Drumbeats from Francis Holland inform us that a group calling itself the Committee to Unite the Democratic Party seeks our signatures for an online petition asking Hillary Clinton to concede defeat and support the Democratic ticket led by Barack Obama. The online petition is a letter to Sen. Clinton and the DNC that reads as follows:
Villagers, if you think it is time for the Democratic Party to bring the bickering to an end, then you are encouraged to take a moment to sign the petition now. View the signatures of others that agree with the principle of this online petition. What say u?
The signatories to this statement urge that Sen. Clinton concede defeat in her quest for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination and support the Democratic ticket. Wherefore:Sincerely,
- The Democratic Party base has spoken. The delegate count shows that Sen. Clinton cannot win the nomination on the strength of earned delegates, based on the will of the voters.
- Sen. Clinton's political attacks upon Sen. Barack Obama have increasingly appealed to and sought to increase resentment against others based on the color of their skin.
- This divisiveness is regrettable because, via the presidential candidacy of Sen. Obama, the vast majority of African Americans stand united with millions of white Americans and Americans of all colors, genders, ethnicities and religious backgrounds, erasing divisions to implement a program of Democratic change. Together, we're making history!
- It appears that Sen. Clinton is about to shatter this historic unity. Don't let her do it!
- We therefore call on Sen. Clinton to face the reality of the earned delegates count, concede defeat, and thereby contribute to healing a wound which is opening and continues to widen. It's time for healing.
- Sen. Clinton must wholeheartedly support the winner of the nomination, who has earned the most delegates, and devote herself honestly and enthusiastically to defeating Republican electoral hopes in 2008, not attacking Democratic politicians and Democratic constituencies. Tell Sen. Clinton to stop her divisive tactics!
- Should the Democratic Party leadership nullify the people's votes by giving Sen. Clinton the nomination, despite the popular will as represented by earned delegates, we would then call upon African American voters and all Democratic Party constituencies and supporters to withhold their support from a Sen. Clinton candidacy in November. We have survived eight years under President Bush and, if compelled to do so, we will survive four years under a President McCain. However, we cannot and will NOT survive the nullification of our most hard-won right ... our votes. We're not going to take this lying down!
The Undersigned
Villagers, if you think it is time for the Democratic Party to bring the bickering to an end, then you are encouraged to take a moment to sign the petition now. View the signatures of others that agree with the principle of this online petition. What say u?
8 comments:
Thanks for posting this, Wayne! The above version has some energizing choral call and response lines in it, but everyone will be actually signing the formal version, without the call and response, at PetitionOnline.Com.
I laugh at these type of Petitions. They rank up there with the same petitioning to impeach Bush and Chaney from their Offices. It all talk.
The thing is, what are the Ethical reasons why Hillary Clinton has to bow out? According to the rules, she has every reason to stay in the race. Her numbers in delegates, Super delegates, Popular Votes are reflecting her viability for the nomination for President. Since the Primaries are not over, there is still a race going on. And according to the rules, she has the RIGHT to continue.
Then there is also the fact that anything can happen between now and November. If you recall, prior to the Texas/Ohio Votes, if those States had gone Obama, the argument would be valid and those supportive of Obama were pushing the same argument and petitions and yet Hillary Clinton won. There is a sizable number of supporters, more than 43% of the Nation. More, depending on who has the momentum at the moment. So to have a petition demanding that those 43% to 46% to just lie back and accept Obama supporter's request to disenfranchise their opportunity to the promise of Democracy. Not even Obama would make a public or private statement to that accord. If the role was reversed, Obama supporters would want the same democratic consideration for their candidate.
The Law of Energy is that it is not forever sustaining, once the source of sustenance is exhausted, so to is that power. With the Momentum of the Obama campaign and the 5 week gap before the next round of votes, a lot can happen to exhaust that energy. This will give time for people to rest and or examine/re-examine their candidates. Depending on the issues, this could HELP or HURT both candidates. To petition Hillary to leave the race would kill all purpose for this break. If anything, it will backfire and have Hillary Supports come out in greater NUMBERS, bring about negative media attention and possibly be viewed as an aggressive and BULLYING tactic by the Obama Camp. If the Clinton Camp were pulling in numbers consistent with less than 25% or Obama was winning in consistent double digits, then the Petition would have merit. Since this isn't the case, the petition is a moot point.
Very interesting.
I don't like Hillary, am not a Hillary supporter, and am not likely to vote for Hillary. That having been said, my question is WHY. Why should Hillary concede? Because the delegates are split, because the black folks don't like her, because it will be easier for Obama, or easier for voters to pick sides?
That does not seem fair or ethical to ask her to concede based on that. If there was some proveable, unethical, illegal behavior than that would be different. But since there isn't I don't understand the rationale.
That is the equivalent of saying because someone is ahead of you , you should quit, don't try harder, don't fight for it, just concede to someone else.
I say let them fight it out...
Peace & Love!
Francis - Glad to be of assistance. It is always good to see Black bloggers taking the initiative on issues that impact our community...
Shazza - I accept your laughter and the fact that you feel online activism isn't worthy of your time or attention. Your comments are well-taken as well...
Regina - It's the big picture. The big picture is that it is not about Hillary. It is about the presidency. If the Democrats want to take back the White House and achieve a 60% super-majority in the US Senate .. then they need to cease & desist on the scorched-earth-kitchen-sink campaign strategy of Hillary Clinton. She has no chance to win the nomination. In chess ... when you have no chance, you concede. Hillary should concede...
I'm #43. End the nonsense now. Way to go Francis and crew.
Martin - Thanx for the support. it appears that we will be calling for a Day of Blogging next week. I hope that your blog is part of the chorus...
Please, Hillary, do what's right here. We do not want your 30 years of experience. Those days are gone thank GOD.
Don't think this is a racial blog, I am a 62 year old white female & Hillary is not my type at all.
If Hillary can BUY the Democratic nomination, I will go back to being a republican.
I did not contribute $1. on my income tax form for fear that Hillary would get it.
In favor of the Democratic party please listen when America asks you to step aside, Hillary
Shirl - Thank you for sharing your village voice with us this weekend. Hopefully, Hillary will hear you and the rest of us and concede the nomination so we can focus on beating McCain...
Out of curiousity, Shirl, what was your take on the speech last week by Barack Obama on race relations in America?
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