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My Apology
Many people here know me as one of Obama's most outspoken critics on this website. It's true, at times I may have crossed the line and slurred the man. Please chalk it up to the heat and passion of the moment. You may also recall a time or two when I said that I would rather vote for McCain than Obama; later, I vowed to support and campaign for Nader in his independent bid for the presidency. I take it all back.
At the end of the day, I simply cannot stomach the thought of four more years of a Republican administration. Although for months now I have argued that Obama is inexperienced, callow and power-hungry, I have to admit that these were exagerations of real concerns that I had. They were the reasons that I preferred Clinton to Obama. They ring hollow as reasons to choose McCain over Obama.
I will vote for Obama. Not just because I cannot tolerate the thought of a McCain administration, but also because - after all is said and done - he might be a good leader. Heck, he might be a great leader - I'll even admit that. Time will tell. And that possibility alone stands in marked contrast to what I know of McCain. I have no desire to see any of his policies implemented.
I know that many of you have seen me as a far-right version of gotalife, or Otto F, or even "Present." Some have accused me of being a Republican in sheep's clothing. My friends would laugh at this--nothing could be further from the truth. I'm just a progressive who became deeply, deeply committed to his candidate. And I hope that I can become equally committed to Obama.
Now I seek to join the ranks of Louisville 1975, Armchair Gorilla, and Destor23 before them. This is my concession, and my apology.
Obama 2008!
At the end of the day, I simply cannot stomach the thought of four more years of a Republican administration. Although for months now I have argued that Obama is inexperienced, callow and power-hungry, I have to admit that these were exagerations of real concerns that I had. They were the reasons that I preferred Clinton to Obama. They ring hollow as reasons to choose McCain over Obama.
I will vote for Obama. Not just because I cannot tolerate the thought of a McCain administration, but also because - after all is said and done - he might be a good leader. Heck, he might be a great leader - I'll even admit that. Time will tell. And that possibility alone stands in marked contrast to what I know of McCain. I have no desire to see any of his policies implemented.
I know that many of you have seen me as a far-right version of gotalife, or Otto F, or even "Present." Some have accused me of being a Republican in sheep's clothing. My friends would laugh at this--nothing could be further from the truth. I'm just a progressive who became deeply, deeply committed to his candidate. And I hope that I can become equally committed to Obama.
Now I seek to join the ranks of Louisville 1975, Armchair Gorilla, and Destor23 before them. This is my concession, and my apology.
Obama 2008!
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Welcome.
June 5, 2008 1:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Welcome aboard. No apologies necessary. This is poltics, not bean bag.
Kudos to Senator Clinton for a tough campaign. Sometimes it feels personal but in the end it really is about what we believe is best for our country.
Lets go kick some cottage cheese in lime green jello (McCain) ass!
June 5, 2008 1:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
You should have written Hillary's speech last night!!
Welcome back!
June 5, 2008 1:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, even this baby has more grace and a better political ear than, er, certain politicians that shall not be named...
June 5, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rec'd, but I suspect a ruse. This post is too sincere by half for such a tricky baby.
June 5, 2008 2:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
snark -- of a very good kind
June 5, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's too bad people can't "negatively recommend" posts....
June 5, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Swaddled subterfuge.
That's all I'm saying.
June 5, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
HUH?!
June 5, 2008 2:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Somewhat of an impersonation.
I guess?
June 5, 2008 7:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Baby, are you just trying to fit in with the cool kids now that it's the pinnacle of TPM fashion to be a former Clinton supporter?
For making me laugh, I bought you a "beer".
June 5, 2008 2:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're right - it is cool to cross over from Clinton to Obama these days. I recommend that everyone do it. You get all kinds of love and affection from the Obama supporters. I figured, why let little details, such as the fact that I've always supported Obama, stand in the way of all that attention.
June 5, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is the most heartfelt speech of any Clinton supporter at TPM. I'm so moved that I'm crying besnottedly into my keyboard and throwing up a little bit you-know-where.
June 5, 2008 3:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, me too. Looks like people have very short memories.
June 5, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
How soon they forget. You go away for a couple of days and no one knows your name.
June 5, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Welcome to a shared purpose... restoring our nation and undoing the damage wrought by the Bush/GOP criminals that have held power for far too long.
June 5, 2008 4:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Allsburg, I think some people actually believed you. Have you no shame?
Nevertheless, welcome to the cult... err, club.
BTW who's Armchair Gorilla?
June 5, 2008 5:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am the poster who singlehandedly brought Hillary around to finally facing the reality of her doomed campaign. If you don't know by now, you haven't been following politics for long.
June 5, 2008 9:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
But I am not a gorilla.
June 5, 2008 9:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sure I saw you throw a banana once!
June 5, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe I have a little bit of shame. I did start to feel a little bad after the first few people left comments.
June 5, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, my child, that feeling is embarrassment. I don't blame you for wanting to cover yourself in the cred of an ex-Clinton supporter. We are an elite group of mangled souls.
June 5, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wait, so is it a good thing to be an elite group now or are you being self-deprecating?
June 5, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alls:
Did you REALLY think my statement that you should be a Hillary speechwriter was a COMPLIMENT?
Sometimes sarcasm is subtle, but don't think for a moment it isn;t there.
:)
June 5, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Touche. Now if you'd said McCain's speechwriter, I'd have been all over it. Although I'm sure I could do a better job than McCain's current speechwriters. And I'm only six months old.
June 5, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alls:
McCain has speechwriters?
I thought he was using an old copy of a John Birch Society recruitment flyer. :)
In any event, I imagine most 8 month-old babies could write more coherent and uplifting speeches than the stuff John comes up with.
But I will give John this, though. He CAN complete a grammatically correct sentence i English - which is more than we can say for George. :)
June 5, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's speeches really aren't that bad, composition wise. He just can't pull off the oratory to save his life. Even the train wreck from Tuesday night -- if I imagine Obama giving that speech, it sounds a gazillion times better.
June 5, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
To borrow a pre-internet comment about Patrick J. Buchanan, "I'll bet the speeches sound a lot better in the original German."
June 5, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now that's funny. Can you remember who said it? Franken maybe?
June 5, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, I should have googled first. It was Molly Ivins.
June 5, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Six months old? How can you support Obama, when your self-interest clearly lies with McCain? He has promised you bottled hot water should you ever become dehydrated!
June 5, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I heard him say that, and I'm still trying to figure that out.
June 5, 2008 7:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, I understand completely. It's trench warfare. But in the end, all the intra-party squabbling is just paintball. The real battle is against the Evil Empire. Now we go after McCain. I'm gonna enjoy this. As good Democrats like you begin switching into general election mode, I've got a feeling the Republicans are gonna wonder what hit them.
June 5, 2008 6:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rec'd. Consider the last 4-5 months water under the political bridge. Now, let's all go play "demolition derby" with the Straight Talk Express. :)
June 5, 2008 7:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
O I'm so glad to read this.
It is very big of Hillary supporters to come out and say this. I appreciate it - we are on the same side!
This is going to be a great election season - I know it. I am so ready to stop the acrimony and get started kicking the fascists out of our government and we all need each other! Plus, its' going to be great and I want all of you with all of us when we do it - we all got to this point together - let's kick some fascist' ass together!!!
Thanks, Allsburg. Thanks.
June 5, 2008 8:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Welcome aboard. And as for me, no apologies needed for supporting your candidate with a great deal of passion.
June 5, 2008 8:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
(I) Hillary Clinton, your future president, reject and denounce your obvious attempt to look cool by making a false jump on the "switch-to-Obama" bandwagon. Babies drool, they're not cool. So get off the Hillary->Obama bandwagon, and instead go back to the Obama->Hillary->Obama->Gravel->Obama bandwagon where you belong.
Leading the drooling baby vote!
Leading the drooling Gravel vote!
Leading you all!
Much Love,
Hillary/Gravel 08.
June 5, 2008 8:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let's do this!
You could be a massive asset in this campaign, recruiting your brethren, people who shared your concerns.
I hope you will. And I think you'll come to love Obama.
June 5, 2008 8:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
As soon as he learns to walk and talk.
June 5, 2008 8:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
The question is whether he will learn how before McCain forgets...
June 5, 2008 9:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Did you see the video of George H.W. Bush and McCain walking (tottering) across the tarmac in Houston together? They both had that old man shuffle. Like they need walkers or something. No offense to allsburg. I know he still holds onto chairs and stuff to get around.
June 5, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
And their secret closed door fundraiser (because you know McSame cannot be seen with him)
He he too funny
June 5, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hah! Nice one!
: )
June 5, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Allsburg......if your right..then you are so far right your left....always thought you were probably a card carrying member of the US communist party.......How wrong can one person be? :)
June 5, 2008 8:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am confused. I always thought your sympathies were with Obama, although it was hard to judge from your inscrutable avatar and tongue in cheek persona. Either way, we should not hesitate to criticize our candidate of choice. There's no disloyalty in that.
June 5, 2008 9:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
I suspect I may have been snarked.
June 5, 2008 9:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Your suspicion serves you well.
June 5, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed, our European friend.
I was really moved, after ACG said in a thread a few weeks ago that it would vote for Obama, to see ACG come out as an Obama supporter to the shower of love. But hey, there's enough love to go around this week, even for PDs who use AG for a moniker. ;)
Mad props to the baby.
Spaniard! Spaniard!
June 5, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a flip flopper.
What's a PD?
June 5, 2008 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I figured it out. I am a stranger even to myself. How depressing.
June 5, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps. Certainly Allenesque.
Maybe it's a Brooklyn thing?
June 5, 2008 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey guys, I'd like to have something clarified. Are we still drinking Kool-aid (and is that now the official drink of the campaign?) or is that over now?
June 5, 2008 9:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now that is a good question. I'm not really sure. Maybe in the interest of unity we've moved on to KoolAid spiked with Crown Royal?
June 5, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well played little baby.
June 5, 2008 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now lets go slaughter some McCaininites.
June 5, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Since I've only recently transferred my allegiance to Obama, I'm still looking for the few remaining Hillary supporters to hunt down so that I can get in on the action, however belatedly.
June 5, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, Obama really is pushing hard for the Ancient Hebrew vote:
June 5, 2008 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for this post. Hillary and Obama are so close ideologically, it seems their respective supporters should be natural allies. McCain and his gang are on the other hand miles to the right.
It is hopeful that if the Democrats can come together, we will be unbeatable. The NYT made a point about some of the big swing states that Obama lost to Clinton, including CA, NY, OH, NJ, NH among others. In all of these, Obama got more votes in "losing" that McCain got in "winning" the Republican primary. I think McCain is going to get buried in November, and your post ratchets up my optimism a bit more.
June 5, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
And all this time I thought you were an Obama supporter, in fact, I never thought you were anything but an Obama supporter.
June 5, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Right. It's all about the snark.
Baby, now you've been caught by Josh... (or not!)
June 5, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you sure? I have to say I'm really amazed, honestly, until today I thought he was an Obama supporter. I still think he was an Obama supporter.
June 5, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was, Bev; all along.
Look below for more info. (Hint: This is what little baby wishes to hear from Clinton supporters.)
June 5, 2008 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you positive? I could have sworn he supported Obama.
June 5, 2008 7:10 PM | Reply |