARE get on some "disenfranchisement" moralizing high horse and pretend you're doing it out of respect for the downtrodden peoples of Michigan.  It makes you look petty and creepy.


Pave the Earth: One People, One Planet, One slab of asphalt
by fat lady singing on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 12:33:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

Still saying this, even though realclearpolitics has the pledged delegate gap at 6%?


We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.
by politicsmatters on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 01:06:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

I am sure your attitude would be the same if the roles were reversed.

BTW, there is no constutional right to vote in a party's primary.


by mefck on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 11:11:25 AM EST

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 3)

And I'm just as sure that you wouldn't mind if your vote wasn't counted if it was your vote we were talking about.  Simplistic comment you made.


by Scotch on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 11:14:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 0)

My vote didn't count.

I was in one of those latte-liberal boutique caucus states where Obama kicked Hillary's ass, and therefore my vote was less important.


Pave the Earth: One People, One Planet, One slab of asphalt
by fat lady singing on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 12:38:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

That's a really sad story.


by Scotch on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 04:13:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Actually yes, my attitude would be the same (2.00 / 4)

I have always maintained this attitude and for this reason I have always supported  Nader's right to run as an independent candidate. This was my attitude also when people were asking for John Edwards to drop out. As for primaries, I am not a Constitutional law professor, but my guess is that since primaries are funded by state all the usual equal protection clauses apply. For example, if a law passes tomorrow that a certain section of the population (say women) cannot vote in such and such primary, I think it will be declared unconstitutional.


by ann0nymous on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 11:18:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (2.00 / 6)

The people calling for Clinton to step down, have no concept of what they are doing to themselves and Obama.  They apparently don't have enough of an understanding of human behavior to know that the more they call for it, the more they are alienating the Clinton voters, who make up the majority of the registered democrats in the country so far.  They are solidifying anyones idea that they will not vote for Obama. And they are losing their own potential voters.  I can't believe how absolutely clueless they are about this, and the effect it is having on people.  Dodd is another, who doesn't seem to have a clue what their public display of partisanship is doing.


by Scotch on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 11:11:39 AM EST

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

I guess Democracy trumps free speech in Hillaryland.  If you think Senator Leahy is wrong then, by all means, call him out.  What you are doing, however, is basically telling him to STFU because you don't like what he is saying.  That ain't cool.


Consider that everything which happens, happens justly, and if thou observest carefully, thou wilt find it to be so. -Marcus Aurelius
by Blue Neponset on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 12:40:23 PM EST

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

I am a Clinton supporter, and I think she still has an outside shot at winning the nomination. Leahy could talk all he wants--it's a free country, after all--but calling for my candidate to drop out at this stage is a turn-off for me and, I'm sure, for other Clinton supporters. It's one of the many things that have gotten me upset by this election and have me questioning my 27-year Democratic party affiliation. Fortunately, Obama himself was much smarter in his response. THAT earned my respect for him--and potentially my vote.


by jerseygirl on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 12:58:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

Life is a series of compromises.  I have no respect for Hillary Clinton but I will vote for her if, by some miracle or tragedy, she wins the nomination.  If you think the Democratic Presidential nomination process has been so bad that you would potentially stay home on election day then I don't think you have a very good perspective of what has happened for the last seven years.  I would much rather have a President I don't respect if it means we have a competent FEMA director.  I hope you come to that conclusion when Obama wins the nod.  


Consider that everything which happens, happens justly, and if thou observest carefully, thou wilt find it to be so. -Marcus Aurelius
by Blue Neponset on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 01:10:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

Hey, sure, of course Senator Clinton can stay in as long as she wants. This is a free country.  But you have to wonder how long that can be, considering her unpaid bills and campaign debt. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/030 8/9259.html

At some point, the Clintons will have to decide if they want to spend years raising money to pay people back.  

And if I were a donor, I wouldn't throw any more money into that sinking ship - behind in the polls and with maybe a 10% chance to get the nomination.  Then again, all her big donors have already maxed out, so she's keeping the shift afloat (such as it is) with money from people who are willing to scrape it up from their budgets.


We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.
by politicsmatters on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 01:13:30 PM EST

delegate numbers (none / 0)

By the way, how many delegates do you think Obama will have picked up from this weekend's activities in Texas?  And will it be more or less than what Clinton is likely to win in PA?


We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.
by politicsmatters on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 01:16:25 PM EST

Re: delegate numbers (none / 0)

Which bring up the question...what is Obama afraid of? His campaign is clearly much better at wheeling and dealing...he will have no trouble getting a majority of superdelegates unless something very weird happens by the end of May (what Hillary is hoping for...if it doesn't, I don't see her really fighting it all the way if there's no chance to win.)

The best thing for both sides would be to listen to Sen. Feingold (if only the Senate would do that more often!) and "cool it."


by Alice in Florida on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 02:09:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

Only after he sent people out to demand Hillary leave the race. Classy, umm no. Planned, Yes.


by owllwoman on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 01:20:25 PM EST

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

I think that was snark from TexasDarlin.


by splashy on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 04:12:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

Reading this site has may have changed my view about Hillary's withdrawal. I was for it, because I think she can't win (specially after the sniper thing-- the film is just too funny to not become her identity.  Screwing up is bad, but screwing up in a way that makes people laugh was fatal. The crowd was shrieking when they mocked it on NPR's "Wait, Wait Don't tell Me" yesterday) ,and turning the pubs out of the White House has is so important this time.

McCain is the one who should be the focus.

However, surviving the attacks and mud flinging seems to just make Obama stronger. He even seems to have turned the Wright thing into an advantage.

For reasons I don't understand some Hillary fans are
 passionate about her personally.

It is perhaps worth enduring the process of her losing publicly and absolutely so that conspiracy fantasies are somewhat moderated.


John McCain: Cheney with a temper
by wrb on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 02:18:37 PM EST

Re: Dear Senator Leahy, its called Democracy (none / 0)

Agreed.  Even Obama has said she can stay in as long as she wants.

However, for the remainder of the campaign our two candidates (and maybe more importantly their supporters) need to call about the issues and stop trying to make the other candidate unelectable.  

Also, whichever way this is resolved, the losing candidate needs to throw his or her support to the winning candidate and his or her supporters need to follow.


by chewie5656 on Sun Mar 30, 2008 at 02:23:47 PM EST


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