Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a nominee…!
We return from our terrible lack of updating to join in the celebrations as Barack Obama officially won enough delegates this evening to secure the Democratic Presidential nomination. (Yes, we’re celebrating – it’s been fairly clear whose side we’ve been leaning toward this primary season, right?)
Obama’s win was certainly expected, so why are we so excited? I suppose we could purely cite the fact that our nominee of choice will definitely be facing John McCain, but it is so much more than that. Regardless of political affiliation, I think we can all feel extremely fortunate that today we have witnessed history in the making. What happened today will be going down in the books our children will be reading tomorrow, and considering the grim happenings of the past eight years, Obama’s nomination is a breath of fresh air and a gust of hope for a better tomorrow.
Of course, there is really no shock that Hillary Clinton didn’t concede tonight – I didn’t think she would. As I watched CNN this evening, I was a bit perplexed to see that so many of the political analysts were flabbergasted by this fact. Of course she’s not going to give in the second the official victory has been reached – she’s spent the past weeks and months going strong despite the best numbers being against her. For the record, I don’t intend for this statement to be a scathing one towards her – Clinton has clearly demonstrated her ambition to be President, and I don’t doubt her ability for the position. My main problem with Hillary these days is that she has now morphed into a populist against a system, which she previously endorsed when she thought she’d have the nomination in the bag. Despite the shortcomings of her campaign, I would not expect or even be offended by the fact that she didn’t resign – it’ll come in the next few days, folks, so let’s relax and look to the months between now and November. Hillary Clinton is not enemy number one, is essentially the gist of my message.
There has also been renewed talk about the “dream ticket”, after Clinton stated today that she would consider being Obama’s VP. I’m personally not sure how well an Obama/Clinton ticket would go over considering the strong disenfranchisement many people have with the Clintons, but if the Obama campaign has proven anything, it’s that new ideas can certainly trump the status quo of Washington politics, so we shall see what fruits will bear of this ticket, if it does occur.
For now, there will be no bitching, because I for one, am ECSTATIC that we have finally arrived at a conclusion at the end of the primaries, and won’t have to wait for this mess to drag out until the convention in August. I raise my glass to Barack Obama for the amazing campaign he has led, and for a great presidency I’m sure he will lead.
Jason said,
June 4, 2008 at 6:15 am
This is a great day and I couldn’t be happier! Personally I want an Obama/Edwards ticket. Because I think Clinton incites the gop’s base to come out and vote when alot of the right wing may not partically want to come out and vote for McCain. Plus I think Edwards would be a better VP.
Brittany said,
June 4, 2008 at 6:19 am
I am so happy that the democratic party finally chose a candidate, and that is Barack Obama. While I am not anti-hillary, I was concerned that Hillary would not have the support to win a general election. I am so happy that Obama was chosen!!!
As for as the “dream ticket”, I think it would be against Obama’s better interests to choose Clinton as a running mate. I agree with what you said about the being so much animosity towards the Clinton. I think that choosing Clinton would lower his supporters. Personally, I think John Edwards should try again for VP. =)
hilere said,
June 4, 2008 at 11:40 am
Whoo!
Alanna said,
June 4, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I agree that people need to calm down about Clinton not conceeding yet. She will, and in the meantime we should all just be happy that the primary season is over (for the most part) and that we got the right person nominated.
Instead of whining about Clinton, we SHOULD be focusing on the general election, since the outcome of that could be MUCH scarier.
Helena said,
June 4, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I’ve already discussed this with you Elysa, but………SQUEEEE and JUMP UP AND DOWN FOR JOY!
I completely agree with you on the Hilary aspect. I also think that Obama wouldn’t want Bill Clinton to come with th e package because of how he’s turned out to be these past few months. Any suggests on VP? I’m still for Clark. =]
SQUEE!
-Helena
p.s. I love you guys!
Helena said,
June 4, 2008 at 6:29 pm
OH! And also, can I just say how thrilled I am that he’s coming to my county tomorrow for a RALLY that is TEN minutes from my house!? YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
Meagan said,
June 4, 2008 at 8:13 pm
YES!!!!!!!
Obama ftw!
Tiffany said,
June 4, 2008 at 8:56 pm
w00t
that is all.
Sara said,
June 4, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Obama is all frosting but no cake: All talk and no substance. I don’t see why so many people think he’s so great.
Kevin said,
June 4, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Ya know, in the beginning I couldn’t tell where you stood. And I kind of thought Obama.. but, now I’m 99% sure. Yeah, yeah I’m sure. My social studies teacher was like “One reason that ticker won’t work is Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton working together and having to fight over Barack’s attention.. you know I’d want him to win and her to be VP just to see that happen next year and so I can talk about it in class.” He got fairly excited. I saw something that Obama would only offer the VP to hillary if she promised to decline!! Trying to save face and get what we want?
lizbeth said,
June 5, 2008 at 1:01 am
i kept looking for this post yesterday. I am sooooo excited he’s the nominee, and I’m not thinking about hilary, i’m not concerned about her anymore.mccain is the main person to worry about. but, i’m optimistic about obama’s chances
John said,
June 5, 2008 at 1:13 am
Yes i was extremely happy with the result. I knew Hil was not gonna quit that day. But WOAH im so so so relieved this all ended and now we can focus on defeating the old toad (McCain)
Tom_F said,
June 5, 2008 at 7:09 am
About time! I just hope all the undecided voters aren’t turned off by some of Obama’s more “radical” policy moves. It’d be a real shame to be stuck with McCain. As for the notion of Clinton as Vice…meh. I think a black (well, sort of) man AND a woman might be a bit much for y’all down south to handle (no offence!!!)
Michael Murphy said,
June 7, 2008 at 6:29 pm
AMEN!
Brazz said,
June 9, 2008 at 12:43 am
Hillary announced her support of Obama’s campaign today! Woot!
Mallie B said,
June 10, 2008 at 11:27 am
I really doubt Clinton will get any position in the new Obama campaign, let alone the VP spot …… that’s just too many drama queens on one ticket ……. and plus if you get HIll … you get Bill!! No i think Obama is gonna find some no name …… because if your VP is more well-known that you …. that’s not good.
Jules said,
June 11, 2008 at 3:57 am
Well, I’m from the South, and honestly, Tom_F might be slightly right. There are some people who would totally flip out at the idea. However, you would be surprised how many Obama fans there are here. I think around 2/3 of my school supports him, and so do the majority of people I talk to.
While I was raised by two Republicans, including my die-hard, basically “republican or bust” father, I hope Obama wins. He has always been my favorite of the candidates (even though that doesn’t exactly mean too much since I strongly disliked almost all of them), but I think right now our country needs someone like him. I saw him when he came to my city, and he has amazing public speaking skills along with inspiring ideas. He really knows how to connect with his audience, and I was truly captivated even though I did disagree with some of the things he said (particularly regarding the economy and war in Iraq). But I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what’s going to happen in these next months, and I, too, am optimistic about his chances.
Elia said,
June 17, 2008 at 4:25 am
Wow! Finally! A nominee that doesnt make me want to go into a coma!
ladycynic said,
June 18, 2008 at 5:23 am
Long time reader first time poster. I completely agree. I was hoping they would unite after it seems Hillary just cant help herself..
josh said,
June 20, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I have a bitch request, please. The day that Obama won the nomination I was all excited and I came upstairs after his breath-taking speech and was like, “Hey, dad, Obama finally won!” and he was like, “I don’t like him.”
So I was like, “??? Why?”
“I don’t trust him. Have you seen that video about him not saying the pledge of allegiance? Is that the kind of guy you want leading the country?”
All the air in my Obama-balloon burst because my own father has the uneducated tenacity to pull something as meaningless like that into an election where other people are concerned about things like ending wars, weaning ourselves off of nonrenewable and destructive sources of energy, our disgusting healthcare and health insurance system, and revisiting the educational system. I wanted to scream, “What in the goddamn hell, dad! Sorry if he looks different than you!”
Of course he’d deny that he’s racist, and he’s not grossly so, but he still begins any story about a person who happens to be black with, “So this black guy at work . . .” or whatev, but he never says, “So this crazy white bitch at McDonald’s the other day . . .”
Oh well. Obama will win. I made my first money contribution to the campaign today (http://www.barackobama.com) and someone matched me dollar for dollar. Since he’s not relying on the public financing system, that’s getting more important now.
Anyway, rock on girlses.
–Josh
Helena said,
July 29, 2008 at 1:18 am
Hey Laura and Elysa!!! Could you guys make a post about the ANNOYING AND NON FACT BASED ad that’s going against obama by Stupid Idiot, Bush-reincarnation, and hypocritical McCain on the troops? It is completely non factual and it’s really something to bitch about.
Tank said,
August 7, 2008 at 1:23 am
How about the Paris/Britney ad, and Paris’ great response?
Isabella said,
August 20, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Hey Elysa and Laura. Don’t mean to be rude but update the site!!!
lizbeth said,
August 22, 2008 at 3:22 am
Update! Please! I’m begging you!!!
It’s been practically two months.
Kevin said,
August 24, 2008 at 6:21 am
Agreed Liz Beth!!
We have a VP!! Let’s hear what you guys have got to say!!
Mallie said,
August 26, 2008 at 1:01 am
I’d love to hear your guys thoughts on Biden as VP …. is there any chance that we’ll get a new post before the conventions over???