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May
8
Enough with the calls for Hilary Clinton to drop out!
Filed Under Black/African American Issues, Gender and Sexism, Politics by Sewere
I spent a good portion of my life under military dictatorships, right around the time I came of voting age, free and fair elections were stolen to be replaced by the Abacha dictatorship. It was the worst thing that could happen to someone just developing a sense of political empowerment and civic participation. That same gut wrenching feeling hit me on November 8, 2000 and settled in for 8 years.
I’ve said all of the above to say this, this is the first year that I and many others ( given the high voter registration) have felt a sense of ownership, a feeling that our voices will be heard and reflected in the political process. That is why those of us following the democratic primaries are eager to see the process play out. Which is why it is angering and disappointing to see people calling for Hilary Clinton to drop out. Such calls (almost all by men) smack of sexism, subverts the democratic process by tainting the nominee’s win and runs a serious risk of alienating voters.
This is why it is vitally important that the process follows its proper course. That despite the vile course the campaign has taken, the disappointment in seeing supporters use foul play in support of their favored candidates and the media harp on sensationalism rather than the issues, it is of the utmost importance that democracy be upheld whatever the cost. That Obama AND Clinton see the primaries through to the very last one. Call me naive but I believe the democratic process is what is most dear, not the candidate.
(Ok, ok I’m getting off the soapbox and heading back to writing the 3 papers and 2 presentations due in the next couple of days)
Comments
25 Responses to “Enough with the calls for Hilary Clinton to drop out!”
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A candidate who drops out when continuing to run serves no purpose IS part of the Democratic process. There’s nothing undemocratic about suggesting a candidate should quit. When this happens, it means the process has played itself out and that people have had their voices heard.
Did anyone hear Republicans arguing that they should all be allowed to have their voices heard after Romney conceded the race? No. Why you say, because Romney had no chance to win? Exactly.
Ooh Sewere! Right on!
re: my comment about President of the US and black community! I didn’t realize it was condescending until you pointed it out but the context was whose fault was it he’s not vetted in that “area.”
@Gandalf,
I disagree. I think it is left for the people to make that decision not leaders. That is the essence of what I’m trying to get at. I find it problematic that she’s been told to drop out when she still wants to go on. That is her choice to make, no one else’s. Although you can be sure that I will continue to harp on her if she continues to use racist campaigning. That you can count on.
Hope this makes sense. I’m working on 4hrs of sleep here.
@Donna
I don’t understand what it is you’re trying to say. And you’re still harping on the “vetted” trope
Ah! But if she continues the only way she can win is for the leaders to make the decision. The popular vote has already made it clear, more people want Obama than want Clinton. All she can hope for is that enough “Superdelegates” (aka the party leadership) decide in her favor.
You said it was condescending to say he’s running for President of the US not President of the black community. The context was he’s given speeches on racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia but not sexism. He’s condoning the sexism and benefitting from it.
Obama supporters obviously don’t read Clinton blogs because some of it is harsh. In the last couple days, I’ve reflected what’s out there because Republicans will be BRUTAL. I wrote this about criticizing sexism of moc:
Its okay to accuse men of color of racism (Wright), classism (Bittergate), homophobia (McClurkin) and anti-Semitism (Hamas) but not sexism because women are not valued in society. The first four involve men. So the inability to accuse men of color of sexism is more about sexism than racism.
And if this happens, then it most definitely would not be about what the people want.
DD, listen to yourself. What you are in essence saying is that you’re just “passing” on the racism not really “producing” it.
I should have known better to re-engage you in discussion.
Gandalf,
I agree on that account, however voting as yet to conclude and the few voters who are clamoring for her need to be given their day. That is all. If she refuses to see the folly of continuing on a campaign in debt and racist appeals, then she is doing the best thing, ruining her legacy. And that will be a clear signal to voters.
Obama supporters are shocked at ANY criticism of their candidate. It’s unrealistic when you see what’s out there and what he will face.
I suppose I can see why calls for Senator Clinton to drop out may be sexist–but I think saying that all calls or most calls for her to drop out are sexist is too simplistic.
The intersection of racism and sexism in the Democratic primaries has been fascinating to watch–but I have to say that I agree with Latoya Peterson at Racialicious who had a post in which she looked at the charges of sexism made against Senator Obama and then the charges of racism against Senator Clinton.
Is Barack Obama sexist? Undoutedly he has some stuff he has to work out about gender and sexism (as we all do–my own stuff is more internalized since I’m a woman, but I know it’s there).
But I do think Senator Clinton should drop out. And I think asking her to drop out, respectfully, does not mean I’m perpetuating sexism–I think that at this juncture the numbers and the popular vote and the will of the people have spoken. The democratic process as we know it in the U.S. has worked. And that isn’t really saying a lot given the last 8 years, but it is inspiring to see so many people turn out to vote and campaign for both Clinton and Obama (and to a certain degree Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee also enjoyed populist groundswells among first time voters/political activists as well).
I have no idea whether Clinton or Obama will do better against McCain. But I think that if the Democratic party has any shot of beating the Republican nominee we have GOT to be united and Clinton has GOT to stop with the racist tactics–the fear mongering. Asking her to stop her campaign doesn’t mean I don’t support women in the political process–it means that we need to get serious as a party and unite around a candidate in order to not have another 4 or 8 years of Republican mis-leadership in this country.
I could buy that for the most part the active calls for her to drop out are sexist, but on an individual level, I think people are really concerned about the election in November. At this point, if I understand correctly, if the delegates vote as they have been “told” to by the popular vote, there is no way for her to win the nomination. And I sure as heck hope the stupid “super delegates” don’t take matters into their own hands and go against the popular vote. But that’s a whole different story.
Personally, I don’t hate Clinton. I really don’t. I think she is absolutely capable of the job and I’d vote for her over McCain in a heart beat, but the voters HAVE spoken and her continued fight is providing nothing but ammunition for the republican party in the Nov election. She’s doing their dirty work for them and that I find distasteful. I’m not saying the Obama campaign is pure from distasteful mudslinging, and if the situation were reversed and she was the person with the majority votes, I’d be suggesting HE drop out and stop the mudslining. They need to stop battling each other, so we can get on to trying to win the general election because McCain for the next four years will simply add more fuel to fire and create even larger problems.
I just can’t figure out what the point is of continuing to fight if it’s basically already pre-determined who will get the nom?
>I just cant figure out what the point is of continuing to fight if its basically already pre-determined who will get the nom?
I’m an ABC voter – “Anyone But mcCain.”
As to why there isn’t overwhelming pressure for Clinton to back out, I tend to think that at least some people in the Dem leadership are thinking, perhaps high-mindedly, that having virtually ALL the states vote in a primary, and at least have the chance of mattering, is a long term benefit to the party. I mean, if someone in the leadership were NOT vested in the next 4 years, but was looking towards 2012 and beyond, the party is potentially building base and registered voters, between the increased interest, media attention (essentially free advertising), and higher voter turnout.
Of course, there’s no way to tell how much of that is really true, particularly in states where you do NOT have to be a registered Democrat to vote in the primary. I tend to think that Mr. Limbaugh’s importance is vastly overrated and overinflated, but if even 1% of people are not voting with their true intentions, it may be significant in close races.
And although I’m too young to remember the McGovern primary races, Rep. McGovern has recently said that he fears a Democratic party that to all appearances (actual or not) looks like a divided, divisive group after the primary season that leaves the Republicans the winner. It’s NOT 1984 (Orwellian or Gregorian). But I have to at least entertain the thought that McGovern’s instincts may be right.
I want Clinton to drop out because an Obamma Presidency will help diminish the feeling that African Americans cannot achieve greatness. A win for Obamma translates into an amazing increace in African American positive attitudes about their chances for sucsess in this Nation. I will cry great tears of Joy along with most African Americans is Obbamma gets elected. I think that most people who visit Rachels tavern will do the same.
@ Interracial Power
Ok, I’m not certain if you’re actually serious or just looking to start something… But I will give you the benefit of the doubt and engage you.
The problem with statements like this is that it is either naive or willfuly ignorant. Obama is not a messiah to black folks, he is not running for president of black folks, he is running for the president of the united states that means asian, latino, white and yes, black people. Any right thinking person will want a fair candidate not one who will benefit their group over others.
The sooner you understand this the less disappointed you will be.
Sewere: Amen, brother. Amen.
interracial power: Dude, put ANYONE on a pedestal and there’s only one way to go (and it isn’t UP). The only one who thinks that “African Americans cannot achieve greatness” is you, my friend. Not me. I think you’ve internalized the very stereotypes you claim to be against.
I think the great Hilzoy really gave this discussion what it deserved. She [Hilzoy] is just pointing out what’s clear: Hillary Clinton (whom I very much respect and think would make a fine president) has lost the primary, in the same way that Mike Huckabee has lost the GOP primary even though not all of their states have voted. She’s lost because there’s no non-negligible shot at her becoming the nominee.
@ Sewere & Lyonside
You were both correct that my statment was over the top. I will clarify myself I believe that too many people both African American and people of all races have less than the optimism for Black people than they should. They overestimate the negative hurdles that racism, nepotism class and culture clash pose to African Americans. An Obamma Presidecy says Yes we can to the world. The little guy wins not the one with the most connections like Hillary Clinton. Bush,Clinton,Bush,Clinton sounds alot like nepotism and the power of family names. Obamma has come from nowhere to be a real contender. Hillary has squanderd her opportunity. Rush and the Repulicans want this fight to go on as long as possible. An Obamma victory would make a big positive difference in the fight towards greater racial harmony. It will not solve all racial problems but I will be in tears no joke if it happens. Tears of joy for race relations. I am a man, but I am having a huge man crush on an Obamma presedency. We need a black person in charge in the White house that is a true change. Bush,Clinton,Bush,Clinton is somthing more like a roal family.
Mike Reynolds,
I figured something was fishy when I saw the interracial power handle and figured you were spouting the same crap you’ve always been spouting. What are you trying to do by switching handles?
As to your latest screed, if you just needed a black person in the white house why weren’t you chanting for Alan Keyes when he ran for president?
Can’t wait to hear the twisted racial response you’ll give my question.
Sewere I liked Allan Keys but he has no chance.
> I liked Allan Keys
And that, indeed, tells me all I need to know.
Ignore, folks, we’re hitting brick walls again.
Hilary Clinton’s continuing to run a campaign when most political analysts agree she cannot win (the math is not on her side) is a waste of time for the DEMS. Yes, in the democratic process she can continue to run. However, the fight between Clinton and Obama only strenghtens McCain’s chances of winning in November.
Funny or maybe just typical hypocrisy that the very SAME people screaming ’sexism’ don’t seem to care that much about the RACISM that has for y-e-a-r-s existed in the ‘feminists’ movement. They bemoan the ‘old boy network’ yet run to that very same one when stuff gets too hot for them to handle bottom line a lot of these screaming mimi feminazis have been using their gender,wiles,and white privilege to get their way. And for those of you who call out Barack supporters I wonder if ANY of you were attacking and criticizing the white females who were often there with their white male counterparts throwing stones and bricks and spewing racial slurs at the Little Rock 9 or James Anderson.
*eyeroll at the use of “feminazis”* Um dude, the same could be said for the Civil Rights movement and sexism. Everyone’s got issues to deal with, and no ideology is perfect/ only espoused by perfect adherents.
holla,
You need to read more than one post on this site because we routinely decry racism, and in particular, the person who posted this piece also routinely decries racism among white men and women.
Furthermore, I don’t need to hear your nonsense about “feminazis.” You need to find a less offensive term if you don’t want me to ban you.