Welcome Pumas! Wow. We have gathered an army of united Democrats here at Puma PAC. A look through the threads shows how ready we are to speak with one voice to the DNC and the country. We are protesting the 2008 Presidential Election because we refuse to support a nominee who was selected by the leadership rather than elected by the voters. Today we start making our voices heard.
In the comments below please write the reasons you will be protesting the election in November. Be specific. Use your best reasons. Be passionate, but dignified; firm and sincere. Be to the point. 50 words or so is ideal. Be personal — tell the reasons you have decided to take such a drastic action against the party to which you have been so loyal and supportive for so many years. This is about us — not about John McCain, Barack Obama, or even Hillary Clinton.
When we have 1,000 responses to this thread, Puma PAC will print and deliver 1,000 separate post cards to Howard Dean, chair of the DNC. Please address your comment, “Dear Dr. Dean” and close it with your first name, your county and state, and Puma Democrat underneath.
Refrain from foul language, threats of any kind, and ad-hominem attacks. Comments with unacceptable content will be deleted and not sent.
New users, you can register to comment by clicking on the “register” link in the right sidebar. AS requested there is a permanent link in the right sidebar, under “Pages,” for people to contribute to Puma PAC. We are going to need funds to get our work done, and every contribution, no matter how small, really makes a difference.
If we get more than 1,000 responses, well then we’ll send 10,000. Tell your friends. Let’s start making noise!
UPDATE June 8, 2008 at 7:30pm: Please only post letters to the DNC on this thread. There is an Open Thread above for discussion of all other topics. Feel free to repost your comments from here to the Open Thread if you’d like.
THE LETTERS ARE AMAZING! Lurkers, newcomers, and shy people — PLEASE JUMP IN. Read some of the other letters for ideas and inspiration. We want to hear from all of our members.
717 comments ↓
Re-post letter to Super Delegates . Feel free to copy and post anywhere you wish . And will someone please put me on the list under Texas (East Texas)
Donna Brazile had stated early on in the election process that ,”If the Super delegates choose the nominee…” she would ‘leave the party’ . Apparently she meant if the super delegates don’t choose HER candidate , she will leave the Party because this is exactly what has happened. Ms. Brazile was a major player in the undemocratic decisions made by the r&b committee to literally steal votes from the candidate the people have chosen , Sen. Clinton . Donna Brazile has shown herself to be a hypocrite of the worst kind , and her actions , along with those of the other members of the r&b committee who supported this unfathomable action have imbued this party in a way that has created a deep wound that will not easily be healed . We will not fall in line and support Obama – he is NOT the choice of the people . Neither will we support ANY candidate in ANY state that has perpetuated this violation against the 18 million of us who voted for Sen. Clinton .
Not since the days of slavery and the ‘3/5 personhood ‘for slaves in the original Constitution has any American’s vote been counted as less than a full vote , but the leadership of the DNC seems to think that giving half votes is somehow appropriate in this election .
Sen. Clinton’s words on Saturday were moving , and inspirational . Her dedication to this Party , and to the causes she believes in were resounding , and the accolades that were given to her by her opponents made it abundantly clear why she is the nominee of the PEOPLE .
Her decision to support Obama going forward is exactly what you would expect a leader of her caliber to do . Unfortunately for the DNC there are millions of us who will NOT forgive the misogyny and sexism ,the unscrupulous tactics , the ridiculous dispersement of delegates via the caucus system , the theft of votes in Michigan , the awarding of half votes for Mi. and Fla. , and the attempt by the DNC to silence the voice of the PEOPLE by inserting their own candidate at the top of the ticket .
We will not forgive these infractions on our rights or affronts to our dignity . The actions of the DNC leadership have only served to make us stronger , and we WILL FIGHT for what we believe in . We are unified in our dissent , and WE ARE STRONG . There will be no falling in line behind a candidate we did not choose , and any elected official who chooses to ignore the will of the people of this broken Party may very well find themselves defeated in the fall .
Now , as Super Delegates , you have the opportunity to correct the mistakes , and amend the corrupt policies of the DNC that have divided us to the extreme .It is your responsibility to take the necessary measures to CHANGE the primary voting procedures to ‘one person = one vote ‘ to eliminate the caucus process , to adhere to the standards of counting every vote and to ensure that the popular vote determines the nominee .
You have the chance to heal this Party . The decision is your’s , but know this , we are NOT happy , we are NOT weak , and we are NOT going away . PUMA Democrat
I am protesting the 2008 Presidential Election because I have volunteered for the party since 1976. I thought it was the party of reform and change. I have come to find out in this primary that has become the party interesting in silencing the voices of many of its members. Too many of the party leaders stood silent themselves on the sidelines and condoned the sexist attacks on one of its most important figures during the primary. The Democratic Party is no longer my party.
repost no write ins plz
http://mfoster.com/misc/write_in_rules_2008.html
New here what is the list about I will pass it around
Oops, I forgot to mention — please address your comment to Dr. Dean and close it with your first name, your county and state, and type Puma Democrat underneath.
Lioness, your comment is perfect. would you repost it with the address and closure? thank you.
There is now a link to Contribute on the right sidebar under Pages. Please pass it on.
thanks.
repost Donna Brazile
Donna Brazile: Dont Count Out Hillary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMfiZk3etzo
I will not be taken for granted and taking us for granted is exactly what the DNC is doing. Claire McCaskill claims to ‘know these women.’ Really? She claims that we ‘would not vote for a man who would set women back in this country.’ But they expect us to vote for a party that has just set back women in this country by about forty years. This time, you have gone too far. (source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-mccain-women-jun06,0,5085404.story)
I am a 53 year old 35 year voting democrat WOMAN.
may 21, 2008 was my last time to vote democrat. i am now independent. In my life I have never seen such grotesque treatment of any democrat like I have seen against Senator Clinton. What on earth inspired your organization to treat this lady and her family so terribly. To me the Clintons were the democratic party. I am so ashamed…after these past 7.5 years of hell with the Bush cabal, you would act this way. I do not even believe Senator Obama is a legitimate or deserving candidate. By the way, Senator Clinton won more votes and all of the must win states.Mich and Fla. sigh… This was a planned scheme anyways and our votes have not counted for squat. My heart was broken but i am PUMA now! WE WILL COUNT FOR SOMETHING!
NotFallingInLine — great post — would you resend it with the address and closure? thank you.
Dr. Dean:
Since the Democratic Party has seen fit to select a candidate [rather than elect one], ram that candidate down the electorate’s throat, and then turn a deaf ear to all and any protest, I no longer feel divided.
I am no longer a Democrat. I am one of the 18 million!
I have been disgusted with the sexism and clear hostility I’ve seen displayed towards Sen. Clinton by the mainstream media. I’ve been terribly disappointed by the deafening silence of the DNC in the face of this sexism/hostility.
It became clear that my suspicions about favoritism were not completely unfounded when the DNC Rules committee arbitrarily ‘awarded’ Michigan delegates to Sen. Obama. Not only did they give him all the of delegates represented by the “Undecided” votes and also all of the votes cast for John Edwards; but they also gave him 4 of the delegates Sen. Clinton had earned.
I will protest the treatment of my candidate by voting for McCain in November.
oops, sorry, reposting – I will not be taken for granted and taking us for granted is exactly what the DNC is doing. Claire McCaskill claims to ‘know these women.’ Really? She claims that we ‘would not vote for a man who would set women back in this country.’ But they expect us to vote for a party that has just set back women in this country by about forty years. This time, you have gone too far. – Stefanie, Morris County, New Jersey, Puma Democrat (source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-mccain-women-jun06,0,5085404.story)
Hello my puma family…i was on Hillary site and nothing that i posted was put on blog..so here i am and ready to make sure BO the selected one and the bloggers from the pew dont run our country…have to go but will be back later… PLZ ad me to the Florida list and im in Citrus County TY…PS I already dont watch cnn fox and other stations
RedInDenver and PeggySue, excellent posts — would you re-send them the address– “Dear Dr. Dean” at the top and sign them with your name, your county and state, and the title “Puma Democrat” underneath?
Thank you!
I am protesting the 2008 presidential election because the will of the Democratic majority was subverted by the actions of a small group of party insiders. As a twenty-four year retired Army veteran, I am appalled and disillusioned by what has transpired. I chose to spend the greater part of my adult life serving this country because I believed in what it stood for. I believed that every vote should count and I thought the Democratic Party stood for that principle. Apparently, I was wrong.
Dr.Howard Dean, I am a 53 year old 35 year voting democrat WOMAN. Boy, do I remember supporting you!
May 21, 2008 was my last time to vote democrat. I am now independent. In my life I have never seen such grotesque treatment of any democrat like I have seen against Senator Clinton. What on earth inspired your organization to treat this lady and her family so terribly. To me the Clintons were the democratic party. As I recall it is a new party with new people anyway. I am so ashamed…after these past 7.5 years of hell with the Bush cabal, you would act this way. I do not even believe Senator Obama is a legitimate or a deserving candidate. By the way, Senator Clinton won more votes and all of the must win states. Mich and Fla. sigh… This was a planned scheme anyways and our votes have not counted for squat. My heart was broken but i am PUMA now! WE WILL COUNT FOR SOMETHING!
Cathy
I am protesting and working diligently to make necessary changes because:
1. Senator Obama was SLECTED not ELECTED
2. Failure of DNC/RBC to follow its own charter/constitution re: fair reflection, uncommitted votes, taking votes from one candidate and giving them to another candidate, and using EXIT POLLS to bolster their own agenda, while all the time repeatedly stating that “Rules are Rules.”
3. The “Bully pulpit tactics” used on anyone to do with Hillary’s campaign
4. Hipocracy of DNC failing to count all votes; when that was their mantra in 2000, I am now 1/2 a person, just call me Jane Crow.
5. The sexism and misogyny piled on and piled onto Hillary, and through her on us, by pundits, politicians, and Obama supporters – pure hatred that will not be forgotten.
6. Obama does not share my values, is not patriotic, and has used Chicago style politics to steal the nomination – with the entire Democratic Party and DNC aiding and abetting.The only thing Chicago style that I like is my pizza.
ShortTermer
Registered Independent Voter from Florida
Antifish, perfect. would you resend it with the address and closure I described in my last comment?
Thank you!
I am protesting the 2008 Presidential Election because it doesn’t reflect the will of the people. The media has become a propaganda machine and with the collusion of the Democrat party bosses, waged a character assassination campaign against the Clintons that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They have taken an unknown, inexperienced person with questionable background and associates- and through media manipulation, packaged and sold him ad nauseum. All in a direct manipulation of the electorate and the elections.
The superdelegates do NOT even the playing field, they corrupt the system, voiding the electoral process. I’m not just protesting the 2008 Presidential Election, but the system that allows party bosses to have so much power to manipulate the outcome, the system of caucuses to be forced upon us and the system that encourages the media to be a propaganda machine to create a star out of an unknown.
That’s why I’m a new Independent, and why I’ll work to get John McCain elected. To send an unmistakable message ‘hands off my rights!’
Dr.Howard Dean, I am a 53 year old 35 year voting democrat WOMAN. Boy, do I remember supporting you!
May 21, 2008 was my last time to vote democrat. I am now independent. In my life I have never seen such grotesque treatment of any democrat like I have seen against Senator Clinton. What on earth inspired your organization to treat this lady and her family so terribly. To me the Clintons were the democratic party. As I recall it is a new party with new people anyway. I am so ashamed…after these past 7.5 years of hell with the Bush cabal, you would act this way. I do not even believe Senator Obama is a legitimate or a deserving candidate. By the way, Senator Clinton won more votes and all of the must win states. Mich and Fla. sigh… This was a planned scheme anyways and our votes have not counted for squat. My heart was broken but i am PUMA now! WE WILL COUNT FOR SOMETHING!
Cathy
Jefferson County Kentucky
Dr Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 election for too many reasons to count, but fore-most is the blatant back stabbing of the Clintons. Bill and Hillary are the best thing for the party in my adult lifetime, he was the first 2 term D in decades and she is off the charts smart & ready day one but we all know (GWB) that smarts don’t count when it comes to selecting a Prez.
I support Hillary for my great grandmother, who 100 years ago had everything including the land her name, my grand mother, a woman way ahead of her time as well and my mother who raised 5 kids on a blue collar salary. All have left this earth and are not only whispering but screaming to me from the other side for Hillary!!!!
PUMA Democrat (only till I can become and PUMA I)
Pm, ShortTermer, and Cack — these are exactly great, but we need the address and for it to be signed with your first name, county and state, and Puma Democrat underneath.
Thanks!
Antifish. Perfect! thank you. all, please follow Antifish’s format in your comment. repost it if you need to correct. No need to use last name if you choose not to.
Dr. Dean,
I am protesting and working diligently to make necessary changes because:
1. Senator Obama was SLECTED not ELECTED
2. Failure of DNC/RBC to follow its own charter/constitution re: fair reflection, uncommitted votes, taking votes from one candidate and giving them to another candidate, and using EXIT POLLS to bolster their own agenda, while all the time repeatedly stating that “Rules are Rules.”
3. The “Bully pulpit tactics” used on anyone to do with Hillary’s campaign
4. Hipocracy of DNC failing to count all votes; when that was their mantra in 2000, I am now 1/2 a person, just call me Jane Crow.
5. The sexism and misogyny piled on and piled onto Hillary, and through her on us, by pundits, politicians, and Obama supporters – pure hatred that will not be forgotten.
6. Obama does not share my values, is not patriotic, and has used Chicago style politics to steal the nomination – with the entire Democratic Party and DNC aiding and abetting.The only thing Chicago style that I like is my pizza.
Carolyn
aka ShortTermer
Registered Independent Voter from Florida
Dear Dr. Dean
I am protesting the 2008 election for too many reasons to count, but fore-most is the blatant back stabbing of the Clintons. Bill and Hillary are the best thing for the party in my adult lifetime, he was the first 2 term D in decades and she is off the charts smart & ready day one but we all know (GWB) that smarts don’t count when it comes to selecting a Prez.
I support Hillary for my great grandmother, who 100 years ago had everything including the land her name, my grand mother, a woman way ahead of her time as well and my mother who raised 5 kids on a blue collar salary. All have left this earth and are not only whispering but screaming to me from the other side for Hillary!!!!
Karen
Denton County, TX
PUMA Democrat
what is the list for would like to sign it and pass message on
overat
camille424
hillaryis
I cannot and will not ever vote for BHO, even if he got Hillary, our lady, as his VP. I cannot vote for a man who is supported by a bunch of self-serving DNC leaders and superdelegates and the sickeningly biased media. Moreover, I cannot vote for a man who not only is inexperienced but also is tightly associated with anti-Americans. BHO resigned from his Church for political purposes. I find it hard to believe that it was only now that that Church’s pastors started spewing hateful comments against Hillary, America, and the white people. They have been doing that for a very long time and BHO stayed in that Church for 20 long years.
Hillary was robbed of the Presidency and the DNC represents pseudo-democracy and not true democracy. How can they sleep well at night, knowing that their nominee for President was chosen by them and not by the people?
No to Obama! McCain for 2008! Hillary for 2012!!!
Dr.Howard Dean,
I am a 53 year, 35 year voting democrat WOMAN. Boy, do I remember supporting you!
May 21, 2008 was my last time to vote democrat. I am now independent. In my life I have never seen such grotesque treatment of any democrat like I have seen against Senator Clinton. What on earth inspired your organization to treat this lady and her family so terribly. To me the Clintons were the democratic party. As I recall it is a new party with new people anyway. I am so ashamed…after these past 7.5 years of hell with the Bush cabal, you would act this way. I do not even believe Senator Obama is a legitimate or a deserving candidate. By the way, Senator Clinton won more votes and all of the must win states. Mich and Fla. sigh… This was a planned scheme anyways and our votes have not counted for squat. My heart was broken but I am PUMA now! WE WILL COUNT FOR SOMETHING!
Cathy
Jefferson County Kentucky
PUMA DEMOCRAT
HEY WHERE DO I SEND THIS????
DEAR DNC(DR.DEAN)
THIS IS THE YEAR THAT “DNC”WENT TO FAR….ON YOUR LIBERAL followings…do to tolerant of different views & standards of behavior in others….namely the “ELITIST”….of the party…and REFUSED to LISTEN to the MAJORITY of the VOTERS….which by the pop.vote…SAID “HILLARY”……your own DNC rules the PARTY LEADER HAVE LEFT US the voters……GOD only KNOW how many of us will SIT HOME or vote for the other party……this ELECTION blood of the VOTERS you have DISFRANCHISED…..IS ON YOUR HANDS “SWEETIES”…..STAR OF NEW MEXICO(DEM)
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 presidential election because the will of the Democratic majority was subverted by the actions of a small group of party insiders. As a twenty-four year retired Army veteran, I am appalled and disillusioned by what has transpired. I chose to spend the greater part of my adult life serving this country because I believed in what it stood for. I believed that every vote should count and I thought the Democratic Party stood for that principle. Apparently, I was wrong.
Brigitte
Cobb County, Georgia
Puma Democrat
Dr. Dean,
I am protesting and working diligently to make things right that the DNC got wrong for these reasons:
1. Senator Obama was SLECTED not ELECTED
2. Failure of DNC/RBC to follow its own charter/constitution re: fair reflection, uncommitted votes, taking votes from one candidate and giving them to another candidate, and using EXIT POLLS to bolster their own agenda, while all the time repeatedly stating that “Rules are Rules.” The RBC 30 substituting their judgment for 2.3 million voters is – unacceptable!
3. The “Bully pulpit tactics” used on anyone to do with Hillary’s campaign.
4. Hipocracy of DNC failing to count all votes; when that was their mantra in 2000, I am now 1/2 a person, just call me Jane Crow.
5. The sexism and misogyny piled on and piled on Hillary, and through her on us, by pundits, politicians, and Obama supporters – pure hatred that will not be forgotten.
6. Obama does not share my values, is not patriotic, and has used Chicago style politics to steal the nomination – with the entire Democratic Party and DNC aiding and abetting.The only thing Chicago style that I like is my pizza.
7. And make no mistake about it, HILLARY STILL SPEAKS FOR ME. But, Hillary needs to step aside now and let us, the P.U.M.A. Democrats, take it from here. We are many, we are dedicated, we are determined, we are strong.
8. To give just a little liberty to Hillary and in the memory of Susan B. Anthony after working for the Suffragette movement for 60 years, and on her deathbed stated that all she wanted was a little liberty and a say in her goverment and that she will not live to obtain it. Well, 165 years later we are still asking for a little liberty and a say in running our government.
Carolyn Greer
aka ShortTermer
Registered Independent Voter from Florida
P.U.M.A. DEMOCRAT
Murphy,
Is there a way you can delete my previous post with my last name? If not, it’s OK.
would someone please write me in my state is Indiana
marie my state is Illinois
live in Illinois
born in Count My vote Michigan
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 election because the Democrat Party has thrown the best candidate they’ve had since Bill Clinton under the bus. The disrespectful treatment of Senator Clinton is unforgivable and unforgettable. We are 18 million strong and we are the foundation of the Democrat Party. We won’t be silenced.
Jean
St.Louis, MO
PUMA Democrat
Murphy, please use my note #31 if you use mine. Also, not sure I spelled hypcracy right????
ShortTermer.
“The only thing Chicago style that I like is my pizza.”
ROTFL!
write my county in it’s OTERO COUNTY N.M.
Dear Dr. Dean,
Neither the DNC, nor the candidate you selected, represents my values and ethics. I cannot support a party or candidate that expresses, and condones, sexism, misogyny, and race-baiting; voter disenfranchisement; vote stealing; and personal and professional associations with racists, terrorists, and thugs. I have walked away from you and your candidate. I will not return in November.
Sincerely,
Gina
San Francisco, CA
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 Presidential election after voting as a Democrat for the last twenty years (since eligibility) for the following reasons:
1. The DNC and RBC failed to follow rules and procedures regarding fair reflection, uncommitted votes, taking votes from one candidate and giving them to another candidate, and using EXIT POLLS to bolster their own agenda, while all the time deceitfully and hypocritically repeatedly stating that “Rules are Rules”;
2. The “Bully pulpit tactics” used on anyone to do with Senator Clinton’s campaign;
3. Because of this hypocrisy and expediency of the Democratic Party’s “leaders,” such as yourself, Florida voters are now “half persons.” After what we went through in the year 2000 and its aftermath, I am stunned;
4. The sexism and misogyny piled on Senator Clinton, and through our support of her onto us, by pundits, politicians, and Senator Obama’s supporters;
5. And last but not least, Senator Obama lacks the integrity, experience, and strength of character required to be our President.
Heather
Santa Rosa County, FL
PUMA Democrat
Sadly I, a lift-time Democrat, protest the 2008 Presidential Election because I refuse to support a nominee who was chosen by the leadership rather than elected by voters. The votes of a majority of Democrats were disregarded; the votes of Florida and Michigan were tampered with in a manner that is un-American. I consider the actions of the DNC leadership, including the rules committee, to be a usurpation of the rights of the people. This action, un-American and un-democratic, is akin to a coup. I cannot support this action by the DNC leadership. Because of this, regretfully I am unable to support the democratic nominee. Additionally, I am appalled, saddened, and mortified by the treatment of Hillary Clinton by the DNC leadership.
MCR of Puma PAC
In 1966 my husband ran for City Council in our city and I could not vote for him because I was too young. But I campaigned for him, and marched with him in parades, and wrote his speeches, and stomped up and down the streets, ringing doorbells and stuffing mailboxes. I have been an active Democrat in every election since then. But no more!
I am a Democrat because I believe that my party has a social conscience and I know that oppression is a real evil. But I also know that without fiscal responsibility, children are running the country using Mommy’s checkbook. It is that particular combination of social conscience and fiscal responsibility that attracts me to Hillary Clinton, along with her genuine experience, fearlessness and prudence on the world’s stage. She is the only candidate running for president that brings those issues together.
The Democratic Party has ignored the voice of the democratic voters in the last four years. I do not know how they could support a candidate with less than two years experience on the national scene and no experience whatsoever on the international scene. How could they support a candidate who has significant ties to the Nation of Islam, a group that is no different from Hitler’s Nazis or David Duke’s KKK. How could they support a candidate who sat for 20 years in a church that preaches hate and racism, and brought his young children to learn those lessons. How could they support a candidate whose wife has never been proud of America until she, who is a pampered product of affirmative action, saw her own star rising, a star that provided her with an Ivy League education and a $350,000/year corporate welfare job.
The Democratic Party abused the people of America when they refused to distinguish between the Democratic Party’s leaders in Florida and Michigan and the people of Florida and Michigan. The DNC did not take steps to punish the decision makers who ran afoul of party rules and stole the voice of the people. It is the epitome of arrogance that the DNC did not arrange for new primaries in Florida and Michigan. Billions of dollars have been spent on this campaign. The cost to the party to insure that every voter’s voice was heard while the party leaders were punished was the small cost of liberty, justice and freedom for all.
I am offended to hear that I should vote for Obama. I want to hear, why this candidate will be good for my country. I am offended that Obama went golfing, while Hillary Clinton gave her speech in support of him. I am offended to hear that I should get in line, that I am angry, that I am wrong. Barack Obama has not heard my voice and does not want to hear my voice. He wants me to be silent and listen to him, and vote for him, and pay his way. Until he learns that my vote is sacred, and can only be earned by someone I respect, not demanded, I will never vote for him.
Dr.Dean ,
I will be protesting the November Election due to the unprecidented unethical actions brought forth by yourself and the DNC leadership in Selecting the Democratic Nominee .
This primary season has seen record numbers of voters turn out to vote for their candidate , and the ever – present lenses of the media have exposed , not only their misogynistic biases , but a Democratic Leadership steeped in hypocricy , sexism , and a blatant disregard for the will of the People .
I refuse to support any Democratic Candidate who perpetuated the selection of Barak Obama as the nominee as well as any elected official who has remained complacent throught out this process .
I am only one of many who know that there is a time when it becomes a moral imperrative to stand up for what we believe in , to make certain that our voices are heard , and to protest the injustices that have been placed upon us . That time is now . OUR time is now , and in November , you WILL hear our voices .
K.D. Cooper
Panola County ,Tx.
P.U.M.A. Democrat
Howard Dean
Democratic Party
In 1966 my husband ran for City Council in our city and I could not vote for him because I was too young. But I campaigned for him, and marched with him in parades, and wrote his speeches, and stomped up and down the streets, ringing doorbells and stuffing mailboxes. I have been an active Democrat in every election since then. But no more!
I am a Democrat because I believe that my party has a social conscience and I know that oppression is a real evil. But I also know that without fiscal responsibility, children are running the country using Mommy’s checkbook. It is that particular combination of social conscience and fiscal responsibility that attracts me to Hillary Clinton, along with her genuine experience, fearlessness and prudence on the world’s stage. She is the only candidate running for president that brings those issues together.
The Democratic Party has ignored the voice of the democratic voters in the last four years. I do not know how they could support a candidate with less than two years experience on the national scene and no experience whatsoever on the international scene. How could they support a candidate who has significant ties to the Nation of Islam, a group that is no different from Hitler’s Nazis or David Duke’s KKK. How could they support a candidate who sat for 20 years in a church that preaches hate and racism, and brought his young children to learn those lessons. How could they support a candidate whose wife has never been proud of America until she, who is a pampered product of affirmative action, saw her own star rising, a star that provided her with an Ivy League education and a $350,000/year corporate welfare job.
The Democratic Party abused the people of America when they refused to distinguish between the Democratic Party’s leaders in Florida and Michigan and the people of Florida and Michigan. The DNC did not take steps to punish the decision makers who ran afoul of party rules and stole the voice of the people. It is the epitome of arrogance that the DNC did not arrange for new primaries in Florida and Michigan. Billions of dollars have been spent on this campaign. The cost to the party to insure that every voter’s voice was heard while the party leaders were punished was the small cost of liberty, justice and freedom for all.
I am offended to hear that I should vote for Obama. I want to hear, why this candidate will be good for my country. I am offended that Obama went golfing, while Hillary Clinton gave her speech in support of him. I am offended to hear that I should get in line, that I am angry, that I am wrong. Barack Obama has not heard my voice and does not want to hear my voice. He wants me to be silent and listen to him, and vote for him, and pay his way. Until he learns that my vote is sacred, and can only be earned by someone I respect, not demanded, I will never vote for him.
Ann
Suffolk County
Massachusetts
Puma Democrat
Dear Dr. Howard Dean:
Sadly I, a lift-time Democrat, protest the 2008 Presidential Election because I refuse to support a nominee who was chosen by the leadership rather than elected by voters. The votes of a majority of Democrats were disregarded; the votes of Florida and Michigan were tampered with in a manner that is un-American. I consider the actions of the DNC leadership, including the rules committee, to be a usurpation of the rights of the people. This action, un-American and un-democratic, is akin to a coup. I cannot support this action by the DNC leadership. Because of this, regretfully I am unable to support the democratic nominee. Additionally, I am appalled, saddened, and mortified by the treatment of Hillary Clinton by the DNC leadership.
Marie, USA, Mississippi
Puma Democrat
Dr. Dean:
“You shouldn’t have woken us up……because we’re not going away now…”
The anger is real and it will have repercussions. Just know that the whole: “There, there…it’ll be okay…Just come back and vote for our selected nominee” will not work. Donna Brazile said she did not need the base come November…she just got her wish!
The election just became about Country Before Party, about not letting the media and/or the DNC elite decide a nominee, about counting every vote, and people’s right to vote. There you go, that’s the theme for disenfranchised Dems and Inds (i.e., the swing voters): the survival of democracy in America. Guess who’ll earn those votes? Clue: It will not be Obama.
We will not forget.
Thanks,
Mary in Miami, FL
Mr. Dean,
I am totally ashamed of the Democratic Party and I am protesting the 2008 presidential election because the will of the Democratic process has been totally skewed by the DNC!!
Obama was pushed down our throats by the DNC and the Media.
My protest will be a vote for John McCain in November and to change my party affiliation (after 40 years) from Democrat to Independent!!
Diane
Natrona County Wyoming
PUMA DEMOCRAT
Dear Dr. Dean:
I never though I would see the day that the Democratic Party would deny any candidate the right to run for office. I must say with a heavy heart that during the past months I have witnessed how Hillary Clinton was betrayed by her own party. I have never seen anything like this in my entire life.
The Michigan and Florida votes could not be counted in Hillary’s favor because you had to punish those states. But the DNC somehow found a way to be award Obama 55 Michigan delegates even though his name was not in the ballot.
This might have been legal but it was unfair and disgraceful. I cannot support what I believe is an illegitimate nominee nor can I approve the actions of the DNC.
Eileen, Puerto Rico
PUMA Democrat
Yes letters need to be dignified as we have been labeled morons and uneducated. If you ask me the DNC needs a dictionary.
The purpose of this site for me is unite, unite, unite ! I have seen it over and over again, it is all about numbers. One person can’t change the world but 18 million can sure be a great start. Our system is ruled and not by popular vote as we have seen.
So are we holding the cards until Hillary gets back from R & R ??? I have 6 that are going out from my house and the house next door. I just want to make sure Hillary gets them.
Murphy I feel so much better with this site. It is great to see it grow and grow. Hey if any of you want to go to DC or Denver we will be there. As I told you yesterday I protested and help organize in Conn. when a toxic waste dump was going to be built next to a school and homes……………we stopped it from being built ! It is so easy to organize and numbers count.
Hi puma’s,
I was just talking with another Hillary/Puma supporter and I believe that the one thing that many men know and most women don’t……
They see that women in the past have not banded together and supported one another. If we could manage somehow to all get on the same page and band together (with our men supporters,too) we can take back our Democratic party. We can stop what the DNC is doing, we can stop the biases of the media and we can put Hillary in the white house where she belongs. But first, we must truly get on the same page and organize. I believe Puma and like web sites can work together. We can’t continue going in separate directions. Lets put together a plan and stick to it and be heard. We need foot soldiers, we need secretaries and we need some leaders. We need a concrete plan.
Lisa in Greensboro, NC.
ATTENTION! This is a call to action. The last time I checked there are around 80 days until the Democratic National Convention. You want to make a statement? Then start working today to end the candidacy of Barack Obama, and secure the nomination for the legitimate nominee. The facts are these: Had the RBC sat the Michigan and Florida delegations at full strength, and with fair reflection, HRC would have ended the primaries as the pledged delegate leader, as well as the popular vote leader. Contest the nomination of Barack Obama NOW!
Dear Howard Dean,
The DNC must feel very smug right now as you and the Super Delegates managed to get Obama as the Democratic nominee. As we all know he was selected not elected. I have been a Democrat for 30+ years, but I will not waste my vote on “your” candidate.
You and your delegates along with the media did everything you could to discredit the Clinton’s. Your candidate lacks the necessary leadership and experience to lead this country. This was the good ole boys, backroom politics and there are 18 million voters that will not sit back and accept this as their party’s decision. We will make our voices heard throughout the 50 states, we will concentrate our efforts on all Democrats that will be running for re-election. The peoples voice was not heard, but we guarantee you will hear our voices loud and clear. We are now the Democrats for John McCain.
Michele
Jackson County, MS
Puma Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am one of 18 million strong who are protesting the 2008 election. My protest is based upon two major factors. The first central fact is that the party elders and insiders, not the people, decided this election and disregarded the tenets upon which democracy and the Democratic Party were founded by disenfranchising states , critical voter constituencies, and the popular vote. Secondly,the blatant, biased support for an unvetted, morally questionable, and unqualified candidate and the unabashed vitriolic assault on the most qualified candidate by the DNC, the media, and the superdelegates suggests shady backroom politics, undemocratic tactics, and a rationale that defies logic. When our country’s future is at stake, particularly in these treacherous times, we cannot afford to have an inexperienced candidate with questionable patriotism, morals, and policies at the head of the ticket. Consequently, the apparent manipulation of this election by the powers that be have robbed this country of its most qualified and effective leader, Senator Clinton. I therefore resolve to protest these tactics and the outcome.
Sincerely,
Nancy
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
PUMA Democrat
Thanks for the site, I have been looking as I have been so disappointed since last Wed. It was almost like a death in the family. Haven’t watched any of the biased media either. The media is also a big failure in this country. Women fought so hard for the vote, finally in 1920. Black men could vote in 1868. This week has been a huge step backwards. Marleta in Dallas, Texas
Dear Dr. Dean,
On Independence Day I will celebrate my 60th birthday. The next morning, I’ll register as an Independent. I have been a life long, loyal Democrat. I am also a Floridian. I remember the debacle in 2000. I remember the DNC up in arms and rightly so, at having the election stolen from us.
Now, I see the DNC paid close attention and has adopted those same principles fought so hard against in 2000.
I have watched in disbelief as party leaders turned their heads and some even participated in the most hate filled attacks ever purported on a candidate for the Presidency of the United States of America. Please understand there are so many of us who will never be able to look the other way and support a candidate that was selected in such a blatant travesty of justice and total disregard of the voices of the people.
You need to understand that this is about much more than losing a nomination. It is about the complete break down of a party dedicated to the grass roots of this great nation.
We will be heard.
Susan
Florida voter
P.U.M.A. DEMOCRAT
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 Presidential Election because the DNC did not support the best candidate to win in November. In fact, it subverted its own Charter and Bylaws in order to aid and abet an illegitimate nominee.
David,
Los Angeles County, CA
PUMA Democrat
#’s 8 16 20 delete!
thanks murphy i finally got it right!
thanks for the site too
donated to puma pac this am
Dear Mr Dean,
I have renounced the democratic party as of 5/31/08. I will be actively protesting the November 2008 election. I have never seen anyone put up with the hateful sexist treatment that fellow democrat’s heaped on Senator Clinton. The Democratic party was not even transparent in their effort to rig this primary. I will vote for Senator Clinton should she end up on the ticket otherwise John Mc Cain will have my protest vote. Senator Obama does not deserve the White House nor do the Democrats. You and Donna Brazile should resign out of SHAME!
LisaNC
I have been trying to get this point across all morning. I am going out now. I am too frustrated to be here.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am a PUMA Democrat and will be voting for Hillary Clinton in November. I do so because I believe that the Democratic nominee for the presidency of the United States should be basing their platform on the principles embraced in FDR’s Economic Bill of Rights from his 44th inaugural address and Hillary Clinton is the only candidate to do so. I’m an FDR Democrat, a Clinton Democrat and a PUMA Democrat. There are a lot of us and the Democratic party would do well to court our vote.
Sincerely,
Lorenda Starfelt
PS – And I’ll sign my name in big enough letters that you don’t need your bifocals to read it.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I will not support the Barack Obama candidacy.
I have been an active Democrat since I was eleven years old, campaigning with my father, who was a union president in Western New York. I canvassed with him and made phone calls supporting Bobby Kennedy. I have continued to volunteer and support Democratic candidates in every election making phone calls, doing canvassing, serving as a caucus delegate and a poll watcher.
I am heartbroken at what has happened to my party. I’ve watched voters’ rights being subverted by my own party. Senator Obama’s people stormed my caucus and I watched as people I knew were not in my precinct were allowed to vote as if they were.
I’m not telling you anything you do not already know. That’s what sickens me the most. I remember seeing you on television saying that your job was to make sure that the supporters of whichever candidate that loses feel that the winner is legitimate. I’m sorry to say that you have failed.
Hillary Clinton won the votes of the majority of Democrats, and she should be our nominee. Period. I cannot and will not support the illegitimate nominee of the party.
The Obama campaign ran a successful “Democrat for a Day” program that encouraged Republicans to crossover and help defeat Hillary Clinton in the primaries. You knew about it and did nothing to stop it.
On November 4, I will be a Republican for a day. Nothing will change my mind about this unless Hillary Clinton is the nominee for President. Nothing.
Sincerely,
Janice
King County, WA
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean:
One would think that after the 2000 s/election, Democrats would want to retain and build on the high moral ground of being the party that counts the votes and enfranchises the most voters.
One would think that after 2004 you of all people would remember how the media railroaded you out of your presidential campaign and you’d be the last person to employ those same tactics on another Democratic candidate.
Well, some of us do remember. Some of us still prefer the higher moral ground. If you can sit by and let Donna Braziele speak for this new DNC who “doesn’t need” the nearly 18 million voters who supported the stronger candidate for nomination then hear this:
We are the ones who don’t need you. We don’t need those who aid and abet the weaker candidate, who, like George Bush, was propped up by the media and who, like George Bush, was selected not elected and given delegates he could never have earned after removing himself from the ballot (you know, the ballot…remember that little tool of democracy, the BALLOT?).
You have failed us, and your fraud of a candidate will fail you. You have made a grave and unforgivable error in judgement and, sadly, because I was a big fan of your grassroots campaign that helped change the tide of the nation, this debacle will be what you are remembered for when we, the majority of the Democratic base, take back our party.
Robyn
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
P.U.M.A. Democrat
ps, my mom, Mary from Fairfax County, Virginia wants to be added to this note
I got this site from a blogger on gretawire.com where I began blogging as an irate Florida voter who tried desperately to get our votes counted….Now I have help.
I’ve posted the introduction you have on Puma and gave out your website to the bloggers….I will continue doing this to increase the enrollment here.
There is power in numbers.
Tell me what I can do.
CJ
Ft. Lauderdale,Florida
a new member of Puma
Oh, crap…I knew I couldn’t keep it to 50 words…
Dear Dr Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 election this year because of the direct and indirect actions of the DNC which I have witnessed over the course of this primary election.
I was incredibly disappointed in the leadership when they did not put forth a statement when the media began to say Hillary should drop out. I was disappointed when you and Nancy Pelosi began to put pressure on the super delegates to wrap things up.
I called the DNC daily to express my concerns and repeated that I wished to remain a democrat as I have been all my life. But would not be able to do so if the RBC meeting did not pan out a fair resolution.
It was with awe that I watched that meeting. With awe when you set the tone in the open by asking democrats to compare Hillary Clinton’s situation to yours and Al Gore’s. I pretty much knew from there that the deal was done.
But leaving the floor for greater than 2 hours and coming back with a “solution” was a disgrace. I am uncertain how the RBC were able to award Senator Obama more delegates then voted for uncommitted and less delegates to Senator Clinton. I felt like over 4 delegates you were sending a message to Senator Clinton. I cannot believe this over 4 delegates.
I changed my party affilitation on Monday June 2nd to Independent.
I will not support Senator Obama because I do not believe he was “elected”.
Sue
Scottsdale Az
PUMA democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
I will be using my vote to protest the outrageous strong-arm tactics used by the Democratic Party to push Senator Clinton out of the candidacy. She is the most capable, driven, and compassionate candidate, and I do hope you realize that without her, the Republican candidate shall prevail come November. Perhaps then you and your fellow “party leaders” may come to see your folly.
I cannot and shall not vote for a man who denounced the working majority of our noble nation as “bitter”, and who addressed a female reporter as “sweetie”- the very thought of these words makes my blood boil. As much as you might believe that so-called “angry women voters” will come around, the Democratic Party will be rudely awakened in November. Then you will see the true numbers of Clinton’s supporters, who are free-thinking individuals rather than sheep, and who can know a farce when they see it.
I have never voted for a Republican in my life, but I will cast my vote for Senator McCain. It pains me to vote in favor of a party that I have voted against time and time again, but it is utterly unconscionable to vote in favor of a party that has deserted me, that has discarded the votes of millions of people. I will do my part to see that the Republican candidate will win, and that the false candidate of the Democratic party shall not.
K. Belsen
Ramsey County, MN
P.U.M.A. Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean
The Democratic Party has been inclusive and supported
issues that were important for working class, middle class and poor. The abandonment of Universal Health Care is a deal breaker for me.
When I first entered the workforce I had to buy my own health insurance, it cost $30 a month on an income of $360 a month. Recently I had a position at a temporary agency paying $1560 after taxes. The insurance for a single person (my son) is $900 a month. The cost of medical insurance premium went from 8% of income to
58% of income. We are the only Western industrialized nation without guaranteed health care and it is a disgrace.
Sincerely
Charles
Dallas County
Texas
PUMA Democrat
When voice of popular vote doesn’t matter anymore, then, I have no reason to continue supporting the Democratic Party. The DNC and Democratic leaders have corrupted the party. There’s no honor to be a democrat now, this is a corrupt party. This primary have opened my eyes, they’re the party I do NOT want to be associated with.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I will protest the 2008 election for more than one reason, but my main concern is how the DNC allow Senator Clinton to be treated my not only the media but it’s own members. I also can not understand how it is known to the world and not to the DNC that Donna Brazile clearly , set this election to be stolen for Obama. On Sept 28, 07 she gave a speech to the Black Congressional Caucus, telling them, WE HAVE the POWER to give this nomination to Senator Obama, Clearly he is SELECTED and WON’T BE ELECTED.
DEMOCRAT -No-More
Texas Voter
P.U.M.A. Member
I am so grateful for the sentiments we are all putting in our letters. I am proud to be amongst the PUMAs.
ATTENTION! This is a call to action. The last time I checked there are around 80 days until the Democratic National Convention. You want to make a statement? Then start working today to end the candidacy of Barack Obama, and secure the nomination for the legitimate nominee. The facts are these: Had the RBC sat the Michigan and Florida delegations at full strength, and with fair reflection, HRC would have ended the primaries as the pledged delegate leader, as well as the popular vote leader. Contest the nomination of Barack Obama NOW!
====
omg, SHTUEY…is this written up anywhere?? We need to include this in our talking points!
Dear Mr. Dean:
I am a poor, uneducated, bible-toting, Black, ex-democrat.
Like the educated, affluent Ms. Brazile’s mom, my mother taught me a couple of things. First and foremost is “you have to give respect, to get it”. Another, “watch how a person treats others … and don’t ever think it won’t be you, because it will”.
The behavior shown by the DNC and mainstream media was unconscionable. You took the ugliest of human characteristics, turned them inside out, and called it “politics”.
Politics is the process by which groups make decisions. It is the authoritative allocation of values. It’s obvious that the DNC and I no longer share values. So, I suspend my party affiliation.
Beverly
Allegheny, PA
Murphy, I would like to take these letters, and put them on postcards and mail them out to SD’s, would that be an acceptable thing to do – would the members okay it?
Dear Dr. Dean,
I will be protest the presidential election this November because the voices of the people of the democratic party have been silenced. I refuse to vote for a party that discriminates as badly as this party does – against women. The treatment that the DNC has allowed to happen this primary season is horrific. The treatment that the DNC has heaped on good law abiding, voting members has been even worse. There is no excuse for this, and as a result, my vote will not be for the democratic party this election. Shame on you Dr. Dean, shame on you!
Mea J.
Tarrant County, Texas
P.U.M.A. Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am protesting the 2008 Democratic Presidential election because the democratic nominee is not the choice of the voters. Democratic leadership has made the choice.
I have been a democrat for 50 years because I believed the democratic party championed human rights and making every vote count.
During this primary, voters’ rights have been violated and rampant sexism has gone unchallenged.
I am sad to say I will not be supporting the democratic presidential nominee when I vote in November.
Patricia
Santa Clara County, California
Puma Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean
To Howard Dean and Members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC),
This is to inform you that I have officially denounced the Democratic Party and and will not be supporting the selection not the election of Barack Obama as the democratic nominee effective this first week of June, 2008.
The Party no longer represents what is best for the people of the United States.
The DNC’s obvious endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama has played a major role in sweeping an unqualified, unchallenged, and unseasoned candidate to the forefront of a presidential race he cannot win. Sen. Obama lacks the experience, fortitude, and stamina to withstand what will face the Democratic nominee in the General Election. His severe lack of judgment in his personal and business relations have contributed damaging fodder for not only the media and opposing Democrats .
This said I will be throwing all my support behind John MCain against Obama in the general election. This will be the 1st time that I as a lifelong democrat will ever cast a republican vote.
HillaryDems4Mccain.
Pumapac.org
Dr. Dean,
I am writing to let you know that I am protesting the 2008 election. For the first time in my life I am ashamed to be a Democrat. Bush has made me ashamed of being an American for the last seven years and you have completed the betrayal. Shame on you, and everyone else that orchestrated this scandal. I never thought I would see this day.
Senator Hillary Clinton won, fair and square, and you stole her nomination and our votes. What gives you the right to decide who wins over the American peoples voices?
I will not stay silent. I will, in every way and means, protest the shameful treatment of Senator Clinton.
The DNC seems to have it’s own agenda and it is not the agenda of the majority and it is not mine. So, After being a loyal Democrat for 36 years, I will now register as an Independent and continue to fight for our voting rights and the nomination of Senator Clinton. I will also be taking along with me the many friends and family members that are equally outraged.
Denise
Washington County, PA
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean,
I will never vote for a candidate that was not elected by the American people and Barack Obama was not elected by us. Under your leadership the Democratic party used every tactic to attack women and to smear the name of Hillary Rodham Clinton and her family. I am heartbroken that for the first time in my life I will have to vote for a Republican presidential candidate, but I am willing to do so if it will end the corruption in the Democratic Party.
You and the other Democratic leaders that chose Barack Obama as the presidential candidate even before the primaries began have hurt democracy in countless ways. Even Republicans knew that they needed to listen to the will of the people when they chose to accept John McCain as the Republican nominee over other candidates party leaders preferred. Apparently, they have a better understanding of how democracies are supposed to work. The world is watching and many abroad are judging Mr. Obama and the Democratic Party very harshly. How can other countries trust our leaders if we behave in such a reprehensible way at home? They can’t. The only way we can truly regain our standing in the world stage is by abiding by the rules of a democracy and not by presenting the world with a candidate you and your leaders believe will surely help to “elevate America’s standing.” We would have made a much stronger statement about who we are as a country if the Democratic party had acted in an ethical way by letting Democrats choose their own leader.
Sincerely,
Lara, San Antonio, TX
Dear Dr. Dean,
I will not support your candidate or your party because it is NEVER acceptable to use the sexist and misogynist voices in the media to advance your interests.
You, Dr. Dean, sat idly by while one of the best leaders the Democratic party has ever known was attacked because she was a woman and a Clinton. You said nothing while she was subjected to blatant double standards. You lodged not one complaint about blatant misogyny in our mass culture. And your aides shamelessly organized Democrat elites to sabotage Hillary when she had just as much – in fact, more – popular support than Obama.
You proved that you don’t care about all Democrats; only those Democrats who support your agenda.
Senator Obama never denounced the sexism directed at Hillary. He spoke eloquently about race but never about gender. Why? Either he just doesn’t care, or he stayed silent because it worked to his advantage.
And now both of you, and your surrogates, act like I’m the one who is the problem.
Sorry to disappoint you, but YOU are the problem. You should be thinking of ways to win me back. Instead you’re telling me I have no place better to go.
Well I do have a better place to go. Its PUMA Democrats. That’s where Democrats with principles belong.
The ball is in your court, and in Senator Obama’s.
I’m sure both of you will fumble.
Most sincerely,
Ciccina
Washington DC
Proud PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean,
How dare you and the elite of the Democratic Party do something so unAmerican as counting people as 1/2 and awarding uncommitted delegates to a candidate that wasn’t even on the ballot? How dare you take delegates from Senator Clinton and give them to Barack Obama? How dare you have closed door meetings and secret votes against your own charter?
I could go on and on and on. I am a PUMA Democrat and I will not be coming back, fallin in line, voting party line….etc., etc., etc.
I make this promise to you: I will vote against Barack Obama and downticket dems that supported him.
Sincerely,
Anastasia
Hawaii County, Hawaii
Puma Democrat
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was the best candidate for president of the United States of America and the elected nominee. The treatment of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was unforgivable. For the first time in my life, I will be voting Republican, and am ashamed of what my “Party” has done to destroy the democracy that once was the bedrock of our country.
Sandra M. Collins, PA
Sandra M. Collins
Honorable Mr. Dean,
I don’t know if calling you “honorable” is appropriate, your conduct as chairman of DNC is DISHONORABLE. DNC under your leadership have shown how hatred, misogyny, race-baiting is acceptable provided the person who uses it with gusto is caucasian. DNC and Democratic Leaders also made it acceptable for anyone to call middle Americans bitter people for clinging to their guns and religion provided the person who says it is not caucausian.
The Democratic Party have lost their moral compass, a party supposedly inclusive, a party for all races, religion, beliefs, convictions and mores; has now become a party for ultra liberals and elite. I don’t belong to these two groups that all of you in DNC embraced wholeheartedly and allow your presumptive nominee to insult and spew hatred against Senator right out in the open without YOU, Chairman of the DNC calling the attention of Obama to stop it as it was divisive.
Now, you’re asking us to unite after Senator Clinton was abused, demean not only by the media but the man you all people in DNC support? We are now standing up for GRAVE INJUSTICE committed against Senator Clinton and 18 millions of Americans who voted for her. That grave injustice was committed by you, Democratic leaders, Senator Obama and the media. We will not follow your marching order, we are more powerful than any of you people in the Democratic Party combined, WE ARE THE PEOPLE. We will unleash that power granted to us in the Constitution and it is GUARANTEED come November. You do NOT SELECT who we wanted to represent our party, WE THE PEOPLE ELECT THAT PERSON, our CHOICE is Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Ian
Disgruntled Democrat turned Independent
Puma member for Hillary
Dear Dr. Dean,
You did everything in your power to cut short the democratic process first by the “hijacking” of delegates from Hillary, and then making a gift of undecided delegates to Obama. It was those delegates that put Obama over the top. You flexed your political muscles with the RBC and with superdelegates to short-circuit the process so democrats could get a jump on the general election campaign against McCain. You gave little or no consideration to the convention which historically nominates our candidate in the name of party unity. In accomplishing your goals, you have managed to alienate 18 million democrats who do not approve of appointed DNC officials “selecting” our candidate and ignoring the popular vote of the party.
You, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Donna Brazile, and countless other talking-head Democrats, delegates and superdelegates, not to mention Obama supporters, *now* acknowledge what a wonderful job Hillary did in the primary, and praise the incredible contributions she has made to the DNC. She was scorned, ridiculed, and raked through sexist derogatory slime while the primary was in effect, but now you, and other DNC officials, party leaders and superdelegates all look to her to clean up the mess which YOU, the DNC, and party officials have created.
I say Hillary should not be demoted to head housecleaner for the DNC. The party is in a wreck not because of Hillary, but because the DNC did not value the vote of all democrats, not to mention the life-blood of the party, women. You think you will be able to re-establish party unity…think again. You had your opportunity with this election, and you abandoned us, and you miscalculated the end result.
We are angry. We intend to take our votes elsewhere, and our donation dollars will be going to McCain.
Party unity…maybe the next election, but for this year, there will be many defections and my fondest hope is that those defections will be reflected in the election of John McCain.
Sincerely,
Missy
San Mateo County, CA
I just joined today, thanks to a blogger’s posting info
on Gretawire. Since the day I watched the R&B steal
delegates from Senator Hillary Clinton and watched
the members like Donna Brazile sits placidly by, I
could not believe this was the my party of 40+ years.
Mr. Ickes said it right, Hillary Clinton’s candidacy had
just be “hijacked.” I watched as Harriet and others passionately decried the sacrilege that had just happened. I watched as our brave and stalwart BEST Candidate gave two speeches with grace and later as
an “illegitimate candidate was appointed the nominee.”
Well, we ARE taking it from here, in ALL 50 states to
RESTORE the 18 million of us who ELECTED the people’s choice for Democratic Nominee, Hillary Clinton. We will fight from the Pacific Northwest to the Atlantic Eastcoast, to the Great Lakes of the North to the Gulf Coast of the South, and we in the HEARTLAND in the KEY SWING STATE of OHIO, that WILL DEliver the next president of the United States, HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, we Ohioans will Elect HERE in 2008. I am proud to call myself a new PUMA, and my claws are out and ready for whatever it takes.
Could you put me on the list for Washington, PA
Thanks!
Hey SunnyPA, isn’t it funny our posts ended up next to each other?
Oops, sorry, Murphy…I forgot to put that I am a PUMA…should i resubmit? I’m proud to be a PUMA — huge oversight!!!
Missy — Yes, please. thank you!
These are great everyone. Keep them coming.
Dr. Dean:
I will not be voting for Obama because:
• he is an imposter pretending to be above politics while violently playing the race card (the final straw was his campaign’s fueling of the RFK statement controversy – how can a true Democrat who is supposed to uphold the loftiest of ideals fuel such vitriol in an already divided time?).
• The unifier successfully divided the democratic party by playing the race card and viciously attacking a well-respected opponent.
• Obama performed terribly in the debates and was never presidential – he parroted Hillary’s responses because he couldn’t give his own (evidence: he repeated her position on negotiating with Cuba only if it released political prisoners and showed other signs of improvement, which conflicted with his own previously stated position that he would negotiate without any preconditions).
• he fanned anti-trade sentiment in small town America which he later faulted as being bitter and clinging to the anti-trade sentiment he began.
• He mailed out flyers criticizing Hillary on NAFTA (while claiming to never run a negative campaign) but was later caught in NAFTAGATE for doing nothing more than political posturing.
• The powers behind the scenes have attempted to manipulate the masses and manufacture consent for the election of this emperor without clothes through the media.
• The youth were deceived through tactics such as the use of the mtv culture and a paid-actress that did not even vote for Obama in the Obama girl video.
• The media coverage was replete with distortions and lies.
• Obama tried to suppress the vote in SD and Montana by releasing false rumors that Hillary was conceding that evening – completely UN-American and UN-Democratic.
• Obama thwarted the re-votes in Michigan and Florida, gaming the system and depriving citizens in those states of their vote – completely UN-American and UN-Democratic.
• The DNC arbitrarily applied the rules: (1) by initially discounting all the delegates in those states; (2) stalling resolution and any possibility of revotes; and (3) ultimately giving Obama four of Hillary’s delegates. Completely UN-American and UN-Democratic.
• The DNC did not apply the rules evenly by failing to punish Obama for campaigning in Florida through national advertising and failing to punish him for appearing in Florida. If the DNC really wished to follow the “RULES” (peevish intonation) then he should have received ZERO delegates for his violations.
• The media, Obama, and the certain members of the democratic party tried to push Hillary out of the process from very early on, AND have tried to discourage any chances that she will be a Vice President.
• Polls lied until they became self-fulfilling prophecies. Hillary and Obama were tied with respect to the educated vote. AND, Hillary brought out a lot of youth vote too.
• I DO NOT TRUST THE HIDDEN AGENDA OF YOU, PELOSI, BRAZILLE, AND OTHERS.
Joanne
Kings County, New York
A PUMA DEMOCRAT
Honorable Mr. Dean,
I don’t know if calling you “honorable” is appropriate, your conduct as chairman of DNC is DISHONORABLE. DNC under your leadership have shown how hatred, misogyny, race-baiting is acceptable provided the person who uses it with gusto is caucasian. DNC and Democratic Leaders also made it acceptable for anyone to call middle Americans bitter people for clinging to their guns and religion provided the person who says it is not caucausian.
The Democratic Party have lost their moral compass, a party supposedly inclusive, a party for all races, religion, beliefs, convictions and mores; has now become a party for ultra liberals and elite. I don’t belong to these two groups that all of you in DNC embraced wholeheartedly and allow your presumptive nominee to insult and spew hatred against Senator right out in the open without YOU, Chairman of the DNC calling the attention of Obama to stop it as it was divisive.
Now, you’re asking us to unite after Senator Clinton was abused, demean not only by the media but the man you all people in DNC support? We are now standing up for GRAVE INJUSTICE committed against Senator Clinton and 18 millions of Americans who voted for her. That grave injustice was committed by you, Democratic leaders, Senator Obama and the media. We will not follow your marching order, we are more powerful than any of you people in the Democratic Party combined, WE ARE THE PEOPLE. We will unleash that power granted to us in the Constitution and it is GUARANTEED come November. You do NOT SELECT who we wanted to represent our party, WE THE PEOPLE ELECT THAT PERSON, our CHOICE is Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Ian
Whatcom County, Washington
Disgruntled Democrat turned Independent
Puma member for Hillary
I have to do it again Murphy, sorry for doubling my entry.
Dear Dr. Dean:
Sebator Hillary Rodham Clinton was the ebst candidate for President of the UNited States of America and the ELECTED nominee. The treatment of Senator Hillary Clinton was unforgivable. For the first time in my life, I will be voting Republican and as ashamed of what the “Party” has done to destroy the democracy that was once the bedrock of our country.
Sandra in PA
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 Presidential election because of the smearing of the Clintons as racists for political gain. I will never, ever vote for a democrat who would smear another racially in order to get votes. That’s akin to falsely accusing someone of being a child molester. That so many party leaders would consider this acceptable is appalling.
Linda (Marion County, Oregon)
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
You did everything in your power to cut short the democratic process first by the “hijacking” of delegates from Hillary, and then making a gift of undecided delegates to Obama. It was those delegates that put Obama over the top. You flexed your political muscles with the RBC and with superdelegates to short-circuit the process so democrats could get a jump on the general election campaign against McCain. You gave little or no consideration to the convention which historically nominates our candidate in the name of party unity. In accomplishing your goals, you have managed to alienate 18 million democrats who
do not approve of appointed DNC officials “selecting” our candidate and ignoring the popular vote of the party.
You, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Donna Brazile, and countless other talking-head Democrats, delegates and superdelegates, not to mention Obama supporters, *now* acknowledge what a wonderful job Hillary did in the primary, and praise the incredible contributions she has made to the DNC. She was scorned, ridiculed, and raked through sexist derogatory slime while the primary was in effect, but now you, and other DNC officials, party leaders and superdelegates all look to her to clean up the mess which YOU, the DNC, and party officials have created.
I say Hillary should not be demoted to head housecleaner for the DNC. The party is in a wreck not because of Hillary, but because the DNC did not value the vote of all democrats, not to mention the life-blood of the party, women. You think you will be able to re-establish party unity…think again. You had your opportunity with this election, and you abandoned us, and you miscalculated the end result.
We are angry. We intend to take our votes elsewhere, and our donation dollars will be going to McCain. Party unity…maybe the next election, but for this year, there will be many defections and my fondest hope is that those defections will be reflected in the election of John McCain.
Sincerely,
Missy
San Mateo County, CA
Proud PUMA Democrat
Shorttermer,
I think your idea of sending postcards to superdelegates is a good one, but personally, I would not want my letter, as it is written to go to superdelegates. This is just my opinion, but it is based upon some feedback from the superd’s–I think we need to send postcards to super d’s praising Hillary and stating why we want her as our President and perhaps stating that the convention has not yet occurred so we are within our rights to ask them to reconsider. Just one humble opinion. The purpose seems different to me.
JenT you say your from Tarrant County I am as well Fort Worth…
Dear Chairman Dean:
It is with a heavy heart that I, a life-long and loyal Democrat, send you this message. May 31st 2008 is forever etched in my mind as a very sad day for the Democratic Party. For on this day our Party turned against the very principles on which it was founded. On this day the DNC Rules Committee violated the right of one person one vote- the very bedrock of our constitution and democracy- with its MI and FL decision. The right to vote trumps Party primary scheduling rules, especially when the race is in a virtual delegate tie. My mama taught me that when rules violate civil rights, they need to be changed, not followed blindly for political reasons and expediency.
In light of this, our Party’s “presumptive” nominee is not valid. The Party has left me no choice but to protest the General Election in November in defense of the right of one person one vote.
Respectfully,
Evy (Texas)
PUMA Democrat
I am sure that many of you have read the article in the Chicago Tribune:http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-mccain-women-jun06,0,5085404.story
I have written the following letter to Senator McCaskill:
I beg to differ with you regarding the fact that you think you “know” these women. We are not going to pull the lever in the privacy of the voting booth for Obama. He was selected not elected. He lacks all the qualities to become our next president. No leadership, poor judgement and a complete lack of experience. Your party the DNC is the one that has set women back by 40 years.
As a Democrat for 30+ years, I will not support Obama or the DNC. My vote will be cast for John McCain. And just so you know, the outreach from the McCain campaign has been kind, sincere and heartwarming. The Obama blog is filled with hatred. Maybe you should get to know us better.
Michele of of 18 Million
P.U.M.A. Democrat
Please go to her website so we can send a strong message to her as well as the O campaign that we will not vote in the privacy of the voting booth for a candidate that is not a leader.
http://mccaskill.senate.gov/
Dear Dr. Dean. It is absolutely disgusting how you and the DNC pretended that the 18 million persons that voted for Hillary Clinton did not count. You chose instead Senator Obama who has absolutely no experience, no one knows anything about him except his best friends and mentors are terrorists and hate mongers and antisemites. I have been a loyal democrat for all my life since I came to this wonderful Country 60 years ago, but I cannnot continue to support the Democratic Party in the way it is evolving and not listening to the voters. Monique Pegg Riverside CA 92506
Dear Mr. Dean,
Yes, I am a passionate card carrying liberal Democrat who has NEVER voted Republican in my life. I regularly contribute to the DNC and to our presidential candidates. I contributed more than $1500 to Hillary Clinton in the primary with the hope that my party will nominate the Clinton brand – the only one that has won Presidential elections since 1976 and has produced a centrist winning coalition to produce excellent results in the economy and abroad. As Hillary pointed out, Bill Clinton remains our ONLY Best 2 term president from our party who has won 2 out of three times that the Democrats have won the Presidency.
Instead, the DNC selected, not us elected, a fringe left candidate that I just cannot support to vote to give the keys of the WH to.
I will vote McCain for President focusing my energy and money on his campaign. By the way, you have been a totally ineffective Chair which allowed the likes of Arianna Huffington to split our party. Also, I am not old, poor, or uneducated as the Obama Maniacs who caricature me- I am a female, with 2 graduate degrees and a six figure income. “Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned”….incase you didn’t know this but “Loyalty is not transferable.” I absolutely admire and support the Clintons. I refuse to vote for Barack and Michelle Obama.
JoAnn
Allegheny County
Pennsylvania
Puma Democrat
DNC under your leadership have shown how hatred, misogyny, race-baiting is acceptable provided the person who uses it with gusto is NOT caucasian.
* correction to first paragraph.
I noticed that, Ramsey. lol
Let’s pull our energy together to start working in this area.
You know nobama will be gunning for the greater Pittsburgh area. He needs it to win PA.
There are other Clinton campaign workers who would like to get started as well. I’m working on hand out materials.
Howard Dean:
The DNC has lost all credibility. The presumptive nominee has been selected by the Party Elite, not the people. You and other members of the party sat by or partook in the misogynistic attacks on Hillary Clinton. You sat by as the Clintons and her supporters were labeled racists. All this was done to promote an egregiously unqualified candidate.
Women are your largest and most loyal voting bloc; why was no one in the DNC standing up for us? I know. You were trying to force Hillary Clinton out of her right to run in this campaign.
I cannot turn my back to what has transpired in this election. Senator Mccain will get my vote and party loyalty is a thing of the past. I will protest to be sure this travesty never again happens in this country. The willfull stealing of elections is not acceptable.
Tawnee
Los Angeles, CA
PUMA
Mr. Dean,
What would Michelle Obama say if her choice for the presidential candidate had been treated as unfairly by the DNC as my choice (Hillary Clinton) was?
She would probably say the same thing she said about being an American. But she won’t say anything about the DNC now, because her candidate was pushed over the top by the unfair set up rules of the DNC. My candidate was cheated out of the competition, so I am writing to tell you how I feel.
“For the first time in my adult life here in America, I am ashamed to be called a democrat.” Therefore, I have switched my party to Independent.
You probably will say that my opinion does not matter, because I am just a woman, as Hillary Clinton. That’s not the case anymore…Hillary was just “one” incredible woman trying to compete against a wall of unwilling male political figures capable of doing anything to keep her from a chance at holding the position of president of the United States. The difference is…I am “one” woman in an army of millions of other women and men who are not happy with the decision of the DNC. We will be heard…and we will matter more than you think.
Formerly yours,
Delilah Bromfield, Fl
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 presidential election beacuse as party elders; you had an OBLIGATION to step up to the plate and stop the STRONG ARM TACTICS, CHEATING, SEXISM and the PROPAGANDA that spewed forth.
By not stopping these divisive actions and SELECTING instead of ELECTING the nominee; you have caused a massive seperation in the Democratic party to the tune of 18 MILLION and counting.
After 26 years of steadfast support always remember I did not leave the Democratic party; YOU HAD ALREADY LEFT ME! The Democratic Party is the party of my ideas; only if you actually “practice” instead of just preaching. Otherwise, you are just another organization with which 18 MILLION voters and I find no common values, integrity or bond. You are not a religion!
This Sweetie, Refuses to go sit Quietly in the back of the bus! We will Not be coming home in November.
Sincerely,
Kim~
Monroe County~Newport, Michigan~
“Puma Democrat”
Dear Dr, Dean,
Why am I protesting the Democratic Party?
The Democratic Party does not share my values and my beliefs. This years primary season I have learned that the Democratic Party does not count nor value every vote.
Example of this is the MI decision. It is one thing to give Senator Obama the uncommitted votes (though wrong) it is truly “unethical” and “morally” wrong to take from Senator Clinton’s votes and give to Senator Obama. That is NOT a democratic value I wish to aspire to or belong to.
If you want unity the Democratic Party as a whole should stand united and against any form of media bias, sexism or racism toward any democratic candidate.
If you want unity in the Democratic Party fellow democratic leaders should NOT be asking candidates to drop out of a race that is for all intense purposes tied. Further more if you want unity democratic leaders should allow a candidates who are for all intense purposes tied to make there case at the democratic convention and NOT ask to drop out or get in line for unity sake.
In addition it has become clear that the Party Leaders have selected Senator Obama as the candidate rather then the people electing their candidate.
I can not nor will I support Senator Obama for many reasons in part I strongly disagree with Senator Obama’s issues on healthcare reform and foreign policy. In addition I strongly disagree with Senator Obama’s character and his associations with so many very questionable people. I also do NOT agree in voting for someone who clearly does NOT have the experience to run this country and has no history to back up his “change” sales gimmick. You may fool some of the people some of the time but you can’t fool everybody all of the time. I can NOT trust Senator Obama’s judgment and feel he is a very serious threat to our country.
You do realize that you have thrown the core democratic voters under the bus. Senator Clinton attracted and held the base, the core of the party and yet you Dr Dean and Party Leaders threw Senator Clinton and her supporters under the bus. To that I say NO thank you. I am never going to consider myself a democrat ever again.
William Kronert
Hillary, Obama did not win the nomination for Presidency of the United States of America. The DNC and he stole it from you. Let it be known here and now, they will pay a “bitter” price for this move in November if you do not prevail in the end. The Democratic Party just handed the election to McCain when they hosed you over Obama. I for one woman will be voting McCain in the fall, if this incredible theft is allowed to stand. What happened to count all our votes? I cannot, even with your urging endorse this man. Now, after your campaign suspension speech the audacity of the media never ceases to amaze me. Now those arrogant @#$^$es are saying that you must get out and campaign for their golden boy. Of course you do (not), if you want a Democrat in the Whitehouse. They know he can’t win without you and we all know that too. So let’s go girls, let’s get their poster boy elected. Yeah [W]right, when hell freezes over, I’ll start. Sorry Hillary, it is you or McCain. I still say it will be you because Obama will implode before Denver. Thank God, you merely suspended your campaign.
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am a new voter who was naturalized December 19, 2007. I filled in my voter registration with pride and marked the Democrat box. I am no longer a Democrat. As a feminist, your party’s values have diverged from my own. Your silence in the face of the misogyny and sexism aimed at your fellow Democrat, Senator Hillary Clinton, created a wound in the hearts of feminist Democrats that will not soon heal. You had the opportunity to take a stand and chose not to. That is the coward’s way. That is not my way.
Sincerely,
Jackie
King County, Redmond, Washington
Proud PUMA Democrat
MURPHY< will there be a way we can edit our posts once submitted without having to retype?
Sandy in PA
Typos and such
LisaNC & goandersen,
I agree with both of you, we need to band togeather on the same page.
HD,
As a first generation born American to immigrant parents and a veteran of the military I am a very proud and patriotic American. Pride in my country and flag, above all else, FIRST. The candidate you have forced upon us has demonstrated by his actions, his words and his close associates his complete lack of pride and love for our great country. His own wife even acknowledged her lack of Pride in our country. While there are many many reasons for not voting for Obama in November, this one reason is the main reason I will place my vote for John McCain. Is there really any other choice for that decision when you made sure Hillary was not on the ballot?
Nick D.
Phoenix, AZ
PUMA Democrat
Hillary Democrat
No Hillary No Unity
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am one of the 18 million Democrats that you have chosen to ignore. The actions of a small group of party insiders have torn the Democratic Party apart. In all my
life I have never seen such horrific treatment of a Political Candidate as that which I have seen directed against Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton over the past few months. Her own Party has turned on her and relentlessly and repeatedly betrayed her. To me the Clintons are the epitome of the Democratic Party. Since the Democratic Party (with the help of an egregiously biased media) has seen fit to select, rather than elect, a candidate and then to ram that candidate down our
throats, I refuse any longer to be identified as a Democrat. The DNC selected candidate, Barack Obama, does not share my values and at his own admission,
identifies with his father’s people, the Luo, rather than with anybody in America of whatever ethnicity, color, sexuality or religion. He is morally questionable and
identified with highly questionable people and he is utterly unqualified for the Office of President of the United States. He does not and never will represent my
beliefs and values or those of most other Americans. I will NOT vote for Obama. Ever. Period.
On a Legal note, since, at the time of his conception and birth, Senator Obama’s father held a British and Commonwealth Passport (and subsequently a Kenyan
Passport) and since, to the best of my knowledge, the Senator has never either renounced his father’s Nationality, his own right to such a Passport, or been
Naturalized as a Citizen of the United States, he must currently, in theory, hold a Dual-Nationality and therefore, be Constitutionally disqualified from holding the Office of President of the United States of America. (See Section 1, Article 2 of the Constitution of the United States of America.) It is possible that the Supreme Court would rule this view to be incorrect, but they have not so far done so and until they do, it is a valid legal position. It is possible that Senator Obama does not realize that he was born with an entitlement to either a British or Kenyan Passport or that he subsequently acquired one to an Indonesian Passport by his mother’s second marriage. However, since such is the case, he should take active steps to repudiate said Passports. In all honesty, it seems highly unlikely that on his visits to his brother-in-law in England or his paternal family in Kenya, no one has mentioned the issue of his Citizenship to him. Since, in the past, people have raised the issue of Senator McCain’s place of birth, even though both of his parents were natural born American citizens, it is difficult to see why no one has, so far, raised the anomaly of Senator Obama’s father.
By the way, I hold a Master’s Degree from a well known Private Research University. I am also an Honorary Doctor of Divinity. As a person of Religious bent I also have to say that I find a number of Senator Obama’s speeches contain sentiments and asserverations I find deeply suspect and offensive. I have no problem with Honest Believers in any Creed, be they Christian, Moslem, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Taoist, Shintoist, Confucian, Mormon, Wiccan, or what you will, I do not share their Beliefs but I will Defend their Right to them. However, it seems almost as if the Senator, himself, believes he is a Prophet leading America to some kind of Kingdom of God on Earth. If that is the case, he has no business running for President, and you have no business helping him to! If it isn’t Blasphemy, and Anti-Constitutional to boot, it is so close to it as to be
indistinguishable.
D.
Onondaga County, NY
Puma PAC (former) Democrat
Barbara Charline Jordan was a member of the House of Representatives (Texas) from 1973 to 1979. She was bright, articulate and saw many key issues very clearly. She gave a speech in support of the Articles of Impeachment against Richard Nixon. Part of what she said was:
“Earlier today, we heard the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: “We, the people.” It’s a very eloquent beginning. But when that document was completed on the seventeenth of September in 1787, I was not included in that “We, the people.” I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in “We, the people.”
Today I am an inquisitor. An hyperbole would not be fictional and would not overstate the solemnness that I feel right now. My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total. And I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction, of the Constitution.
“Who can so properly be the inquisitors for the nation as the representatives of the nation themselves?” “The subjects of its jurisdiction are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men.” And that’s what we’re talking about. In other words, [the jurisdiction comes] from the abuse or violation of some public trust.”
I submit that Barbara Jordon’s words can be applied to the DNC and to some members of Congress. Their abuse of a public trust is so egregious that calling for their resignations in regard to that abuse is the least we can do as citizens. I understand that a U.S. Senator is contemplating forming a committee to investigate the DNC. Let’s us hope he is successful.
DEAR DR. DEAN
I COULD GO ON AND ON WITH REASON OF WHAY I AM PROTESTING THE 2008 ELECTION. I WILL JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE FOR THE DNC…DONNA BRAZILLE SAID THE DEMOCRATS DO NOT NEED THE 18 MILLION VOTERS THAT SUPPORTED SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON. SO I WILL BE SUPPORT SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN IN NOVEMBER. THE DNC, YOUR POLITICAL ANALYSTS AND THE MAINSTEAM MEDIA HAVE LEFT A VERY BAD TASTE IN MOUTH WITH YOUR CONDUCT THROUGHOUT THIS PRIMARY SEASON. OH AND JUST SO YOU KNOW I AM NOT AN ANGRY WHITE WOMAN…NO SIR…I AM AN AMERCIAN BLACK WOMAN & TENNESSEEAN FOR HILLARY!!
VELMA,
SHELBY COUNTY, TN
PUMA DEMOCRAT
PLS DELET POST #109 ..I HAVE TYPOS.
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am protesting the 2008 democratic election and will vote for McCain in November. This process was rigged. The treatment of Hillary by the good ol boys of the democratic party (Leahy, Kerry and Kennedy with his ‘nobility’ crack) shocked, sickened and stunned me.
I worked every weekend leading phone banks for Ohio for Kerry fron June 04 til the week before the election when I traveled to Cincinnati. I canvassed every other weekend for CD11 in 06 and helped win that election. I feel abandoned by the party I’ve worked so hard for.
SLDEM
Alameda County, CA
gokim,
I’ve been away..cooking for the coming week…what’s up?
with #108
DEAR DR. DEAN
I COULD GO ON AND ON WITH REASONS OF WHY I AM PROTESTING THE 2008 ELECTION. I WILL JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE FOR THE DNC…DONNA BRAZILLE SAID THE DEMOCRATS DO NOT NEED THE 18 MILLION VOTERS THAT SUPPORTED SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON. WITH THAT SAID I WILL BE SUPPORTING SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN IN NOVEMBER. THE DNC, THE DEMOCRAT POLITICAL ANALYSTS AND THE MAINSTEAM MEDIA HAVE LEFT A VERY BAD TASTE IN MOUTH WITH YOUR CONDUCT THROUGHOUT THIS PRIMARY SEASON.
OH AND JUST SO YOU KNOW I AM NOT AN ANGRY WHITE WOMAN…NO SIR…I AM AN AMERCIAN BLACK WOMAN & TENNESSEEAN FOR HILLARY!!
VELMA,
SHELBY COUNTY, TN
PUMA DEMOCRAT
I just have to say how moved I am by all your letters. They are strong and should be heard by many. Not just Howard Dean. These should be sent to the New York Times or the Washington Post.
Great job PUMA
Clinton’s new job: Persuading diehard fans to back Obama
The above is one of the stories on CNN’s political ticker.
Are we fans of Hillary?? We support Hillary because of her views and ideas of how this country should be guided. Unlike the Obamabots we do not treat her as an Idol!!!!
Howard Dean,
You all had it in for Sen. Clinton from the start. We all know this. We will not unify and we will not be “good little girls” and step in line. It’s time you learned that we make intelligent choices. My goodness, women make up more than half the population. What were you thinking?
I have voted for Democratic candidates in every primary election, general election (including midterm elections), and recall election (I voted in CA against the 2003 recall of Gray Davis) since 1996, sometimes enthusiastically and other times not so much, and since 2004 I have donated money to candidates like Harold Ford, Jr. (at least $200) and Hillary Clinton (over $500) and even a little to the DNC.
But I will never support or vote for Barack Obama for President of the United States.
As if his weak performances in all the debates until the last few–revealing just how much he really did not know about the issues just 9 or even 6 short months ago–weren’t enough, when I learned about the way he eliminated other Democratic candidates from the ballot in 1996 when he first ran for state Senator, when I learned about the way in which he did only what was best for his own career for eight years as a state Senator by voting ‘present’ at least 130 times, when I learned that he joined a church twenty years ago to advance his political career (and then watched him renounce that same church recently to advance his political career… you just can’t make this stuff up), when I learned about his relationship to Rezko (and that he found time in the first year as a U. S. Senator to buy a nice house and a bit of extra land for himself from this convicted felon in an under-the-table deal, but that he could not find time in a year and a half to convene the subcommittee with jurisdiction over NATO and Afghanistan that he supposedly chairs even once), when I learned all that about him and more, I decided that I can never vote for such a person to be president of the United States. Even if he weren’t shallow and sleazy, he has no record of real accomplishments or service whatsoever, and he has weaseled his way off with the nomination that he does not deserve for an office that he is far from ready to hold with nothing but flowery rhetoric and empty slogans.
And I say nothing about the horrible things that the party leaders and the media have done to Hillary, to our principles and to our system of government, which relies on good judgment, counting votes and fair reflection and on the reporting of information rather than spinning the truth because of a blatantly sexist bias.
Goodbye, my party that has betrayed itself and us all.
Witness the rise of the Pumas.
Howard Dean,
Many times in the past my candidate of choice has not won the nomination and I have voted for the democratic nominee because the nominee was the clear choice of the people. I can not say the same for this election cycle. I will be protesting the 2008 general election because:
– The current nominee was selected and not elected by the people.
– The leaders of the DNC encouraged the undecided Super Delegates to support Barack Hussein Obama, Jr.long before any clear cut winner was determined.
– The DNC chose to punish many life-long Democrats in Florida and Michigan.
– The attitude by the DNC that women who don’t fall in line with the selected nominee are somehow not true Democrats.
– The sexist attitude displayed by members of the DNC.
There was a time when women stood back and did what they were told. Fortunately, women are now educated and capable of making their own decisions.
Shirley
Harris County, TX
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
I have been a registered and active Democrat since 1980, and have always made a point of voting the Democratic ticket. The 2008 primary process has made it clear to me that the Democratic party leadership is not interested in winning this year’s presidential election. You have deliberately gamed the process to defeat the most qualified candidate in favor of one who has no hope of winning in the general election.
I am your ideal demographic: educated, fortunate to be relatively affluent, motivated. I have donated to Senator Clinton’s campaign. I will not donate to the DNC or to Senator Obama’s campaign.
This November, if Senator Clinton is not the nominee, I will vote Republican. I will vote the entire Republican ticket. You will have to find two voters to replace me: one because I am not voting for any of your candidates, and another because I am voting for your opponents. Congratulations on creating a replay of 1972.
Cordially,
Mike
King County, WA
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean:
I have voted for Democratic candidates in every primary election, general election (including midterm elections), and recall election (I voted in CA against the 2003 recall of Gray Davis) since 1996, sometimes enthusiastically and other times not so much, and since 2004 I have donated money to candidates like Harold Ford, Jr. (at least $200) and Hillary Clinton (over $500) and even a little to the DNC.
But I will never support or vote for Barack Obama for President of the United States.
As if his weak performances in all the debates until the last few–revealing just how much he really did not know about the issues just 9 or even 6 short months ago–weren’t enough, when I learned about the way he eliminated other Democratic candidates from the ballot in 1996 when he first ran for state Senator, when I learned about the way in which he did only what was best for his own career for eight years as a state Senator by voting ‘present’ at least 130 times, when I learned that he joined a church twenty years ago to advance his political career (and then watched him renounce that same church recently to advance his political career… you just can’t make this stuff up), when I learned about his relationship to Rezko (and that he found time in the first year as a U. S. Senator to buy a nice house and a bit of extra land for himself from this convicted felon in an under-the-table deal, but that he could not find time in a year and a half to convene the subcommittee with jurisdiction over NATO and Afghanistan that he supposedly chairs even once), when I learned all that about him and more, I decided that I can never vote for such a person to be president of the United States. Even if he weren’t shallow and sleazy, he has no record of real accomplishments or service whatsoever, and he has weaseled his way off with the nomination that he does not deserve for an office that he is far from ready to hold with nothing but flowery rhetoric and empty slogans.
And I say nothing about the horrible things that the party leaders and the media have done to Hillary, to our principles and to our system of government, which relies on good judgment, counting votes and fair reflection and on the reporting of information rather than spinning the truth because of a blatantly sexist bias.
Goodbye, my party that has betrayed itself and us all.
Witness the rise of the Pumas.
Brian C, Knox County, TN
PUMA DEMOCRAT
Dear Dr. Dean:
Since the Democratic Party has seen fit to select a candidate [rather than elect one], ram that candidate down the electorate’s throat, and then turn a deaf ear to all and any protest, I no longer feel divided.
I am no longer a Democrat. I am one of the 18 million!
Margaret
Knox County, Tennessee
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean:
I have always voted Democrat. I am afraid that it will not happen this November. My main reasons are as follows:
The process to nominate Presidential candidate for Democratic Party in 2008 is deeply flawed and does not represent the will of the people. Instead, it represents more of the will of the party activist and elites and is anything but democratic. The allocation of delegates from Michigan by the BRC to a candidate who, legally, did not receive a single vote in the state of Michigan was the worst example of fixing an election.
DNC leadership stood silent throughout the primaries when the party activists and elected leaders (super delegates) systematically unduly influenced the outcome of every major election since March 1, by coming out on MSM just before the election and asking Senator Clinton to dropout and declaring that the Senator Obama was going to be the Nominee. I believe that sexism was at the core of this behavior by the party activists and elected leaders—they were just not able to make peace with the thought that a woman could rule on them as the President of the United States.
Syed
Nassau County, New York
Puma Democrat
Let’s be patient. I am sure the site is still being built. It just went up! I know we need to have subject lines and need to be able to reply to individual comments.
This is like the Village Square and there lots of houses in the village springing up everywhere- am sure Murphy will add links to other sites and vise versa so we can really grown this village.
It’s gonna take a village- an online village!
gokimfrommichigan, LisaNC,
I am going to find somewhere where there is some organizing going on. I have written many letters to Mr. Dean and DNC already.
I know we are all shell-shocked, and need some healing time, but, we HAVE TO KEEP HILLARY’S SUPPORT AND MOMENTUM GOING. LET’S NOT GET ALL DIFFUSED AND UNFOCUSED. PEOPLE NOT ON THIS BLOG OR THE OTHERS ARE NEEDING DIRECTION.
Oops- I meant “grow”.
Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the November election and voting for Senator John McCain. In my 40 years of being a devoted Democrat, I have never voted Republican.
Your party has stood by while Senator Clinton and her supporters were treated in an appalling, misogynistic manner by the media.
The fact that your party has chosen to SELECT a candidate instead of letting the people VOTE IN the popular candidate is unforgivable.
I am 1 of 18,000,000 voters that voted for the most competent and compassionate candidate and will not go away.
This sweetie has had enough!
Ronda Ballard
PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA
P.U.M.A. DEMOCRAT
Goandersen and gokimfromichigan.
Thanks for paying attention.
Murphey needs to give some kind of direction. All the blogging in the world won’t change anything if we don’t have some direction……
Murphey,please respond.
Lisa
Mr. Dean,
I have voted Democratic straight ticket for 37 years. This year I will not. The resounding silence of the DNC while Senator Hillary Clinton and her supporters were villified, disrespected, and attacked continuously by a biased media and the opponents campaign will not be tolerated. In addition, the travesty of Michigan, in removing legal delegates from one candidate to give to another was unconscionable.
My vote is my voice. I will be using it this year to send a message that is loud and clear. The democratic party is no longer democratic.
Dictator Dean,
Personally, I could list a thousand reasons to protest this election myself, but I will provide a short narrative of the reason why I protest the nomination of Barack Obama. Specifically, the American people have witnessed how the Democratic Party’s National Committee and many so-called super delegates have imposed their will in opposition of the will of the people, namely “Hillary Clinton is the Most Electable Candidate of the Democratic Party and Received the Most Popular Votes!” Yes, MI and FL are people and should be counted. Changing the rules for South Carolina and Nevada is okay, but MI and FL were out of line, Hmmm??? You will be surprised when MI and FL become red states for the next 40 years. That is history you can count on.
Consider … if Obama was the surging candidate, had the status of most electable, had won the discounted and unfairly assigned states of FL and MI, and had won the Popular Vote; then the Black caucus would be organizing riots all across the country for Obama. By discounting FL and MI against Hillary Clinton and adding the SC for the benefit of Obama in January ‘08 – along with injecting the race card whenever this upper hand was needed, the PLEOs along with the Obama campaign started their process of hijacking the election away from Senator Clinton. Unfortunately, the Clinton campaign did not see the deception of their own Party towards them, until it was too late.
Now, the DNC wants us all to come together and unite behind an illegitimate, unqualified, moribund, and unelectable candidate. Obama should be polling at least 10 to 20 points ahead of McCain, due to the state of our nation, but the Presidential race is a statistical tie because of Obama’s weakness as a general election candidate. Obama will lose FL and MI and will not be able to overcome this Electoral College deficit, due to the DNC’s decision to discount our states in the process and super delegate’s decision hand the Obama the nomination. Clearly, the whole process was rigged to get a BHO elected. The funny thing is: Obama is not a true African American, but was raised Muslim by Muslim parents. Therefore, this election is historic.
Evidence shows that the DNC, including members of the RBC, and the Obama campaign collaborated through corrupt financial incentives and associations with the biased left wing media agencies; and, boy are they proud, now that they pulled off the greatest deception of modern election times. Not only were these relationships deliberately intended to physically manipulate the caucus states, these relationships were contrived to suppress voters attitudes and opinions during the primaries. Simultaneously, this shady alliance – the list of names and agencies is too long to list here – denigrated the Clintons from the beginning and in all directions. The Obama campaign perfected the art of manipulation of the main stream media (MSM), where their shotgun press releases were a blatant attempt to further manipulate the public opinion through manufactured stories and exaggerations, especially right before elections. The McCain campaign is cognizant of the Obama campaigns’ misleading campaign methods and will not stand for such deceptive techniques. More importantly, the public is getting to know Barack Obama’s character, his history of dishonest dealings, and corrupt campaign strategies; and trust me the outlook is not good for an Obama Presidency. Mr. Dean, good luck with your new Donna Brazil coalition; we will see how brilliant the Democratic Party looks after November without the support of nearly 20% of the registered Democrats.
Hillary is your only chance to secure the White House. I hope she rejects the invitation to be V.P., after the way she was treated by the UnDemocratic Party.
Signed,
Discounted Voter – Michigan
Puma Democrat
The DNC needs a loud and clear message that we will NOT, under any circumstances, let THEM control the outcome of our nominating process and election. If we allow them to do this now, what do you think they will do in the future??? We mind as well become the “Communist Party” if our decisions are going to be made for us and we are expected to fall in line. Hillary was discriminated against by her own party leaders. It made me sick to my stomach.
Richardson obviously endorsed Obama b/c he thought there might have been something in it for him. In my opinion, James Carville hit the nail on the head…that bastard is a Judas. As for John Edwards, I think he might have been promised something as well (i.e., Poverty position in the Cabinet). After all, his governing policies, health care policies, etc. were more in line w/ Clinton than Obama. This election was stolen from her in so many ways….the media, sexism, bias superdelegates, the Michigan & Florida disenfranchisment, the young voters (many of whom have probably never voted before in their life and know nothing about politics except that Obama is “cool”), and the African American community that voted for Obama by 90% (hmm…and we’re the racists??!!). And those are just the TIP of the ICEBERG!! Clinton was forced out by a combination of elements. I have NEVER in my life seen so much hatred and criticism of someone who ran for President. I wll never forgive the DNC…I will never forgive the idiotic superdelegates….I will never forgive the hateful, sexist media….I will never forgive the Obama campaign for its decietfulness playing the race card and blaming the Clintons…I will never forgive Michelle Obama for the nasty things she said on YouTube about Hillary & Bill’s marriage….I will never forgive the “youth vote” for stealing this nomination from a person who deserves it and giving it to the “cool guy”….I will never forgive 90% of the black community who voted for the “black candidate” instead of giving Hillary at least the benefit of the doubt that the Clintons have FOUGHT their entire adult lives for civil rights!!! And NO, I’m not a racist by any means…but that 90% crap was ridiculous!! Obviously some in the black community FORGOT what the Clintons have done to benefit them over the past 40 years. Its sad more than anything.
In sum, we (her supporters) must not fall weak over the next months. We must send a LOUD message to the Democratic Party leaders that we count…..they NEED us….and we will NOT tolerate in any way, shape or form the discrimination, disenfrancishment, sexism, and biasness that we have seen over this election season. We have to show them that they cannot and will not push OUR CLINTONS around and get away with it! These S.O.B’s have a chip on their shoulder and think they can control the world…push us around and that we’ll all just weakly “fall in line”. We’ve survived 8 years of George W. Bush (essentially the worst President in the history of our Nation)…I’m positive that 4 years of John McCain isn’t going to kill me. He’s really NOT like Bush if you study his record. If you’re looking for proof, look at the rate at which he appeals to Independents. He truly is a Maverick, unlike any Republican we’ve seen yet. I certainly don’t agree with everything he stands for, but then again, I don’t agree with everything Obama stands for either. So, my idea as a loyal Clintonite is….MAKE A STATEMENT! If Clinton is not offered the VP position (which is the least that Mr. Arrogant Obama could do since he limped over the finish line while she was winning the last states by 30-40%)….then I will vote GOP in ‘08. This is about RESPECT folks! We’ll see if Obama has ANY respect for Clinton….if he does, and if he TRULY wants to “unite” the party, then he’ll offer her the spot. If not, I think that speaks volumes about his character….he cannot get over his own ego and his wife’s obvious distaste for Hillary, to bring our party back together as much as possible.
I am just sickened and disheartened by this whole thing….and if anyone out there IS NOT sickened by it , then they do not understand the values behind the Democratic Party and what those values “should” stand for. Whatever happened to Democracy???
Today and everyday going forward, I stand with Hillary (as she stood with us). MAKE A STATEMENT! Don’t let the Democratic “Dictators” determine what you will do!
HILLARY 2012, 2016.
Dear Dr. Dean, I am no longer an Democrat. You and the rest of the DNC let Obama and his campaign push vicious lies about hillary through the media. you let the cliton legacy go down the tubes. you turned a blind eye to sexism. you let people in the media day sexist things. you let the media be openly bias against Hillary and you did nothing but remain silent. HILARY AND obama needed supers to win and they didn’t do there job to pick the stronger nominee. instead you did the opposite. you threw the main core of the party down the tubes for smart rich people and college students. us hard working gun clinging religion bitter people will vote McCain. you caused this to happen cause you didint take charge. and now you will pay. I will donate and campaign for McCain and i hope everyone else do the same. dont write in hillary because they wil through the vote out or count it as an obama vote. Goodbye Howard and Pelosi. I am independent now. its not to late. you can still take it to Denver
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am writing to inform you I am no longer a Democrat, I have switched my party to independent. As has my mother, my husband, and both of my sons. We will in fact vote en masse for John MCain. This isn’t about Clinton or Obama. Not any more. This movement to defeat Obama, has surpassed the competition between two candidates. It has taken on a life of its own. This is now about principle. And the violation of our principles, and the violation of the Democratic Party’s principles, by Donna Brazille, Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, and yourself. This is now about us. This is about our own values, and our own morals.
We have to make the decision for ourselves, country or party? We have to decide how much crap we are willing to put up with for the sake of the Democratic Party. And we have to decide for ourselves whether or not Obama represents our best interests, does he represent our values, our morals. And the answer is no, he doesn’t. I do not recognize Obama as the legitimate nominee of this party. This entire nomination process to me was a complete sham, and I am fed up. I have had enough. I’m not willing to once again throw in the towel and support a man I honestly, right down to my soul, believe is a racist and a bigot and a sexist. I’ve had enough of watching the more qualified woman be thrown over for a less qualified man. I’ve had enough of overlooking outright slander of a former President, demeaning insults and character asassination of a former First Lady and a current sitting United States Senator. I’ve had enough of the juvenile antics of the junior senator including but not limited too, the middle finger scratching his face. I’ve had enough of Obama’s minions calling us racists, illiterate, undeducated. I’ve had enough of voter suppression, voter intimidation and out right vandalism and bodily threats by Obama’s supporters. I’ve had enough of a Democratic Party that usurped the will of the people and awarded this primary to their chosen candidate. Obama has no record and no experience. I don’t like his stance that he would meet with the leaders of Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, or Hamas without preconditions. That is ludicrous and it is dangerous. I have no faith in Obama to do anything he says he can do with domestic policy because the man just doesn’t have the record to prove that he can. Yes, I will vote John McCain. Yes, I respect the man for his character, my husband is a Vietnam Veteran, and I applaud that man’s record and his heroism. Does he pass the Democratic Litmus test? Of course not. But he isn’t such a party ideologue that I fear him either. And as far as the Democratic Litmus test? As far as I am concerned, Barack Obama doesn’t pass it either. This isn’t about Clinton or Obama anymore. This is about what we are willing to tolerate in the name of party unity to a party that ignored our votes, ignored our will and abandoned us a long time ago. And while I respect Hillary Clinton, and I will always support her, Hillary does not own my vote. I will not vote for Obama just because she has asked me too. I will not vote for Obama because he is a Democrat. This has nothing to do with Hillary Clinton, but it has everything to do with my complete and total disgust with the Democratic Party, and those who lead it.
Joyce
Blacksburg, Virginia
PUMA Democrat
evy, you are right on! Murphy has done an incredible job in a very, very short time. We are so fortunate to have this place to come to and organize and express ourselves.
everything in good time!
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am so sorry to say that I can not support the DNC and Mr. Obama. He has been disrespectful to Senator Clinton and the company he keeps scares me to say the least. The fact that he was selected not elected is just something that I can not get over. I am not a Democrat, I am not a Republican….I am an Independent. Free to choose whomever I feel is best suited for our country. The DNC made a huge mistake. Senator Clinton won the popular vote and all the states needed to win the general election. The way she has been treated just for running is just appalling. While the media bashed her no one stood up for her except her family and supporters. Don’t you think maybe it would have been a good idea to step in? Unless this was the plan all along???? You know, I was one of those people before this primary that didn’t vote. I am 34 and I have only voted 3 times. Twice in a general election and this year for a primary. The reason I didn’t vote was because I thought it didn’t matter, the parties will just put in whoever they want anyway. I believed in Senator Clinton so much that I thought…well I will give this politics thing a try. Wow, I was right! Our votes really don’t count and the parties really do put in who they want! How sad.
My support and vote will be going to Senator McCain. You can say he will be a third term Bush, but I have listened to his speeches and I am studying out his issues. So far I find him to be a creditable candidate. He has at least has more experience than Mr. Obama. There is still time to make things right. August is awhile from now. Think about our country for once and what we want. Somebody needs to…oh yeah somebody did think about what we want, but you chose to not let her run.
I am proud to say that I am one of 18,000,000!
Kristi
Cape Girardeau County, Jackson, MO
PUMA Democrat
Everyone please check out this video.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9afuODNDYoQ
My reason. Because Dean and Pelosi turned their back on one candidate, they bias. Everyone was in the bag for BO.
mac,
Thanks for the link to Sen McCaskill. I just gave her a, piece of my mind. Every little act of dissention feels so good:)
Dear Dr Dean, The treatment of S. Hillary Clinton by her own party has been deplorable. She has faced it with the grace that I have come to expect of her but I must tell you that I am saddened and angry that the DNC stole this nomination from her-this was not a “fair” election as claimed by some. You sent me an email a few days ago asking for my support. I cannot in good conscience extend that support-S. Barack Obama is not the right candidate for this terribly important time in our history. And since he was “selected” and not “elected” I and others are going to be forced to make some very hard decisions in November. Believe me when I say this is not “sour grapes”. I know in elections someone loses, someone wins. However, in this case the DNC is making sure that everyone loses.
Respectfully
Mary Pat
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr Dean
I am protesting the 2008 Democratic Nomination because you have shamed our democracy by NOT COUNTING EVERY VOTE.
You have made a sham of the Democratic Party that will set us back for years, by NOT CHOOSING THE STRONGEST CANDIDATE.
You have made a sham of Democracy itself by encouraging other superdelegates to NOT TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE POPULAR VOTE.
You have disenfrancised Florida, which was disenfranchised enough in the election of 2000.
You have stood idly by while SEXISM, and MISOGYNY and RACE BAITING dictacted this election.
You have taken delegates away from the stronger candidate, and given them to the weaker candidate, you did not wait until both candidates had completed their campaigns before declaring a winner.
You have made a hyprocisy of democracy.
Allie
Copy and paste this if you want to, I am not eligable to vote, so I have written this for others to use if they agree with it.
suzy T~
I was agreeing with goanderson on lisanc previous post copy below:
I was just talking with another Hillary/Puma supporter and I believe that the one thing that many men know and most women don’t……
They see that women in the past have not banded together and supported one another. If we could manage somehow to all get on the same page and band together (with our men supporters,too) we can take back our Democratic party. We can stop what the DNC is doing, we can stop the biases of the media and we can put Hillary in the white house where she belongs. But first, we must truly get on the same page and organize. I believe Puma and like web sites can work together. We can’t continue going in separate directions. Lets put together a plan and stick to it and be heard. We need foot soldiers, we need secretaries and we need some leaders. We need a concrete plan.
LisaNC.
Mr. Dean
I too will make it short. You and Donna Brazile seem to be running your own version of the “American Way”. I wonder what other countries think of our voting system. We want freedom in foreign countries during elections but look at our system. We need to take a long and hard look at what we have just done. Shame, Shame, Shame !!!
Don’t count on my vote in Nov. as tomorrow I will register as an Independent after being a Democrat for 40 years. I have always been a loyal Democrat but since 18 million votes don’t seem to matter then I will vote for McCain in Nov.
Oh by the way we are PUMA’s and we are strong in what we believe in.
B.K. Currituck County, North Carolina
I am not the only one in my home that is voting McCain
Hi everyone i have sent Mr Dean 3 letters and have called him. I will be calling him monday morning as a PUMA. I will never vote for Obama and I am sick of the letters sent to me by Howard Dean and now Reid. I already told them even if Hillary is VP i will still not vote for thier boughten boy Obama.1. i am not just doing this for myself but i am doing this for my daughter and my granddaughter and all women who feel raped and beaten and abused by the DNC. 2. I am doing this for the Husbands who stand beside thier wives and our sons who feel as we do. 3. I am doing this because i know this whole race was stolen and handed over to Obama. 4. This is a Democracey not some cheap back stabbing game. 5. We the people want our voices heard and not to be treated like Obama said GUN TOTING,BIBLE THUMPING BITTER Americans. 6. We are the main core of this election so please do not throw us aside. 7.The Democratic Party should be squashed and a new Party to Replce it. 8. If not then i feel that Howard Dean,Nancy Pelosi and Harry Teid should be thrown out of the Democratic Party for all thier wrong unlawful doings.
I understand that some people feel that sending these letters to Dr. Dean is an exercise in redundency , having already written countless letters to him , and the other supers , but please remember that these letters are the FIRST written by PUMAs . It is imperrative that we build a united coalition . We have come here from many different websites , and we are growing in numbers by the second . Think of this letter writing campaign as a new begining for all of us – TOGETHER United as Pumas .
Dear Dr. Dean,
I was a Hillary supporter, but this is why I will not support Obama. Hillary gave a great speech today, but she is a politician, I am an individual and have to make my own choice.
A couple of weeks ago at Trinity Church when all those people in the congregation were clapping and whooping it up at the expense of Hillary as the Priest Pfleger treated her like trash on his shoe you were shown the true character of Obama. There is no way he spent 20 years in that church and was not a part of that. Do you really think all the people that voted for him up front would still vote for him? I doubt it.
Can you imagine if Hillary attended a church where someone got on the pulpit and yelled out, “Oh, damn….There’s a black man stealing my show!” The Black Community would be up in arms; Sharpton, Jackson, and every other black activists would be on all the cable news stations, they would be holding demonstrations in front of the church. They would involve the NAACP and the ACLU, there would be lawsuits filed for discrimination. If the congregant was clapping and urging it on I can’t even imagine, there would probably be riots. In other words, it would not be tolerated, but the blacks expect us to tolerate it. That is not going to go over with voters in a general election. It definitely is not going over with me. I believe Barack Obama is not qualified to be our President at this time and I feel his and his campaigns treatment of Hillary throughout this primary has been horrid, especially the constant pulling of the race card.
If Obama loses in the Fall it is because he is not the Uniter he claims to be, it is not my fault, nor Hillary’s or anyone else’s but Obama’s.
Obama said he would be a different kind of politician, that it would not be about distractions or putting the other opponent down, what a joke that turned out to be:
1. Obama said his campaign would not be about that, but it was, his own campaign was out there trashing her daily. During the debate right after Drudge posted the picture of Obama in Kenyan garb and tried to say Hillary’s campaign had sent it out while he would not offer up the proof. At the next debate Obama said the he didn’t believe that Hillary sent it out and then two to three weeks later at a rally in Mississippi he, Obama himself, told the audience that her campaign had sent it out to discredit him to rally up his base. Obama is a flip flopper, he says one thing and does another. I also don’t want a President that tells me that what I can eat, what I can’t, how warm or cool I can keep my house and where I can drive. I am a grown up now who takes responsibility for my own actions, I don’t need a nanny President to tell me what to do, I remember the Carter years – Obama is just like him.
Obama’s campaign playing the race card, just a few examples:
2. a.The over reaction of the “Fairy Tale” comment as if thought Bill Clinton was talking about Obama’s campaign when he was talking specifically about the Iraq war comments. b. Jesse Jackson, Jr, Obama’s Campaign Co–Chair going on national news saying that Hillary didn’t care about Iraq, Katrina victims or blacks because she didn’t cry over those issues. c. Turning Bill Clinton’s comment about Jesse Jackson winning South Carolina into a slur. d. Obama’s campaign sending out a four page press release to all the press outlets just prior to the SC primary trying to make everything the Clinton’s said into something racial and then denying they sent out the press release until it was put into Obama’s face at a debate at which time he said, “In hindsight, that probably wasn’t a good idea,” while offering no apology or acknowledgement of him and his campaign pushing the race card. After all the Clinton’s did for the African American community in their lifetime to denigrate them so will never be forgiven, Obama can’t apologize or give one of his lofty speeches that say nothing to get past this one. e. Michelle’s “ain’t no black people in Iowa” in January 2007 at the Trumpet Awards to herald black leadership and her comment in SC before a black audience, “It’s our turn now.”
Obama’s lack of experience:
3. He has been a US Senator for exactly three years and in those three years he has been campaigning two of them after lying to his constituents saying he would not be running for President. He hardly did any work in the Senate in the time he was there, never voting on any controversial or politically sensitive issues. His time in the Illinois Senate was a part time position in which he voted present more than just about anything else or pushed the wrong button according to him as Emil Jones turned other people’s legislation over to him. Tell us, what did Obama do besides run for the next office in all his time in public service? How did he improve the South side of Chicago as he supported causes of slum lord Rezko? He also lost every debate and does not have a command of the issues, he can’t talk off the cuff without his prepared speech or teleprompter, we have one of those in the WH that we are trying to rid ourselves of. We have a “uniter” that wanted “change” in the WH too, I didn’t vote for him because I thought he was full of it, I feel the same about Obama.
Not only will I not be supporting Obama, I will be actively working against him in his campaign. I don’t know what his “change” is, he has no record to see what he does. I do not trust him in the Presidency with a Democratic Congress to make the right choices for America, he has not shown us he knows how to do that in his history of perpetual candidacy while trying to play off his life story as one of hardship being a community organizer. The Democrats have lost my vote for this year all because Obama broke the foundation of the Democratic Party.
I am not voting with my feelings, I am voting with intelligence and Hillary is the best candidate. I don’t believe Obama is qualified to be President, especially with a Democratic Congress, he has no real record to know what he would actually do. I am not breaking up the party, Obama did a fine job of that himself. Do you really believe that his supporters will come out in the numbers they did for him for candidates in the future? I doubt it. So, tell us where does that leave the party? I think the divisiveness has come from the Obama campaign and his supporters. The base of the Democratic party has been supporting Hillary, the upstarts have come in and tried to trample over them. Once you break the foundation of a structure the only way for it to go is down, and Obama supporters have already caused it to fracture. Have you been reading the horrible things Obama and his campaign and his supporters have been saying about the only Democratic President elected in the past 40 years who brought the longest period of peace and prosperity to this nation during his campaign? Do you really think that didn’t fracture the party?
You do know the DNC doesn’t have the money they need for the convention, right? Could it be because they have treated Hillary so poorly the base is no longer donating to them while Obama regularly and consistently tried to compare Bill Clinton’s Presidency to the Bush years.. Why aren’t the Obama supporters sending them money? Do you really think Blacks would have come out in the numbers they have if a black man was not running? Or that 17-25 year olds that are supporting him at this point when many of them aren’t even supporting themselves and they have yet to truly decide on their life values are there for good? That is something you should really think about. When you stomp on the foundation for the new flashy stuff that doesn’t last as long you end up hurting only yourself. Do you really think those same people are going to come back to the polls to vote in other Democrats, I doubt it. Who is going to do all the Democratic parties footwork in the future, Obama threw those people out with the bath water as he denigrated Hillary’s supporters and allowed his campaign and supporters to carry the message of denigration on for months in his effort to satisfy his own ambitions. Obama will not be getting my vote, I know many others feel like me, he will not be able to change our minds, and I hope many more feel the same. No Obama in 2008.
On the January 22nd 2006 edition of “Meet the Press,” Tim Russert and Obama had the following exchange:
Russert: “When we talked back in November of ‘04 after your election, I said, ‘There’s been enormous speculation about your political future. Will you serve your six-year term as United States senator from Illinois?’”
Obama: “I will serve out my full six-year term. You know, Tim, if you get asked enough, sooner or later you get weary and you start looking for new ways of saying things. But my thinking has not changed.”
Russert: “So you will not run for president or vice president in 2008?”
Obama: “I will not.”
Dawn
Wake County, NC
ops sorry i put Teid instead of Reid i must be tired lol
I agree, Evy & SusyT. Murphy has done a wonderful in less than a week. This website has boomed in the last three days. The organization will come together.
We have identified things we can continuing doing individually; which, will come together collectively in a unified protest.
We are all here with a common goal … keep nobama out of the white house. That alone puts us on the same page.
I’m still trying to catch up I’ve been off since yesterday and had a huge family event today,just got home~
I got about an hour, I have to get some sleep I work toight~
do we still have the list of names and states going I’d like to be added~
opps tonight
I was in the sun all day and it was 95 lol tomorrow 100 here in Las Vegas
I am in talks with some women from all over the USA and we are trying to put together a coalition together of HRC supporters especially women so our voice becomes POWERFUL come NOV. and then the country especially the DNC can see that they messed with the wrong demographic.
We must NOT be taken for granted!
I need to collect emails of those interested esp. women… we are currently brainstorming on how to make our coalition one of power and millions.
Please if you are interested… please email me at n_otero@verizon.net.
I will then included you in our mailing list once we have an idea of how we are going to proceed.
If you have ideas on how to make this MAJOR please also include that in your email so I can forward this.
Thanks
Murphy, I do agree on one thing that would help considerably with your time … can you provide us with a comment form that will allow us to preview before posting?
Come on….lets start a MOVEMENT! They think the feminist movement was big in the 60’s and 70’s….wait til they get a load of us!
We need organizing. We need a MILLION WOMAN MARCH! I’m sure tons of influential women would take part….Hillary, Gloria Steinem, Geraldine Ferraro, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Sen. Diane Feinstein, Madonna, Ellen, Cher….lets get ‘em all involved. Screw Nancy Pelosi and Oprah….hmph..who needs them anyway!
murphy
can we get a money meter, links and a rolling counter as to how many members we have~
I dont mean to make more work for you but it would be helpful
Please add my name to the list under elliott co, Kentucky
I am so proud to be associated with all of you. I have read all your letters long and short..they are great. I didn’t think I could do it but I will don a gas-mask and vote for McCain, if all of you do it for Hillary so will I.
I strongly protest the Democratic nominee because the party and the pundits changed the political norms of 2008. In previous elections, candidates with marginal delegates and victories campaigned through the convention. Hillary is being held to a different standard by her own party. She was pressured to suspend her campaign and endorse Obama. Tampering with the system undermines the voting rights of the public.
Mr. Dean
I too will make it short. You and Donna Brazile seem to be running your own version of the “American Way”. I wonder what other countries think of our voting system. We want freedom in foreign countries during elections but look at our system. We need to take a long and hard look at what we have just done. Shame, Shame, Shame !!!
Don’t count on my vote in Nov. as tomorrow I will register as an Independent after being a Democrat for 40 years. I have always been a loyal Democrat but since 18 million votes don’t seem to matter then I will vote for McCain in Nov.
Oh by the way we are PUMA’s and we are strong in what we believe in.
Beverly
Currituck County, North Carolina
PUMA Democrat
I am not the only one in my home that is voting McCain
I know that there are powerful financial interests from City of London/Wall St. like George Soros and company who are behind the hijacking of our Democratic party. Their puppet, Barack Obama is being used as toilet paper to keep the Clintons away from the White House as their financial system collapses. They bought off the SDs.
Obama is not that smart of a guy. His supporters are no different than the Kool-Aid drinking Bush supporters.
Go PUMA ! ! !
Just got home, will write my letter in a little while!
I think there have been many good ideas here and for all of us who have written our letters, we now need to start setting up committees so we can get our message out there. There are many HRC contacts on myspace, someone should be contacting them. Can we just discuss the next step. Thanks!
Mr Dean
I will not support now or never the candidate that the Party has handpicked for the following reasons :
1)Hillary Clinton won by popular votes and yet ends up with less delegates. It is a numerical non sense reflecting a flawded primaries process.
2)Florida and Michigan did not break party rules. They followed their own State electoral rules.
3) to inappropriatly disqualify Florida and Michigan for complying with the rules of the State is a mistake of the DNC
4) it was your duty to resolve the issue of the dates of primaries before it became a bargaining tool for a group of people only motivated by their own self interest.
5) voting is a constitutinnal right not a political right. Florida and Michigan delegates need to have their full vote restored. 1/2 a vote is a disgrace and a parody of democracy
6) uncommitted votes stay uncommitted. BO had a choice and choose not to be on the ballot. Some uncommitted votes belongued to J Edwards so the allocation to BO of all the votes is PURELY FRIVOLOUS.
7)Not to count Florida and Michigan affected other primaries in other States . The Clinton campaign as true democrats immedialtly asked for revotes and got labelled as manipulative when they only wanted equal rights for all delegates. The medias misrepresented the situation, altering the perception of voters in the primaries that followed, unfairly portraying Hillary Clinton as trying to gain political advantage when in fact she was only fighting for voting rights. Subsequently Hilary lost some valuable momentum when in fact she would have acquired a more substantial lead. It was factual but instead she was robbed from votes in many States and suddenly became an “underdog”. What an outrage !!!
8)one of your superdelegate Donna Brazille kept distilling her OWN opinion as news when it was nothing short of brain washing and hypocrisy. She twisted every thing about Hillary ’s results, downplaying victories, amplifying losses being the hidden mouthpiece of BO and all his supporters.
She never had the honesty to say that she was not a neutral analyst but that she was actively desinforming the public.
9) Donna Brazil stated that she would leave the party if SD made the final decision. So why is she still a SD ? she should have left if her word meant anything besides bullying innocent news watchers.
10) A majority of people voted for Hillary, men , women,jewish, african american, young ,old . And that’s unity. Selecting BO for some obscure political maneuvering is not uniting but splitting the party.
11) it was an unprecedented event, the primaries of a lifetime and it was managed very poorly. Do you realize that millions voted for Hillary Clinton for very specifics reasons one of them being that we really like her. And at the end we are just supposed to align our positions with BO when he has none and just turn with the political wind with the sole purpose of being elected.
12) As Hillary supporters we don’t want to be patronized and sought out like stupid voting cattle.
We want to vote on issues(some many) not on an empty concept of fake unity.
13) it it not a question of race or gender( God knows the card was played over and over against her) but who is the most qualified for the job. AND SHE IS THE ONE.
14)Hillary Clinton was disrespected and it is a tragedy.
Before any party, any group, any individual makes any claims of power and victory they have to prove to the world that they respected the most fundamental values of democracy not demagogy, to attain the highest echelon of governement , that winning is not everything if done without integrity and you cannot lead without the TRUST of the PEOPLE.
Sincerely
Anne
NEVADA
Independent
I know these letters are important and i will write them all again. We must do whatever we can.
Would someone put me under Kentucky, thanks.
clintonite4ever
thats what my group is trying to do.
Will somebody PLEASE put me on the damn list ?
Texas (Panola County)
We need to do much more…we need to have some of the wonderful people that produced the great U-Tubes to coordinate with ad people and we need to start airing ads that remind the Hillary supporters that they need not follow the forced endorsement by Hillary…that they have choices…and most importantly that they should be voting for COUNTRY NOT PARTY…
Look how fast groups were able to raise money to put out ads for Hillary…just put out a donate for ads link and we will follow…WE MUST PREVENT THE TAKEOVER OF OUR PARTY AND OUR COUNTRY BY THESE THUGS!!!!
Hey Hillocrats! Y’all probably don’t know me too well as my comments never went through on Hillary’s website (Well… one did). The primary race was a travesty and we need to make sure we do all we can to make sure that Barack Obama does NOT become the next President of the US! I know I will be voting for McCain in November. Originally, I wasn’t going to vote, since this is the first time I’ll be able to vote in a Presidential Election. But that crack on CNN about the Hillary supporters who would vote for McCain instead of Obama in November being a “small but significant number” (How does that make any sense?!) changed my mind. It looks like everyone’s left Hillary’s website. Just in time. Those of Hillary’s supporters who are going to go ahead and vote Democrat for the sake of the party and Barack Obama supporters are moving onto it. I just can’t take it anymore. And I know some of the people I’ve come to know and love on Hillary’s blog are coming here so I hope we can stay in touch! Hillary or McCain 08!
DEAR DR.DEAN—-I am a 56 year old woman who was a regesterd Republican all my life–I never paid much attention to politics untill THIS primary. I listened to “ALL” the candidates and came to a “VERY EARLY” decision that Hillary Clinton spoke to me and about the issues that are important to me.When I witnessed the “INSANE” ADULATION of people FAINTING and FAWNING over Barack Hussein Obama over ABSOLUTLY “NOTHING” other than a sweeping speech of “CHANGE”—HOW HE WILL CHANGE “US”!! I RAN to the polls in TEXAS and voted DEMOCRATE and FOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON !!! Hillary has ALWAYS been CLEAR and CONCISE regarding her policys,her positions and how thoes would be accomplished. Barack Hussein Obama on the other hand has “NO RECORD” of accomplishments from the past as Senator Clinton does–B.O. NEVER has made ANYTHING CLEAR about how he REALLY wants to “CHANGE” America–Throughout the Primary he PARROTED Hillary’s plans almost verbaitum–Never ANY Ideas of HIS OWN–He constantly FLIP/FLOPS his ideas “NOW” to fit in with what he thinks a particular audiance “WANTS” to hear–then “CHANGE’S” his positions to something eles for another group!! B.O. is a RACIST, SEXIST,ANTIAMERICAN,ANTISEMITE MANIPULATIVE FRAUD and in my opinion his WIFE is every bit as bad!! YOU–DNC. YOU SUPERDELEGATES,YOU TOTALLY BIASED MEDIA,YOU BARAK HUSSEIN OBAMA and WIFE MICHELLE “STOLE” and “ROBBED” the Democratic nomination from Hillary Clinton!! “ALL” of you Think that her voters “18 MILLION” of us will FALL IN LINE to DRINK the B.O. LACED KOOLAID like “GOOD LITTLE CHILDREN” !! WELLLLLL– “YOU” better THINK that one over again!! YOU, not only STOLE and ROBBED Hillary of the nomination–the BEST and definently “most expereanced” candidate who “LOVES HER COUNTRY” and cares about “ALL” Americans, regardless of race, class , religion, or color–but YOU tryed to “DEFAME” President Bill Clinton and plant people in Chelsea’s audiances to embarrass her also!! We are NOT SHEEP–we WILL NOT BE TOLD WHAT TO DO and who we MUST follow–AND “YES” History DOES REPEAT itself–IF the lessons of the PAST were NOT LEARNED as in NAZI GERMANY!!!! Even if Hillary is V.P. I will NOT VOTE for B.H.O.–If she IS V.P. and Obama’s message of “CHANGE” turns out to be the “CHANGE of CHAOS” for the UNITED STATES–”YOU” and HE WILL BLAME HER–or President Bill Clinton or even Chelsea !! I WILL HAVE NO PART IN THAT senario!! I WILL be voting for John MCcain–unless more ‘DASTARDLY” associates of B.O. FINALLY bring him down or more DISGUSTING comments by either B.O. or his WIFE finally bring THEM down and Hillary–THE RIGHTFULL NOMINEE is given her RIGHTFULL PLACE as the DEM. candidate!!SHAME ON “ALL” OF YOU for what you have done to Hillary and “US” !! LINDA–TEXAS
GoKim thanks for the clarification and update. It’s appreciated..I do agree!
I converted my parents today to vote for Mccain if Hillary ends up not being our nominee already had my children, brothers, sisters etc~
but they have been dems for 57 years my Mom & Dad were almost in tears while they discussed the humilliating treatment of Hillary
Dear Dr. Dean,
My decision to protest the November election was not made in haste. The true pride I had for my Democratic Party began to wane the day I voted in Florida’s “doesn’t count” primary. I know that you were fully aware the Republican led Florida Legislature used calculated tactics to corner the Democrats into a “lose lose” situation. So why the “punishment”? The DNC’s blatant disregard for the rights of voters is reprehensible (this half vote thing is a joke) and that sham of a meeting that the bylaws committee constructed was an insult to American democracy not to mention my intelligence.
I was also shocked by the DNC’s relentless demand to “end the race” prematurely, arbitrarily manipulate votes and delegates, and demonstrate an inability to resolve the problems that hounded this year’s primary. The incessant patronizing is really not helping, either.
I am not a politician therefore I will not be strong armed. I will not support your leadership appointed nominee.
Thank you,
Suzanne
Escambia County, Florida
PUMA Democrat
Murphy Here is my edited message. Please delete the previous one.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am not voting for your candidate in November because he, like you are controlled by George Soros, Felix Rohatyn, and the other parasites on Wall St./City of London. They may value the market condition more than the Human Condition, but that is no excuse for you and your Obama. This Democratic Party is the party of FDR, not the party of ‘Economic Royalists.’
Your financial controllers may have intimidated Edwards as well as many superdelegates into voting for your candidate, but they will not intimidate us. We have until late August to see to it that you, Obama, and your fimancial controllers are exposed for what you are.
Regardless of what the propagandists in the media are saying, the Obama meltdown has already begun.
Dan Roche
Rock Island County
Illinois
Ok… I have gotten 2 emails…. come on peeps!!!
WOMEN LETS GO!!!! Lets MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
I need as many as we can get… if we want the movement to be MAGICAL, POWERFUL WE MUST BE A COALITION THAT IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH!!!!
Email me n_otero@verizon.net
Please look at my comment #151
I am reading what everyone is writing it’s great. We sure have a lot to do. But we can do a lot in a day. Immagine what we can do in a week.
Afternoon fellow PUMAS:
The remarks to Mr. Dean are focused, to the point, and symmetrical in the “truthful” outcome that is evolving. I will submit my letter once I get my thoughts better organized. Wanted to pass this along to those who had questions about their identity on HRC’s former site/database. Finally, I was able to unsubscribe and was sent a message that my email address was deleted. Time will tell.
Great letters all and i call Howard Deans own office and i am sure he is tired of it as the calls are faster than they can handle. 202-863-8000
Go Kim – I’m one of the old farts who has been voting Dem since 1968. I have seen a lot of bad presidents and corrupt presidents. I have been posting here about my true heart, and what I believe is the crux of what Hillary Stands for. I will say it again, I know I am going against the grain a little, but we can support her and reform the DNC by voting the right people into the congress to get that job Done. But for people who have been voting Dem for 57 years, or in my case 40 years, voting republican is simply not an option.
I know call me what you will, but you really, need to look at McCain’s platform and see if that is what you want to do. To me it looks like we will keep our children in Iraq indefinitely, over-fund our military again, forget decreases at the gas pumps, and watch your saving disappear as you pay $5 for a loaf of bread.
We can help Clinton with a Dem in the white house, and true dems, like your parents – must find it difficult to support a republican, right?
I think we can support Clinton through many, many ways, sending money to alleiviate her debt, sending words of thanks and love, and above all electing dems who will reform the DNC!
For Gods Sake! Why would any self sacrificing democrat ever vote republican?
Dear Dr. Dean:
I will be protesting the 2008 Presidential election in November for the following reasons:
1. The DNC and Party elites selected our nominee instead of we the people electing him.
2. The DNC RBC violating the Party’s Charter and Bylaws because:
a. The RBC’s meetings on May 30, 2008 and May 31, 2008 were held outside of the public forum.
b. The RBC ignored fair reflection, by actually taking earned delegates from Senator Clinton in MI and giving them to Senator Obama.
3. The DNC failed to uphold core Democratic principles of diversity and tolerance when it failed to stand up and defend one of it’s own from blatant disrespect and sexist remarks by members of the media, and other Party members as well as their representatives.
4. The DNC chose for us an unqualified, inexperienced, and unseasoned candidate to the forefront of a presidential race he cannot win. Senator Obama’s lack of judgment in his personal and business relations have contributed damaging fodder for not only the media, but for Republicans, and they will damage his chances of ever winning the Presidency.
This is not the Democratic Party that I’ve known. As a moderate Democrat I will either not vote in November, or I’ll be voting for Senator John McCain.
Regards,
Kris, Dauphin County, PA
P.U.M.A. Democrat
Murphy do you think we need to be seen more and more on the news media???
MURPHY…..WATCHING TO SEE IF THIS GETS POST….
gokimfrommichigan
money meter, links and a rolling counter as to how many members we have~…..THIS IS HONSTY REQUISE….
WE NEED TOOLS PLACE ON THIS SITE ..IF WE ARE GOING TO CONT. GROW…WITH CONCEPTS OF POWER
THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFENANCE………1) FACT
Flineo
on youtube does some really good work~has some anti Nobama video and he gets alot of views
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UAFbMLZm4g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udUBIArW7rk
Maybe i am wrong but i think we would double and tripple faster. People will listen to us more no matter was the news anchors say
Dr Dean,
I am a lifetime Democrate. I mean no disrepect when I say that I have never been so disappointed in my life as I am right now with the Democratic party. What happened to Democracy? What happened to the people picking our nominee? We are reliving the 2000 election all over again. You and some others really must have taken good notes back then, because you learned how to SELECT AND NOT ELECT. When did the DNC decide to start SELECTING who they wanted over the will of the people? I am protesting the election process of the 2008 Presidential election. I will be changing parties until the Democrates return to being Democrates and not dictators. I have a voice, I have a vote, I have the right to pick who I want to vote for. I will not “fall in line” as I have heard in the media. Between the Media and the DNC, you have taken this election and treated the Clintons in the most shameful manner. President Clinton done a lot for our country and HIllary was a fantastic First Lady. She is the most qualified person to represent the Democratic party in this election I cannot understand why you don’t want to regain the White House in 09. Obama cannot do it. Look at who his past company has been. He does not have the expereince to represent us and win in the GE. The Republicans will destroy him. What are you thinking? It’s a sad day when the Democrates say they don’t need us anymore. Now I am a PUMA and we don’t need you either. You and all your “followers” talk about unity, do you really think after you, Nancy Pelsoi, Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid hijacked this election for Obama that we will unite at this time and point?? Not going to happen. I am a PUMA.
Sincerely,
Trina
Elliott Co, Kentucky
PUMA Democrate
Wow Another great site. I just came over from http://www.hcsfjm.com/index.html as some of you posted this site over there and on hillaryclinton.com which is now a DNC or Obama site as I can’t post
But I thought this might ENCOURAGE you peeps.
“In a CNN poll released Friday, 60 percent of Clinton supporters said they would vote for Obama, but 17 percent said they would vote for McCain and 22 percent, said they would not vote at all if Clinton were not the nominee”.
So with 18 million votes. That puts it…
17% = 3,060,000 votes 3 million+ for McCain
22% not voting,= 3,960,000 votes about 4 million Not voting.
added together
3,060,000 + 3,960,000 = 7,020,000 votes NOT going to obama.
That is ENORMOUS!
I personally think it is higher than that but, I will take 100,000 votes even, as alot of the past election where based on 100,000 votes or less.
Ok Murphy would you like me to write another letter??
Ok all i guess my questions are not going through so i will come back later and get ready for evening service.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 Presidential Election because it doesn’t reflect the will of the people. The media has become a propaganda machine and with the collusion of the Democrat party bosses, waged a character assassination campaign against the Clintons that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
They have taken an unknown, inexperienced person with questionable background and associates- and through media manipulation, packaged and sold him ad nauseum. All in a direct manipulation of the electorate and the elections.
The superdelegates do NOT even the playing field, they corrupt the system, voiding the electoral process. I’m not just protesting the 2008 Presidential Election, but the system that allows party bosses to have so much power to manipulate the outcome, the system of caucuses to be forced upon us and the system that encourages the media to be a propaganda machine to create a star out of an unknown.
That’s why I’m a new Independent, and why I’ll work to get John McCain elected. To send an unmistakable message ‘hands off my rights!’
Pamela, Kitsap County, WA
Can someone put me Democratnomore on the list of Texas Puma’s Please……
Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 Presidential Election and Democratic Nominating process. I believe that caucuses should not be allowed. They are not a fair representation of voters. Florida and Michigan voters were discriminated against and cost Hillary the momentum she would have had from the beginning. You helped to ruin our Party when you changed the Primary State voting order. The RBC violated the rules of the DNC by taking 4 delegates won (and certified by the State of Michigan) by Hillary Clinton and awarding them to Obama. They violated their own rules by giving uncommitted delegates to Obama, who voluntarily removed his name from the ballot.There was rampant sexism and bullying from the Obama camp that was not addressed by the DNC or by Obama. This election season has been a complete sham. I have lost all faith in the Democratic Party to host honorable Primary elections.
Judith
Independence County
Arkansas
Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 election. The way the DNC turned against one of it’s own was just appalling. Hillary Clinton was the best thing for the DNC since ….well let me think…..Bill. They have done more to bring people in the the party than any person in its history. Then there was the blatant sexism towards Hillary. You never stood up for her…all you did was call for her to back out. The icing on the cake….FL & MI…giving delegates from Hillary to Obama. Giving 1/2 votes……I can go on and on. It makes me sick to think you all during your so called lunch break made back door deals, and had your decision already planned out when you came back.
You yourself are the only one to blame for this next election. You want UNITY? Where was the UNITY toward Hillary? Where was the unity towards the FL & MI voters? I AM ONE IN 18 MILLION…still standing….still strong….only thing is I AM AN INDEPENDENT …NO LONGER A DEMOCRAT. What has been done this election is far worse than the election of 2000, and we all are living that nightmare. I will go to Denver…I will protest the convention…..I will not vote for your SELECTED CANDIDATE. I WILL NOT GIVE THE DNC, OR YOUR SELECTED CANDIDATE A DIME.
ROBIN
GARY, INDIANA
TexasTigress:
I put your name under TX…it should show up soon…if it gets removed I will add it again. It took 4 tries for mine to take.
zee, go here: http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/a-spreading-stain-links-from-around-hillary-land/
and everyone needs to read about how the DNC violated its sunshine laws: http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2008/06/06/the-rbc-violation-of-dnc-sunshine-rules/
This information MUST be circulated across the internet, sent to super delegates, sent to the DNC, and to the McCain campaign. Let them make this a talking point against Obama as well.
The fraud of the DNC must not be allowed to stand, and we must not allow the illegitimate presumptive nominee to be shoved down our throats!
Dear Dr. Dean,
In the 2000 election I could not vote because the Florida county in which I live “lost” my registration. I had changed party affiliation…to Democrat.
I stayed with the Democratic Party and tried to be loyal, but the DNC has made that impossible. I watched in horror as the Rules and Bylaws Committee cut Florida’s voters in half.
I try not to make logic out of that decision. There is no logic. It was a deliberate calculated action, and I for one have had enough.
That is why I am leaving the Democratic Party. I am registering as an Independent.
Judith
Escambia County, Florida
PUMA DEMOCRAT
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am so disappointed in the leadership of the DNC. You stood silently by while HILLARY WAS BEING CALLED EVERY FILTHY word in the book. I can’t help but wonder what would have been done if Obama had been called racist names. Somehow I feel the DNC would have responded with a fury. It is your lack of courage that has made me decide to vote for McCain in November.
Sally Mahieu
Peoria County
Illinois
Dear Dr. Dean:
I have been a LOYAL Democrat for almost 50 years, having cast my first vote for JFK in 1960.
You, the DNC and your Good Old Boys have stolen this election from a deserving candidate and have, without mine and 18 million others’ permission, selected someone who is not qualified, is inexperienced and untrustworthy, and who will lose! Moreover, so many had put their hopes and dreams in recovering from the damage the current administrtion has caused this wonderful country of ours to suffer.
It is time for you to resign, as you no longer represent me. As for your cronies, their time is running out as well.
I am no longer a loyal democrat, and will NOT be voting for Obama.
Greta
Fairfield, CT
PUMA Democrat
Some of you are talking about taking a sweeping widespread action to make an impact. Do you know how much money it takes to do that? How many of you have actually hit the contribute button?
Turning this “thing” around will take the fortitude and personal commitment of every person. Looking for direction and someone to do our bidding is what got us to this point. For years, we allowed the DNC to give us direction and do our bidding without questions.
almost 18 million people voted for Hillary Clinton.
I challenge each person on this website –
to get 25 new people here
to get 25 more letters to John Dean
to get 25 more letters/emails to Fox News, Lou Dobbs, or the Guardian (forget mainstream media)
to get 25 more re-registered to Independent
to get 25 people to donate $5
Mr. Dean,
I am from WV where Hillary Clinton won by a landslide and the media swept it under the rug and pretended that WV votes do not matter. They did a pretty good job of it, because our super delegates ignored our votes and hopped on board the Obama boat with the rest of you zombies. I don’t have to remind you or anyone on this board how the people of WV that supported her were portrayed. Not only am I disappointed with you, I am disappointed in my delegates that I have supported and trusted most of my life.
I thought during the voting process, the people elected delegates to represent them and stand up for them concerning matters such as this. Evidently, this is not the case as ours went exactly opposite the voters wishes. So my message is not only to you, but to them as well. I hope someone, anyone, runs against them in the next election because whoever it may be, will stand a good chance of beating them after this. They are not worthy to have the honor of representing the state of WV when they are deaf to our wishes.
You and the Obama lovers may think we are all poor and uneducated, the problem for you is, you can teach even monkeys how to do repetitive tasks such as pushing the levers on voting machines. Myself, my family, and most of Hillary’s supporters will be studying the word “McCain” between now and November, so we will have the knowledge to know which lever to push.
Unfortunately, the fools who boarded the Obama boat may meet the destiny of those on the Titanic in November.
Will in WV
Will someone put me under Indiana Please? Thanks
Dear Dr. Dean;
I have been a lifelong democrat and former committeewoman and will not be voting for Obama. I am withdrawing from the democratic party because it no longer represents my values. The DNC has suppressed votes and opposition. No male candidate would have received that pressure. The DNC pushed and supported a candidate who PREVENTED revotes in Michigan and Florida that would have brought them into compliance with your stupid, biased rules. Why didn’t the DNC pressure Obama to agree to revotes or risk receiving NO delegates at all? Superdelegates in South Dakota, Massachussetts, Florida and many other states voted AGAINST THE EXPRESS WILL OF THE VOTERS. The DNC was complicit in the media bias against Senator Clinton and the voters. Shameful!
I decided NOT to vote for Obama when he stated that “no one had suffered more than the Palestinian people’ and I learned of his close associations with racists, antisemites and terrorists. The media has even begun to explore Obama’s fundraising for Abunimah’s Palestinian friends. He is inexperienced and undeserving of becoming President. Senator Clinton is a brilliant and capable leader and the choice of a majority of Democrats. Any ticket not headed by Senator clinton will not have my support.
I will vote Republican for the first time in my life in order to send a message to the DNC that your behavior has been unacceptable. Your candidate is unacceptable. the process has been undemocratic , unacceptable and tainted. I am a highly educated woman and I see the existing DNC as more dangerous than 4 years of John McCain. The Democratic primary system is flawed. The leadership severely flawed. I will work to oust every superdelegate who violated the sacred will of the voters. I will not be brainwashed by the media bias. I have my vote and I will use it to be heard.
TxPuma , THANK YOU !!!!! I can’t seem to do it myself
democratnomore…what county / city are you? I will add
Dr. Dean,
My reasons for leaving the Democratic party may surprise you.
Being a black woman in my fifties, I am appalled at the racial manipulation used in the campaign to have Senator Obama nominated at all costs.
First of all, the obvious ploy to have a black man running to coincide with the anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech and the assassination of Robert Kennedy is insulting.
Secondly, the tactic of branding all opposition to Senator Obama as “racist” undermines the real problems facing black Americans today.
Such transparent symbolism and manipulation not only do nothing to help move this country forward racially, it threatens to set race relations back for generations.
Therefore, I am no longer a Democrat and have re-registered as an Independent.
As a full American citizen, independence is to me far more precious than false party unity.
Mozella
Clark County,
Nevada
I hope that the webmasters of all these pro Clinton, anti Obama democrats will unite in one site. The sooner we organize under one banner, the more like we are to receive media coverage and attention before it is absolutely too late. 10,000 letters is not enough to change the course of history. Clinton had 18 million voters. We need several million.
I think it would be a good idea to send an email to O’Reilly, Hannity and Colmes, Lou Dobbs, and any others that would listen and tell them about PUMA. That way we would get national attention.
Check out this ad by the RNC.
The sleeping giant that is the extreme right wing is about to wake up.
The Democratic Party had a great woman warrior- battle tested. And what do they do? They send the Jr. Apprentice into the ring. I just don’t get it.
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2DECDKOFnw&eurl=http://www.hcsfjm.com/
I just have to say how moved I am by all your letters. They are strong and should be heard by many. Not just Howard Dean. These should be sent to the New York Times or the Washington Post.
====
Great idea, mac! Only when sending these letters to the papers maybe we should call them “Dear Howie” letters!
To Sarah Conlon:
I can respect how you feel but my question is different.
Why would any self-respecting person vote for a party that has become so anti-democratic?
“In a CNN poll released Friday, 60 percent of Clinton supporters said they would vote for Obama, but 17 percent said they would vote for McCain and 22 percent, said they would not vote at all if Clinton were not the nominee”.
So with 18 million votes. That puts it…
17% = 3,060,000 votes 3 million+ for McCain
22% not voting,= 3,960,000 votes about 4 million Not voting.
added together
3,060,000 + 3,960,000 = 7,020,000 votes NOT going to obama.
I HOPE THAT ENCOURAGES MOST OF YOU… Your NOT ALONE!
Mayoro1o2, you be so kind to post for me ??? I live in Southern California and I would like to be added to the growing list of supporter’s around the United states..Thank You..I would do it, but not sure how to and I don’t want to screw it up….Thanks Again,Suzanne
Hillgirl,agreed, I will use only clips from them if anything at all….
goanderson, SusyT, and others who suggested we get organized and on the same page. I have been begging for that for a while – time is of the essence.
Naboo, as a PUMA I believe that the collective WE can only be effective if our groups come under one umbrella so that our numbers would be greater and our response more effective through a continum of unity. This would eliminate recreating the wheel over and over. Please think about bringing your posters and your effort and join up here….thanks.
Here is some good reading meantime, on the cultural war brewing…
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/06/08/the-new-culture-war-part-1/#more-2987
SunnyPA, thank you. your comment is very helpful. Would you mind reposting it in the new post above?
There is an Open Discussion Thread open above. Those who have already posted their letters can move up there to continue the discussion.
Please help try to keep this post on-topic. We need to be able to download and print these letters. Off-topic comments will have to be deleted before this thread will be useful. Feel free to repost your comment from here if you think it should be seen again.
We are getting thousands more visitors all the time. Please help us stay organized. Thanks very much.
I agree ,Carol . I have been posting this site on as many blogs as I can . I think people are coming over . We really do have to have a ‘main page’ .
Dear Dr. Dean
I am a newbie in Politics.. but I have watched and listened to each and every debate and anything I could find about out candidates.
I find it very insulting that not only did the DNC and media made sure the Clinton legacy does not go on, it expects Hillary supporters to just do a switch job and back Obama now that they need Hillary’s supporters votes.
We are not the rural, non college people that media constantly point out Hillary supporters to be. We are savvy, money making, college and non college urban people that refuse to let you tell us who we should vote for.
As an immigrant American citizen, I find it extremely third world – your tactics to put your chosen candidate on the pedestal long before the primaries are finished.
Hillary Clinton is a superb candidate and having ousted her, the DNC and media now wants to court her 18 million voters and have us rally around Obama. We are living, breathing, thinking people… we don’t do Kool Aid. I will not give you or your chosen candidate my vote. I hope the rest of the 18 million voters keep their 18 million votes out of your reach.
Thank you.
C Brown
San Diego, California
Puma
Sarah_Conlon~
I know its hard~I was born and bread a democrat and raised my 2 daughter & 1 son to be also~ITS NOT EASY!
But even my parents agreed after actually looking into mccain that while he is not our HILLARY~
He is by and far league’s ahead of Nobama~Mccain is a last resort to making sure Nobama does NOT get to thw white House~
And with the democrats having the majority in the senate & house he can actually do very little to hurt this great country of ours~
of all repubs he is the most leaning towardsbeing moderate and in the center~
I WILL HAVE TO PLUG MY NOSE TO DO IT~
We are all still trying to get our HILLARY into the White House this year~I for one will NEVER give up~
“HILLARY IS THE PEOPLES PRESIDENT”
Please move upstairs to the open thread for comments and discussion not related to this letter-writing campaign.
feel free to repost your comments from here up there.
Your letters are beautiful and moving. They are perfectly on point and sincere. How could anyone accuse us of being dividers or haters? Lord, Hillary supporters really are the greatest.
Lurkers, newcomers, and shy people — PLEASE JUMP IN. Read some of the other letters for ideas and inspiration. We want to hear from all of our members.
Oh, I forgot to mention California has the marriage act bill on the ballot this year, the last time that happened THERE WAS A HUGE TURN-OUT of ? God fearing voters, (don’t know what to call them) so alot of REPUB”S and DEMS that are for that, which resulted in HUGE REPUB votes… SO experts are watching cali for it to possibly turn into a RED 55 State for McCain this year as all the voters come out of the wood-work to vote for marraige act and they will also vote for McCain… LOOK IT UP! no one is talking about tis but a few so-called expert election type people, and most agree if cali does go RED it really does not matter who the Democrat Candidate is, they will lose. So, I hope Hillary DOES NOT take the VP if asked to, it is going to be a landslide for McCain look deep peeps, there is alot more out there, I will post them, if I see other snot posting them,, CALI is a another major part people are missing.
Mr. Dean,
I am writing in protest of the 2008 general election. All my life, I have always voted democrat because I beleived in what the party stood for. After this primary season I am ashamed to say that I am ( was ) a Democrat. You have sunk to a new low. I think it is disgraceful the way Senator Clinton was treated by the DNC, the Media and her fellow party members. None of you showed any loyalty to her throughout this election process, nor did you show any respect for her supporters and yet you think that those of us who voted for her should fall in line and stand behind Obama ( your selected nominee). I think you underestimate the loyalty of Senator Clinton’s supporters ( since you have no idea what loyalty is ) This year I will be leaving the Democratic party and registering as Independent. I will not be falling in line as you would like. If Senator Clinton is not on the top of the ticket, I will be casting my vote for John McCaine.
Deborah in NY
Puma member for Hillary Clinton
I’m reading back and seeing posts regarding other organizations. We are all free to do as we choose. My choice is to support the growth of PUMA PAC.
We are a new organization, we are in the process of determining ways to accomplish our mission. We will accomplish our mission. We will be focused, organized and methodical. If we are to garner the support of influential persons it will be done through our collective effort to finish the tasks we’ve identified and move forward getting our message out to the public, in a way that clearly states that we are dignified, intelligent people united to pursue truth and positive change. Lets all just take a deep breath. Scattering ourselves about and moving before we are ready could produce results we would not be happy with. Again, Murphy has stated our mission and we are working on our task list. We will do this.
Sorry Murphy, I was off subject I moved to open thread thks for pointing that out, this is for the letter, my error.
Dear Dean 6/08/08
I want a Divorce and I want full coustdy of my vote how many other times have you cheated on me Am I the last one to know are you and your buddies getting a kick out of this I have been faithful for 35 years never once cheating on you I know I am older than the young one you want but I still have more brains go ahead but don’t talk behind my back I cried all day yesterday after you left but I do have a new friend John and you will hear from the ones who have my back my puma friends are going to take care of you. your x Sharon
Dr. Dean:
I am also a lifelong Democrat, and I will not be voting for Barack Obama in November. He lacks the experience, the leadership, diplomatic skills, tact, and is abysmally lacking in Foreign Policy experience. I am aware of his track record in the Illinois senate , the US Senate, and in his capacity as the chair on the subcommittee with responsibility for NATO in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (who is playing a pivotal role on the ground in Afghanistan and where he held not ONE hearing). His past associations are more than questionable and cause for concern. At this point, John McCain is the far wiser, sane choice to guide this country.
The way you and the Rules & ByLaws Committee conducted yourselves in this election to override the will of the people to have your candidate is inexcusable and outrageous. I will be exercising my vote this time around in protest of your undemocratic actions and the Democratic Party as it stands under your leadership, as well as for your detestable silence on the sexism faced by Senator Clinton throughout the campaign.
Mariel, NJ, PUMA Democrat
BO was selected, not elected by a bunch of men and females whom I believe already had BO selected for president since the beginning. The DNC has showed disrespect for women. We didn’t count for them. Now they want our vote? I don’t think so. We aren’t kids. We won’t forget in Nov. I hope most of those 18 millions for Hillary don’t vote for BO. Those who hijacked the party don’t deserve any consideration. I’ll vote independent or maybe for McCain. I vote my conscience. I believe Hillary is the only one to lead the country. The party sabotaged her. The liberla media created an image of him to deceive us. and liberals to the left gave him money to help him win. A lot of money. It’s scary the kind of people that supports him. God help us if he wins.
shoot…I use the form letter from Puma to Dean
Just saw my post here!..Oh I’m confused.
How do you repond or received post from other bloggers…wish I logged in as CJ Florida so you would all know why I’m here too.
CJ
Disgruntle Florida Voter
Dear Dr. Dean
I am protesting the 2008 election for numerous reasons, three of which are:
1) The blatant disregard and arrogance by the DNC to ignore the will of 18 million voters throughout all 50 states plus Puerto Rico. While simultaneously thrusting a less experienced (both homeland- and internationally-speaking) and questionable candidate onto center stage with demands that we must now all “fall in line for the good of the Party”.
This is world history repeating itself and a kin to the political tactics and directions that ran ramped in Europe’s 1930s.
2) The distortion of the truth, the sophisticated manipulation of the facts and the re-configuration of set constitutional Party rules and by-laws, by the DNC and the Democratic Party, to fit their needs sporadically throughout the campaign—whether right or wrong—and with no due process.
3) The obvious sexism, misogyny and abusive behavior exhibited towards Senator Clinton and her supporters by politicians, the “corporate” Media establishment (print, broadcast and online) as well as Obama’s Campaign leaders, strategists and supporters.
These few examples alone are a disgrace and an embarrassment created by the Democratic Party and DNC members and leadership—fueled and manipulated by the Media, and unfortunately, witnessed globally.
I cannot stand silent. My vote is sacred.
As an American, I deserve the ultimate-best for President. Senator Hillary Clinton remains just that.
I will no longer support, or donate to, your Democratic Party.
Independently,
Suzan
Washington County, OR
PUMA Democrat
Dear Gov. Dean:
I am protesting the 2008 election because of the unfairness and indignity suffered by the most qualified candidate, Hillary Clinton. In spite of the insurmountable challenges, she stood up everyday, advocating the core values of the Democratic Party before the American people with courage and compassion; she showed poise, knowledge, experience as she talked about why she is the most qualified candidate and the who offers the solutions.
During months of campaigning she suffered the utmost ridicule and indignity from the media and pundits, yet you stood by and did nothing to preserve the integrity of the democratic process. You called on the superdelegates to pledge their choice long before the primaries were over, disregarding the rights of the citizens who are yet to vote. Your DNC rules committee unfairly split the votes of the Michigan and Florida voters, favoring Hillary’s opponent. These are just a few of the reasons why your long time members have left and are leaving your party.
One real point is the lack of judgment of the DNC leadership on who is the best candidate. The DNC chose the nominee, not the 18 million voters who chose Hillary Clinton. Hillary may have given her speech to support her opponents, but her supporters are not following her lead. We are going to a better qualified candidate, Senator John McCain.
God bless America.
Normita, California
Please use the Open Discussion thread above for comments not related to the letter writing campaign. Thanks.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I was always taught that you protect and stand up for family. As we had to watch why the DNC, you, the Obama Campaign and leaders of our party stood by silently as Hillary Clinton was called names I would never use is one of 1000 reasons why I will not be supporting any candidate except Hillary Clinton.
Roger
Lowndes County, MS
New PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean:
I would like to introduce myself. I am a post-graduate professional white male. I would regard myself in rank and affluence like you and your peers. I will be participating in this election as a former Democrat and newly registered Independent. My goal is simple and straightforward. I will use my vote, my influence, my voice, and my money in every way to defeat this Democratic Party that has evolved since 2004.
I supported your canidacy before your defeat my John Kerry. In many ways, you symbolized change, new ideas, and a different direction that had failed the Democrats since 1980. That exception, however, was the administration of President Bill Clinton, the first Democrat to successfully serve two complete terms since FDR. This letter is not meant to recant history. It has been recorded.
With that said, the Democratic Party, under your “leadership” and Donna Brazille has been a mockery to Democratic Values and beliefs for a majority of American Citizens. I do know of at least 18,000,000 that are products of your decisions and actions. Mr. Obama was your sole canidate after the re-election of George W. Bush. The American People went through this primary process blinded by your ideals that the outcome would be that decision. The strategy, the organization, and the funding could not have been better orchastrated. The characters of the play were the best and followed every cue to the letter, with one execetion: Hillary Rodham Clinton. That was something you really did not count on, but had a plan to deal with it if necessary.
Mr. Dean, my list could fill this page and I am sure you have read many. But, the blatant decision to keep Michigan and Florida from exercising a re-vote, after Hillary Clinton and Campaign agreed to it and even fund it was nothing more than cheating. It was a sham to the way Americans and the rest of the world are told about how we elect OUR canidates. The caucus system is corrupt and completely unfair. Texas is only one example. How can you explain to someone that a canidate wins the popular vote of a state, but does not get a majority of those delegates? How? Don’t reply with the “rules” bit. That would be insulting me even more.
In summation, the buying out of the media and superdelegates from the suspicious bank roll of Mr. Obama (not proven but suspected), and the offering of roles that would be given to those if they went along with this farce, was so clear. Out they marched, one by one, beginning with Mr. Richardson. We PUMAS are not ignorant or blind to what has happened. Mr. Dean, I will end this with some thoughts for you to reflect: How much do you really care about the majority of America and how much does your canidate really care about you or America?
In conclusion, my various avenues of support will not only be targeted against this Democratic Party, but all those that are an elected part of it. That Mr. Dean, Ms. Brazille, and Mr. Nick Lampson(D-Tx) is a vote(s) you can count on in November.
JHarper
Harris County
Texas
Howard Dean:
I am protesting the flagrant attempts to disenfranchise Florida and Michigan, not to mention the “vote theft” that occurred from the RBC ruling. The DNC should have found an alternate method of punishing the legislatures for early primaries that did not include disenfranchising the voters. Not to mention, as the reason we lost the 2000 and 2004 elections were the result of Florida, the DNC should have ALLOWED them early voting in the primary in the first place.
I am also protesting the use of caucuses, which are full of voter fraud and cheating.
In addition, I am protesting the attempts to force a legitimate candidate out of the race EARLY.
I am protesting the DNC’s selection of a candidate who does not represent the popular vote OR the votes of the swing states. Obama, a candidate who claims to be about change, used dirty old school politics to run unopposed in Chicago and continues to use dirty politics to push Hillary Clinton out of the running.
I see nothing wrong with living for four more years with a Republican president and Democratic Congress. I will not give the DNC permission to walk over its voters by giving in to “party unity”.
Lia
Centre County, PA
PUMA
Dear Dr. Dean
I will not vote for Barak Obama because of his inability to stand up the Big Oil, George Bush and Dick Cheney.
While McCain and Clinton took a stand and voted against the Bush-Cheney energy bill which gave billions of dollars in tax breaks to Big Oil (on top of the billlions already bestowed), Obama voted for it.
We need a president who can reduce our dependence on foriegn oil and promote alternative energy. That person is not Obama.
Dear MR. Dean
Thank You but NO THANKS!
The DNC has left both I and millions of other Democratic voters hanging like a “CHAD”.
Hillary had the majority. She WON!
She is the most experienced and qualified candidate to bring America back to Greatness.
I will vote for the candidate who reveals unsurpassed qualities for the most important job in the world.
I will vote for Hillary; and only Hillary Clinton.
If I can not vote for Hillary I will vote for McCain. He will be the next most qualified person.
BHO’s religion, patriotism, affiliations, and voting record as a part-time senator concern me. I do not trust him.
Hillary will do what she has to do; we all understand that. But the Democratic Party is falling because of it smoke and mirror campaign tactics and fuzzy math.
If Hillary chose to change her party affiliation, I believe many would follow.
Rules of the DNC do not the represent the “Will of the PEOPLE”.
Rules of the DNC have only seated three Democratic terms in 40 years.
The Democratic Party needs change, or people need to change their Party!
I am sorry, I can not, and I will not support BHO.
Pm,
I like that “Hand off my rights”. Can we print T-shirts with that on them?????
To every one else. Your letters are well thought out, concise and well written. I must be in the wrong place since we are supposed to be illiterate fools.
If there are any puma’s on here that are thinking you will not write to Dean after reading these wonderful well written letters let me beg you don’t let this stop you. After reading some of these letters I was seriously considering asking if someone would write a letter for me(LOL) but you know what, I sat down and started my letter and the words started coming faster then I could write, and now I propably have written too much and even though it is not as well written as most of the letters it is from my heart and it is for Our Hillary. So please Everyone write your letter’s.
Dr. Dean:
What a sad comment on what we as a nation have allowed ourselves to become…. a nation led by the media, self-serving Democratic leaders and an empty suit running for President. I am a 63 year old white, educated female, not bitter about guns or clinging to religion who lived through the early years of feminism. The young women of today have no idea what that was like, but when I see Tee shirts that say “Bros before Hos” and hear and read the crude, rude & demeaning remarks about Hillary which reflect on ALL women and are coming from the Obama supporters, it just turns my stomach. I cannot and will not vote for him nor will I continue to vote for the downstream Democrats that drank the koolaid and jumped on the Obama bandwagon. If this destroys the Democratic Party, so be it – the party left me and also left me no choice. I am one of 18 Million………….
Sue
Hennepin County, Minnesota
PUMA
Murphy,
Thank you so much for all of your efforts. I am deeply grateful. You have done a remarkable job in creating this website in such a short period of time. I have watched this site for the past 2 days and witnessed the incoming tidal wave. Holy Toledo! I have to laugh when I think of how I was worried about people not showing up here. Boy, was that a waste of energy. Needless to say, I don’t envy you when I think of the work you have cut out for you. I hope you can get some rest in between all the requests for improvements, etc.. I also hope that others will step on board to carry some of the weight on your shoulders.
Thanks again! You’re doing a great job!
Dear Dr. Dean:
I would like to introduce myself. I am a post-graduate professional white male. I would regard myself in rank and affluence like you and your peers. I will be participating in this election as a former Democrat and newly registered Independent. My goal is simple and straightforward. I will use my vote, my influence, my voice, and my money in every way to defeat this Democratic Party that has evolved since 2004.
I supported your canidacy before your defeat by John Kerry. In many ways, you symbolized change, new ideas, and a different direction that had failed the Democrats since 1980. That exception, however, was the administration of President Bill Clinton, the first Democrat to successfully serve two complete terms since FDR. This letter is not meant to recant history. It has been recorded.
With that said, the Democratic Party, under your “leadership” and Donna Brazille has been a mockery to Democratic Values and beliefs for a majority of American Citizens. I do know of at least 18,000,000 that are products of your decisions and actions. Mr. Obama was your sole canidate after the re-election of George W. Bush. The American People went through this primary process blinded by your ideals that the outcome would be that decision. The strategy, the organization, and the funding could not have been better orchastrated. The characters of the play were the best and followed every cue to the letter, with one execetion: Hillary Rodham Clinton. That was something you really did not count on, but had a plan to deal with it if necessary.
Mr. Dean, my list could fill this page and I am sure you have read many. But, the blatant decision to keep Michigan and Florida from exercising a re-vote, after Hillary Clinton and Campaign agreed to it and even fund it was nothing more than cheating. It was a sham to the way Americans and the rest of the world are told about how we elect OUR canidates. The caucus system is corrupt and completely unfair. Texas is only one example. How can you explain to someone that a canidate wins the popular vote of a state, but does not get a majority of those delegates? How? Don’t reply with the “rules” bit. That would be insulting me even more.
In summation, the buying out of the media and superdelegates from the suspicious bank roll of Mr. Obama (not proven but suspected), and the offering of roles that would be given to those if they went along with this farce, was so clear. Out they marched, one by one, beginning with Mr. Richardson. We PUMAS are not ignorant or blind to what has happened. Mr. Dean, I will end this with some thoughts for you to reflect: How much do you really care about the majority of America and how much does your canidate really care about you or America?
In conclusion, my various avenues of support will not only be targeted against this Democratic Party, but all those that are an elected part of it. That Mr. Dean, Ms. Brazille, and Mr. Nick Lampson(D-Tx) is a vote(s) you can count on in November.
JHarper
PUMA (former Democrat)
Harris County
Texas
I found a few mechanical errors. If anyone more, let me know. Thanks!
If anyone see more—long afternoon
Murphy, do you have a DEAN Letter tally?
If not now, can you give one by end of day/nite?
Thnx for giving us this op.
Dear Mr Dean
I have been a loyal Democrat for 30 years but this time around I will be voting for the Republican for the first time. I was so very saddened to see how the DNC stole this election from the people, to give it to the candidate who is weak in developmental economics and foreign affairs, he’s inexperienced and not traveled widely enough to comprehend the dynamics of international politics. Not to mention his very questionable associates. We the People do not take lightly when we see our fellow democrats basic right to vote away, by their own Party, or the constant trashing of our candidate in the media and by her own party and you just watched in silence.
Please be aware, this is NOT OK.
Yvonne
Bernalillo Co., New Mexico
PUMA DEMOCRAT
Dr, Dean,
The party that I have taken pride in and supported for years has become a mirror image of the hypocrisy, cronyism, and misogyny of the divisive far right.
I am sorry, I truly am, and deeply hurt by the actions of the DNC, RBC, you, Ms. Brazelle, and the entire Obama campaign and superstructure.
I absolutely can not and will not support Mr. Obama. For so very many reasons (Ayers, Chicago corruption, his supporters in my face yelling) the only reason not being that he is black. It is past time that Americans are given the opportunity to vote for a person of color; however you can not create one and you cannot give him legitimacy. he has to earn it.
This election was not legitimate, it was not legal (in my opinion, and it was not democracy!
DellaRae
Benton County, OR
Puma Democrat
Pookie’s comment, #233, is so right. Please, newcomers, add your voice. It will do you good, and it will do good for our party.
Dear Mr. Dean:
As a lifelong Democrat it saddens me to let you know that I’ve now switched to being an Independent and would never vote for Mr. Obama for President. The DNC has stood by while Senator Clinton and her supporters were treated with ridicule and indignity from the media, pundits, and the Democratic Party itself.
The way the Rules & ByLaws Committee conducted themselves in this election to override the will of the people to have your candidate is inexcusable and outrageous. I will voting this time protesting the undemocratic actions if the Democratic Party as it stands under your leadership, as well as to the silence of the Party on the blantant disrespect and sexism faced by Senator Clinton and her many supporters throughout the campaign.
Being from San Francisco I also want to let you know, Mr. Dean, that I will do everything in my power to make sure that Nancy Pelosi is not re-elected.
Douglas, San Francisco, CA
PUMA Democrat
FelineFire, thank you. For me, like so many of us, this really is a labor of love– but love fueled by a determination and a commitment to seeing our party and our leaders do right by us, not do good for themselves.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 Presidential election because:
1.The most qualified candidate, who happened to be a woman, was forced out in favor of an unqualified man.
2.The primary was handed to this unqualified man by the media and the DNC in the form of biased reporting, blatant sexism, voter disenfranchisement, voter suppression, and the stealing of delegates.
3.The DNC, party elders, Obama, his supporters and surrogates all looked the other way from (and sometimes participated in) horrendous sexism and misogyny.
4.The Clintons and their supporters were painted as racists.
To now vote for Obama would rewarding the above actions and giving implicit permission to do it again.
If it isn’t Hillary on the top of the ticket, then for the first time in my life I will be voting Republican.
Dori
Clark County, NV
PUMA Democrat
Murphy, I am not sure what I can do to help you with this site – but am able & willing to carry some weight (and isn’t that exactly what we women do???) Please let me know if there is anything you need that I might be able to help you with.
IF YOU NEED…PUMPED UP WATCH THIS VIDEO
YOU WILL GET ON THAT SIGN UP LIST
MILLON MARCH ON DENVER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIluK7YHgB0&feature=related
START THE LIST PICK ….
SOMEONE IN EACH STATE TO OVER SEE THE SIGN UP
NEW MEXICO….laura_f77@yahoo.com….lets get org.
Star, please repost your comment to the open thread above — this thread is for letters to the DNC only.
Thanks alot..
Dr. Howard Dean,
I remember your campaign to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for President. Your claim to fame was how much support money you were able to gather from the Internet. I never heard much about your integrity, ability, qualifications…just your money machine. How odd that Obama’s campaign hit the streets with so much money…like someone’s ‘money machine’ was working for him. Curious. Funny how, as the campaign went on, it became apparent that even outspending Hillary he could not win. That’s because we were all catching on to Obama so you and Brazile and your despicable cabal had to come out front with all your cheating to take HRC down. Look at what you have accomplished with your ‘money machine’: you have single-handily ruptured the Democratic Party. You’ve used your influence to gather power for yourself and a select few at the expense of those of us to are the backbone of our Party. Rest assured, your name will go down in history – but it will be nothing to be proud of. Oh, by the way, pass the word to Claire and Donna: we’re not gonna ‘get over it’ until you and your kind are no longer in control of MY PARTY.
Cate
San Diego County, California
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Howard Dean:
Sadly I, a life-time Democrat, protest the 2008 Presidential Election because I refuse to support a nominee who was chosen by the leadership rather than elected by voters. The votes of a majority of Democrats were disregarded; the votes of Florida and Michigan were tampered with in a manner that is un-American. I consider the actions of the DNC leadership, including the rules committee, to be a usurpation of the rights of the people. This action, un-American and un-democratic, is akin to a coup. I cannot support this action by the DNC leadership. Because of this, regretfully I am unable to support the present democratic nominee. Additionally, I am appalled, saddened, and mortified by the treatment of Hillary Clinton by the DNC leadership.
Marie, Madison County, Mississippi
Puma Democrat
Murphy. I revised my letter with the County addes and a typo corrected
Jeremy: DEAN LETTER edits as requested:
>candidacy (throughout Ltr)
> Parag-2: “..defeat my John Kerry…” meaning?
>Parag-3: should read as “orchestrated” ; should read as “exception”
Dr. Dean:
I am a 28 year old MALE protesting the 2008 Presidential election because:
I, like millions of Americans living in Florida, voted for the candidate of our choice (Hillary Clinton) only to have the manipulative democratic elders strip me and my neighbors of our most sacred form of democracy. You will not have my vote in November and I like millions (18) will remind you of how democracy works in America! Hillary in 2008!
Christopher
Hillsborough Cty, Florida
PUMA Democrat
To Mr. Dean,
I did not follow politics much until my best friend who is highly interested got me involved. I can say, after listening to her and Hillary Clinton speaking on topics, that as an American I do care about, I was very excited to think that finally we were going to have a president who cared about the people not just “OIL and MONEY” to only have it taken away from our grasp. I listened intensely to what Hillary Clinton was speaking about and I thought our time to become “ONE NATION” again had arrived. The working middle class Americans had a fighting chance to live once again as we did in the early 90″s. Please listen to the 18 million Americans who voted Hillary Clinton for the PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE and amend the wrong that the DNC has caused.
Thanks to the DNC I will now be registered as an Independent.
Sincerely,
Paula
Las Vegas, NV
Thanks Hill4me. Will revise/edit.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am a middle age white, highly educated female. I was born in WVA, and my family and relatives are not bitter about guns or clinging to religion. When I see Tee shirts that say “Bros before Hos” and hear and read the crude, rude & demeaning remarks about Hillary which reflect on ALL women and are coming from the Obama supporters, it just turns my stomach. When Obama called one reporter “sweetie”, I felt it showed how he really felt about women.
“For the first time in my adult life” I will be voting republican. I can not and will not vote for Obama. I am one of 18 Million and I will be heard.
Wanda
Talbot Co, MD
PUMA Democrat – but will vote for McCain over Obama.
Dr. Dean
BO is simply not qualified to lead our country. His lack of knowledge was very apparent during the debates, where his performances were abysmal. He doesn’t seem to understand the issues and appears to be very immature. Hillary knows the issues backwards and forwards. She has real ideas and solutions. BO thinks he is superior in foreign policy because he spent four years in Indonesia as a child and took a trip to Pakistan while in college. That is scary. Over thirty flag officers support Hillary. That ought to tell you something. BO also has some very unsavory friends like, Rezko, Wright, Pfleger, Auchi, Khalidi, and Ayers. How many times can BO say that he didn’t know what these people were all about? Give me a break. Also, BO has engaged in some very dirty politics and sexism that the msm chose to ignore. Their own bias and sexism was disgraceful, but the lack of support from you and the rest of the dnc and congressional democrats was equally disgraceful. Hillary deserves so much better. She has worked all her life for democratic causes. She is a fighter and a doer. What has BO ever accomplished other than getting elected to the next higher office? Finally, Hillary got more votes. The proportioning of the delegates is not representative of the “will” of the people. It is undemocratic. I will NEVER vote for that fraud, and I will never be a democrat again. I am registering as an Independent, and I will be voting for a republican for the first time in my life, John McCain.
Leigh
Jefferson County, CO
Puma dem
BRAVO, JEREMY!
I wish we could shout it from the mountain tops, so that EVERY ONE could hear not only your words, but their meanings.
AMEN
Dear Dr. Dean,
As one who believes in Democracy, I cannot in good conscience fall in line with the Democratic Party. I believe that Hillary Clinton was pushed out of this race in favor of a less experienced candidate to pacify the desires of party leaders. We should be electing a nominee based upon experience and electibility. We have failed. Correction..the DNC and Democratic Party Leaders have failed. I am saddened by the blatant sexism and favoritism shown by the Party Leaders and the Media. Again, I am one of 18 million voters that will not fall in line.
Lisa
Tarrant County, TX
PUMA Democrat
Dean,
I’m a 22 year old who has all this cold hard cash to throw around without thinking too much about it…too bad the one thought that crosses my mind (CONSTANTLY) is how you screwed me out of a better tomorrow, America out of a GREAT PRESIDENT, and your precious “democratic” party out of a win.
If Hillary isn’t the nominee come August, I’ll be sure to give you a special shout out as I celebrate John Mccain’s win!!
Dean,
I’m a 22 year old who has all this cold hard cash to throw around without thinking too much about it…too bad the one thought that crosses my mind (CONSTANTLY) is how you screwed me out of a better tomorrow, America out of a GREAT PRESIDENT, and your precious “democratic” party out of a win.
If Hillary isn’t the nominee come August, I’ll be sure to give you a special shout out as I celebrate John Mccain’s win!!
Sincerely,
Another Ex Democrat
Dear Dr.Dean,You should go back to Medicine,the Mess you and Donna Brazille have made of the DNC is a disgrace!!!
When you selected the most incompetant,unqualified,UNAMERICAN person to be the nominee of this party you were giving John McCain millions of votes. We know you wanted rid of the Clinton’s but the way you allowed the HORRIBLE things to be said day after day in the media without speaking up against Senator Clinton was breath taking.You seem to encourage all of it and Donna sat on CNN baiting the whole thing.What goes round comes round.Mr. Obama is a fraud and all of you who promoted him will have their day.
I have the greates RESPECT for the Clinton family and pray that the SD’s WAKE up before the convention to Reality.Oh by the way I live in Palm Beach County,Fl tell Obama to stay far away from this state his attitude is not welcome here McCain all the way thanks to you!!!!!WOMEN deserve better in this country and you lost them all.We will not change our minds.The pain for Hillary touches all of our Hearts.You have disgraced AMERICA around the world giving the election to the one with thugs who scared citizens at the caucus sites because they supported Hillary.SHAME on the DNC. Dee Palm Beach,Fl.
Dear Mr. Dean,
I am not a political activist. I have never campaigned for a candidate. I am one of the silent registered Democrats that faithfully pushed that lever whenever Election Day came. I have a college degree. I am the President of a Corporation. I am a P.U.M.A. I am not a gun toting, Bible thumping racist, as some people chose to believe. More importantly, I do not fall in line for anyone….
Based upon the actions taken by the Party regarding this primary election over the past 5 months, I have concluded that the Democratic Party that I support has been overthrown.
I find it reprehensible that a Democrat would deny a fellow Democrat full voting rights.
I find it irresponsible that the Party would try to nominate an inexperienced, politically lacking and more importantly, one of questionable ethics to the highest position of authority, the President of the United States.
I find it unforgivable, that the DNC is trying to force such a nominee down our throats before our due process of selection has occurred, the convention.
Since when did the Democratic Party become a dictatorship?
Therefore, I hereby pledge my November vote to go to the best candidate available on the ballot. I pledge my vote to the person who “I” feel to have the most competency for the position, regardless of party lines. I further pledge that I will use my vote to respond to those individuals who have succumbed to the unethical pressures exerted by the DNC. See you in November!
Sincerely,
K Adams
Suffolk County, NY
A PUMA Democrat
Mr. Dean.
For the last 20 years, I have been a democrat and voting down the line. May 31st marked the day that my allegiance died. I will not be a part of a party that shows the worse kind of hypocrisy by stating it stands by women’s rights while quietly watching Senator Clinton and the female gender get assaulted verbally throughout the past 16 months. I will not be part of a party that justifies underhanded tactics in stealing votes from voters while chanting UNITY.
I came to this country at a young age. Even then, I understood the underlying greatness of this county and its democracy. I never thought in my life I would see the Democrats play in the gutter of politics and turn on one of its own. The sense of injustice is worse than anything I felt in 2000.
I will never fall in line.
Ex-Democrat
Vanessa
Denver, CO
Dr. Dean:
I am an independent voter who has cast ballots for, contributed funds to, and campaigned for all of these Democrats:
Hubert Humphrey, George McGovern, Jimmy Carter, Michael Dukakis, Bill Clinton (twice), Al Gore and John Kerry. I worked for the Kennedy presidential campaign while still in high school.
This year I will not support the presumptive Democratic candidate. My reasons are, in brief:
1) A non-democratic system of superdelegates who often do not represent the voters;
2) Failure of the DNC to actively and loudly denounce both the virulent sexism and racism so often visible in the campaign. If the DNC isn’t troubled enough to get up in arms—unabashedly and publicly—about such affronts to citizens, its preferred candidate cannot have my support.
While Sen. Obama was besmirched by the racism, the persistent and vicious misogyny shown towards Sen. Clinton was even worse. The DNC’s silence compounded the injuries.
3) The fiascoes in Michigan and Florida. Blaming the state legislatures after the fact is not good enough. Voters were denied their rights. That includes both those who cast ballots for any candidate, and those who stayed home on the assumption that their votes would not count. Clearly Sen. Clinton suffered a disproportionate share of the loss by candidates, but the larger concern is the loss of the vote by citizens.
Respectfully,
Donald
Lincoln Country, Maine
(PUMA Independent)
Dear Dr. Dean,
I’m a 51 year old lifetime democratic woman who owns her own small business. I know the struggles that women face everyday. I live it.
I’m honest, hardworking and tend to trust people until they have given me reason not to.
Sir, you and the DNC have failed me. You have failed 17,999,999 other American voters as well. You have also failed a true leader, Hillary Clinton. I do not trust the decision you and the DNC made for me.
I strongly suggest that the nomination for our next President of the United States in August be Hillary Clinton.
Hillary Clinton has shown true leadership, experience and common sense to lead our country.
I believe that she is truly the only one who can bring it back to the stability that we all knew so well and enjoyed eight years ago. Your “present” nominee decision is leading all American’s to “more of the same”.
In my opinion Barack Obama does not have the qualifications to lead our country and therefore, I will not be supporting the democratic party in November.
Debbie
Ashtabula County, Ohio
Hey Everyone! I just donated my first $25.00 to PUMA PAC. I had a renewed sense of purpose just like my prior financial contributions to Hillary. Please everyone – donate – even if it’s a little – we all know how it adds up. Join me!!! FLgayGuy4Hill (Chris)
FLgayGuy, thank you very much. Would you mind reposting this comment upstairs in the Open Discussion thread?
Dear Mr. Dean,
I will not support Barack Obama, but my reasons are not just about gender.
Using a mathematically ingenious strategy for collecting delegates – focusing on caucus states where Obama activists dominated the meetings and on delegate-rich districts in states where he lost – Obama racked up the numbers for a technical knockout called by the refs (a.k.a. superdelegates). But many of us Dems see this contest as a statistical tie. Certainly, Obama doesn’t have a mandate from our party. I doubt he’ll get one in the national election. How does revolution, or even reform, work when half the population doesn’t sign on? Is it revolution, or civil war? How is he going to achieve American unity across party, race, gender, age, economic lines, when he couldn’t even accomplish it within our party after seventeen months of campaigning?
The demographers tell me I should support Barack. I am an affluent, “elite”-college-educated, progressive idealist. But I grew up working class, and I’m looking for a leader with practical solutions and one who engages my intelligence, not just my emotions. I’m old enough (46) to have seen the expression of ideas, exchanges of opinions, crippled by hate from neocons in the 1980’s, felt the sense of being an outsider in my own country in my gut. I became a card-carrying Democrat in reaction to that venom. I don’t need to hear sermons about unity– I’ve been praying for unity, weeping and swearing about the lack of it, since I was 20.
I disagree with Barack’s assertion that dis-unity is our biggest national problem right now. I don’t want to compromise with right-wingers and neocons in the name of unity — I want to repair the mess they’ve left us and clearly differentiate our party’s philosophies from theirs. The country has seen the downside of the right’s extremism — now is time to be proud of Democratic leadership and history, including the Clinton years. I am upset every time Obama positions Hillary as part of the problem in D.C. and says Bill Clinton left no legacy. Barack’s own platform reflects “New Democrat” “third-way” philosophies initiated by Bill Clinton. Why did the DNC leadership allow him to openly lie about that influence?!
Bill Clinton ran as someone who would transcend or unify the left/right divide, as neither/both liberal/conservative. He said a Democrat can support business and middle class families without abandoning the underrepresented. Bill compromised some progressive ideals. But if you run — as he did and as Barack IS — as someone who will serve both left and right concerns, how do you not then compromise? How can Obama speak of Unity without acknowledging the ultimate need to shift to Center? How and where will Obama compromise when the philosophy of One-America butts up against the fundamental ethical differences in this country?
With most of the country unified against George Bush, and with a 40-year swing of the pendulum toward populism and progressivism, the Party needs to position itself to win not just in November but for the next 16 years.
I thought this election would be about re-asserting the validity of Democratic Party ideals that were disdained by Reagan’s coalition and are daily ridiculed by Limbaugh types — ideals that George Bush squashed under his heel. We must demonstrate that they are in fact American ideals — not extremist, fiscally irresponsible, socialist, immoral, or anti-security, but part of our nation’s philosophical foundation. The generational transformation that is occurring within the religious right, along with the Populist wind now blowing, will not help the country (or the Party) in the long term if we simply exploit warm, fuzzy feelings about “change” and establish a cult of personality! We must use this election as a “teachable moment,” communicating substance as well as emotion.
Barack introduced anti-establishment “change” as a Red Herring in this contest, appealing to the far left end of our Party, and to those independents and unregistered citizens who never before considered themselves Democrats. He had the gall to equate our Democratic senators, especially Hillary, with the “problem in Washington.” He did not position himself as a member of our team, but as an outsider who blamed us equally with the Republican hate machine!
Barack insulted the Democrats who have carried the Party’s ideals through a dark period of reactionary conservatism in this country – not the last fifteen years, but the last twenty-eight. That includes me.
Obama tiptoes around issues that are foundational to the Democratic Party. He says he won’t make specific promises, because politicians get caught in a trap that way. OK, how about specific hopes, at least? For some reason, the media and the DNC allowed him to sing the song of unity and remain vague, playing into what is clearly a political strategy. I’ve read comments and blogs from people on the left end of our party who say Barack will be a true liberal reformer, that he won’t make the compromises Bill Clinton made. I’ve also seen notes from Republicans and Independents saying they believe he will not be as partisan as Bill Clinton, but will reach across the aisle and compromise. Given a blank screen, people are projecting upon him what they wish to see. A brilliant construction. David Axelrod helped write the character of the minority President on “West Wing,” and now he’s help write a character for Barack to play. Bravo to them both. Well-played.
I do not believe that character is real, that Barack is sincere. For one thing, he left Bill Clinton twisting in the wind every time comments were taken out of context — as did you. For another, I have to turn Barack off when he gets to the emotional finales of speeches. They give me the creeps. The quasi-religious language and intonation, the accelerating cadence, feel manipulative, as does the phony Southern drawl at the end of lines – clearly an affectation to channel MLK, since Obama’s not Southern. All of it a bit of theatrics intended to distract us from noticing how vague he is about his agenda. I didn’t like Ronald Reagan, but at least he linked his folksy reassuring shining-light-on-the-hill rhetoric with concrete conservative plans. Bill Clinton was able to tie I-feel-your-pain empathy with policy proposals that included simple explanations of complex issues. He spoke to his audience’s hearts AND minds.
I believe the strongest statement we could have made that we will not be influenced by the dehumanizing rhetoric of the Right, the lies and personal attacks, and that we want a government of ideas, competence, and solutions, would have been to nominate Hillary Clinton for president. Or, if she hadn’t run, Al Gore. Or someone who would have acknowledged the success of the Clinton years and put to bed the lies and exaggerations generated by the likes of Ken Starr. We needed the other shoe to drop, a restoration not of the Clintons but of the Democrats who supported the Clintons through those awful years of mud-slinging and who still daily get called amoral and anti-American by the Right because we are Democrats!! After that healing restoration, then maybe I’d have been ready for an Outsider candidate telling me I’m part of the problem. Right now, Barack sounds like the Republicans when he talks about US!!!
Why would you want to let a candidate dismiss Clinton’s years? Are we going to allow Clinton to be caricatured and belittled as Jimmy Carter has been? Are all former Democratic presidents just fodder for right-wing radio?
Hillary Clinton was better prepared, smarter, and a better candidate than Barack. In part due to the undemocratic, unrepresentative caucuses, she lost the nomination. Also due to the failure to re-vote in Michigan: Her supporters offered to pay for a new primary in Michigan, but you allowed Barack to veto that proposal — for no fair or logical reason. And of course, sexism played a role. Please read Robin Morgan’s essay “Goodbye to all that #2″ at the Women’s Media Center.
If he had waited eight years, I’d have voted for Barack — gone door-to-door for him– because he’s smart and articulate, because by then he’d have proven his competence in the Senate, and because he would symbolically move us past centuries of racist evil.
But I believe his campaign to date to have been manipulative and his bring-us-all-together rhetoric to be phony political positioning. His supporters have repeated every hateful Republican myth about Bill and Hillary Clinton– they missed the Unity memo I guess.
I have not left the Democratic Party. You all have left me. I plan to stay home in November. Instead of sending money to the DNC, I’ve joined NOW and PUMA. I realize McCain’s election will hurt the causes I care about, but there is a bigger issue at stake for me that transcends one four-year presidential term.
Sincerely,
Robin Johnson
Covington, Georgia
PUMA-PAC
Dear Dr. Dean:
I will not vote for Obama in November 2008. Here is a baker’s dozen reasons why:
1. He is not qualified
2. He has established not much of a voting or legislative record by which he can be evaluated.
3. He has very many alarming associates and the DNC and the press have failed to do your jobs by adequately vetting him.
4. There are rumors swirling around him and his wife about racial intolerance on their part, and neither the DNC, nor the Obama campaign have been forthright in addressing those rumors. the lack of forthrightness causes me to believe I am being bamboozled, hoodwinked, and snookered.
5. He says he will change the way Washington does business and I believe that is a lie. It is pandering a la George Bush 2000.
6. Obama is out of touch with the majority of America. He is free to make condescending remarks about certain demographics and the DNC is not offended.
7. The DNC and Obama were outraged because Bill Clinton used the phrase, “fairy tale.” I believe your feigned outrage was the beginning of the “fix.” The DNC fixed the outcome of the primaries.
8. The DNC accused the Clintons of racisim, but was silent when Obama made multiple sexist remarks about and vulgar gestures to Senator Clinton.
9. Obama is a coward who has avoided commitments, war zones, and debates. Neither Hillary Clinton, nor John mcCain are cowards.
10. Obama is lazy. He was given a job to do–Chair of a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. He is so accustomed to being given breaks for doing nothing that he did not know there were actual expectations attendant with this title.
11. Obama’s loyalties to America and to our allies remains in question. He spoke to the Jewish group and, and according to Andrea Mitchell (She hates Clinton.), he used “code words” that actually alarmed some who heard the speech. He also wants to send our money to his cousin, the PM of Kenya. Dangerously unqualifed!!!
12. Obama is inarticulate. He seems to have trouble putting words to thoughts. This is not much improvement over Bush. I need a President from whom inspiring, intelligent words flow naturally and extemporaneously.
13. I need Hillary Clinton. She speaks for me. She inspires me. Because you shoved her aside, I will support and vote for Obama’s Republican rival.
Nancy
AACO, Maryland
PUMA DEM
The vicious sexism, divisive Rovian tactics, inexplicable jettisoning of large swaths of the party’s base, and incompetent vetting of the presumptive nominee are sufficient for me to reject Senator Obama as President.
I am a Democrat from the age of nine onwards. Since 1972 I have written letters, made phone calls, made donations, worked at campaign headquarters, stuffed envelopes, walked precincts in the rain and cold, organized meetings, and took off work to do GOTV. I now find that my party and its media enablers regard women, including former First Lady and twice-elected Senator Clinton, as dumb, abusable, disposable broads. Outrageous and unacceptable. You will not get my vote, money or time this election cycle.
I can see why I got the sweats when I had to write compositions in College. Yikes!
Murphy, see#277. That is my revised letter. Please delete the others. Thanks!
Please add me to the list, Bruce555, Coral Springs, FL
(one of the 1/2 voters)
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am writing to express my protest to the 2008 dem nominee selection process. I have never heard of anything so poorly managed or so skewed as this process. First, I must say that people like Donna Brazile, who sent lots of hate mail to Hillary supporters, did a lot of damage to the party. In addition, I have to say that the chosen one is not ready to be president. This puts so many of us in a choice of 2 evils.. . . . Obama or McCain — how could you do this to us? I am wondering how in the world you expect us to vote for Obama. I can see no compelling accomplishment or record that gives me any reason to even remotely consider this man for President of the USA. You need to screen your applicants more thoroughly before unleashing them onto the electorate — I think some experience and vetting are what dems are looking for. Clinton Dems find it hard to swallow that someone who is so weak would be brought forward as the nominee.
Please realize that many of us, not just white gun owners from rural, but many of us with advanced degrees, are changing to Independent. I will stay home this time around, because there is literally no one on the ballot that I feel I would be willing to vote for.
This is a sad day for America, for Democratic principals, and for the once great Democratic Party. What was something to cherish has been a media circus for months now, thanks to the very stupid way the primaries/caucuses are set up and also with the situation with Florida and Michigan.
Please get it together before 2012.
Dear Dr. Dean:
I would like to introduce myself. I am a post-graduate professional white male. I would regard myself in rank and affluence like you and your peers. I will be participating in this election as a former Democrat and newly registered Independent. My goal is simple and straightforward. I will use my vote, my influence, my voice, and my money in every way to defeat this Democratic Party that has evolved since 2004.
I supported your candidacy in 2004. However, after you were defeated in the primaries by John Kerry, I relunctantly endorsed the Democratic Party Nominee. My reason was to support and endorse any potential nominee in order to defeat George W. Bush. If it was John Kerry, so be it. In many ways your candidacy symbolized change and new ideas. You spoke of a different direction that you visioned and put us to task with a grassroot connection. That was new, alright. Reach out and think out of the box. Don’t be lead by the media. Realistic goals that past and present Party Elders scoffed, yet once again the Democrats lost in 2004. Another defeat ran by the Democratic Party Elites and their ideas going back to 1980. The one exception, however, was the administration of President Bill Clinton, the first Democrat to successfully serve two complete terms since FDR. This letter is not meant to recant history. The record is clear.
With that said, the Democratic Party, under your “leadership” and Donna Brazille has been a mockery to Democratic Values and beliefs for a majority of American Citizens. I do know of at least 18,000,000 that are products of your decisions and actions. Mr. Obama was your sole candidate after the re-election of George W. Bush. The American People went through this primary process blinded by your ideals that the outcome would be that decision. The strategy, the organization, and the funding could not have been better orchestrated. The characters of the play were the best and followed every cue to the letter, with one exception: Hillary Rodham Clinton. That was something you really did not count on, but had a plan to deal with if necessary.
Mr. Dean, my list could fill this page and I am sure you have read many. But, the blatant decision to keep Michigan and Florida from exercising a re-vote, after Hillary Clinton and Campaign agreed to it and even fund it was nothing more than cheating. It was a sham to the way Americans and the rest of the world are told about how we elect OUR candidates. The caucus system is corrupt and completely unfair. Texas is only one example. How can you explain to someone that a candidate wins the popular vote of a state, but does not get a majority of those delegates? How? Don’t reply with the “rules” bit. That would be insulting me even more.
In summation, the buying out of the media and superdelegates from the suspicious bank roll of Mr. Obama (not proven but suspected), and the offering of roles that would be given to those if they went along with this farce, was so clear. Out they marched, one by one, beginning with Mr. Richardson. We PUMAS are not ignorant or blind to what has happened. Mr. Dean, I will end this with some thoughts for you to reflect: How much do you really care about the majority of America and how much does your candidate really care about you or America?
In conclusion, my various avenues of support will not only be targeted against this Democratic Party, but all those that are an elected part of it. That Mr. Dean, Ms. Brazille, and Mr. Nick Lampson(D-Tx) is a vote(s) you can count on in November.
JHarper
PUMA (former Democrat)
Harris County
Texas
Jeremy — done.
Thats mar~v~lus! Youre so cool! We all feel the same! Obama was decided on months ago and Hillary got in their way! Now 18Mill of us have the power and they are scared! They are even taking down her site as we post! Brazille and the others continued to look into CNN cameras and protest that, “When we go to the convention they better never take this nomination away from the the person with the popular vote!” (Oh I heard it with me own ears) “They must support the will of the voters!”
Well! Guess what! Yeppers! Hillary has the popular vote! Oh yes she does! Now what do you say? You big shots thought it would be the other way around! Well! She has the peoples votes! OOps! did this come back around to bite you on the butt?
Dear Dr Dean,
As a registered voter and loyal lifelong democrat, I was appalled at the proceedings of the DNC where legal elections were discounted and American votes and legally elected delegates subverted and given to someone who did not earn them . If someone removed their name from a ballot voluntarily that is their error and they garner the consequences . When this election is lost to the democrats , the actions of the DNC will be one of the largest reasons if not the largest reason . for the first time in my adult life , I will be voting other than democratic , and that is a resolve that will not waver .
I was Hillarysite and what I posted never made it. Well, Mr Dean I will never support BO. McCain is getting my vote at least he has been working for the people unlike Obama that has not had the time to work on helping our soliders in harm’s way in afghanistan. He chairs this committe and has not had the JUDGEMENT to speak up or help our soliders. How then is he going to help the solider’s in IRAQ. He is full of specches and nothing at all. My vote now goes to McCain and 2012 will support Hill again. Please America let’s show the DNC that they behaviour will not be tolerated and ACTUAL CHANGE the direction they (DNC) plan to go. We will not have A candidate in the white house that was SELECTED and not ELECTED!!!
#118 Mac: Great idea!
I’m still updating the list. It’s working great with your county info. Easier than before! Thx.
I’ve been moved by your letters as I update I take a sneak peek!
Dear Dr. Dean,
There have been times over the last forty years that I have been disappointed with our eventual presidential nominee. However, never before have I been mortified and frankly, offended. The decision of the DNC to back a candidate so clearly unprepared to take the highest office in the world has left me both.
I understand your decision to bend to big money, special interests and a vast demographic of uninformed and easily manipulated voters by forcing the inferior candidate upon us, but I can not accept it. The tactics by which this was accomplished are even more alarming.
I am formally protesting Senator Obama and any elected or named officials complicit in this questionable presumptive nomination.
Respectfully,
Melinda
Nevada County, CA
PUMA Democrat
Dr Dean
I can not and will not vote for Obama. I am so disturbed at you and friends hijacking this party and turning it into something not at all the party I have always known. Your man Obama has torn this party and country apart and you helped. Why?I have heard Obama and Donna Brazille have said well he doesnt need us any way. Ok thats fine cause he wont get us. There is no amount of pandering and talk that will change our minds. Hillary was treated like mud from all but still stood tall and kept her word to have everyone vote eveb when Palosi and others wanted to shut it down. She could have gotten us the White House but not Obama. Also wanted you to know I will be contacting someone because I believe we need some investagation into new registrants and hope you have the mind to stop the caucus. It got your man in but is so bias a monkey could see through it .I hope you use your power to stop these abusive things.
Obama is no more ready to run this country than I am . I do and always have loved it though so maybe I have a heads up on him.His wife,pastor,rezko,Farrakhan(he should help you get jewish vote) his plo friends that gave him money. His wife got over 200,000 raise when he became senator??You dont care about any of this ,just apeasement. It isnt over. I believe he will implode. I worry Republicans will wait till after convention than Hillary cannt pull us out. You havent heard end of problems with the golden boy.
He never lived here as a child and not poorly. He has lied about everything and used poorest of judgement. You would pick and shove this through when you had a winner in your hands means it isnt my party now.I will vote McCain. I dont vote for the selected but the elected.
jane-Erie,Pa.
Puma Democrat
Please post off-thread comments on the Open Discussion thread upstairs. Feel free to repost your comments from here to there.
This thread is for letters to the DNC about why you are protesting the 2008 election.
Thanks.
Lurkers, I know you’re out there!
Please add your letter. We want all of our voices heard.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am a 20, going on 21, year old, Indian American (Not Native American), male. I have been following the primaries very closely and I have been appalled at what I’ve seen. It is very clear that of the two main candidates, Hillary Clinton is far superior and far more electable. Her experience far surpasses Barack Obama’s and I can’t fathom why this has turned out the way it has. Indeed, even in the final primaries just recently, there was a galling level of arrogance on the part of the Democratic Party. I find it horrible that Barack Obama was pushed over the line for necessary delegates BEFORE the polls were closed in South Dakota, where I might add she soundly thrashed Barack Obama. The way the Democratic Primaries are set up, the Super Delegates are in place to ensure that the will of the people is carried out by supporting the candidate who gets the most popular votes. This year, they were used to bolster a weak candidate whom the party officials had selected. I cannot and will not vote for a candidate such as Barack Obama come November. He very clearly lied about his relationship with Rev. Wright. I find it impossible that he knew this man for 20 years and had a close relationship with him and did not know Wright was as racist as he is. I can’t support a candidate who has ties with the Chicago Political Machine which is no better than the mafia. I can’t support a candidate who doesn’t respect his country enough to place his hand over his heart when the National Anthem is played. And I cannot support a candidate who is not qualified enough to sit in the Oval Office! The list of reasons I can’t vote for Barack Obama is much longer than these few reasons I’ve listed. However, if I were to mention all of my reasons, I would probably end up writing a book length letter. This election has not only been stolen from a truly qualified candidate, but from the people as well. This is why my vote will go to John McCain in November. Unfortunately, it is not possible to register as an Independent in Arizona. But I will, nonetheless, be leaving the Democratic Party one way or another if and when Barack Obama is confirmed as the Democratic Nominee. Thank you for your time.
Jackson
Maricopa County
Arizona
TexasTigress
I got you down! I’m behind…doing my best to catch up. I have two windows open. I’ll plubish when I get down the list…Is that possible. Pumas are growing at an exponential rate, that GREAT!!!
I just joined mccain site. First time there, men this is strange for me to be looking at a republican but it is Hillary or McCain for me. Never Obama. I feel that my 14 month son could do a better job than Obama. Maybe he should have entered the race.
Dr Dean,
When your selected (not elected) candidate Obama does not win in November, remember June, 2008. If a miracle happens and he gets elected and the country deteriorates further than with GWB, remember June, 2008. The Democratic Party has betrayed millions of us — and me for the last time. I will not support your selected candidate in November.
Linda
Collin County, TX
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean
Trick the American voters once shame on you, trick us twice(which isn’t going to happen) shame on us!You have dishonered the Democratic Party. You disrespected Senator Clinton.You treated her like a second class citizen.Your treatment of Hillary should have told you something about her character if she could handle the abuse that the DNC threw at her she could handle anybody or anything.In the eyes of America Hillary let it roll off her like water off a ducks back,but we were not with her when she was alone and I know she was hurting. I dare say that Donna Brazille, or Nancy Pelosi could have endured the abuse they would have fallen for sure. I have supported the Democratic Party for 46 years and for the “First time in my adult life I am ashamed of my Party.”When there is a lack of honor in goverment,the morals of the whole people are poisoned” (these are not my words) All authority belongs to the people, but the DNC took that authority from us when you hand picked Obama you ignored our votes The people in Fla. are only 1/2 people .Hillary was the only one ready to lead our Country.She is like a great General give her the keys to the door and she will lead.Obama has NO qualifications except “flowery speeches” he is like a traveling evangelist and we all know where he got his training -20 years with Wright as his mentor.He has “friendships” with people that are against every principle our great country was founded on but the DNC overlooked all these .Obama lacks ALL the qualities we need: leadership,experience,diplomatic skills, foreign policy experience, his track record in the senate is evidence of these, he can’t handle criticism ,either constuctive or non.His inexperience showed in the debates he aped everthing Hillary said, I believe that is why the moderators asked Hillary the first questions, so they would’nt embarrass him and when Hillary supporters started complaining to the media and they did ask him the questions he stuttered and stammered until you forgot what he was asked.DNC hi-jacked Hillary’s delegates in Michigan even thou Bo did not need them You knew if you counted all her votes you would not have a leg to stand on.The DNC insulted the intelligence of the voters and thought we would not notice what you were doing. WRONG! You disrespected Hillary everywhere she turned She was forced to concede to BO. You know it and her supporters know it.So how dare you assume Hillarys supporters will unite behind your choice .I will not support the democratic party or Obama even though Hillary has asked us to ,even if she is his VP. I sincerely hope she does not accept that position Hillary is not VP materal and that would be a slap in the face for her and her supporters.We all know if she did when BO screwed up and he WILL Hillary would be blamed.For the first time in my voting life I will vote Republican along with my democratic family. In November I will vote for John McCain, but the DNC is to blame for that .One last thing Hillary supporters are not to be forgotten and WE WILL NOT LET THE DNC OFF THAT EASY! I certainly hope this letter does not fall on deaf ears for our Country’s sake.
Phyllis
Putnam Co.Indiana
P.U.M.A Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
First of all, I would like to tell you that you were my choice for President when you were in the race. I even liked your screams. I thought it was very unfair of the Media to bring you down over it.
The unfair and biased way The D.N.C. and the media treated Senator Clinton was so excruciating to watch. You of all people sir should know how that feels.
Sure you paid the media’s treatment of Senator Clinton with some lip service when you were in a room full of her supporters. Such an obvious pander that I actually laughed.
When Michael Pfleger made those horrible remarks about Senator Clinton, Obama was saddened by his backward looking comments. He was only worried about how it reflected on him. I do not recall you or Donna Brazille, or Obama defending Senator Clinton. I do remember who did though. It was John McCain.
Sadly, after 25 years of voting democrat, I am leaving the Party. I will be voting for John McCain.
R. Tierra
PUMA DEM
Woodland Hills, CA
Please be patient. I have put put the kids to bed.
Dr. Dean,
There are so many reasons why I will not be supporting Senator Obama. He hasn’t earned the nomination and frankly your bending of the rules clearly shows me that even you thought he couldn’t win without a bit of help.
Obama is also not qualified for the position; he spent 1 (one) year in the Senate, that does not make one qualified.
Obama was selected by the DNC and not the people. I know you are a very busy man and may not have noticed that Senator Clinton actually won the popular vote.
The very idea of not counting all of the votes in FL & MI goes against every American principle of democracy.
Frankly Dr Dean, I find it hard to vote for any man after the extreme sexism during this primary season. My vote will either be a write-in for Hillary, but then again as some of her votes and delegates where given to Obama I may be better off voting for McKinney.
Rest assured Dr Dean, I will still be very active politically. I will donate, phone bank, and do what ever my party needs me to do. However Dr Dean I no longer consider myself a Democrat. I am a PUMA!
Bjornsdotter
Dear Mr. Dean,
Thank you, Mr. Dean, for your former efforts to make our country strong by actively running for the position of the Presidency of the United States and then leading the National Democratic Party. Neither of these tasks are easy. However, I must inform you that I left the Democratic Party three months ago after forty years of active work within its organization. Why? First, I am passionately upset with the party’s inept handling of the vulgarity and targeting of women who have served long in the party. Second, I am very angry with the party and its obviously decision to overturn the vote of the people (Florida-Michigan and the caucus vs. state primary system). Third, the party no longer represents all groups of people as it has in its history. It is showing by its actions of these passed few months, that it represents only the view of a few powerful people, not the rich tapestry of young, old, women, men, “all” ethnic groups, poor, middle class, and rich, traditionally educated and highly educated. A tapestry falls apart when threads break or are broken. The Democratic Party is a shredded tapestry that sorely needs mending. It does not represent my traditional and moderate views toward life and the operation of this great country.
Karen , Cowlitz County, Washington State
PUMA Democrat
New Users, If you want to comment on the threads, you need to register with Wordpress first. They will email a temporary password to you right away. Look for it in your junk email folder if you don’t see it in your inbox in a few minutes. Once you’ve logged in for the first time you can reset your password to a more personal one. Just click on this link
http://blog.pumapac.org/wp-login.php?action=register
Welcome!
I am protesting the Democratic Party because I am a lifelong Democratic Voter. I feel that this Primary, I learned that Democrats are not Promoting Democracy.
Silly me. If I had known that for certain, I would have been an Independent years ago. Hillary Rodham Clinton was the closest person to being Democratic in modern history. Now, I believe that Geraldine Farraro has the most integrity in the Party. She is the only one who stated the truth about reverse-racism under fire, under threats, until the end and after the end.
I have named the New Democratic Party the Demogratic Party after their abuse of marketing statistics. They only care about who is going to pay them more money. Hispanics are a growing marketing demographic. African Americans have network television and entertainment except for the news media. Between those two demographics, they can be assured of a growing money tree from above and below. They used Hillary Clinton to re-build the roots, the base. Then, they hijacked the bus, threw her under, ran over her and are running to her base for support. NObama – Not Now, Not Ever.
Dr. Dean,
There are so many reasons why I will not be supporting Senator Obama. He hasn’t earned the nomination and frankly your bending of the rules clearly shows me that even you thought he couldn’t win without a bit of help.
Obama is also not qualified for the position; he spent 1 (one) year in the Senate, that does not make one qualified.
Obama was selected by the DNC and not the people. I know you are a very busy man and may not have noticed that Senator Clinton actually won the popular vote.
The very idea of not counting all of the votes in FL & MI goes against every American principle of democracy.
Frankly Dr Dean, I find it hard to vote for any man after the extreme sexism during this primary season. My vote will either be a write-in for Hillary, but then again as some of her votes and delegates where given to Obama I may be better off voting for McKinney.
Rest assured Dr Dean, I will still be very active politically. I will donate, phone bank, and do what ever my party needs me to do. However Dr Dean I no longer consider myself a Democrat. I am a PUMA!
Bjornsdotter
McHenry County, Illinois
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean,
Who was it that told you and Sen. Obama and his “people”, and the media, and others, that we will “fall in line”? That we’ll “get over it”? What makes you think that you and they can insult our intelligence?
Did you and they actually think that you could orchestrate this “plan” against Sen. Clinton and get away with it? Has it sunk in your heads yet that you have actually divided the democratic party?
Just as bad as the ugly and horrendous treatment of our Hillary Clinton, is that the party is now divided, a very great number of democrats has switched party affiliation to Independent, and will vote for John McCain (who happens to be a maverick, moderate republican).
You have actually thrown the election. And what’s left will be knocked down completely by the republicans when they really get to work in September and October, doing what they do best. That’s when the sparks will really fly. Then we’ll be watching your “chosen” candidate running to hide behind trees, rocks, maybe behind you yourself!!! Oh, he needs to study the map so he can find his way back when he gets lost.
You blew it Dr. Dean, and pals.
The best and stronger candidate for president presented herself to us and you all decided to trash her.
Another thing, after this is over and Barack Obama starts limping back home, he may not have the face to re-enter presidential politics.
At least Hillary Clinton will be back better and stronger in ‘12.
Betty
Broward County
FLORIDA
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am an Independent that was going to switch to the Democratic Party for Hillary Clinton in November. As I watched the primaries and seen how Senator Clinton had to continuously stand up to demands to step down as she was winning; I went to her site, donated and made phone calls. Now forget my vote in November unless you tell the whole truth and Senator Hillary Clinton becomes the nominee at the DNC.
Each day brings a new revelation and as Americans we are not going to “settle-down” or support a nominee that is not qualified. One is not brain-dead when the press always said, “Obama and Clinton”, which we all know is more controlled by Democrats, it is more than a very divisive practice…it is un-American!! Especially since you know, candidates are always stated alphabetically and you never corrected it.
I have never seen a woman more demeaned nor another candidate, as skeletons were free falling out of his closet, more chosen. This is not the American way but a very Marxist move. A person created to be a savior in sheep’s clothing. It will not work!!
It is clear to me, my family, friends and Republicans that I know that were going to support Hillary Clinton in November that the DNA process is everything but Democratic!! How Dr. Dean do you justify with Hillary Clinton having the popular vote and very close in true certified Delegates until you started your underhanded process with caucuses that should be under investigation for “fraud” and then pressure Super Delegates to choose your “Chosen One”?
What did I hear you say…nothing!! That is why neither I nor any of my family members that are registered Democrats and my Republican friends will not be voting for “your Chosen One”. As people become educated as to who he really is…losing in November will be mild to the answers you will have to face, as investigations will be forthcoming.
Sharon
Orange County, Florida
Puma Democrat
Dear Dean,
My name is Elizabeth and I have always been a democrat, I am 64. However in light of the way you took delagates away from Fl and Mi and the total way you and your fellow members ran this primary and ignored the popular vote and the true winner I am now a PUMA DEMOCRAT and will be protesting the 2008 election.
Elizabeth
Pinellas county Florida
To Howard Dean,
Last October I took a trip overseas to work with fellow company colleagues on social and environmental diversity for a specific agriculture focus in a third world country. I was the only American colleague while the rest were from nine other countries from around the world. The good I have taken from that overall wonderful experience is how all of us can come together and worked to a common goal. However, I carried the hardest battle with this as it was clearly stated to me how the world HATES Americans (to include the current administration, of course). I wasn’t surprised and unfortunately expected such harsh statements to come my way. And being a female over fifty only made it all the more difficult. I did overcome this challenge. It took a little time, patience, hard HONEST work and to include carrying the integrity I hold so very valuable proving myself and successfully achieving the development of MUTUAL respect. And that is how I won their hearts as I refused to play dirty politics.
I understand why the world views us the way they do. They do not see integrity, social responsibility or democratic processes. They see corporate control over our government, a spiraling downturn in our economy, a deficit that China makes payments on, a never ending involvement in Iraq and our lack of good intellectual judgment to correct these wrongs. Our next president needs to address and accomplish so much of this in a manner considering long term positive results as well as respect to our fellow Americans, our environment, our retirement and our health coverage and freedom from foreign energy. These issues are so enormous it’s hard to believe that such a neophyte as BO could even come close to understanding what needs to be done. And the world is not very interested in BO. And I question his values on every issue I stated above. And I question his integrity, his apparent attitude towards racism and lack of any agenda.
The DNC has broken every rule that a democracy stands for. The DNC chooses to emulate the other party’s and the administration’s corrupt practices. We had a chance and the right candidate to rebuild America based on values, leadership, policies and social responsibility that are crucial to our survival as a vital and thriving nation. You as well as the rest of DNC’s private agenda with self serving motives not only turned away from all of this but also proved to the world what buffoons the leaders in the Democratic Party can be as well.
The DNC’s and your degrading and demoralizing actions proving that sexism is definitely a part of your agenda will never, ever bring me to change from my decision to leave the party and not support in any way by vote, money, campaign, etc to the DNC. 35+ years of support will now end and I will register as Independent. I will be curious to see where by November the numbers of new enrollments that the DNC so bragged about during this campaign will be sufficiently offset by us who felt compelled that it was necessary to change affiliation to another party.
Mr. Dean, some have suggested you return to medicine. Please leave politics, you really stink at it. However, please, don’t go back to medicine. If you practice medicine like politics your patients would be in terrible danger as well.
CJV
Schenectady County, NY
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean,
Yes, there was sexism and much more corruption in this primary process. Shame on you for acknowledging the sexism after your Anointed One reached the magic number of delegates.
You have done a great disservice to Democrats, the American political process, and WOMEN. (Remember women? The largest demographic in the Dem Party?)
Your selected nominee will lose in November, in a year tailor-made for Dems. Nice going.
Joanne
Cook County, Illinois
PUMA Democrat
Mr. Dean,
I am so disappointed in the treatment of Hillary Clinton and this was allowed. This happening in the Democratic Party which was also known to be the party of the people, then to literally treat one of it’s own this what, what a disgrace. There has been such discrimination, if this was anything else where somebody had been discriminated again to this degree, there would have been such a law suit, and justifably so. Please, Mr. Dean remember we are the people who voted the people who are in in their offices, how can you do this to us? My view on this, and I am a woman, seeing how Hillary has been treated, this is as such a second class citizen. How could you and those who have done this, done this to us. We expected so much more, to start off with Hillary being treated fairly.
Hey DNC,
I accept the fact that Barack Obama will win the Democratic nomination. It’s a legitimate outcome, as long as you accept that the determination of the will of the voters was not the desired product of the primary season.
Superdelegates decided to hand Barack Obama the victory on June 3 so no time would be spent dwelling on the meaning of Hillary Clinton’s victory in South Dakota. How is it possible that Obama could have won all the surrounding states with greater than 60% of the vote, yet lose South Dakota by such a solid margin? It’s the caucuses. They are undemocratic and represent a tiny sliver of the electorate. Had actual democratic elections been held in Minnesota, Colorado, North Dakota, etc., Barack Obama would never have built a significant pledged delegate lead. In all the states where higher turnout primary elections were held in addition to a caucus event, the result was much more favorable to Hillary Clinton. You cannot claim that the results from the caucuses are representative of the electorate of the states in which they were held.
The lowest turnout states in this primary season were all caucus states. In Alaska, Washington, Nebraska, Kansas, etc., fewer than 20% of the number of people who voted for John Kerry in 2004 participated in the 2008 Democratic caucus. There was even a higher rate of participation in Michigan and Florida, which the Democratic party leadership chose to disenfranchise.
So congratulations, your primary process has achieved a result, one obtained by granting 8800 voters in Alaska 1 delegate for every 650 voters and 1.7 million voters in Florida 1 delegate for every 19,000 voters. I however believe that the process should bear some resemblance to the will of the people. Unless the Democratic party makes some effort to overhaul its nomination process and to make amends to the candidate which won more votes than any other candidate in history, I’m out.
David
San Francisco, California
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean,
I am protesting and working diligently to make things right that the DNC got wrong for these reasons:
1. Senator Obama was SLECTED not ELECTED
2. Failure of DNC/RBC to follow its own charter/constitution re: fair reflection, uncommitted votes, taking votes from one candidate and giving them to another candidate, and using EXIT POLLS to bolster their own agenda, while all the time repeatedly stating that “Rules are Rules.” The RBC 30 substituting their judgment for 2.3 million voters is – unacceptable!
3. The “Bully pulpit tactics” used on anyone to do with Hillary’s campaign.
4. Hipocracy of DNC failing to count all votes; when that was their mantra in 2000, I am now 1/2 a person, just call me Jane Crow.
5. The sexism and misogyny piled on and piled on Hillary, and through her on us, by pundits, politicians, and Obama supporters – pure hatred that will not be forgotten.
6. Obama does not share my values, is not patriotic, and has used Chicago style politics to steal the nomination – with the entire Democratic Party and DNC aiding and abetting.The only thing Chicago style that I like is my pizza.
7. And make no mistake about it, HILLARY STILL SPEAKS FOR ME. But, Hillary needs to step aside now and let us, the P.U.M.A. Democrats, take it from here. We are many, we are dedicated, we are determined, we are strong.
8. To give just a little liberty to Hillary and in the memory of Susan B. Anthony after working for the Suffragette movement for 60 years, and on her deathbed stated that all she wanted was a little liberty and a say in her goverment and that she will not live to obtain it. Well, 165 years later we are still asking for a little liberty and a say in running our government.
Lisa Davis
Michigan
P.U.M.A. DEMOCRAT
Dear Dr. Dean,
Great Dismay. This is what I am feeling, Great Dismay. My pride in being a Democrat has been burned by molten lava, and the smoldering remains are being gnawed at by Unity. My 37 years as a Democrat are damaged by the 2008 Primary shenanigans.
As a staunch Democrat, I voted for and contributed to this once great party. Now it is overshadowed with shame.
Because of my dissatisfaction with the national party, I have joined a powerful, smart, honest pack. I am now a Puma Democrat. This pack (note the wordplay with the term PAC) now has my loyalty and, perhaps of most concern to you, my contributions. The amounts may not be great, but since I sacrifice to make them, they reflect my whole-hearted determination to support the Puma tribe.
Dr. Dean…I will not vote for Senator Obama. He is not a legitimate nominee, in that he did not get the nomination honestly. The legitimate nominee in Senator Hillary Clinton. She may not speak with the specious speechifying of Senator Obama, but she speaks with sincerity and compassion…and with a brilliant understanding of our national concerns. And…even more importantly, she knows how to tackle and resolve our problems. I trust her implicitly. I do not have even a modest modicum of trust for your nominee. Actually, I have none. I repeat, I have no trust for your nominee.
I add my voice, or maybe it is a howl, to my fellow Pumas. With all my heart, I PROTEST the 2008 Presidential Election that has Senator Obama representing the Democratic Party.
Senator Obama was the recipient of the lop-sided approval of our national media. He was rained upon with their love. I smelt the rain, and the smell was that of sludge. I nearly drowned in the flood of rain, but was pulled to the safe haven of the Pumas.
Dr. Dean, Sir, you were behind the unfair treatment of the voters of the states of Michigan and Florida. You could have let this be a lesson year, you could have given these states a second chance. You, Sir, were unforgiving. Instead of imposing lesser sanctions, you supported the path that lead to the questionable victory of your nominee.
Sir, the Pumas are gathering, the Pumas are watching, the Pumas are tensed for action. Sir, the Pumas are getting ready to battle. With the honor of our tribe, we are giving you forewarning.
We Pumas are getting ready for BATTLE.
JoAnn
York County
Pennsylvania
Puma Democrat
Dear Mr. Dean,
When this primary season began, I was open minded and willing to listen to what BHO had to say even though I had been a Hillary supporter for years. But the more I listened to him, the more I became convinced that he is not who he pretends to be and is not electible.
Here we have a First Lady who has an excelent record of working hard for the middle class and who in my opinion is the only smart choice for the Presidency of the United States. But instead of giving her a fair shot, you have tied her hands behind her back and from the very beginning by not counting Florida and Michigan, two states needed to win the General Election in the fall and two state Hillary Rodham Clinto won back on January 29th of this year. And so, I had been following this campaign season with much interest. That interest was not just because we had our first African American candidate and our first woman… but my interest was with regard to the handling of Florida and Michigan. In other words this constest to me was never about race. It was about equality.
I was actually waiting and *hoping* that the DNC Rules and Bylaws committee would resolve this issue as they had promised. Namely to resolve it in such a way as not to favor one candidate over the other. Well, Mr Dean, you and the other SuperDelegates on that panel did exactly the opposite. You not only bypassed your own rules and bylaws you created a new one just to nominate BHO by awarding him delegate votes he neither won nor earned because he had removed his name from the Michigan ballot; something he did not have to do.
If on one hand the rules are the rules and you penalized FL and MI for moving their dates up, then howbeit you also moved up the IOWA caucuses? What DNC rule was that? And by what rule did you decide to give only 1/2 vote to Michigan and Florida… oh, I know, that was the automatic ruling that you seemed to have misplaced at the very beginning. Yet you seemed to have found it again on May 31st of this year.
Now, I know from reading and surfing the Internet that our Constitution does not allow for Conventions or Primaries, yet their has been a long standing tradition in our country to COUNT EVERY VOTE. This is why the 2000 Al Gore election against George Bush got so much attention because many of us feel as though Gore should have been our President. But to think that the democratic party has done the same thing to itself is a thing that is not forgivable and we who honor the works of Hillary Rodham Clinton will not soon forget. I will not forget. I will not forget that you have become the Katherine Harris of the Democratic Party.
Why?
Because you and the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee have awarded delegates to a man based upon an EXIT POLL. Now that is something that is not in any party rules that I know of. Mr. Dean, I implore you, the DNC has set up a very dangerous president in using an exit poll because it has given media way too much power over our election process. So for me, May 31st was the day American democracy died.
Patriotism is not just in a lapel flag pin… it is in doing what is right and what is just. I did not see this from the DNC as I watched C-Span. To quote your own candidate, patriotism need not be worn on someone’s shoulders; then again, neither should we have to suffer and bare the burden of the error of your ways.
I have heard it said on news media that Mr O intends to seat the FL and MI delegation at full seating. I would imagine so that he may then proclaim to be the party’s unifer but only *after* you made him the party’s nominee. Yet I can tell you we are not blind to what took place on May 31st and we will not be fooled by your involement in it.
Kathleen M
Old Bridge, NJ
A supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Candidacy in 08,
and now, A supporter of PUMA.
Murphy, I have the list from today’s bloggers who wrote to H.Dean including yesterday.
I need to compile from other threads. Where do you want this list-IT’S HUGE!
Dear Dr. Dean
For the first time as a life long Democratic I am ashamed of my Party. The type of treatment that was shown to Hillary Clinton by her “OWN” party leaves me speechless and sickens me not only as an American but disgust me as a women.
Hillary Clinton deserved respect not only as an American, a Human Being, a Women, a sitting DEMOCRATIC Senator of New York, a DEMOCRATIC candidate running for President of the United States and most certainly a Former First Lady.
Hillary Clinton is the ONLY candidate that stood for the same values, issues and concerns that I do. Hillary Clinton is a hard working, passionate, experienced, dedicated, caring, loyal person of extreme character and judgement.
I thought that the President of the United States was ELECTED by the people not SELECTED by the people in “cigar smoke filled back room meetings” who gain personal “perks” for their votes. I hear you are getting to retain your position as Chair of the DNC.
Well Dr. Dean I am tired of being told that I will “get over it, unify and come around come November”. Cause if you think that then you do not know me or the other 17,999,999 of us. THIS “SWEETIE” WILL NEVER EVER IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM VOTE FOR OBAMA.
The only “RIGHT” AND “ELECTABLE” nominee is Hillary Rodham Clinton – so if she is not our nominee than the Democratic Party, DNC, Super D’s along with all the other “IN THE TANK” for Obama supporters just handed the White House to the Republicans.
Deb
PUMA Democratic
Dakota County – MN
Dr. Dean:
I am 52 years old. I have been a lifelong member of the Democratic Party. I have always voted for the Party candidates. No more. I have changed my party affiliation. I am disgusted with the behavior of the DNC and many “Democratic leaders” toward the voters of Michigan and Florida, toward Hillary Clinton, and 18 million voters who believe that Senator Clinton is the Democratic candidate that can win in the general election. Unconscionable!
I have been astonished and sickened by the blind promotion of Senator Obama – the kid-glove treatment and total lack of vetting that have led to his rock star status. He is inexperienced and unqualified and has shown a 20 year history of calculated political pandering and HIGHLY questionable associations to get to this point in his career.
Shame on all those who stood by and allowed this to happen.
If Obama is the nominee, Senator John McCain gets my vote. No hesitation. Senator McCain is an honorable American who has demonstrated a willingness and the heart to work across party lines for the good of all. Senator McCain has walked the walk and not just talked the talk.
Elizabeth G.
Litchfield County, CT
former Democrat
PUMA member
Dear Dr. Dean,
As a lifelong Democratic voter I hereby tender my resignation from the party. I will not vote for “presumptive ” nominee Obama in November.
Presumptuous indeed, of you and the DNC to take it upon yourselves to annoint Obama as the nominee with much help from a biased mainstream media.
The millions of Democrats who have been denigrated by their party hold the votes to determine the next President of the U.S.
The only way the Democratic party will win in November is with Hillary Clinton as the nominee.
M. Taylor
Jackson County, ORegon
Dear Dr. Dean,
When this primary season first started, I was excited and hopeful. I believed that with a good contest among many good candidates, the strongest Presidential Democratic candidate would emerge. Surely, THIS time, with sentiment running so high against the mistakes of the Republican administration, the Democratic party would be finally able to nominate a winner. I was familiar with the strong credentials of Hillary Clinton and John Edwards and I was open and curious to hearing more about Barak Obama even though I felt a little concerned that he is such a brand new Senator.
But long before the primary season even made its way to my state of Oregon, the race had narrowed to two candidates, and it seemed that the media and the DNC had bought into the new charismatic cult of Obama and made up its mind that Hillary Clinton should hurry up and drop out for “the good” of the Party. (I’m sorry, I guess I thought the party leaders were supposed to do the will of the people for the good of the PEOPLE?) By the time Obama got to my state, Oregon, the drumbeat for Clinton’s ouster had gotten so loud, that Obama didn’t even feel the need to acknowledge Clinton’s numerous challenges for a debate in my state, my chance to finally hear the two of them directly engage each other on issues dear to me relevant to my state, and more and more “superdelegates” were jumping on the Obama bandwagon to manipulate the outcome and sense of “inevitability” before my vote was even cast. Sexist comments by Obama (e.g. calling a female reporter “sweetie” — if Clinton had called a black male reporter “hon” would there have been any mercy??) were ignored or downplayed by Democratic party leaders, and women supporters of Clinton were portrayed as unreasonable or sentimental in our loyalty to her even though there was no similar criticism of the 90% loyalty of black voters to Obama. Even as Clinton was winning by huge margins in the majority of the last primaries, Democratic leaders and superdelegates in Washington DC were saying she should get out for “party unity”. Even though there were record numbers of new Democrats being registered in these latter primaries, and the voter turnout was higher than it’s been in years, the ridiculous charge was being made by party leaders that somehow Clinton’s presence in the race was damaging to the Democratic party!?! Let me explain something to the DNC — Clinton’s presence didn’t divide the party; it’s how she and the many of us who supported her were dismissed by the DNC that has divided the party. Yet now the DNC doesn’t dismiss us, now the DNC wants us to join the Obama camp, wants us to forget that the same old politics were played on behalf of someone who claims to practice new politics of unity. Now that Obama has claimed the nomination (not because he won enough to clinch it himself but because “superdelegates” gave him enough votes to win the nomination despite the popular vote and despite the big electoral states Clinton won), now the Democratic party leaders wants Clinton supporters to be loyal and rally around the Democratic candidate. Come on, be good sports, we’re told.
And, I ask you, why? This was not a sports game. This was our future. And, I do not believe that the DNC and the Democratic leaders were loyal to the Democratic process or to the huge group of Democratic voters like me. It was only through Hillary Clinton’s pure grit and determination to stay in the race despite the huge pressure on her to bow out that I felt my vote in Oregon in May meant something, and I bet the voters of West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Montana felt the same.
As far as rallying behind your candidate, I don’t even know who Barak Obama really is. He hasn’t earned my vote, and I don’t feel I “owe” it to him because the DNC says I do. Despite what the DNC and Democrat leaders could have done by staying neutral throughout the primary season and seeing which candidate emerged as the strongest, the Democratic party elders in their arrogance took down who was on her way to emerging as their own strongest candidate (Clinton) to promote the “rock star” (Obama) who’s going to get creamed in the general election by the genuinely solid choice of the Republicans, John McCain. I don’t agree with McCain on everything, but the man has integrity and a long track record of consistency on his values. He wasn’t afraid to criticize Rumsfeld and the Iraq war although he also wasn’t afraid to say that the US shouldn’t just abandon the mess we’ve made there. And he wasn’t afraid to keep saying that when it almost cost him the nomination he eventually won. McCain wasn’t afraid to loudly speak up against Bush on torture and to advocate for the Geneva Conventions. He wasn’t afraid to campaign for finance reform and work with someone like Democrat Russ Feingold to try to get it. I don’t agree with McCain on everything, but I do think the Democratic majority in the Senate and House will keep him in check on Supreme Court nominations (the big bugaboo that you all are trotting out) and social issues. McCain is trustworthy, and he definitely played more fair with his opponents during his primary than Barak Obama did with ours. In short, I refuse to reward Obama and the DNC for the shoddy way you’ve mistreated the candidates and their supporters this primary.
So once again, the Democratic party has ensured that we snatch defeat from the mouth of victory, and I hope in the next 4 years, the DNC will re-think caucases and how delegates are divided up when candidates win states. I hope the DNC will reconsider taking sides with one candidate against others before the people in all the primaries have finished speaking/voting, and I hope the DNC reconsiders the whole role of “superdelegates” in trying to manipulate the choice of our candidate. Good luck. If you clean up your act, maybe I’ll be back in 2012. I’ll always be a Democrat at heart, but for the first time since 1976, I won’t vote Democrat for President this time.
Karen
Washington county, Oregon
Puma member
Dear Dr Dean,
I will be protesting the 2008 Democratic Party and Nomination and voting for Senator McCain. I am now an Independent because:
When I vote for the Executive Office, I vote for the most qualified candidate to be our nation’s leader. The one who illustrates a commitment to make the tough decisions our nation needs, not just the party needs. Senator Clinton was and still is my first choice, Senator McCain is my second.
Senator Obama’s limited experience reveals poor judgment and actions that were in his best political interest, not the people he is suppose to represent. His friends and associations are questionable at best, frightening at worst. His personal belief circle promotes hate not unity. His politics are of the worst kind, Chicago-style. I can not support a candidate that actively works against our right to vote and then demands that our votes not be counted as voted.
The Democratic Party nomination process disenfranchises millions of voters through caucuses and party puppets called super-delegates. I will fight for popular voting in primaries in all 50 states.
The DNC intentionally disenfranchised 2.2 million voters in Michigan and Florida, denying them the right to vote. Then when they voted anyway, denied them their right to have their vote count; thus swaying the outcome of the nomination.
The RBC used their precious rules to hijack delegates. Using rules only when they suited their own purpose and throwing them out when they didn’t help their appointed nominee. The proceedings of May 31st resembeled a Kangaroo court.
The DNC leadership and Obama campaign stood idly by while SEXISM, MISOGYNY and RACE BAITING permeated the media and thus biased this nomination.
The DNC leadership and appointed nominee declared the winner repeatedly before every vote was cast and before the delegates have even voted at the convention.
I will spend the next four years fighting for Senator Clinton, fighting for reform within the Democratic Party and/or fighting for a strong Independent party that truly represents the will of the people of America.
Lizben08
Illinois PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean,
During the last two elections, I was highly upset that the republican party was able to buy the election and that I felt my vote was a royal waste of time. I thought that was a republican trick. Not so. This year, I watched as the DNC stood by and did nothing while Senator Obama was able to buy his nomination. Is that the true and only motivation for any party, to do it’s selection of who is going to run for office? I believe it is. It is not HOW I vote.
You now ask all of us Democrats to unite the party under one banner. In truth, I believe you have been pushing that agenda for the last 16 months.
Many of us 18 million voters for Hillary Clinton invested time, money and our hearts for the one person we felt we could trust, the one person who salutes the flag she wished to support, and the one person we felt worthy to lead this country. You, the DNC chose to invest all of your time, money and hearts for the man you selected a long time ago. You stood by and watched the media consistently berate our choice. You did not stand by the very bylaws and regulations that govern your organization. Yet, you ask us now to unite. That is not how I WILL vote.
I am not a diehard democrat. I am a diehard believer in the American dream, to live free in a democracy where I can trust my government, trust that they will do the right thing for the people, by the people and of the people. That is not how YOU ask me to vote.
Know that I will vote my choice and my concience this November. It is not how you WANT me to vote.
Dawn
Williamson County, Texas
soon to be Independant
PUMA member
Dear Hillary Supporters
I have a few thoughts to share with you today. I am sad and energized, annoyed and amused so it took me some time to read all your emails and gather my thoughts. Trying to figure out how we feel as compared to what the pundits are telling us, the Hillary supporters, how to feel about the speech yesterday. I actually got a few emails this morning saying – “I guess you are for Obama now?”
What happened yesterday in DC?
I was interviewed no less than a dozen times and have not found one live interview of myself yet. Perhaps because they could not get me to say I was going to vote for McCain. I noticed however, they did air all the interviews of my friends who they could force to give them the answer they wanted. They were persistent in forcing that answer.
Let me tell you why I resisted. They would like nothing more that to take our eyes off of Denver. The media has always wanted to take Hillary out of the picture and make this race about Obama and McCain. I say let’s not let them take her out of the picture! Let me remind you that there is no nominee yet. These delegates can change their minds at any time between now and the night of the Convention. Hillary has not released her delegates and they have not abandoned her. She has only suspended her campaign.
Yes we are angry; very angry with the party. We feel that the party had abandoned us. It’s not over until Denver! We will deal with the DNC in good time but for now we need all our energy – we will not change the subject while we still have the opportunity to get our candidate of choice!
I was in DC yesterday – it was filled with supporters in Hillary regalia, however, I will never be convinced they were all true supporters. Based on discussions with the supporters I know and speak to my feeling is that we are not ready to drop the banner that fast and switch gears. In my opinion, that hall was filled with Obama supporters ready to perform for the cameras. I hung around long enough to speak to many of them who could not wait to try to convert me.
Vultures are circling but we are not Carcasses!
Excuse me but have they no sense of decency, no sense of a proper time of mourning ? The Democratic Party is flooding everyone everywhere asking for unity and money before we even got home from DC or turned off our TV sets?
I am getting a copy of everyone’s democratic national and state e-mail requests along with their not so polite replies – some should make the DNC’s faces turn RED pun intended. My readers are insulted, hurt and humiliated at this insensitive behavior which is further alienating those they say they wish to bring home. My dear readers, as this deluge of mail and email arrives begging for money for the party and for support for Senator Obama consider this as an opportunity instead of an affront.
Indeed this is perfect; it fits right into our plans. You see – the fight is not over and each time they reach out to us the party is giving us the ideal opportunity to voice our opposition. We do not have to defect yet nor run to McCain. Standing united we can answer these calls and mails with a resounding NO. We can tell them that we are still hoping they come to their senses and cast their votes in August for the best candidate, Hillary Clinton.
I would like to share a part of Hillary’s speech that I will carry with me as I continue to work toward trying to convince the delegates to vote for the stronger candidate, Hillary Clinton at the Denver Convention in August. We need to stand for the candidate who best represents what we want in a candidate. Indeed we are the force behind the eighteen million cracks in the ceiling and we need to remain together so we still have the power to come crashing down on this Democratic Party. So please let us stay together and see how much strength we have. Only if we stick together at this time can we truly make that difference – I ask that we do not splinter at this time – we stay united until after Denver.
“To those who are disappointed that we couldn’t go all the way – especially the young people who put so much into this campaign – it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours. Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you’re knocked down, get right back up. And never listen to anyone who says you can’t or shouldn’t go on.” Hillary Clinton June 7, 2008 Washington DC
What do Clinton Supporter’s Really Want?
Bettyjean Kling – June 2008
Clinton’s women supporters may have a singular belief that extends far beyond acting out of malevolence. I hope they all believe as I do that when the DNC asked us to put party and Chicago Style politics before honor and true Democracy that they crossed the line which resulted in us banning together against injustice and their selected candidate, Senator Barack Obama.
If we truly are all of one mind then all Clinton supporters will refuse to be invisible any longer. We are not acting out of spite, but are simply affirming our rightful position to support Hillary Clinton for the head of this ticket. For too long women have been subjugated to a subservient position and when told to do the right thing, i.e. get over it, forget it and let the issue rest, keep silent. What is the right thing? In this case we believe the right thing was not done even though the DNC had the opportunity to do the right thing, i.e. nominate the candidate with the most popular vote, the candidate who won the most contests. Near the end of the primaries, when the public had time to digest the Obama revelations, this same public was electing Hillary Clinton by hefty margins of up to 41 % and this same public is picking over and over again Hillary Clinton over Senator McCain in head to head polls.
This is a new age and we will not be silent and take our place as secondary citizens. We have moved forward on race but still remain far behind in regards to gender. And if you believe this is not true, just think about this: it is 2008 and we still have not managed to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. Shirley Chisholm in her run for the Presidency cited gender discrimination as the greater challenge than her race. What has changed today? Not a thing. Change we can believe in is the nomination of Sen. Hillary Clinton. The DNC needs to wake up before they once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by moving forward with the nomination of Obama.
Unfortunately, Obama limped to a win and only made it over the top by virtue of the pressure on super delegates to vote for him. This pressure came from the media and the good old boys in the party. Too bad he couldn’t win based on the popular vote– he is now the selected just like Bush was. The Stronger Candidate was bypassed and I can not help but think it was because she was a woman.
Curiously no one seems to be focusing much attention on all Senator Clinton’s supporters. We are not just women. We are women and men, young and old, all colors, national origins, natural born and immigrants, from all faiths and creeds and from varied educational levels and occupations. We believe that Senator Clinton can lead us to victory in November; we believe that the walls of gender need to come down but more than that – we are Americans and need to stand for democracy and justice.
To join our email list write us BettyJean_Kling@comcast.net
Dr. Dean:
I am writing to you regarding my protest of the 2008 Presidential Election. I have been a Democrat for 22 years. I registered to vote when I was 18 and I have never in my life voted for a Republican in any capacity. You have managed to alienate a life long Democrat with your mishandling, sexism,stealing of delegates and patronizing attitude towards we the voters. I have never been so disgusted and appalled at anything in my life. I certainly got a wake up call that we haven’t come as far as I thought we had. Well, you can keep your boys’ club and we’ll just see how much you needed us. I will not “fall in line” and I will not be herded into voting for a Democrat. This country means to much to me so you can count me out for this election as I will be giving my vote to John McCain who actually seems to feel it’s worth something.
Sheila
St. Louis County, Missouri
Puma Democrat
Dear Mr Dean,
I have been voting for a Democrat my whole life, whether I liked them or not. This time is different, I have to protest this election …I simply don’t feel that the democratic party represents me any longer. The way this primary was conducted, was blatantly biased, unfair, and undemocratic! One candidate was protected and promoted and the other was crucified, and told to step aside on a weekly basis! The unjustified accusations of racist remarks, brought loud cries, but the sexist comments were allowed and sometimes encouraged! The DNC was silent! The stunt that was pulled by Your Rules and Bylaws committee was totally underhanded and unacceptable. lastly…Your Donna Brazile explained to the world on CNN that there was a NEW Democratic Coalition, and guess what? Your DNC split the party down the middle and I am not part of the winning side.
Joyce Rems
Middlesex County, NJ
Dear Dean,
Even though I was a Democrat (changed status since this primary season), I will not be voting for Obama.
1. He has no experience and bad judgement (just look at his church that he attended for 20 years, and all his associates).
2. There have been many reports of how he won caucus’ and the DNC has done nothing about it.
3. What you have done to Mich and Florida just to benefit Obama is not democratic at all.
4. The RBC was a sham and everyone knows that there was a back room deal done and that is extremely undemacratic.
5. The DNC and the media accused the Clintons of being racist (Donna brazil, Clyburn…).
6. Hillary won the popular vote, Obama is the Winner by superdelagates, I will be expecting Donna brazil to keep her word and quit.
7. Kerry said that Universal Health Care is a non-starter.
8. No one is the Winner until the superdelegates vote at the convention, but you have proclaimed Obama the winner, forcing her out and making sure that the person you wanted is the winner(he was selected not elected), but he hasnt won yet.
9. We will take our party back and we will make sure that the Democratic party will once again be the party of the people.
10. Because of everything un-democrated that has happened this primary season I will never vote for Obama only for Hillary Clinton, if she is not the winner I will vote for Mccain.
Rima, Puma Democrat
Bergan county
NJ
Dr. Dean:
Obama’s inability to craft a workable energy policy makes me compelled to vote for McCain.
Not to mention the vile and vitriolic attack on the best qualified dem canidate ever to grace our lives.
Face it…you blew it. You antagonized your base by vilifying our best hope for change. You embraced the Rock Star to advance your own ambition. You will lose. And I’m gonna help.
I’m embracing McCain…not just because he’s not Obama, but because he can get stuff down.
Your legacy is an embarasssment to the party I once loved
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 election because you and the DNC:
Remained silent as the media unleashed an almost constant barrage of misogynistic statements against Hillary Clinton;
Failed to reprimand Donna Brazile when she said, “You’re looking at the old coalition. . . We don’t have to just rely on white blue-collar voters and Hispanics,” implying that my friends, family, and I are no longer welcome in the Democratic Party; and
Allowed the Rules and Bylaws Committee to rule that Barack Obama receive not only 100% of the uncommitted delegates of Michigan, but four delegates earned by Hillary Clinton–even though Obama voluntarily removed his name from the ballot and had surrogates encourage his supporters to vote uncommitted.
I will be voting for a 3rd party candidate for President, and I will continue to vote for 3rd party candidates until you and the DNC demonstrate by ACTIONS, not just words, that the Democratic Party is truly supportive of ALL the people.
Susan
Nueces County, TX
PUMA Democrat
Murphy, Genevieve has been doing “the list”. I, too, have updated it this evening, but I did not put in names from letters if they hadn’t ask to be on “the list”. There were some individuals who requested, but did not put their state. I don’t know how Genevieve is doing her list. I’ll just post what I have on the other thread. Thanks for the great 1000 items “idea” and postcards. They are just superb.
Time for site maintenance Folks. Thank you for all the letters and inspiration. Tomorrow is another day!
Dr. Dean,
I have been a Democrat from the time I was first allowed to vote after my 18th birthday over 40 years ago, I have never voted any other ticket. I am protesting the 2008 election. The way the DNC has treated the Clintons is deplorable. There is no excuse for it at all. For the DNC to work against its own best candidate they have had in years is an outrage. I will no longer be a part of the DNC, nor will I vote for Obama in November. Sadly, for the first time in my life, I will vote for a Republican, John McCain.
Rik
Warrick County, Indiana
PUMA Democrat
Comments will be held for moderation until the morning. Please send your letter. It will appear in the morning.
Thank you Everyone for participating in this effort to get our party back.
Dr. Dean:
I no longer recognize the Democratic Party, and I refuse to be a part of it.
I am more than angry or disappointed. I am deeply wounded by what has happened. I never thought people in the major media outlets and people from my own party would be so vulgar and say such indecent things about a U.S. senator and a former First Lady. And when they did, NO ONE stood up for her, for me. Where were you, Dr. Dean?
You were not there for me, and in November I will not be there for you.
Dr. Howard Dean:
I thought I should let you know that I do believe in Change. However it should be “POSITIVE” change. The changes that the DNC has made under your leadership are appalling.
As a single mother, grandmother of 9 and Veteran of the US Air Force, I have always been proud of my country and to be an American. I also have always been proud to be a Democrat, because I believed that the party stood for “Democracy for ALL”, despite sex, race, economic status, etc.
For the DNC to support a candidate that has little experience, questionable moral judgment (at best), and who perpetrates and has manipulated you and your allies to be selected as the party nominee running for President and leader of our country is very distressing. This is especially so, since you have a very strong and experienced candidate who was Elected by the people, until votes were inappropriately given to your selection. This is sending a signal to our youth and others that you can lie, cheat and steal and then be rewarded for it. These are not my values and not the values I want my grandchildren to have.
You have asked for UNITY. So, I am Uniting with the other over 17 million people who VOTED for the legitimate nominee of the Democratic Party by not supporting your illegitimate nominee. If the legitimate nominee, Hillary Clinton is not on the ballot in November, I will not vote for a Democrat.
Thank you.
Pat
Clark Co., Nevada
P.U.M.A. Democrat
Dr. Dean,
I am not supporting your selected democratic nominee BO. I cannot and will not stand in alignment with what he stands for. I am so ashamed of how Michigan and Florida voters were treated. This is not Democracy. I am no longer a Democrat and I feel great! For the first time in my life I am voting Republican and I owe this all to the Democratic Party and the MSM. I believe Hillary Clinton is the best choice and I will stand by my convictions. She has 18 million voters behind her and you can bet that this one will not fall in line!
Jenn Guerra
San Francisco County, CA
PUMA for Hillary!!
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 Democratic Primary process. I have been a Democrat for 30 years and having proudly voted for the Democratic nominee in all Presidential elections. This year I can not. I believe that the DNC had a winning candidate in Hillary Clinton. For the first time in 25 years my husband (lifetime Republican) and I were in agreement on who we would vote for to be our President. I don’t think that Barak Obama was even qualified to have the backing of the DNC as a primary candidate. Granted, after hearing him speak at the beginning of the primary season, I thought he was eloquent and that I might be happy with either candidate. But, I knew nothing about the man. After reading his books, listening to debates, checking voting records, checking background history, etc. It was clear that Senator Clinton was by far the most qualified to lead our Country. Did you not check his experience at leading anything? Was there never a clue that maybe his judgement was that of a teenager? Frankly, I wondered that of all the Democratic politicians, could we not find one other that had not been a drug user???
The DNC’s ridiculous resolution of FL and MI voters is disenfranchising. The DNC’s silence over Media bias was a disgrace. The DNC’s acceptance of sexist, personal attacks against a former first lady and leading Democratic Senator with a lifetime commitment to the principles of the party….Well that is unconscionable.
Hillary Clinton was a gift to the Democratic Party. I can not believe you threw that away.
Stacey, PUMA Democrat
Pima County
AZ
Howard Dean
I wanted you to know why im not voting Barack Hussein Obama ,ts because of the way he stole this election by having his people stealing the caucas and his rude supporters intemidating Hillarys voters !!
Im protesting the 2008 election because the Democrat party has throw us under the bus! The way you and others including your chosen one and his supporters have treated Sen. Clinton the only smart one for our country and the strongest candidate is unforgivable and we will not fall in line and forget!! We know you have hijacked this election and Obama just dosent have the right values and know how to run our Country. We feel he is a national security threat to our Country !!!!!!Mostly he dosent have the judgement it takes just look at his shady friends , mentors !!!
For the 1st time in over 25 years i will and all other 15 members of my family will vote for a Rep.
We are 18 million strong and we are not backing down unless there is fair treatment for Sen. Clinton and have a place on the ticket for her !
Teri
California
PUMA DEMOCRAT
To all pumas, please read post #274. Add great insights . I read all of you and I am proud, touched, impressed by the quality, intelligence of your letters. No wonder we support Hillary.
I am a proud Puma. I will donate to PUMA, One of my friend will contribute too. The blog is convincing me that we are a force to be reckoned with and I will be delighted to contribute.
My faith is being restored as I read all of you. And I thank you for that.Please again go and review the perspective of #274
A Puma
Dear Dr Dean
I have been with the Democratic party for nearly fourty years… I am very disapointed with your dictatorial performance as the head of the Party.
Originally from the Caribbean I am very aware of the politician’s crooked dealings and favorism when it comes to saveguard their interest .
What kind of message are you sending to the Kenyan American candidate who is sweet talking his way to the presidency using CHANGE as an hypnotic mantra to con people into falling gaga for him like a Guru.
According to rumors you had forbid BHO to have any political debate with Sen. Hillary, and the reason was that you did not want to expose your nominee’s lack of political sense to the public…
You have cause America to loose for now…the plaisure of listening to the voice of the most brilliant mind we ever known in politic.
Dr Dean why did you silenced the greatest politician woman of our era.
18 million of us are going to leave your party and we also hope that the Clinton would follow us, our patriotic values have been compromised by you…
I will boycott your Democratic Party and vote Republican in November 2008.
Fransoise
Keystone Heights Florida
Hello Murphy…. Could you add
Puma Democrat… next to my name please….Fr
Dear Mr. Dean
The supper delegates that supported Senator Obama giving him the numbers needed to claim the nomation should be stripped of any power. When two candidates required the delegates to reach the magic number two things should have been the decieding factor. The candiate with the most votes, and the stronger candidate. The decideing democrats took it upon themselves to use thier own bias view points and ignore the will of the people.
An article writen by Maureen Dowd on June 8th in the San Antonio Express titled ” So you think you’ve gotten rid of Hillary? ” comments that one of Hillary advisers name Barry claims the decideing democrates having had enough of the rapacious Clinton decided that they would rather loose with Obama then win with Hillary.
This is outrages, it was the responsiblity of the party to hear the will of the people. Nearly 18 million people voted for Senator Clinton and we were ingored by those that had enough of her. As a result I protest OBAMA selection. The process was unfair, bias and sexiest.
Until you restore the fundemental principlas of the Democratic party that has been torn apart by self serving democrats. In the words of Joe Lieberman, I will vote for my country not the party.
Lupe Montalvo
San Antonio, Texas
Dear Dr. Dean,
I supported your election as DNC Chair several years ago because I thought that you would make the party more ‘Democratic.’ Unfortunately, the party has now taken steps towards becoming undemocratic. While much of this was beyond your control, you choose to swim with the tide rather than to stand up for the ideals of the party. Too many of the party leaders, motivated by their own self-interest instead of the country’s interests, stood by and laughed when prominent media personalities hurled sexist insults at Senator Clinton. Too many of the party leaders bet that many Clinton supporters would stick with the party as you threw her under the bus to secure the votes of newly registered voters.
Well, guess what. Many of us are not going to remain silent and take the abuse. We are used to fighting. We have marched in the streets to protect abortion rights. We have fought in our workplaces to be treated as equals. And now we will fight by walking away from the undemocratic, women-hating party that the Democratic party has become. You may win the fall election without us, it is too early to tell. But in the future, it may even be this fall, the party will lose a key election and people will ask, why? No doubt, some of you, calling on your inner voices of self-interest and misogyny will blame those “Clinton women” referring to us as a group of people who were not quite thinking clearly. I suggest at that point, maybe all of you should look in the mirror and ask what you, yourselves have done.
You and many of your self-interested super delegates chose to throw your support behind an unqualified candidate for President. At that point, many people decided that they would not stay with a party that chose to become a shell of its former self.
Sincerely,
Erin, PUMA Democrat
Dane County
WI
I live in Pennsylvania, a state that only Hillary Clinton can win in November. I cannot vote for Barack Obama. I have very uneasy feelings towards him and people he associates with including his wife. Obama has not spoke to me during this whole process. I am a white, working class woman who DOES not cling to my religion because I am bitter.
Mr Dean:
I am no longer a member of the Democratic party after the hijacking of its’ core values by yourself and others in leadership roles which showed the world that the US is not really a democracy (even though we try to bomb others into believing we are).
Shameful, self-serving, and corrupt is all that remains to be said about the Democratic Party. Twenty years of voting democratic gone down the drain. Those down-ticket dems on the ballot this year will suffer, too.
There is no Unity.
There is no legitimacy to BHO.
There is no win for democracy in 2008.
But perhaps you all never cared about that anyway since you aren’t interested in the only candidate worthy of being the President, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. You just wanted money for the DNC.
Sarah Singh
NYC
Dear Dr. Dean,
You and your cohorts on the DNC have stated that you are building a New Democratic Party and that you will no longer need the voters who have previously made up your core constituencies. That means you will no longer need the likes of me for one or the likes of 17, 999,999 others of us who have voted to make Hillary Clinton our nominee for President of the United States. Not only have you stated that you do not want or need our votes in November, you have insured that you will not get those votes by your promotion of the unqualified and substantially less electable candidate.
The New Democratic Party as envisioned by you is not our Democratic Party.
Nancy
Onondaga New York
PumaDemocrat
Murphy can I repost with out my last name. I am number 334 LMSATX
Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the charade that the Democratic National Committee has tried to pass off as a national primary. I will use my vote to make sure your selected nominee loses. I am voting Country before party, I am voting for McCain in November.
In over 30 years I never dreamed I would be embarrassed or ashamed to say I was a Democrat. That has changed. The Democratic Party no longer represents middle-class people like me or our beliefs.
I am one of those 18 million voices you don’t want to hear. We will not be silenced and we will not fall in line.
Donna
Clark County, NV
Puma Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
I worked to secure the Democratic nomination for President for you in 2004. I have met and spoken to you at fund-raisers in Houston TX. I used to be a member of Democracy for America. But I cannot condone what you have done to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Through manipulation, you have willfully eliminated one of the most brilliant and dedicated women in the history of the Democratic Party from being the Presidential nominee in 2008. Are you angry that you were not the nominee in 2004 and are you projecting your feelings on Senator Clinton? I cannot figure out your actions. Hillary wins against McCain in most polls; Obama loses. Do you not understand mathematics? I cannot understand your actions. Are you on the take for monetary remunerations? Have you been black-mailed? What is the justification for promoting a junior, marginally qualified candidate for the nominee? Do you think new young Democrats are going to fill the coffers of the DNC? I am honestly perplexed. However, let me assure you of some things. I believe that your association with Democracy for America (DFA), now headed up by your brother, and it’s blatant support for Obama, implicates you as a shill for Obama and is a conflict of interest with your position as head of the DNC. Another thing I can assure you is that I will not support Obama in any way and I will not vote for him. How a Captain can sink his own ship requires some explanation. The Democratic Party is fractured and you are skippering the sinking ship. Why?
Linda
Harris County
TX
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean
I am a proud veteran of Desert Storm/Desert Shield. I joined the Navy at 18 to serve my country, willing to fight and if needed die for the rights I hold dear. Now I find myself ready to fight for my country again, but this time the threat is not from a foreign power. The threat is from within. You and your blatantly biased co-conspirators have willfully and maliciously forced Senator Obama on the Democratic party knowing he is unfit to hold any office let alone the White House. You flagrantly violated the rules of our Party to do it by assigning votes from uncommitted to Barack Obama. That is in direct violation of the rules, and those of us who took the time to read them know it. Obama supporters and volunteers have lied, misdirected, insulted and threatened those who do not follow them, and you have said nothing. Even when an Obama supporter edited a clip from Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign impugning those in the clip as racists. No one from the Obama campaign or the DLC stood up and said it was wrong. A blatant lie claiming Hillary Clinton’s pastor was a convicted child molester was left on the Obama campaigns official website for 3 weeks after it was proven to be a lie. They only took it down after other websites began reporting on their knowing spreading the lie. The sexism, and race baiting by the Obama campaign has been completely unconscionable, and I will not have our party stolen by people of so low moral character. I shall vote against Barack Obama as well as actively campaign against those in the DNC who forced this corrupt Chicago politician whith no history but 20 years of corrupt, racist and radical ties upon us!
Tim
Madison County
Indiana
Murphy Dr.Lynette Long is a writer and would be a asset to us as a polition writer as well. She has written letters and columns on this rigged race against Hillary. She sent me two more and her phone number. I hope you will contact her. These are the two latest letters i got from her and her phone number.
THE CAUCUS FACTOR
On March 4, 2008, Texas held its Democratic Primary, affectionately called the Texas-Two Step. After the polls closed at 7 pm, primary voters could participate in a caucus. Sixty-five percent of the pledged delegates were awarded based on the primary results and the other 35% based on the caucus results. According to CNN, 2,867,454 votes were cast in the primary – 51% (1,458,814) for Senator Hillary Clinton and 47% (1,358,785) for Senator Barack Obama, and a smattering of votes (49,855) for John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, and Chris Dodd combined. In the Texas caucus 42,538 votes were reported. Obama got 56% (23,918) and Clinton got 44% (18,620) of these votes. Caucus voters were required to have voted in their precinct. Consequently, caucus voters were a statistical subset of primary voters, but they did not vote the same way.
Comparing the Texas primary to the Texas caucus has some unique challenges. During the primary other candidates besides Clinton and Obama were on the ballot. To equalize the percentages, the ballots cast for Edwards, Richardson, Biden, and Dodd were eliminated and Clinton’s and Obama’s percentages recomputed assuming the eliminated voters would split their votes in the same proportion as the rest of the electorate. The recomputed percentages are Clinton 52% and Obama 48%.
Clinton’s adjusted percentage of 52% of the primary vote is 8% points higher than her 44% in the caucus vote. Clinton moved from a four point win to a twelve point loss, a sixteen point shift. Obama gained these eight percentage points moving from 48% in the primary to 56% in the caucuses. This statistically significant sixteen point difference is “the caucus factor,” a major factor in the Democratic presidential primary. The existence of a caucus factor poses three important questions. What accounts for the dramatic difference between the two results? Was the “caucus factor” present in the other caucus states? What do these results imply regarding the validity of other caucus results?
No one doubts the accuracy of the almost three million Texas voters who selected Hillary Clinton as their choice for the Democratic nominee— but then why wouldn’t the caucus voters, a sample of the primary voters, make the same selection. The simplest explanation is that caucus voters are a sample of primary voters but not a random sample of primary voters. Caucuses are held in the evening and take several hours. Senator Clintons core voting groups, (senior citizens, shift workers, women, and women with children) are less likely to attend caucuses. Senior citizens are less likely to go out at night, have difficulty driving in the dark, and go to bed earlier. Mothers with young children are too busy in the evenings to spend several hours at a caucus. And some people don’t go to caucuses because of the public nature of the declaration. Voting is a private event, only you and God know who you voted for. At a caucus a voter must publically declare for their candidate and resist influencing by the opponents supporters.
Another factor that contributed to the Texas caucus factor was the less regulated nature of the caucuses. Participants in the Texas caucus complained about the lack of validation of identity, undo influencing, and individuals signing several names on the caucus sheets. How much these violations occurred and how much these violations impacted the results and in which direction is impossible to determine.
Finally, Democratic insiders will say that success at a caucus depends on organization. Did the Obama Campaign just out organize the Clinton campaign which contributed to their success in the Texas Caucus?
On February 9, Washington State caucused to determine the distribution of the pledged delegates. Obama won 21,629 to 9,992 votes or 68% to 31% and received 53 of the 78 pledged delegates. Ten days later Washington State had a primary election in which no delegates were awarded yet 669,856 people chose to vote in this beauty contest. Obama won this contest by 51% (354,112 votes) to 46% (315,744 votes). How could Obama win by 37 points in a caucus and only 5 points in the primary, a 32-point difference? The caucus factor is at work again. Which result accurately reflects the will of the voters? Over twenty times the number of people participated in primary, should we trust the masses or the sanctioned election?
Further proof of the caucus factor can be shown by contrasting the difference between the results of the caucuses and the primaries collectively. Fourteen states had caucuses — Senator Obama won thirteen of these caucuses. The probability of that occurring in hotly contested race where popular vote is a statistical tie, is a statistical impossibility if the caucuses were a true representation of the voters. In the states where primary elections were held, Senator Clinton has won 19 primaries and Senator Obama has won 17 primaries, reflecting the close nature of the Democratic Primary race.
The difference between the margin of victory during caucuses and primaries again illustrates the inaccurate nature of the caucuses. The average point spread in the 13 caucuses Obama won is 32 points. The average of the point spread in the 17 primaries Obama won, is 21 points. This eleven point difference is the caucus factor.
The results in Texas, Washington, the number of caucuses won by Obama, and difference between the average margin of victory in the caucuses and primaries, all point to the existence of the caucus factor. The variability of the results of the caucus returns also points to the unreliability of the caucus results. Senator Clinton won two primaries in demographically similar states, Ohio and Pennsylvania, by the same ten point margin. Yet when caucus results in similar states are compared, the disparity of the results is profound. Obama won Idaho by 62 points and the demographically similar Wyoming by 23 points. If the caucus results were reliable, the results of these two similar states would not be so disparate.
Voters who participated in the caucuses had more influence in the election than voters in primaries. In California, 4,677,788 votes were cast and 363 delegates were awarded. In New York, 232 delegates were pledged in a primary that had 1,748,833 votes cast. In Alaska a total of 405 persons “caucused” for 13 pledged delegates. A person who participated in the Alaska Caucus had 242 times more influence in the Democratic Primary than a voter in the New York primary and 415 times more influence than a voter in the California primary. With so few voters accounting for delegate selection in caucus states, results and delegate totals can be easily influenced and manipulated.
The caucus factor is a real statistical event which inflated Obama’s lead over Clinton and misrepresented the will of the people. If all the caucus states had primaries, Obama’s margin of victory in those caucus states would have been smaller and most likely Clinton would have won some of the caucus states. The Democratic Primary was extremely close and questions should be raised regarding the validity and reliability of the caucus results. Unfortunately, a win in a caucus state was given the same weight as a win in a state with a primary election, allowing Obama supporters to claim, “He’s won more states,” even though Clinton won more primaries. Even more disturbing is the fact that of the 14 Caucus States, eight are Dark Red states. The Democrats have let the Red States like Wyoming, Nebraska, Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, North Dakota, Colorado and Nevada select their Democratic Nominee. The will result in certain disaster in the fall.
Lynette Long
Bethesda, MD
301-325-6976
Dr. Lynette Long is a licensed psychologist practicing in Bethesda, Maryland. She is the author of twenty books including fourteen math books. Dr. Long has appeared on hundreds of radio and television programs and was the host of One on One with Dr. Lynette Long. She recently published Op-Ed’s in both USA Today and the Baltimore Sun about the current election cycle.
next Letter
An Open Letter to President Bill Clinton
People say you have a temper, but from where I stand you have been incredibly patient. You have said little compared to the indignities you, as a former President, a citizen, a husband and a father have suffered over the course of this momentous campaign.
You have watched your legacy tarnished. You watched an America you left at peace, be at war. You have watched an America you left with a budget surplus, become the greatest debtor in history. You have watched an economy that was strong, plunge into a recession. You have had the blame for all these ills and others placed at your feet. But you stayed silent.
You have watched your political allies, desert you. Bill Richardson, your Secretary of Energy, the current Governor of New Mexico, came out in support of Obama. When questioned how he could defy his own edit, that superdelegates should vote with their constituency Richardson responded, “She only won by a small margin.” Janet Napolitano, the Governor of Arizona, whose career you propelled forward by helping her become Attorney General of Arizona, is another Obama supporter. David Wilhelm, your campaign chair in 1992, and who became head of the DNC with your support also showed no loyality. There are the countless others, who you have advised, campaigned for, promoted, and raised money for, who have turned their back on you. But you stayed silent.
You have been deserted by the African Community you stood loyally beside. You were called the first black president by Toni Morrison, and have arguably done more for the African American community than any President since Abraham Lincoln. You’ve been publically labeled a racist even though your most staunch critics say there is not a more racially blind person in America. And you have watched the African American community, vote as a bloc for Obama even though you and your wife have spent your entire lives fighting for racial justice. But you stayed silent.
You have watched your wife called a bitch, Hitlery, Billary, and treated as the devil incarnate. You watched people wear t-shirts that read, “Iron My Shirt” or “Bro’s before Ho’s.” You’ve watched pundits and self-proscribed journalists, spin data to intentionally undermine your wife’s campaign. You have watched your wife vilified, mocked, dissected and eviscerated on national television. And although you are not without your sins, no man wants to stand silently by as others abuse his wife and the mother of his children. But until now, you’ve stayed silent.
You have been accused of pimping out your daughter, because you allowed her to campaign on her mother’s behalf, a mother she is justifiably proud of. In addition, you have watched your daughter, your only progeny, asked questions about your indiscretions, questions no young woman should be asked about her father, under any circumstance let alone on national television. And you’ve heard pundits say, since she’s a surrogate, she’s fair game.
I, for one, would have told them all to go to hell. I would have told them look at their own cynicism rather than my mistakes. I would have told them to stay away from my daughter, or step outside and go toe-to-toe with me. I would have told them only cowards throw stones from afar. Not one was man or woman enough to call your wife names to her face or challenge her to a debate. I would have told the white men of the Democratic Party, that were so quick to push her out of the race, to meet me out back behind the woodshed, where one cowardly pundit wanted to take your wife. But you have more patience than I. I lack the patience of a saint.
I hope through all of this you have learned these painful lessons- that sexism is real and something every woman in America confronts daily, that loyalty is hard to find except in a dog, that power corrupts the incorruptible, that gratitude has no memory, and that envy will tempt a student to defeat his/her mentor. Also remember that the woman you married is brilliant, gracious and strong. She can take a punch and shed a tear. She is “woman” at her best. Hillary is the best candidate for President this nation has ever known. Her supporters will stand behind her in whatever journey she chooses to take. She has launched a new wave of feminism and given all women new hope for equality. And finally, whatever your shortcomings, feel proud that you have raised a beautiful daughter who has conducted herself even in the most difficult of circumstances with poise and grace. And she and her children, and her children’s children, will carry you and your wife’s legacy, into the future. What more could any president want? What more could any parent want?
Lynette Long
Bethesda, MD
301-325-6976
Please Murphy we can sure use her.
I will write her back and see what I can do.But she would be great for us.Sleep tight Murphy:)
Dear Dr. Dean:
Please let me introduce myself in terms you can understand per your presumptuous nominee. I am a typical bitter old woman clinging to principles that I foolishly thought had always been those of the Democratic Party for whom I have (now I feel foolishly) given my time, money and loyalty for more than 30 years. I am now protesting the 2008 Presidential Election as it is apparent that the Democratic Party has abandoned all democratic and formerly Democratic principles of respecting voters.
Every single time Barack Obama, his rude supporters, the media, and then finally the DNC have slapped Senator Clinton, many of her voters have felt it. I am one of them and I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all. The DNC did nothing but encourage the attacks on Senator Clinton and former President Bill Clinton as your silence became complicity in the effort. You yourself were encouraging the superdelegates to come out at the same time you knew that Senator Obama’s campaign was either bribing or blackmailing them or both. And then came the absolute final straw for me: The appalling performance of the DNC Rules Committee on public display (except for the 3 hour lunch break where the dirtier business I assume took place). The committee actually tried to take the totally ridiculous position (which, by the way, no adult thinking person bought) that it must consider the poor people who didn’t take the time to vote and so MIGHT HAVE voted for Senator Obama who deliberately removed his name from the ballot so as to pander to Iowa? Your efforts to consider non-voters resulted in stealing for Senator Obama delegates representing ACTUAL voters who did take their time to cast their sacred votes for Senator Clinton. Why should Senator Clinton’s voters pay for Senator Obama’s campaign ploy? Well, you apparently have your reasons to have selected your presumptive candidate rather than relying upon Democratic voters in a Democratic primary election to do so. The fact that your arbitrary rules caused the initial problem (aided and abetted by Ms. Brazile’s insistence upon 100% rather than 50% penalty so that it could be reduced at the appropriate time) and that Senator Obama’s campaign did everything possible to prevent a revote was not lost on people like me. We know the truth and truth is another principle upon which the DNC has turned its back. Eighteen million voters have cast a vote for the first woman in American history to win ANY presidential primary and your apparent pact with your selected nominee dishonors every single one of them. I am only one of those 18 million, but I am one who will not shake the hand that has administered the last slap. I must infer from Ms. Brazile’s public comments that The New Democratic Party, consisting of African Americans, youthful voters (if there isn’t an exam, a concert or a good movie on election day), and the Blogger Boyz, neither needs nor wants my vote. So be it.
Oh, and speaking of principles, please remind the DNC Rules Committee, and particularly Co-Chairman James Roosevelt, Jr., that “Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are.” – FDR. And that is why I am protesting the 2008 Presidential Election, Dr. Dean. That, and this: “No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her.” – Susan B. Anthony, 1872. Yeah, it’s about principles and I’m clinging to them, Sweetie.
Sincerely,
Adele
Essex County, New Jersey
Puma Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
For over 30 years I have voted for Democrats, I have knocked on doors and made phone calls for Democrats, and I have sent money to Democrats. No more. How did you fail to get the message of Florida 2000? It was simple — count all the votes, and the person with the most wins. Hillary Clinton got the most votes, she should be our nominee. It really is that simple.
The main reason I am leaving the party, though, is even simpler than that. The DNC stole votes and gave them to Barack Obama. The votes of 600,000 Michigan voters were cast, and were certified by the Michigan Secretary of State. Those votes awarded delegates to Hillary Clinton, other delegates to uncommitted, and none to Barack Obama. Yet, the DNC recast and recounted those votes, giving many to Senator Obama, and he accepted them.
Best of luck with a vote stealer as your standard bearer in November against a man, who no matter what else you think of him, has virtually trademarked the word “honor.” I won’t be voting for the vote stealer, I assure you.
Kyle
Stillwater County, MT
PUMA Democrat
You know, I read an article that Obama has ensured Howard Dean sty as Chairman of the DNC. Why am I not surprised, Sounds like a sweet deal to me.
Considering that in 2004 Obama himself stated He would not run for POTUS in 2008 because he lacked the experience and qualifictions for the office,and could never aqquire those qualifications in such a short amont of time, makes me wonder what he did for 2 years to suddenly become so qualified.
My opinion is he was “Selected” by certain members of the DNC .. Considering the “Historical” element of his campaign he would have the best (And only) chance to uproot and shake up the loyal base in order to defeat Hillary, who was considred and almost garanteed win for the position. These Men I think planned for those 2 years how best to keep a Woman(mainly Hillary) out of the WhiteHouse. Even if it meant putting an unqualified person on the ticket.
Im sure that deals have been struck (in addition to “Dean”) to make sure they keep him in line.
Most insulting of all is the implication that we are brainless sheep who will simply fall into line and transfer our loyalty to him because he has a (D) by his name.
Im pleased to Join this group of independant, and Free “Antelope”..
Let the mindless Sheep follow behind Obama, Hell, he is one himself in my opinion. I have no intention of joining the herd.
Im an Antelope, and a Puma.
Dear Dr. Dean,
We had two amazing candidates this year. Both of them had virtually the same policies. Unprecedented number of people came out to vote for Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama in every primary and caucus. However, Sen. Clinton received more votes than Sen. Obama, BUT Sen. Obama received more delegates than Sen. Clinton.
I am protesting this election because you did everything you, Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Reid and other leaders of the Democratic Party possibly could to make sure that Sen. Obama was the nominee.
Shortly after the Super Tuesday in February you said in one of your interviews that you were afraid that if Sen. Obama will not get the nomination then we will loose African-American votes, and if Sen. Clinton doesn’t get the nomination, the Democratic Party will loose female voters.
You went further to say that we would be able to get the nominee without having to count Florida and Michigan votes and EVEN CANCELLED HOTEL REGISTRATION FOR DELEGATES FROM FLORIDA.
Later on you started encouraging Sen. Clinton to drop out of the race. When that didn’t work you SET A DEADLINE for Super Delegates to declare whom they will support. According to the rules of the Democratic Party Super Delegates are voting at the convention. You FORCED Super Delegates to vote early.
After Sen. Clinton won states, the next day Super Delegates came out and supported Sen. Obama. It was crystal clear that you and other Super Delegates were afraid that Sen. Obama will not get the nomination.
Just before the last primaries Speaker Pelosi said that if the nomination is not settled after Montana and South Dakota have voted, then SHE WILL STEP IN and settle the fight.
I am voting for Sen. McCain this year because I feel that you used YOUR powers to take away the nomination from Sen. Clinton and give it to Sen. Obama who will loose in November to Sen. McCain.
As an immigrant from former USSR I was always very excited that voting here will make a difference in who will be the President–my leader. Back in USSR there was only one candidate on the ballot and the elections were only held when the former leader had to be replaced by the new leader because he was sick or some how unable to rule the country.
I came here to explore different opportunities and to find freedom to share my opinions with other people without being afraid that I would be in jail for saying something that I didn’t like about the Government.
We are living in a democratic country and this year, you have shown that our Presidential candidate is Sen. Obama ignoring what we as voters want. It is outrageous. You decided for us because you were afraid that the Democratic Party will loose African-American voters.
During the Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting Mrs. Donna Brazile and other members of the panel decided that votes from both states should be counted as 1/2 vote each, but then one week later, on Saturday June 7, 2008 Mrs. Brazile said on CNN shortly before Sen. Clinton addressed us that now when Sen. Obama is the nominee you will reinstate FULL VOTE to all of the delegates from both states. THIS IS VERY UNDEMOCRATIC, UNFAIR, AND UNACCEPTABLE!!! There are 18,000,000 of us, and if you will not take back your actions and give the nomination fairly to Sen. Clinton–the candidate who we, the people of this great nation CHOSE, then you will loose to Sen. McCain in November. I AM 1 OF THE 18,000,000 who will vote for Sen. McCain, but my family members and many friends WILL NOT vote for Sen. Obama because of your actions. According to the polls at least 30% of us will vote for Sen. McCain. Therefore you will loose 5,400,000 votes or even more. Elections have to be fair and should be about PEOPLE’S choice, not what you, the party leaders have decided.
Good luck, and I hope that between now and convention in Denver you will pick our ELECTED leader Sen. Clinton
Best regards,
Anonymous
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am very unhappy about the outcome of the recent Democratic Primary season. I have been a strong Clinton supporter since the ’90’s. I believe Bill Clinton is the best Democratic President of my lifetime.
I participated in a caucus and believe the entire caucus process is un-democratic.
I truly believe Hillary Clinton is the strongest General Election candidate. I am angered and bitter regarding the biased sexist treatment she received from the media, voters and from the opposing candidate (ex. her claws are out, iron my shirt, bros before hoes, sweetie, etc.) I believe this treatment was at best passively accepted by the Democratic Party.
I understand that the new strategy Senator Obama is utilizing – according to his campaign staff, Roland Martin and Donna Brazille – does not necessitate “Reagan/Clinton Democrats to vote with the Democratic Party.
That is good after the unconscionable treatment of Mrs. Clinton in this election process. I for one will cast my vote for Senator McCain in the General Election if Mrs. Clinton is not on the ballot as a Presidential candidate.
I feel 18 million votes makes Mrs. Clinton the people’s choice which in my opinion is purpose of democracy – to reflect the will of the people.
I am very disappointed that the Democratic Party did not choose the stronger candidate and reflect the will of the people when endorsing their General Election candidate.
I do hope you choose to reorganize for 2012 ridding the process of caucuses and redistribute delegates in an equitable fashion allowing you to choose the best candidate so that you may have a chance to win in the future.
Sincerely,
Susan Hendrix , PUMA Democrat
Bourbon County
Kansas
The responsibility of choosing a political Party was my own from the time I turned 18. The decision to be Democrat was mainly based on the importance the Party placed on people and hard work.
Funny those are two top reasons I also supported Hillary Clinton in the Primary. (I was originally for Barrack – until I researched the experience and character of each candidate) Hillary Clinton understood what struggles the people were facing, knew her Party in the White House could re-energize the economy, and she worked hard to get every vote, never taking one for granted. Her rallies were issue thick and Democrat strong, like they used to be. Everyone walked away being a more involved, more informed voter. Not one vote was bought; all votes were earned.
The more rules you make, the more you change them, the easier it is to cheat. That is exactly what the leaders of the Party did, they cheated a candidate of the highest caliber to place the less-qualified candidate they desire to have. You excluded the people of the Party. You excluded the rural vote COMPLETELY, denied the elderly, spit on the middle class, and turned your back on those who had been faithful to you through the years. Eight of those years were with Bill Clinton. You may depend on the new voters, and not need us anymore and although that hurts … hey it’s politics- we’ll get over it. It isn’t what you do to us , it’s what you do to the Party. You have weakened the Party and aim to present the least of all candidates a title not deserved. When you remove the people; you lose the heartbeat. Mr. Dean you killed your own campaign, now you strive to kill your own Party. I am looking in to changing my Party affiliation. Whether and when I do it, will be determined by what you do over the next few months.
- a Concerned Life-long Democrat in PA-
Dear Mr.Dean,
I’m protesting the 2008 elections because my own Democratic party is behaving worst than the Republican party of 2000. I live in Florida, and my vote was not counted then-that hurt- but it hurts sooooo much more now, because it’s my own party taking away my rights.
We fought for 589 votes then, screamed and shouted that the popular vote should determine who our president is yet, the DNC seems to have forgotten our struggles.
The DNC is now too willing to break the rules, not count votes, pressure superdelegates into making a rush decision, try to kick Hillary out before the process we have in place to select a nominee has run it’s course, and soooooooooooo much more all for the joy of picking the weaker, less experience, less knowledgable, less likely to win (but let’s not forget he is more arrogant) nominee.
So, I thank you because if not for all your bad planning, and bad decision making I would had never known the joy of voting Republican this November, because believe me it will be the only thing that brings me joy this election.
Sofia, Puma Democrat
Dade County
FL
Dear Dr. Dean,
The following is a copy of a letter already sent by me to the DNC in Washington.
“Dear Governor Dean,
As a registered Independent in Massachusetts who has voted Democrat all these many years, I will not be voting for the nominee chosen by the DNC. Why? There are many reasons, but mostly because I feel the process has been a sham. I will not vote for Senator Kerry or the person Senator Kennedy endorses as his replacement, either. Massachusetts was 56% for Hillary Clinton, but no one heard. If Democrats don’t hear us, then what’s the point.
John McCain will get my vote in November.”
While I might soften on the McCain vote and go Green, I’ll never go BHO. This campaign has been so horrid to women that I don’t know if the memory of it will ever leave me.
Marjorie
Bristol, MA
Puma Democrat
Dear Mr Dean
I have been voting Dem since Jimmy Carter in 1976. I have held my nose and voted for some poor quality candidates over the years, but always thought they were still superior to the Republican alternative. Not this year. I have left the Democratic Party.
Perhaps the Democratic Party has long been so incredibly corrupt, and I just never saw it before this year when it became so obvious. The Party had to rig the whole primary nomination process, lie, cheat and steal votes, bribe and threaten, in order to gift the nomination to Senator Obama. You all stood by silently while a high-profile US DEMOCRAT Senator and former First Lady was villified by hate-speech and branded a racist.
I cannot vote for a Party which stooped to such low-blows in order to rig a candidacy for someone so poorly qualified. I cannot vote for Obama, because:
. Obama cynically played the race-card, not once but several times;
. Obama’s political record, (thin as it is), is too close to right-wing for my taste, especially on economics, and health care;
. Obama did not win the nomination fairly, and what happened with Michigan and Florida was the final straw of final straws;
. Obama scares me more than Bush ever did.
Julie
former Democrat-(now Independent)-Abroad.
last registered in Bangor, Maine.
Comments are back up. Please wait a few minutes for your comment to appear.
POd vet — Perfect letter.
Everyone, the letters are really moving and strong. They speak to our good faith and determination.
Let’s reach our goal of 1,000 letters before noon today!
Newcomers — come on in! Please add your voice.
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am protesting the 2008 Democratic Primary and Election
With great sadness I must remove my support from the democratic party.
I was with great joy and pride that we had 2 marvelous candidates to run and support our party. Now that the season has ended, as I watched in horror as Senator Clinton was continually deserted by the party leaders and Super Delegates. The media was absolutely no help to her. For the most part they championed her every falter and made it the news of the day while allowing Obama to float on without any negativity towards him.
The reason for not seating the delegates from Michigan and Florida was only to support Obama. I cannot support this candidate for the Democrat Party.
If he was to offer Senator Clinton the Vice Presidency, I will have a hard time supporting the ticket still. Though with her on the ticket I may be able to.
*Was this not the party who in 2000 said, “All votes must count. Every single one of them.” Be it hanging chad, dimpled chad and oh yes, pregnant chads! I guess these words and the fight that ensued are only for a chosen few. *
Bob
South Carolina
Puma Democrat
my husband is giving me so much grief-he says I am a poor loser-he supports BO and said that he had the lead in elected delegates-and we are arrogant to thing that the SG’s would over turn that..what do I say to him?
I am so torn about McCain–he is against everything Hill stands for-and he is anti women and pro war—yikes!!!
Dr. Dean,
I was raised to have pride in my Country and respect for myself and others by a loyal Democratic family.
What you have overseen and contibuted to in this “election process” is a total disgrace to the values in which I believe ,to say nothing of the blatant disregard for the laws of this land.
And they say we are not fighting the enemy on our own soil!
Would your Mother be proud of you!!
Beverly
Baltimore County, Maryland
PUMA Member
the letter is great!!! only one flaw–even if Michigan and FL. were seated fully—Hillary would still be behind in delegates—looking for feedback!!!! Need to convince my husband why we are not sore losers!
Here’s a reason to protest the 2008 election:
In using sexist belittling, thin accusations of racism parsed from ambiguous Clinton statements and other divisive, gender-and-race themed attacks on Clinton, the Obama camp has demonstrated a remarkable inconsistency with the platform of unity, racial transcendence and anti-partisanship of Barack Obama. Obama’s campaign in the primary against a fellow Democrat belies the political theme of his platform and he has no credibility on the “new politics” issue. As a newly hatched and unproven politician, he has undermined himself already. This is not leadership to follow.
AsperGirl, great letter. Will you repost it as a letter to Howard Dean and signed with your first name, county and state, and write Puma Democrat underneath?
The letters are great! Keep them coming.
Here’s another reason to protest the 2008 election:
He’s channeling Carter now. Nuff said.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I’m protesting the 2008 election and here’s why:
In using sexist belittling, thin accusations of racism parsed from ambiguous Clinton statements and other divisive, gender-and-race themed attacks on Clinton, the Obama camp has demonstrated a remarkable inconsistency with the platform of unity, racial transcendence and anti-partisanship of Barack Obama. Obama’s campaign in the primary against a fellow Democrat belies the political theme of his platform and he has no credibility on the “new politics” issue. As a newly hatched and unproven politician, he has undermined himself already. This is not leadership I want to follow.
Aspergirl — thanks.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I CANNOT and WILL NOT support BHO, who was SELECTED not ELECTED in November. Senator Clinton, who WON the popular vote and was cheated out of her delagates from FLORIDA and MICHIGAN.
So many from the party, including the super delegates have NOT listened to the WILL OF THE PEOPLE and chose to support BHO. This is NOT DEMOCRACY!
Unless SENATOR CLINTON is the Democratic Nominee for President (NOT VP but Presidential Nominee) I will proudly cast my vote for SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN in November. NObama for me.
1 of 18 Million,
Cindy
Naples, FL
Puma Democrat
Send links to this page to your friends. Ask them to write a letter here.
The message of our movement really is coalescing today — our priority is to let the DNC know that we are withdrawing our support from the DNC leadership and the reasons why.
It is a powerful message and it will be heard. Please keep the letters coming.
Dr. Dean
I’m one of the 18 million who voted for Hillary Clinton because I believe she has the experience, intelligence and strength to lead our country in these most difficult times. I am not one of those who are easily swayed by a few catchy phrases. If she had lost the nomination fairly, I would not be writing this message, but it has become evident to me while watching this primary unfold that she was wrongfully defeated by the powers that be in the Democratic party and by the disgustingly biased media.
It seems like a no-brainer that the most important job in America should go to the one who has the most experience, but the DNC insists on shoving down our throats a community organizer most of whose term in the senate has been spent running for president. This indicates to me that the Democratic party is not democratic at all; this primary has made a mockery out of the concept of democracy. It also indicates to me that its leaders lack a great deal of judgment. For these reasons, I am now going to vote for John McCain in November, and will do everything I can to get others who voted for Hillary to vote for John McCain, who at least has the integrity of a real Hero, and the experience to lead.
(Susan),
Windsor Cty, Vermont
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean,
I am writing to let you know that I am protesting the 2008 primary election. Senator Hillary Clinton won and you stole her nomination. It is unforgivable that the RBC thinks they have the right to decide who wins instead of listening to the American peoples’ voices.
I will, in every way and by every means possible, protest the shameful treatment of Senator Clinton by the media and the DNC. The DNC seems to have its own agenda (PELOSI and BRAZILE in particular). So I will now vote against everyone who orchestrated the recent reprehensible events and my financial contributions will go to those who oppose them on the ballet…especially against the Superdelegates who went against the votes of the people and instead chose to further their own ambitions.
And the way the media and the DNC has insinuated that President Bill Clinton is a senile old man with a bad temper is ridiculous!
I will continue to fight for the nomination of Senator Clinton! One of the 18 million for Hillary!
Pat
Oklahoma County, OK
Puma member for Hillary
Dear Dr. Dean,
Well you have succeeded in dividing the party. You will never get me to vote for someone that you chose. I am one of the 18 million who think Senator Clinton is by far the best canidate. I am baffled and amazed that the DNC would select a canidate who is bound to fail over a canidate who is a sure winner. I am now an independent because of you Dr. Dean after 20 years as a democrat. John McCain is not my first choice but at least I know he is a hero and that he truly loves America. I can’t say the same for Mr. Obama. I have been deeply wounded by the DNC. I can’t imagine how Senator Clinton must feel. Shame on you.
Teresa L.
Blackwood, NJ
Puma Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean
I am one of the 18 million voters Donna Brazille stated you don’t need…I cannot support a party or candidate that expresses, and condones, sexism,misogyny,and race biating:voter disenfranchisement;vote stealing and personal and professional associations with racists,terrorists, and thugs. I ,too, have walked away from you and your “selected” candidate. I will not return in November. I will vote a straight Republican ticket this year for the first time in my life.
Pam
AlbemarleCounty, Virginia
PUMA Member
I will NOT VOTE for Obama. Am now an INDEPENDENT because of the way the DNC has treated Hillary:
· Punished Mich and Fla, but not the other states that jumped the gun .
· Pressured Superdelegates to vote prematurely
· Did not defend her against media trashing (but joined in)
· Mishandled just about everything connected to this compaign
Dr Dean,
Seen historically, both major parties have a nasty habit of making “Back Room Deals”. It would be very pleasant to be able to deny it, or to say that the Democratic
Party was above that sort of thing, but the fact that Samuel J Tilden (DNY) didn’t become President, or that at an earlier date Abraham Lincoln (RIll) did, would prove that wrong. The Democratic Party also has a terrible record of choosing the least electable candidate by said deals. It is, and always has been, more important to the Democratic Party to secure the Congress than the White House, this is after all why
you, Dr Dean, Ms Pelosi, Ms Brazille and others loathe William Jefferson Clinton. It doesn’t matter that for all his many faults President Clinton was the most loved
President since FDR, and in the World outside the USA, probably the most genuinely popular and respected President the USA has had since WWII. (Be honest, JFK was nothing but hype and had every fault Clinton had in greater measure, plus several Clinton didn’t have. Outside the USA this is widely known and publicized.) No, to the DNC William Jefferson Clinton is the man who cost the Democratic Party control of Congress and nothing more. In November the Democratic Party should gain a solid grip on the Congress, and who is sitting in the Oval Office isn’t significant from your perspective. You believe you can control whoever becomes POTUS, if you have enough seats in Congress. If John McCain is sitting at that desk I agree with you, if Mitt Romney was I’d have more doubts, but if Barack Hussein Obama is you are wrong, horribly wrong. The Republicans couldn’t control Bush and you couldn’t control him. Senator Clinton would probably dismantle the apparatus of
oppression “President” Bush put in place, Senator Obama would use it.
Oddly enough, it does matter to “We the People” who sits in the Oval Office, actually it matters a lot, not only who it is but how they got there. Why should people who opposed the Electoral corruption of 2000 accept an equally corrupt decision by the DNC in 2008? The Internet, Senator Obama’s, and your, greatest
advantage is also the downfall of this scheme of yours because it means that it is easy to see how wrong this decision of the DNC is. It is also easy to see exactly
how antiquated and subject to manipulation the Caucus System is. It should be abolished, consigned to the garbage bin of history along with public hanging,
Indentured Servitude (and try looking up the history of that noble institution, it wasn’t only African-Americans who suffered!) and Prohibition.
Senator Obama wrote in “Dreams from My Father”:
“I ceased to advertise my mother’s race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites,”
and that he would:
“never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn’t speak to my own. It was into my father’s image, the black man, son of Africa, that I’d packed all the
attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela.”
and:
“certain whites could be excluded from the general category of our distrust.”
Aside from the fact that idolizing a serial polygamist alcoholic with an unenviable police record displays terrible judgment (I am referring to Barack Hussein Obama, Snr) such sentiments are Racist, unreasonable and examples of batch-bigotry and thus utter disqualifications for the position of POTUS. One might also ask why anyone would idolize the father who abandoned them and why someone with such a strong attachment to Africa isn’t trying to become President of Kenya rather than of the USA. There are many Naturalized Americans who show greater belief in, and
understanding of, the USA than Senator Obama and yet they are excluded from the Office of President, simply by virtue of an accident of birth and an arbitrary
decision by those who Drafted the Constitution. Governor Schwarzenegger is a Republican, but I would sooner, a thousand times, see him in the Oval Office than Senator Obama. At least he believes in America and in Americans, regardless of ethnicity or creed.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has her faults, but she would not only be a much better candidate and President, she secured the votes of more actual members of the Democratic Party in the Primaries. You have no excuse for your decision and I have no need to give one for mine.
G.
Onondaga County, NY
Puma PAC (former) Democrat
I will NOT VOTE for Obama. Am now an INDEPENDENT because of the way the DNC has treated Hillary:
1) Punished Mich and Fla, but not the other states that jumped the gun 2)Pressured Superdelegates to vote prematurely 3) Did not defend her against media trashing (but joined in) 4) Took delegates away from Hillary 5) Treated voters as “half People” 6) Allowed Obama to campaign in states where he said he wouldn’t (Fla) 7) Has done nothing about the illegal voting (IND) 8)Mishandled just about everything connected to this compaign (incompetents)
I am a woman first, an American second, and only then does party affiliation come into play. As a woman, I cannot vote for Sen. Obama because to do so would be to sanction the vile sexism from his camp, from the DNC itself and from the media. And yes, Sen. Obama’s camp actively participated in the sexism (“when she’s feeling down,” “the claws come out” and “if you can’t run your own house, you can’t run the white house”) as well as the DNC (Rep. Cohen (D-TN) “Hillary is like Glenn Close’s character in “Fatal Attraction” — she should have stayed in the bathtub”). As an American, I cannot vote for Sen. Obama because to do so would sanction the vote stealing by the RBC and the dismissal of the complaints of voter intimidation from caucuses by the DNC. If the RBC had done the right thing and counted every vote, Obama’s pledged delegate lead would be 85. As it is now, it is 140 — still insignificant given that Sen. Clinton has the popular vote lead, the momentum at the end (winning 9 of the last 15 primaries) and won the swing-states. This shows me that the primary votes meant nothing — the DNC had pre-chosen Sen. Obama as its nominee. This manipulation of the system is as anti-American as it gets — I do not even believe the GOP would act in such a craven manner, and that is saying something. Finally, as much as I respect and admire Sen. Clinton, she does not tell me what to do — I think for myself and vote my conscience. My conscience tells me that the words of Susan B. Anthony are as true today as they were in the 1800s — “No self-respecting woman should work or wish for the success of a party that ignores her self.” After 20 years, I am no longer a Democrat, and will not support the party nor its illegitimate nominee.
Moderators: if you can fix my comment to add my signature as follows, I would greatly appreciate it:
Angela H.
Charlotte, NC
I will NOT vote for Obama. I am now and Independent. I am ashamed of this party and it fraulent, sexist, mysognist, and incompetent. Part of the reason the DNC favored Obama was it was afraid that blacks would riot if HRC got the nomination (What eunuchs you are!) Well, now you’re going to get a rebellion from the women. I don’t know of any way to make the DNC hurt (as it as hurt women), but to refuse to vote for Obama. He has no actual experience, and you want him to run the most complicated and fractured country in the world. What is wrong with you people.
I wil NOT fall in line, something women are always expected to do.
Dr. Dean:
I am a woman first, an American second, and only then does party affiliation come into play. As a woman, I cannot vote for Sen. Obama because to do so would be to sanction the vile sexism from his camp, from the DNC itself and from the media. And yes, Sen. Obama’s camp actively participated in the sexism (”when she’s feeling down,” “the claws come out” and “if you can’t run your own house, you can’t run the white house”) as well as the DNC (Rep. Cohen (D-TN) “Hillary is like Glenn Close’s character in “Fatal Attraction” — she should have stayed in the bathtub”). As an American, I cannot vote for Sen. Obama because to do so would sanction the vote stealing by the RBC and the dismissal of the complaints of voter intimidation from caucuses by the DNC. If the RBC had done the right thing and counted every vote, Obama’s pledged delegate lead would be 85. As it is now, it is 140 — still insignificant given that Sen. Clinton has the popular vote lead, the momentum at the end (winning 9 of the last 15 primaries) and won the swing-states. This shows me that the primary votes meant nothing — the DNC had pre-chosen Sen. Obama as its nominee. This manipulation of the system is as anti-American as it gets — I do not even believe the GOP would act in such a craven manner, and that is saying something. Finally, as much as I respect and admire Sen. Clinton, she does not tell me what to do — I think for myself and vote my conscience. My conscience tells me that the words of Susan B. Anthony are as true today as they were in the 1800s — “No self-respecting woman should work or wish for the success of a party that ignores her self.” After 20 years, I am no longer a Democrat, and will not support the party nor its chosen nominee.
Angela H.
Charlotte, NC
PUMA
Dear Howard Dean
I am writing this letter to let the DNC know how strongly I feel about this years Primary Election.
You have given us a candidate that was selected by you, not elected by us. I will not stand for that!
You have taken the votes from the great state of MI and divided them in a way that suits your purpose, not in the way they were cast. I won’t stand for that!
You have counted votes that were never cast in the great state of MI, and given them to the candidate of your choice. I will not stand for that.
You have chosen to let one campaign break every law concerning voter fraud in the caucus states, and did nothing about it. I won’t stand for that.
What I will stand for, is the full and complete removal of anyone involved in this sham you called a primary election. I will vote against your chosen candidate this year, and I will vote against anyone involved, for as many years as it takes to get them removed from office.
Our Government is supposed to be “By the People, For the People”, You have made it by and for the DNC. I won’t stand for that.
Theresa
USA
GA
PUMA Member
Moderators: I reposted my letter with the signature above. Please delete my first two posts. (and this one). Thanks!
I couldn’t agree with you more. I have never voted along the Party line. I vote according to the character of the candidate, the issues, and lastly, the person that is most qualified to run our great Nation. Obama lost on all conditions.
As you, as much as I respect Senator Clinton, I will not vote against my conscience; voting for Obama would be akin to voting for the destruction of our great nation.
Dear Dr Dean,
For the last 21 years it has been my pleasure to cast my vote as a democrat. As my parents and their parents before them had. It saddens, and even sickens me, to think that after the last 2 horrid democratic presidential losses that the DNC has again set its sites on a second place finish. Never in my voting life have I been so utterly trashed and denegrated by people from my own party. As a man, I expected some flack for supporting a female candidate, but this cycle has been rediculous. I had always felt the DNC has the people’s best intentions at heart. Sadly those days appear to be gone. I cannot continue to vote for any Democratic candidates as long as fellow democrats votes are reduced to partial votes. I cannot support a system where a small majority of party elites chose the candidate over the will of the voters. I will hold my nose in november and vote for McCain! The democratic party has lost another long term democrat, but I am sure all those “new” democrats will make up our protests.
Thank You,
James
Pulsaki county MO
A PUMA Democrat
Your letters are beautiful. Please keep them coming.
Hello,
Are you doing link exchanges?
lol, I have a few and can reverse link if you like.
http://www.Hillary-Wins.com
http://www.Florida-Michigan.com
http://www.CaucusCheating.com
http://www.Fair-Reflection.com
http://www.CaucusConfession.com
-Alessandro Machi
Dear Dr. Dean,
Ir was with tremendous pride that i joined the Democratic Party to support my candidate, Hillary Clinton. My disapointment in the party in beyond what I come have imagined. Where should I start…A broken caucus systen, Florida/Michigan, Extreme Bias of the Media, Sexism and most of all, the silence of the party during all of this.
How can the party even begin to speak about democratic ideals and issues, when the party itself is broken. In my view, you should resign and have someone else take the reigns before the party really dies.
In the meantime, I will not support a candidate that did not get the majority vote. I will not fall in line. My vote is what this makes this country a democracy, like the party.
Kathy
Bridgeport, CT
PUMA and Independent
Dear Dr. Dean,
I received your e-mail calling for Unity and a donation. I unsubscribed.
I believe we, as Americans need to strive for the unity of our country. All this bogus babble about “party” unity serves only to divide us further.
I’ll vote for the the person that has an actual voting record . John McCain has been a friend of the Democratic party for much of his career , reached across the proverbial isle and voted his mind in spite of his “Party”. He may have had to brown nose the current Administration in order to win the nomination but he is who he is and he has proven time and time again that he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.
Senator Obama, on the other hand , barely has a voting record to compare with. He has not proven to be a man that stands by his convictions. He threw his Pastor and Church under the bus because they were making him look bad! That doesn’t say much for his integrity. Twenty years in the same church, listening to the same man preach the same divisive drivel and he needed public opinion to make him realize that this is not a great man. That doesn’t say much for his common sense.
It will be a shame to watch the Democratic Party, along with the media tear apart a man who has fought for our country abroad, endured tortured years of being a POW,, and returned to continue the fight as a well liked, bi-partisan member of Congress.
For what? Someone we barely know, with questionable common sense as to his affiliations ( Wright, Rezko, Farrakhan, Kahlid ). Hardly a voting record to look at and totally inexperienced in economic and world affairs. I honestly do not understand why the Democratic Party was pushing this candidate in the first place when Senator Clinton was Always in a better position to beat any Republican that won the nomination.
It’s funny, Senator Obama’s message is about change. Being black doesn’t change the fact that Obama is a man. If the American people truly want “change” what better way than to vote for a woman?
Dictator Dean.
I will NOT VOTE for Obama. Am now an INDEPENDENT because of the way the DNC has treated Hillary:
1) Punished Mich and Fla, but not the other states that jumped the gun 2)Pressured Superdelegates to vote prematurely 3) Did not defend HRC against media trashing (but joined in) 4) Took delegates away from Hillary 5) Treated voters as “half people” 6) Allowed Obama to campaign in states where he promised he wouldn’t and HRC didn’t (kept her word) (Fla) 7) Has done nothing about the illegal voting (IND) 8)Mishandled just about everything connected to this compaign (incompetents). I have been upset for some time now with the Democratic Party’s inability to get much done, but this is the last straw.
Connie
Cobb County
Marietta, GA
18 million hands – send them to the DNC!
1. Trace your hands on an 8×11 sheet of paper. Make it colorful to grab attention.
2. Write your name and city/state in the center of your hands and the words “I am one of 18 million.”
3. Above the hands, write: “These hands are on the front lines of democracy. I pledge I will not vote for Obama.”
4. Below the hands, write a line or two about your reasons you won’t vote for BO, why you are upset with the DNC, or whatever stirs your soul. We suggest you keep it fairly brief for maximum impact. [note from Heidi Li: brief and polite as possible; people throw away profane messages from strangers]
5. Put it in an envelope and send it off to the DNC.
Democratic National Committee
430 S. Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
Dr. Dean,
I find it hard to believe that I have been put in this position. Until 2 weeks ago, I was a life-long Democrat, one who has waited 8 years to get America back on the right track. I thought the Democratic Party was perfectly positioned to do this with Hillary Clinton as its candidate; now I find that I have been betrayed by my own party and by a national media that is supposed to be neutral, fair, and even-handed. I will not vote for Barack Obama and, trust me, I will never “come around.” Some reasons:
1. The DNC disenfranchised me as a Florida voter. Donna Brazile said that FL and MI broke the rules and had to be punished. I did not break any rules; I just wanted to exercise my right to vote like any other American. The Democratic Party denied me that right; it is thus not the Party for me.
2. The DNC’s laughable “solution” to the MI and FL primaries: giving Obama several of Hillary’s delegates; giving FL delegates a one-half vote.
3. The conscious but nuanced attempt by the DNC to undermine Hillary Clinton’s campaign at every turn.
4. The disrespect shown to Hillary Clinton by the DNC and the fact that they are now treating her like a second-class political citizen, assigning her the role of “Obama’s little helper.”
5. The fact that the DNC has never recognized the meaning of Hillary’s 18 million votes in the primaries or the fact that she won the big and swing states.
6. The media’s outright unfair distortion of Bill and Hillary’s public comments and the misogyny of both its male and female representatives in reporting on Hillary; I have never in my life witnessed such a blatant attempt to systematically denigrate a candidate, except by Karl Rove – to me the media as a whole is no better than him. I am convinced that the way the media presented the candidates is in large part responsible for Obama’s victories.
7. The playing of the “race card” by the media and the Obama camp – this to me is the most disgusting aspect of the whole campaign.
8. The fact that Obama is completely inexperienced and untested. This man has no business holding the most powerful position in the world, period. Experience, love of country, the ability to reach bipartisan decisions, and a healthy dose of humility matter to me in a President – I see no evidence whatsoever of any of these qualities in Obama. Thus my vote goes to McCain.
9. The fact that the DNC is treating Hillary supporters either as a bunch of old hysterical women whose vote doesn’t matter much anyway or as a bunch of sheep who will blindly follow the Democratic leadership. Wrong: we are a diverse group of people of both sexes and a variety of races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and political backgrounds; some of us have advanced degrees and all of us are intelligent enough not to blindly follow a biased media or a misguided Democratic Party leadership.
10. Hillary Clinton is so clearly the best candidate based on her experience, her specific policies, the fact that she has all the military generals behind her, her ability to reach across the aisle in the Senate, and her ability to attract not only Democrats but also moderate Republicans and Independents. It is a travesty that she has been pushed out of this race.
The Democratic Party has become its own worst enemy. And because I cannot sit by and watch yet another incompetent man become President of the United States, I am jumping ship. The only way you’ll get me on board again is if Hillary is the nominee come November.
M. Beck, Ph.D.
Dear Dr Dean
I am writing this letter to let the DNC know how strongly I feel about this years Primary Election.
You have given us a candidate that was selected by you, not elected by us. I will not stand for that!
You have taken the votes from the great state of MI and divided them in a way that suits your purpose, not in the way they were cast. I won’t stand for that!
You have counted votes that were never cast in the great state of MI, and given them to the candidate of your choice. I will not stand for that.
You have chosen to let one campaign break every law concerning voter fraud in the caucus states, and did nothing about it. I won’t stand for that.
What I will stand for, is the full and complete removal of anyone involved in this sham you called a primary election. I will vote against your chosen candidate this year, and I will vote against anyone involved, for as many years as it takes to get them removed from office.
Our Government is supposed to be “By the People, For the People”, You have made it by and for the DNC. I won’t stand for that.
Theresa
Lowndes County, GA
PUMA Member
I re-posted my letter. I think I have everything right this time. If not, feel free to change it.
Theresa
i just joined this morning and have no idea what i should be saying so i will just say…..i sent a letter to dean and the dnc and told them i was not voting for obama ..am so sorry that hillary got treated the way she did..
This was a Great Message from
http://heidilipotpourri.blogspot.com/
“While attending Senator Clinton’s speech on Saturday at the National Building Museum, I had the opportunity to meet Queenie, the eight year old girl in the picture with me. Queenie has been working as volunteer for Senator Clinton this primary season. The area where I was standing when I met her was packed because it was close to the podium. I helped make sure Queenie got to the rope, so she could see. I made sure Terry McAuliffe shook her hand, and not only did he do that! At her mother’s request, Terry signed Queenie’s shirt, after telling her that she might very well be President of the United States. And she very well might!
My relentless insistence that we RETIRE THE DEBT, that is, that we contribute to Senator Clinton stems in part from my belief that Queenie, and millions of girls like her, must grow up knowing that no woman has to depend on a man for financial support if that woman has earned the confidence of 18 million voters. The press speculates that Senator Obama will “help” Senator Clinton pay off the primary debt. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. My point is that I do not want Senator Clinton to need that help. I want her debt paid down by the people who never treated her dismissively, who never acted well toward her simply when it was convenient for them.
Seeing is believing. I want Queenie, and the world, to see that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is perfectly capable of raising her own money to pay her own expenses. Let’s show ‘em.
According to current federal law, no candidate committee (e.g. Hillary Clinton for President) may contribute more than $1000 to any other candidate’s committee. (This is why Senator Obama can only “help” Senator Clinton eliminate debt by issuing a fundraising appeal on her behalf – just as her campaign cannot contribute more than $1000 to Senator Obama’s, his campaign cannot donate more than that to hers.)
Since Senator Clinton must pay down her campaign debt to ensure financial credibility with vendors, it would not make sense for her to donate even $1000 to Senator Obama’s campaign OR to donate any funds to the D.N.C.
Creditors come first. Do not just take my word for this. Look at this information.
Donate: TO RETIRE CLINTON’S DEBT – for Queenie’s sake”
Posted by Heidi Li Feldman, J.D., Ph.D. (on her blog)http://heidilipotpourri.blogspot.com/
here is a new Open Action Thread posted. Please read it and start taking the actions outlined.
Please pass the word about the new post, and please pass the word to your friends and families about what we are doing.
Dear Dr. Dean,
The Democratic leadership may have thought that losing the presidency this year was alright if it kept Hillary Clinton out of the White House and provided that you got “new” voters and “new” donors from Obama.
Well…
I will not vote for Obama in Nov. not even with Hillary as VP. (You knew he never had a chance anyway didn’t you?)
I will not vote downticket for Dems. (You have lost a long-time voter)
I will not give any money to the DNC. (You have lost a long-time donor)
You better hope that your “new” voters and donors come through for you or else the Democrats will lose seats in Congress this year.
“No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of
a party that ignores her self.”
Susan B. Anthony
Susan
Cobb County, GA
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am so disgraced by our democratic party this year. I cannot believe that this party would endorse someone that went to a church for 20 years that spewed anti American and racist ideals. Obama also has friends that are anti American/anti Jewish not to mention ties to Rezko. My gosh, he can’t even put his hand over his heart to say the Pledge of Alligience!! This is who the DNC and the super delegates endorsed! If this was anyone else, you would be telling them to get out of this race. (And, how convenient for him to quit his church because it was a hardship on HIS CHURCH the same day the DNC made Florida and Michigan 2nd class voters.) And made sure Obama got some of her delegates.
At the same time, you let the vulgar,sexist rantings insult Hillary and all women in this country to the entire world. No one stood up, no one got fired, I guess it is okay to call a women candidate a “ho” a ” white bitch” and to demean a qualified women of stature who gave her heart and soul to this party to be treated with such disrespect that you disrespect all women.
I am glad that Obama brought in young and first time voters…but I don’t want the 18-30 crowd running this country….they are very naive if they believe Obama’s every word. He is a snake oil salesman to better himself, he will tell you whatever you want to hear. He will make a eloquent speech and that is all.
This party and the super delegates did this party an injustice. You have split this party…You might have well just endorsed Obama and told South Dakota and Montana to not bother voting because the super delegates were not going to endorse her following their states popular vote should have. This election was not an election, it was a dog and pony show and rigged to elect Obama because you were afraid of the black people rioting in the streets if he lost….so the SD had to come to the rescue.
Obama’s church, his affiliations with anti American colleges and friends are not what I want for America. I think you did this country a disservice by forcing this man on us. I will not ever vote for a man like this if he is black, white or purple.
You probably won’t respect my views, because after all, I am a woman, and you probably think I should go iron some one’s shirt and be a sweety. But if you think that I am going to “come around” by November, you are wrong. Obama’s Anti-American, culture is not what I want in my White House. Period.
Thanks for picking someone that I cannot with good conscience vote for in November…I guess it will be McCain for me or I will write in Hillary.
Pam
A life long Democrat from Florida
Now a PUMA Democrat
dear dr. dean and dnc…
shame on you for what you have done to the democratic party..i have been a democrat for years and years and now i have to say i will be voting against the party for the first time..your actions are shameful…not only will i vote republican this time around for president i will also vote against anyone that is running for any office as a democrat…shame shame shame on you all….
Dear Dr. Dean,
I have privately emailed you in response to your mass email about backing Barack Obama. I believe that the biggest problem for the Dem. Party is this: you have lost touch with your base constituents. By blatantly ignoring the abuse/misogyny/sexist/bias against Hillary Rodham CLinton you have alienated a LOT of folks who thought the Dem.Party stood up for justice. I guess that fact that you haven’t done a thing to move forward to impeach/censure/something the Bush/Cheney dictatorship should help me to form my thoughts about what to do in November. I want a party platform that is MORE than words alone, I want the emperor to be called out for not having any clothes on, for sanity’s sake!! Do something that makes a difference, be bold and take a stand for what is right!
thank you for understanding our dilemna…
signed,
donna s
las vegas
clark county
puma democrat
mayor0102:
I included the name of bloggers who have their names and State listed and most of whom have written PUMA supporter or such. Their names are already on the blog. We started this list several days ago in the event that some bloggers wanted to start regional meetings or get together to distribute materials and to monitor the number of people whi signed up (This I believe is info Murphy can provide given we gave him our STATS.)
SandiPuma:
This info. is real and very disturbing. However, I am not surprised. Murphy can we exposed this?
Dear Mr. Dean,
I protest the DNC’s anointing of Mr. Obama as their candidate, whether the American people liked it or not.
I protest that this election was not on a level playing field due to media slander and DNC neglect.
There is a chance that another candidate/party might not uphold our causes. I protest that the DNC trusts our principles to keep us in line. Please remember the most sacred right to all Americans is that the PEOPLE choose presidents, that each vote counts as presented, that women voters are important and respected.
I protest the inexperience and arrogance of your favored candidate. I like the old fashioned idea that presidents are civil servants. The presidents who exhibited those qualities are found among the greats, and are revered in monuments where you walk each day.
I will hereafter join the Republicans in their reference to the “Democrat” Party, as I sadly no longer believe it is entitled to be called “Democratic.”
I am a woman, a patriot, DNC member of 50 years, and supporter of John McCain, the better man.
To Howard Dean:
For many years, the Democratic Party has been the hope of this nation – the promise of more humane and enlightened leadership. That was reflected in principles of the party of fair reflection and equal rights. That has now all changed.
When the RBC met, you and many of the 30 members of that committee threw the party and women under the bus. It was inexcusable that the committee did not challenge the insistence of the Obama campaign that Florida votes count at 50% when asked their opinion about full reinstatement. It was unacceptable to punish the people for something beyond their control. That’s like blaming the people of New orleans for Katrina.
I have also never heard more nonsense about rules. There are many rules. States have them. Localities have them. Families have them. Companies have them. We are drowning in rules. They often conflict. Those conflicts are a test of leadership which the Democratic Party failed miserably and one candidate took advantage of to the detriment of the party and the people of the country.
Michigan’s issue was resolved in an even more egregious manner. Never in the history of the party has one candidate been stripped of earned delegates.
It is inexcusabloe to game the primary by removing your name from the ballot and then play the victim and act deprived. And you went along with it. What about the harm to other candidate?
I have heard members of the RBC on news programs state that there will be full restoration of the FL and MI delegations at the convention. So I gather you deliberately set out to suppress the required delegates and inflate Obama’s earned delegates. Did you think no one would notice? Did you think that because we do not like Bush that you can do whatever you want and we will go along?
You have taken the voters and women for granted. Worse you have allowed one of the best people in government in our history be viciously attacked. Obama was more than happy to capitalize both on racism and sexism. His dismissive arrogance and ignorance are so bad I do not want him anywhere near the White House. I cannot see a way to vote for him.
I hope you get the picture soon, that it is not just the election that is at risk. The Democratic Party is at risk. Fix the problem; you may not survive it.
Maria Hill
PUMA Democrat
Howie,
Who will play you in the new movie, “Democratic Primary Recount 2008” to be released in November 2012?
Pat
Oklahoma County, OK
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean
The lack of leadership from “YOU” and the DNC this year has left me feeling Bewildered. I cast my LAST democratic votes for Hillary Clinton..I was able to cast my support to her thee times first in the Texas Primary , second when I participated in the Texas Two Step, then I was priveledged to be elected to cast my support at our Senate Caucus as an Elected Delegate.
There is so much media bias , hate speach, sexism coming from pundits and the Obama Camp..that I also participated in the Media Protest in NY…Still no Democratic Leader stood against this assault on one of our National Democratic Leaders..
What was one of the worst campaign efforts against Hillary in my opinion, was when on Hannity & Colms, Dick Morris promoted the electioneery propanganda film made by Citizens United called “Hillary The Movie”…he stated he would be at Obama’s Rally to distribute this slanderous movie ….I heard nothing form the DNC condeming this movie or it’s distribution at Obama Rallies. The Obama Campagin did nothing to stop this Movie from being distriputed and his bloggers went wild, calling Hillary everyting form a Monster to a Serial Killer…still nothing from the DNC..
When whole states were ignored and called , uneducated Racists…Still nothing from the DNC.
By your silence I’ve heard your message LOUD and CLEAR, you WANTED HILLARY OUT…by any means …but there was one problem in your plan…THE PEOPLE DID NOT!!!
So you went to plan B…ignore thier VOTES, and the strenght of thier agruement and SELECTED YOUR CHOICE!!! .
To keep this short and sweet.. I don’t want my beautiful grandaughter to grow up in a country where this is injustice is tolerated by any party so I will do whatever is neccesary to have my VOICE, one of 18 MILLION heard. The voice that Hillary Clnton gave us with her strength, courage and leadership in staying in the race until every vote was cast…The DNC has made a Big Mistake this time!!!!
Respectfully,
Terri, Harris County ,Texas
PUMA DEMOCRAT
Dr. Dean,
I think Hillary Clinton can be a great president of the USA. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being near-perfection, I think she’d be a 7 to a 9, depending on circumstances and the mistakes we are all prone to make. I think Barack Obama could be a 1 to a 5. I think Bush has been a 3 and McCain could be a 4.
During the primary season, the press had fun anointing Barack and dissing Hillary (and her supporters, despite our numbers). The DNC went along with the press, all but disowning Hillary.
What a shame, because, now that the primaries are over, the press is going to have fun trashing Obama. It’s already widely known that Obama saw his racist minister as his “spiritual mentor,” someone he associated with for some 20 years. Hillary rose greatly in the primaries after that revelation. Right now, Obama may still register to many as only naive, or as a Pied Piper, but Americans will know by Election Day that he may be a Trojan horse. Also in this time period, the Republicans will gleefully join in the press’s fun and win yet another election.
I agree with the Democratic platform. I bemusedly agree with what Will Rogers said decades ago, “I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat.” But I will not follow or contribute to a campaign I know will fail (and should fail).
Suzanne
Denver County, Colorado
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Howard Dean,
I am a 55 year old woman; I am married; I am a Systems Analyst with a Software Development Company; I am a Christian.
I started voting Democratic many years ago feeling that I had found the Party that represented my ideas, my desires for this great nation, my values and principles; a Party that listened to what ‘we the people’ said and acted accordingly; a Party that wanted what I wanted for this Country; a Party that didn’t discriminate against voters regardless of their race, creed, social/financial position or gender. As I watched this primary season unfold, I came to the accurate conclusion that the Democratic Party is only the right Party for me as long as I don’t care who the DNC selects; as long as I don’t care that my vote does not matter; as long as I am ready to give up my rights as an White American Female.
The nomination was signed, sealed and delivered even before the race began. Deals were made and it didn’t matter what had to be done, as long as your man was nominated. You would rather select a man where little is known about him except for his radical associations; a man with little experience; a man that used the race card to garner attention and votes.
This is no longer the Party for me. As much as a admire and support Senator Clinton, I will not be able to follow her in support of Senator Obama. I have always voted for the candidate based upon their character, experience and who, I feel, would best govern our nation; therefore, since Senator Clinton was not your choice, Senator McCain will be mine.
Sincerely,
Pam
Bradley County, TN
PUMA Democrat
Dictator Dean.
I will NOT VOTE for Obama. Am now an INDEPENDENT because of the way the DNC has treated Hillary:
1) Punished Mich and Fla, but not the other states that jumped the gun 2)Pressured Superdelegates to vote prematurely 3) Did not defend HRC against media trashing (but joined in) 4) Took delegates away from Hillary 5) Treated voters as “half people” 6) Allowed Obama to campaign in states where he promised he wouldn’t and HRC didn’t (kept her word) (Fla) 7) Has done nothing about the illegal voting (IND) 8)Mishandled just about everything connected to this compaign (incompetents). I have been upset for some time now with the Democratic Party’s inability to get much done, but this is the last straw.
Connie
Cobb County
Marietta, GA
Proud PUMA Person
MURPHY, WOULD YOU PLEASE REMOVE MY LAST NAME MONTALVO
LMSATX # 338 OR CAN I REPOST.
THANK YOU,
Dr. Dean,
I am protesting and working diligently to make things right that the DNC got wrong for these reasons:
1. Senator Obama was SLECTED not ELECTED
2. Failure of DNC/RBC to follow its own charter/constitution re: fair reflection, uncommitted votes, taking votes from one candidate and giving them to another candidate, and using EXIT POLLS to bolster their own agenda, while all the time repeatedly stating that “Rules are Rules.” The RBC 30 substituting their judgment for 2.3 million voters is – unacceptable!
3. The “Bully pulpit tactics” used on anyone to do with Hillary’s campaign.
4. Hypocrisy of DNC failing to count all votes; when that was their mantra in 2000, I am now 1/2 a person, just call me Jane Crow.
5. The sexism and misogyny piled on and piled on Hillary and through her on us, by pundits, politicians, and Obama supporters – pure hatred that will not be forgotten.
6. Obama does not share my values, is not patriotic, and has used Chicago style politics to steal the nomination – with the entire Democratic Party and DNC aiding and abetting. The only thing Chicago style that I like is my pizza.
7. And make no mistake about it, HILLARY STILL SPEAKS FOR ME. But, Hillary needs to step aside now and let us, the P.U.M.A. Democrats, take it from here. We are many, we are dedicated, we are determined, and we are strong.
8. To give just a little liberty to Hillary and in the memory of Susan B. Anthony after working for the Suffragette movement for 60 years, and on her deathbed stated that all she wanted was a little liberty and a say in her government and that she will not live to obtain it. Well, 165 years later we are still asking for a little liberty and a say in running our government.
And furthermore, Hillary is not responsible for anything connected with the election, or failure of election, of Obama; don’t even go there; don’t even let the MSM and pundits go there; don’t even let the New coalition go there; for if you do, there will be a blowback that you can not even imagine by the New Coalition – or better stated, now the Hillary Republicans. Dr. Dean, I tried over and over and over and over again to inform you and all others of the results of the DNC/Dean/Pelosi/Reid/Brazile/Old Coalition/Obama/Obamanationalists attempt to overthrow the will of the voters – 18 million voters and growing – that you could count a tsunami and you ignored me at your own peril. The only prayer you stand to get us back in the general election is to put Hillary Clinton as the nominee without any equivocation; and then work on reform of the undemocratic Democratic Party.
Carolyn Greer, 1 OF OVER 18 MILLION!!!!!
aka ShortTermer
Registered Independent Voter from Florida
P.U.M.A. DEMOCRAT
Dear Moderator, I noticed that we have much of the contact information for Superdelegates and Howard Dean and Polosi all scattered, is there a way to condense all of the contact information and put it all in one area? Just wondering?
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am a first-time voter during this year’s election cycle. I cannot adequately explain the depth of admiration and love I developed for Senator Hillary Clinton. Nor can I adequately explain my outrage over the manner in which she has been treated by the DNC.
Hillary won the popular vote. She earned nearly 18 million votes, around 300,000 more than Senator Obama. More people voted for her than any other candidate for a major party nomination in American history. Yet the nomination, decided by superdelegates and not the American people, was given to the man with more pledged delegates – whose process of allocation is grossly flawed.
In addition to the naturally flawed process for pledged delegates, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee decided on May 31 that its own judgment was superior to the certified results of the Michigan primary. I could not believe my ears when the Committee stole four delegates from Hillary and gave them (and an additional 55 uncomitted ones) to Obama.
Senator Obama has not fairly won this nomination. He has won it through superdelegates, a flawyed system of pledged delegates, and the favored treatment of the Rules and Bylaws Committee. Moreover, during this race, he and his campaign have engaged in a most unacceptable form of character assassination against Senator Clinton and her family and supporters, claiming that such respected figures as President Bill Clinton and Vice-Presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro are racists. Senator Obama has failed to protest the media’s sexist, biased, misogynistic, and overall rude treatment of Hillary.
Therefore, I cannot in good conscience throw my support behind Barack Obama and the Democratic Party this year. I will be voting for John McCain in November, because I trust him much more than a freshman senator and former community organizer to run this country. Senator McCain is a moderate, and hardly the surrogate of a third Bush term (as you claim). So, I shall place my country above my party, and vote for him. Remember, Dr. Dean, that I am an American first and a party loyalist last.
Taj
Bryn Mawr, PA
PUMA Democrat
Well,well, well… It’s all finally in here! Sometime in February I had begun some research on Obama, his policies and his advisors. I had come across this info which will appear in this magazine.
http://w3.newsmax.com/a/jun08/?s=al&promo_code=63E4-1
I had spoken to my collegues back in Feb. b/c one was/still is a core OBAMA supporter & who chose not to listen to the facts I brought to the table and shooing me away, and then bashing Hillary with no arguments to defent his points.
Not only did I cancel my subscription to “The Nation” when they endorsed Obama in February, but now I can’t wait to buy Newsmax Magazine! The info. on in the magazine is exactly what I read from his economic advisor & Obama’s fiscal policy.
DAMN IT!-I didn’t leave CANADA 17 years ago to find myself in a socialist county all over again. This is why my husband and I left! We were just engaged with two decent jobs and were taxed to the wazoo. At the end of the year we had to borrow money to pay taxes!
Call the plumber, buy a sweater, buy a snack at the cornerstore and woosh, there goes 15% sales tax.
Sorry, PUMAs I just had to vent. Thx for listening.
Dr. Dean,
In November, I will remember how my former Democratic Party so ruthlessly shunned Senator Hillary Clinton. Not only did she have more popular votes than Senator Obama, but she had won soundly key states needed for success in the general election. You permitted high-ranking individuals to harrass her repeatedly to drop out of the race, when she had every right to remain and allow ALL WOMEN and MEN a chance to vote in every state and territory. You and the other members of the DNC as well as the Super Delegates clearly had another agenda and chose to look the other way. You sat on the sidelines and permitted the media to speak so despicably about her. You said nothing. You looked the other way. So will I come November.
Lin
Jefferson County
Alabama
Dear Mr. Dean,
I believe it to be in the interest of your party’s future survival to nominate Hillary Clinton as your candidate during the August convention. She has won every conceivable metric that indicates her ability to win the general election for your party. She has won the popular vote, she’s won key swing states, and leads by a significant margin in the electoral vote. She carries the core demographics of latinos, older voters, women, and working class whites. By the Republicans’ own admission she’s the stronger democratic nominee in the general election.
I do realize that given the republicans’ fragile position in the upcoming election it ought to be very easy to elect a democrat. Even one as unqualified as Barack Obama. However, that scenario only holds true if the democratic party does not alienate the above core groups I mentioned. It’s already too late to avoid that particular catastrophe. I think I can say with a high degree of confidence that Barack Obama has no change of winning the general election given the mass exodus of once loyal democrats. To the extent that you would still like to win the election in November, I urge you to support Senator Clinton’s nomination at the convention.
Elizabeth
Door County, Wisconsin
Puma Democrat
Lady Liberty, great letter! I love your handle.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am writing in response to the deplorable rail-roading job done to Mrs. Clinton. Rightfully, she secured the votes necessary to become our demorcratic nominee. The will of the people was purposefully subjugated to the will of the DNC and awarding super-delegates to Mr. Obama.
This is a travesty not to be born in a country founded on democracy! Without Mrs. Clinton to vote for in Novemeber the republican party is assured another victory.
I am a native New Yorker, residing in a town of well over 40,000 people, most of whom are minorities. While I have only spoken to a few hundred about their opinions in regards to these candidates, regardless of their race, nationality or creed, the overwhelming majority feel, as do I, that Mr. Obama is not trust worthy and will not cast their votes for him.
In the interest of our corner-stone of Democracy, I strongly suggest this matter be rectified.
K. Caveny
Suffolk County, New York
Puma Democrat
Dear DNC,
As a Florida voter, I am appalled that you would punish
the FL voters rather than the FL Legislature that approved the Primary Election date.
FLORIDA ELECTED HILLARY CLINTON IN THE PRIMARY!
Our votes should be counted as cast. She won the FL Primary and the delegates should be seated as such.
I will not vote for Barack Obama in November. I will support John McCain as he is a moderate Republican with
a proven track record of experience and in working across the aisle with the Dems.
I refuse to support a party that literally stole a nomination from the true winner and punished voters of Fl & MI…..reminds me of the
of the contest between Gore and Bush when the Presidency was unfairly decided by the Supreme Court.
Dr. Dean,
In November, I will remember how my former Democratic Party so ruthlessly shunned Senator Hillary Clinton. Not only did she have more popular votes than Senator Obama, but she had won soundly key states needed for success in the general election. You permitted high-ranking individuals to harrass her repeatedly to drop out of the race, when she had every right to remain and allow ALL WOMEN and MEN a chance to vote in every state and territory. You and the other members of the DNC as well as the Super Delegates clearly had another agenda and chose to look the other way. You sat on the sidelines and permitted the media to speak so despicably about her. You said nothing. You looked the other way. So will I come November.
It was not I who left my party, my party abandoned me. I’m a longtime liberal, college educated formerly affluent high tech worker but for the moment a low income single mom. I come from a mixed race (caucasian/african american) family, I shouldn’t have to question why after 20 years of voting I no longer belong in the Democratic Party… And yet you have abandoned me and other core voters like me for affluent elites, blacks, and college students to the exclusion of longtime stalwart voting blocs.
We were willing to see this through to the convention, the candidates were and are tied as far as the majority of the democratic party voters are concerned. A lot can happen in 3 months and come August a candidate, Obama, who already looks dangerously flawed, inexperienced and unelectable come August, let alone November could look even worse. What was the rush?
By trying to force party unity by forcing Clinton out prematurely when there was no reason for it you have instead created what appears to me to be an irrevocable schism in the party.
I will NEVER vote for Obama unless he’s Hillary’s VP and gets a good 8 years experience under her leadership… and I assure you I WILL be voting in November.
And in Washington state we had a contested governor’s election 4 years ago which the Democrat, Gregoire, won by only 130 votes. I will be voting for her opponent the Republican Rossi this November. If my party no longer supports my views I shall return the favor every chance/election I get.
Carolyn
King County, Washington
Puma Democrat
Dr. Dean,
By now you are becoming aware of the rising tsunami of HRC supporters that will not stand with Barack Obama. Some have even broken away from the Democratic Party completely and had voiced their support for McCain. I am outraged that the party is in shambles and the “McMachine” has already started feeding upon the casualties. How on earth could you allow this to happen? I myself will never vote for McCain, I’d rather write in Hillary before that. McCain does not share the same ideas, hopes, dreams and aspirations that Hillary represented. The fissure that has been created this year will have lasting repercussions and will eventually cause the complete erosion and disintegration of the party unless healed. Bottom Line is that I understand if McCain is elected a lot more civil liberties and personal freedoms will be lost, that economic hardship will continue, unaccountable corporate piracy, catastrophic national debt, worsened unfair labor practices, eco-destruction, the dismantling of reproductive rights , these will be the least of anyones concerns. If the party is incapable of properly representing its people and its ideas how can you expect anyone to follow suit? I am appalled by the poor treatment of Hillary Clinton and your silence was consent to continue her public crucifixion.
So now we are in a situation where long time devoted democrats are being picked up by republicans. This is shameful. With all honesty sir, I do not blame Barack Obama for this. I blame you and the entire DNC for not standing up for what was right and just. What was done to Hillary was equivalent to a public stoning and you stood idly by allowing the media to continue its barrage of sexist attacks. Some of my friends could careless that our rights will continue to erode over the next 4 years. Their idea is to hold on when Hillary is an independent in 2012 we can form a new party with her leadership and support to start with a clean slate and reform this nation without the Democrats or Republicans to answer to.
We know that Barack Obama better represents Hillary’s ideals, however the thought of supporting him not only causes incredible discomfort but also poses a logical dilemma. Why vote for someone who for the most part represents our combined ideals but in turn reward the party for not listening to its main constituency? There are others that have become so upset and have jumped the track, change their entire political beliefs and side with the republicans.
It is now up to you sir to decide on a solution. There are been various demands, however you will need to make a decision that not only benefits the entire party, benefits the HRC Supportes but also the entire nation.
We will continue to actively recruit other disenfranchised, hurt and angry HRC Supporters and in the mean time await your public response.
Sincerely,
Scott
Hillsborough County
Florida
6/9/08 This is a post here of an email message I sent 6/8/08 to Gov. Dean and others at the DNC. I will continue to hope that these powerful men will alert themselves to the wave they have created by their actions, and omissions.
6/8/08
Dear Gov. Dean and Gentlemen,
You may recall having met me during your recent visit to Louisville, Kentucky. I am the Director of Team Hillary Kentucky who also has served as a DNC Voter Protection Attorney in prior elections. At the meeting hosted by Jennifer Moore, KDP Chair, I asked you how the votes of voters of Florida and Michigan could be “negotiated,” as you said you wished the candidates to do, while having sent so many Voter Protection Attorneys to Ohio in 2004 to protect every single vote. I did not find your response to be an adequate answer.
This photograph below perfectly expresses how many of us who are passionate Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters feel about the conduct of the DNC, your DFA and your own apparent bias in favor of Senator Obama and about your toleration of the vicious unrelenting attacks on Senator Clinton which focused on her, as a woman. Had those same attacks been focused on Senator Obama, as a black man, we are confident you all would have taken action and responded that those attacking him were racists. Only now are political commentators beginning to state the obvious–the attacks on Hillary were sexist and improper.
Our party without the passion and activism of her women will be a barren vessel, and will lose elections. Surely, you should give great consideration to the repair of the rent that you have caused with your Democratic Sisters by the actions of the DNC, DFA and yourselves. For my part, I am encouraging those with whom I interact to wait, just a bit longer, to see how our Party responds, ultimately, to this injustice.
I look forward to discussing this with you, if you are inclined, in Denver in August, 2008.
Most sincerely,
Olivia Anne Morris Fuchs
Team Hillary Kentucky Founder & Director
Hillary Rodham Clinton Kentucky
Pledged Delegate to the DNC 2008 Convention
S-129 Democrat Precinct Chair
1920 Rep. Convention: [Photo not available here, but you may see it at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Remembernnov/
Photo taken at the 1920 Republican Convention (the woman on the right is Alice Paul). “No self respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her sex.” – Susan B. Anthony, 1872
Dr. Dean,
I will be voting for John McCain in the fall for the following reasons:
1. The unfair distribution of the votes from Michigan and Florida.
2. I am from Michigan and voted for Clinton NOT Obama, yet my vote was given to Obama.
3. The obvious support from the DNC given to Obama over Hillary Clinton from the start.
4. The condemning statements on any hint of racism from the DNC to Hillary Clinton’s Campaign.
5.Silence from the DNC when the Obama Campaign made personal attacks on Hillary Clinton.
6.The early calls for Hillary Clinton to drop out of the race from Dr. Dean, Obama, and Obama’s allies in the Senate. One Senator asked for Hillay to drop out of the race early on and added this sexist comment: ……She will have a great career in the senate.
7.Defending Obama when he compared President Bush to President Clinton and praised President Reagan. (If he wanted to praise Reagan fine. I am a Reagan Democrat.) However, comparing the worst President to one of the best is insulting.
8. The refusal of the DNC to acknowledge Hillary Clinton ’s support from over half the Democratic
voters.
9.Already blaming Hillary for Obama’ potential loss in the fall.
10 Saying Hillary filled her speeches with anti Obama statements. and that is the only reason her supporters
would vote for McCain.
10. Not acknowledging we might have other concerns on an Obama Administration.
11. Refusing to admit some of us are voting for McCain because he has experience.( Our first choice was Hillary) That this lack of experience is imortant to some of us.
11. Trashing President Clinton because he was campaigning for Hillary as a spouse. Any missteps from Michelle Obama were forgiven.
12. Destroying, or trying to, President Clinton’s value to the Democratic Party and the American people.
There are many more complaints I could write down.
Do not blame Hillary for any mistakes made by you, the DNC and Obama.
Sincerely,
Jackie
Kent County, Michigan
A Puma Democrat
I am quite new at PUMA. I contributed the maximum possible for my husband and I at a time when Hillary’s campaign looked really slim last month. However, I noticed that many of my posts, like a lot of yours did not appear on the HillaryClinton.com site. I think from a political stand point, it would be very touchy for her to keep an active “Hell raising” blog when she is supposed to be backing Obama.
That said, I was looking to blog elsewhere since I am extremely sickened by all this. I see that there is an enormous amount of websites, blogs etc that are condemming the DNC and opposing Obama’s nomination (fist bumping Presidential candidate is not for me !!) . There are a lot of very passionate women and men (my husband being one that is deeply saddened – he wanted Hillary to be president 8 years ago and there are a ton of men who love her).
I think we need someone who is politically connected, who knows the ins and outs of politics, has contacts and so on…. to help us. I am thinking if any one knows how to contact Geraldine Feraro who resigned from her campaign just to speak out against Obama. I think she has the fire and the conviction to help us.. if not sticking out her neck, at least tell us what we need to do. It is a huge task, taking on the DNC and Obama, it is mind boggling but look, the Wall was taken down in Russia, anything is possible. I think GERALDINE FERARO OR IF ANY ONE HAS ANY IDEA WHO IS REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT HILLARY, PLEASE THROW IT OUT HERE.
We need some serious help to get our arms around this thing. DNC and Obama’s people are hoping in 5 months, we would have calmed down and the angry Hillary supporters will have forgotten.. look at cnn.com from today to read what they said… Would you forget if someone has stabbed you in the heart from the back ?
Not me !!!
Christine
San Diego
I think too, that we should contact our talk show hosts, Glen Beck, Hannity & Colmes, all these talking heads whether they support or oppose Hillary. Whisper in their ears, that there is a HUGE underground campaign by women and men alike that are extremely angry over this. This huge group aka the 18 Million has something to say and would be willing to appear on TV. Someone in the media need to talk about this . Already on cnn.com a reporter mentioned that some bloggers are still upset over Hillary’s loss. Some one is noticing but not enough. It needs to come out on national TV.
We need our own Hell raiser….Our best bet is to bring this to the TV media now… blogs are great but not getting the attention of the big wigs. We need to be on CNN. How did the Million Man march do it ? I will research how to reach Geraldine Ferraro who is a staunch supporter of Hillary.
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am ashamed to admit that I have ever voted for the Democratic Party. Surely this year’s circus is not the norm or it would not have taken me so long to realize I need to be more selective in the choosing of my political parties. After over 50 years voting with the Democratic party, I wonder why did I bother? I have watched the tv and read the newspapers, but I started out listening to the radio as I knew that sometimes there were multiple votes before the nominee was selected. Many of those voices were at the conventions, riots in the streets, and other political demonstrations.
Why do you punish some states (Florida and Michigan) and let others do the same thing with no punishment? That seems very undemocratic for a Democratic party.
Never have I seen the push for someone to drop out when they are in the reach of winning.
Your version of the Democratic party even went so far as to tell people on the day of an election that a candidate had tossed in the towel. Many voters headed out to the days work under the impression there was no sense to go vote.
You will say that was the media, but the media (CNN, MSNBC, and others) felt they had the blessings of the un-Democratic party as you had not had them play straight the whole election. If someone got chastized, it was Senator Clinton.
You are the guiding light at the DNC and you tolerated behavior that a good lawyer could take to court and get a good settlement with a jury of peers.
True to Chicago politics you had dead people voting, the political arena was not PG-13, since when did teachers have to tell the kids which sites to get their information from so they did not have to answer to the school boards and upset parents.
The good I have to say about Sen BO is I finally have found someone who makes Pres Nixon look good and has given a better feeling for Pres Bush.
Why did he give the bird to Sen Clinton not once but twice with that smug look as if he thought he was cute?
One looks at all the things he has done, using his book to see how he feels about various races, the friends he has kept, the list goes on.
But you expect Sen Clinton to tell those of us for her that we should lay aside our thoughts and support him.
The last time I checked we voted for the person we feel will do the best for the country, we know that both her and Sen McCain love this country and what it stands for.
Your fair haired child has spent his time where they pledge to Africa every Sunday and more negative about the country we love.
So pat yourself on the back you could have had 16 years in the white house. You in your wisdom elected to give the Republicans 12. How does that feel?
Marian
Charlo, MT
Puma Democrat
Marian
Charlo, MT
Puma Democrat
The letters are wonderful. People are reading through them for inspiration. You are doing a great thing by this.
Jazzd — this is a good comment. Will you repost it in the Open Action thread at the top of the page? That is where discussions are happening. Thanks.
how do I repost ? I am not a frequent blogger… only since the last week !
Dr. Dean and DNC,
I am angry that the DNC did not step in and call the Obama campaign on its sexism. I am frightened that the media, in particular CNN and MSNBC acted as agents of the Obama campaign and not as a free, impartial media. Frightened. It got so that while I had no particular affection for Hillary Clinton, by the end of the campaign season I felt every unjust, misogynist blow dealt to her straight in my heart.
What happened in this election is complex, and involves the worst of politics. In my mind, that has concentrated on the head of Obama, the beneficiary of this horrible storm of action. There is no chance in hell I will mark his name on my ballot, not even if he adds Hillary as a VP.
I am proud to be a registered democrat who is now a dissenter, as my conscience demands.
I feel angry enough to punish you with a vote for McCain, who is thankfully towards the center politically and far more acceptable than Obama and his dubious crew.
Shame on you and the DNC for this terrible betrayal in this crucial time.
Renata
Dane County
Madison, WI
Puma Democrat
Dr. Dean
The American Public has just participated in an historical charades party. Now the DNC expects us to smile, get in line and drink the kool-aid. What was done to Hillary Clinton by those in her own party is nothing short of a travesty of justice.
This morning I changed my voter affiliation. I can no longer support a flawed democratic party.
Irene
Tazewell County, VA
I will not vote for senator OBAMA because you lied to me as a loyal democrat you the dnc was suppose to be the party of fairness and you are liars. no woman can become president of the USA if not senator HILIARY CLINTON. I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR ANOTHER DEMORCRATIC CANIDATE AGAIN,NOT EVEN LOCAL OR STATE. YVONNE JEFFERSON COUNTY
TEXAS
PUMA DEMOCRAT
Comments will be in moderation for about an hour.
Keep writing the letters. They will be posted in just a bit.
Spread the word to 5 family members or friends.
Dear Dr. Dean,
Your disrespect to 18,000,000 Hillary supporters will be your downfall, unless you do something to correct it. The DNC along with the media did an unprecedented “hit job” on a candidate who received more votes than any other candidate in history. Additionally, the questionable caucus inconsistencies in Texas and other states are being analyzed as we speak. And then you have the nerve to try to strong arm us into voting for a candidate who has little experience, many questionable past associations, dirty Chicago politics attributed to him and many skeletons yet to come out of his closet. History will note the sham that this election was. Shame on you.
Ann
Solano County
California
Dear Dr. Dean,
I feel that the DNC made a mistake in ’selecting’ Senator Obama as their nominee for the President of the United States. I am sorry that they didn’t listen to the voice of the people and even seemed to go against the votes of many. I have never voted Republican for President but Senator McCain has always presented himself as moderate and he is an honorable man – neither can be said for Mr. Obama. So the choice is a no-brainer.
In 2000, the Supreme Court overruled the votes of the people and we did nothing, now the DNC is trying to do the same thing. I am just wondering why we (The USA) send officials to oversee the elections in other countries (to make sure they are fair and free) but we don’t do the same in our country??
I used to be a proud Democrat.
Latonia
Shelby County
Memphis, TN
PUMA Democrat
Dear Puma Democrats,
I am so glad to be here. I have been on the Democratic Website PB since February, and have seen so much hate spewed against women and supporters of Hillary Clinton. The verbal abuse goes beyond anything I have seen in the Democratic Party. The Obama Supporters remind me of Republicans. I will not vote for Barak Obama in the General Election. If need be, I will vote for McCain.
I thank those that have set up this Website for disinfranchised Democrats.
Pam
Tucson, AZ
Puma Democrat
Dear Dr. Howard Dean,
I am a democrat who will be voting for McCain this time around. I would have voted for Hillary Clinton, but the DNC has betrayed its base so I cannot vote for our party anymore. The principle of democracy is much more important than you, me, or even B. Hussein Obama. I do not buy into the obvious attempts by the DNC to push us into voting for an inexperienced, unethical, and racist candidate. If the DNC doesn’t respect the votes of Americans, why should I respect the DNC?
Sincerely,
Diane Spears
PUMA Democrat
Florida
Fantastic letters…I really do think many of these sentiments are from people who rarely got posted on Hillary’s site like me……but you absolutely must read #147. Dawn of NC thank you. Very long but wow….it says it just like I remember it and WILL never forget! All of this needs to go into a book oen day. I never in my 59 years have been so emotionally involved with an election or any politics for that matter, but men and women..this is history in the making. And it’s not going to turn out like the DNC or media thinks!!!! Somehow I believe the POWER of the PEOPLE is just beginning to rise.
Dear Dr. Dean,
As someone who grew up on politics in NH, I truly believed our votes mattered. During your campaign (of which I was a devoted supporter and activist) we adopted the phrase ‘we have the power’. I really believed that, and I thought you did too.
I don’t know how the Democratic party has strayed so far from its roots, but I know it’s too far for me. I cannot support a party that allows insiders’ voices to count for more than the voters’ voices. I cannot support a party that condones sexism and misogyny. I cannot support a party that not only turns its back on its core supporters, but condones insults directed at them. I cannot support the Democratic party any longer.
I’m a teacher.
I’m an activist.
I’m an organizer.
I’m no longer a friend or supporter of the Democratic party.
Oh, and I’m a swing state voter this year.
Sincerely,
Melissa Cormier
Philadelphia, PA
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean
I have always been a loyal democrat. Proud of the fact that I supported a party that was fair and believed in the true principle of democracy, and did not discount anyone. Today my feelings have changed. But, it isn’t I that changed, it was this current party of today. The total disregard for voters, and the way this party did not stand up for Hillary is inexcusable. I can’t believe this party chose the select (not elect) a candidate that is so unpatriotic. He does not love this country and I can not vote a person like that into office to lead her. Also, the DNC selected a character that has actual ties with racists and terrorists! How could you have allowed this to happen to us and our great country? This is NOT the democratic party I know. You are leading this party into a direction I am not willing to go. Even though this really isn’t about either candidate, I must tell you that Hillary Clinton is the only true leader for the domocratic party, and you let her get away. Well, we the people will not stand for it and we will be patiently awaiting her run in 2012.
Sincerely,
Sonya
Paulding county GA
P.U.M.A. democrat
To Mr. Howard Dean and the DNC Party. I will not vote for Obama ever and will no longer stay with the Democratic Party. Why?? Well first of all there has been so much bias and sexism from day one. Secondly you pampered the one you wanted and let the news media bash the one you didn’t want. I would have no problem crossing over to Mccain to keep the lessor of two evils in The WhiteHouse. You ask Why would i do this??? I am doing this for not just myself but for my daughter and my granddaughter and all the women in America. I am doing this for our Husbands who stand beside us and our sons who look up their mothers. I am doing this because you never defended Hillary when she was called a bitch on MSNBC news. Yet you went to Fox News to defend Mr. Obama. Remember when the DNC and the News Media bashed Hillary well they bashed me. When you broke the bylaws you broke me. When you stole delegates from Hillary to give to Mr. Obama well guess again you stole from me. Hillary was and is the strongest candidate to beat Mccain and you all knew it.So because of your bias ,sexism you chose the weakest and the wrong person,the one that could never be trusted in the WhiteHouse. The one who said we were BITTER,GUN TOTING,BIBLE THUMPING TYICAL WHITE PEOPLE. Well now by the Grace of God there will be no Democrat in the WhiteHouse and you Mr. Dean and the DNC are the ones to blame.
Sandi
Las Vegas Nevada
Puma Democrat
I have already switched to Independant (after 40 years voting Democratic) and the DNC will never receive donations from me again, The entire primary season is illegitamate. Cheating, fraud and intimidation were rampant and the DNC leadership, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi & Donna Brazil, did NOTHING because they had chosen Obama as their candidate.
The DNC has shoved Obama down our throats. A man that has NO EXPERIENCE, more criminal ties and associations than can be counted, a man who gladly attended and donated to, a Black Theology church that spred nothing but racism, hate and anarchy. He is a racist and his wife is a racist. Voters that did not vote for Obama were called racist. SHAME on the DNC for thew ay they have treated Hillary CLinton. I will spend my time finding ways to get rid of Dean, Pelosi & Brazil and I WILL BE VOTING FOR McCAIN. I have NEVER voted Republican in my life but I do so gladly.
To the Un-Democratic Party,
I was born in Vietnam where people have been oppressed by a communist regime to this day. If anyone as much as publicly speaks in opposition, they’re jailed and “re-educated”. Votes don’t matter here because no one has that right.
Growing in the states here for 3 decades an as a Citizen, I find America’s Democracy is under threat by the same oppressive practices that have destroyed my people for a generation.
I will always be for the “true” Democrat Hillary but I have left her party as it has been destroyed by money, media, liberal extremism, and special interest.
So I join my fellow PUMAS to fought for the woman who has been fighting her whole life. I choose to fight for every voice heard. It’s time for true patriots to stand and fight with Hillary and our beloved country.
We will UNITE under the USA, not under the Democratic Party!!!
Peter, Phoenix AZ
PS. We know McCain very well and he is most admired here and so he doesn’t have to convince me of getting my vote because he has it if Hillary is not the nominee. That is something you can COUNT on!!!
Dr Dean,
I have been a loyal democrat since the day I turned 18. The party seemed to me the most obvious choice of one who believes in justice, equality, and the worth and potential of every human being. You and your superdelegates have forever changed my view of the party and I am disguested.
The way you treated Hillary Clinton is unacceptable and an insult to every true democrat. The DNC has bullied Clinton and her supporters (all 18 million of us) into submission to your will. The will of the people as been ignored and made a mockery of.
I am leaving the Democratic Party. I can no longer be a part of this shamefull group of back-stabbing, sexist, liars. For the first time in my life, I WILL be voting for a Republican on election day. Tomorrow, I will mail my voter registration card and wash my hands of the DNC.
The Green Party will embrace me as a valuable member of socitey and not as just another woman. Thank you for opening my eyes to the true colors of the leadership of the Democratic Party-you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Sincerely,
Katie
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean.
I have already switched to Independant (after 40 years voting Democratic) and the DNC will never receive donations from me again. The entire primary season is illegitimate. Cheating, fraud and intimidation were rampant and the DNC leadership, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi & Donna Brazil, did NOTHING because they had chosen Obama as their candidate.
The DNC has shoved Obama down our throats. A man that has NO EXPERIENCE, more criminal ties and associations than can be counted, a man who gladly attended and donated to, a Black Theology church that spred nothing but racism, hate and anarchy. Voters that did not vote for Obama were called racist and the DNC said and did nothing. SHAME on the DNC for the way they have treated Hillary Clinton and failing to come to her defense as she was attacked over and over again by sexists and mysogonist’s. The DNC should be ashamed of the decisions that they made about Florida & Michigan. They ussurped the “Will Of The People” to help their chosen candidate defeat Senator Clinton illegally.
I will spend my time finding ways to get rid of Dean, Pelosi & Brazil and I WILL BE VOTING FOR McCAIN. I have NEVER voted Republican in my life but I do so gladly. I lived through Bush/Cheney, I can do 4 years of McCain standing on my head.
Mary Harper
Big Horn County Wyoming
PUMA Democrat & Patriotic American
to: Howard Dean & Nancy Pelosi,
I have been a registered Democrat since 1980..I met you in person when I was working for Paul Servelle in the 33rd district in Calif. I ran the fund raising phone bank and wrote press releases. I have been an activist in every sense of the word for decades..It’s with great regret I write to inform you both that I will not vote for Obama under any circumstances. You selected him by pressuring the super delegates to make a stand before the convention…I will do everything I can to support a no vote for Obama from several factions. You have not served the constituency well this time around. I am embarassed for all Democrats.
Sincerely,
C. Weller
P.U.M.A. Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
As a 24 year old married father of 3; I am outraged at the audacity of the DNC, media etc etc for the grotesque treatment of Hillary. Let me tell you if anyone would have treated my Mom, Grandma, Wife, Sister etc like that-all the MEN in our family would be up in arms & there would be HELL to pay!
You Dr. Dean, the party elders & Nobama not only allowed it but by not stepping up to the plate you condoned it! This goes way beyond politics, it goes to the very core of who we are!
After a abusive marraige to our father my Mom a single parent, worked several jobs with NO child support. Mom taught us right from wrong, to have faith in God & our fellow Man(& Woman), to get ahead you gotta work hard, that all are equal, all the golden rules PLUS to be a loyal democrat.
This party is no longer Of the people & By the people, it has no good values, it allows cheating & counting we the people as 1/2 people(Florida) & in our case (Michigan) even less & you allowed others to be bullied into voting for someone they didn’t choose.
My mom is a very strong woman as is my Grandmother; it is a sad day indeed to see them cry. The MEN I know appreciate a strong woman as she enhances who we are as men.
Hillary is a strong woman & we appreciate her sacrifice over the years on our behalf, she has the soundest & strongest solutions needed to get our country and fellow man(woman) back on track.
We the PEOPLE voted for Hillary & if you dont honor our vote not only are we leaving the party; we will vote for John Mccain.
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS! This family wont be coming home in November.
Rick,Stacey & children.
Wayne County-Taylor, Michigan
Yes you can fax Geraldine Ferraro at 617-782-3444 and you must show Letter Head and who we are. I do not have a fax
Mr Dean:
I am a 50 year old woman who will not vote for Obama. I actually don’t have a long history of voting democrat. I’d like to explain that to you: I spent most of my life hanging out with the wrong people. I found myself surrounded by drug users, thieves, scam artists, all around criminals. I found that everything was justifiable (it made it easier to take advantage of the next person) I went to prison, then paroled to a place that was free of bad influences. What do you think happened when I no longer associated with criminals? Yep, I turned my life around. Now I manage a small business, I earn my money legally, my car is paid for. Anyway, the moral to my story is this: I wouldn’t have trusted “me” with a damn thing (let alone the most powerful position in the country), back when I was associating with questionable people. How in the world do you know that Barack Obama can be trusted when his associates appear to be bigots, con artists & terrorists? Take it from someone who has made the conscious choice to surround myself with criminals–but I have also made the decision to do the right thing and surround myself with honest, hard working people. There are so many reasons NOT to support Obama, this is only one example of where that wisdom comes from. Personal experience. Please add to my comment the facts listed above regarding media bias, the whole idea of caucusing is ridiculous,all of the Hillary bashing. I will choose to vote McCain in the hopes of (only) 4 years before we can come up with another choice. (hopefully Hillary in 2012). If you think us Hillary supporters will “come around” and vote for Obama, you may want to take a jaunt around the internet. The DNC made alot of people really mad and, to steal a phrase used by the media: we are really building up momentum!!!
Dear Dr. Dean
I am a 57 year old woman that supported and supports Hillary for president.
When the DNC selected Obama and I read because he brings in more money I was and am disgusted.
I have left the party. I will not vote for one of your Dean’s Dozen 2004. Yes, I found that out. Obama is one of your hand picked politicians.
I don’t even want Obama to put Hillary on the ticket. That is an insult to Hillary and to women in general.
When the majority are ignored for the benefit of some then it is time to change. The blantant sexism and the refusal to back the popular candidate are nothing but GOP tactics.
Now it seems that the DNC and the media have the audacity to think that Hillary, Bill and even Chelsea should be out campaigning for Obama.
If your selected candidate can’t stand up and do it himself then he doesn’t deserve to be the candidate. His wife can also get out there and campaign for her husband.
I will vote for McCain he is far better then Obama.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I write this with a heavy heart. I like so many, have been a democrat all of my life. I had posters of Bobby Kennedy in my room as a girl (instead of Bobby Sherman like most of my friends!) In short I was proud to be a democrat. I am not proud of my party anymore and I no longer feel the party represents me, my family or the core values we stand for. Despite my democratic heritage, I will not vote for your appointed “nominee”. I will vote for the candidate who has more experience, judgement and honor. Country trumps Party every time.
Mr. Dean,
It is evident that this election was already stacked before one ballot was cast. That a candidate had already been chosen. Yet the DNC allowed that game to play out. Let millions of people donate hundreds of millions of dollars they could not afford and when it wasn’t going in the DNC’s favor, the laws were broken to accommodate your chosen candidate. Our most fundemental rights were highjacked to change the outcome of this race to the desires of the DNC, not the will of the people. It will not go unchallenged.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am a registered Democrat and was raised in a Democratic family. My family has voted solid Democrat since my grandparents came to our wonderful country because the Democratic party, we believed, represented the working people.
After the election of 2000 and the follwing debacle I hoped and prayed that we would never again see manipulation of the outcome of an election and the appointing of a president by the few. After all, our government is supposed to be “of the people, by the people, FOR the people.”
How very saddened I am now in 2008 when MY party, the Democrats, have rigged an election to appoint an unqualified MAN instead of following the will of the people and nominating the best candidate,who happens to be a woman.
I will not forget Dr. Dean. Someday I may find it in my heart to forgive you and your cohorts, but not this year. I may, someday, vote once again for a Democratic candidate for President. Rest assured, if you persist in the folly of nominating Sen. Obama, it will not be this year. In fact, if you do not nominate the people’s choice, Hillary Clinton, I WILL vote for John McCain, as will my six siblings, our spouses and our children and grandchildren. I count thirty-five in that roster, sir, and there are even more when you count my husband;s four siblings and their families.
You are responsible for your actions as I am responsible for mine. My conscience will not allow me to condone the outright fraud you have committed.
Sincerely,
Melissa Whitener
Crawford County, PA
PUMA Democrat
Mr. Dean:
Back in 1776, people laid aside their biases and their party backgrounds to come together and form a Great Union. That worked out very well indeed. In 1787 they did the same thing and that worked out EVEN BETTER!
“We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Now we come to 2008. It took 221 years but the Democratic Party has finally managed to destroy a perfect union, thwart justice, disrupt domestic tranquility, inadequately provide for common defense (ie: CIC), undermine common welfare, and corrode the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.
As 1 of more than 18 million voices that were not counted surely you can see why I cannot back your choice of Obama as nominee to lead the country. As our forefathers put country above party to ensure our safety and unity, so shall I.
Penny
Lakewood, CO
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am a lifelong New Deal Democrat who has voted a straight party ticket all of my adult. I am simply outraged at the handling of this Democratic primary and the “appointment” of B.H. Obama as the nominee.
I cannot and will not support him as the nominee. These are my reasons:
1. Hillary Rodham Clinton won the popular vote. The caucus results were widely reported to have been corrupted by Obama supporters who used strong-arm tactics to keep Clinton supporters out.
2. The overt stealing of 4 of Hillary’s legally earned delegates and the giving of delegates to Obama from MI when he had voluntarily removed his name from the ballot.
2. Obama is un-electable because:
a) he sat in a church for 20 plus years who was led by Rev. J. Wright, an overtly racist, hate-mongering “pastor” who B. H. Obama named as one of his three spiritual advisors, and who married him and baptized his children.
b) his associations with his two other spiritual advisors, Rev. Meeks and Father Michael Plefger who are also hate-filled racists. Father Michael was recently disciplined by the Catholic Church for his sexist and racist rant about Hillary Clinton from the pulpit.
c) his associations with the now convicted Chicago slum-lord, Tony Rezko which have not been satisfactorily investigated
d) his woeful inexperience with foreign policy, including his statement during a nationally televised debate, that he would sit down “without precondition” with some of the most vile, despotic leaders of some of the most corrupt governments of the world
e) his campaigning for his paternal cousin who sought to bring Sharia law to Kenya
f) his associations with the dirty Chicago Democratic political machine
g) his “flipping off” of Senator Clinton during a debate and the disrespect he has shown her as a woman
h) his silence on the way Hillary Clinton was treated by the media during this campaign
I could go on…but for the sake of brevity will stop here. Again, I will NOT support Barack Hussein Obama for the nominee of President of the United States and I will NOT, under ANY circumstances, vote for him.
I will vote for John McCain on Nov. 4th if Hillary Rodham Clinton is not the presidential nominee.
A lifelong Democrat from the South,
Ellen
Georgia
Mr. Dean:
Although I’ve voted democrat most of my adult life, (I am a 47 year old female) I only started volunteering for a candidate in 2004 after the 2000 elections were stolen from the people and the supreme court decided.
After the way Hillary has been treated by the DNC and the media, I have changed my registration from Democrat to Independent and I will be volunteering this year for John McCain.
Lynn
Huntington, WV
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean,
I come from a family of Democrats and have been a proud Democrat my whole life. Today, I am ashamed of the Democratic Party. It is clear the party no longer represents my values or beliefs. I am no longer a Democrat, I am now a Hillarycrat and if the Party does not recognize her as the legitimate Presidential nominee of this party, I will be voting for John McCain in the fall. I will also no longer be donating money or supporting any candidates who particiapted in the perverse travesty of democracy. You cannot ignore 18 million American voices.
Dr. Dean,
I come from a family of Democrats and have been a proud Democrat my whole life. Today, I am ashamed of the Democratic Party. It is clear the party no longer represents my values or beliefs. I am no longer a Democrat, I am now a Hillarycrat and a PUMA Democrat and if the Party does not recognize her as the legitimate Presidential nominee of this party, I will be voting for John McCain in the fall. I will also no longer be donating money or supporting any candidates who particiapted in the perverse travesty of democracy. You cannot ignore 18 million American voices.
Ray Weiss
Richland County
South Carolina
Sarah_Conlon,
Pumas are protesting the 2008 presidential election. Each of us will make his or her own decision in the voting booth about what to do. Some of us will be staying home. You may choose not to vote for John McCain. Others here will choose to vote for him as a protest and a strategy to win the Democratic party back for ALL of its members in ALL 50 states.
Please read the post on this website titled “Thank You Hillary Clinton, We’ll Take It From Here.” It explains the reasons and the aims of our protest.
This is not a forum for discouraging, disparaging, or dissuading Pumas from protesting the 2008 election in ANY way they choose.
This is also not an open thread. Please make off-topic comments in the Action Open thread above.
We welcome your participation and contribution, but not your arguments to dissuade us from our purpose.
Dear Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid,
After the PA primary I wrote to you and said that if you continue on your course with trying to oust the most qualified candidate, Hillary Clinton, and end the primary race early and don’t count the votes in 2 states fully, that you would lose the base of the Democratic party.
I went on to say, that the youth vote is not reliable and that the African American identity vote would easily revert to the Hillary Clinton camp because the Clintons have done so much for that community over the years.
You didn’t listen, and as I recall the very next day the three of you came out and made comments in the media as to how the superdelegates should make up their minds soon. You NOW are reaping the effects of YOUR actions. It is plain as day. You and the media can try to spin it any way you wish. But the TRUTH is the people are wise. The POWER really is in the hands of the people and the PEOPLE have spoken. You are public servants and have betrayed OUR trust. We will not forget this, we will continue to be EMPOWERED by our own inner sense of justice. We will not vote for your selected candidate. Our votes cannot be bought. I will now vote for McCain unless you and other superdelegates are once again guided by a proper sense of democracy and vote at the convention for the the candidate OF the People.
You also need to do a lot of work and internal review of the supposed proportionate primary system. It is not equitable, caucuses are disenfranchising, the primary schedule plays favorites and needs to be rotated and RULES that disenfranchise voters are simply undemocratic.
We WILL REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER.
Sharon
Richmond, Va
P.U.M.A. Democrat
Dear Howard Dean, Well the Democratic Party is surely on self-destruct mode….You had in you hands the most increidble and grand opportunity to win in November. But, instead of working for and with the most qualified candidated (Senator Hillary Clinton) you retreated to the same old crap of back door deals and did everything you could to see that the MOST QUALIFIED PERSON, SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON was slung through the mud. The misogynistic and Bias by her own Democatic Party which then, force fed her to the Media is nothing less than UNCONSCIONABLE!!!! I cannot and will not be part of a party with such disregards to the core democratic values (It will not take me 20 years to discover that…Unlike BO) I am outraged and disgusted by the indifference and the behavior and outcome of the Democaratic Party…You, have not only Insulted one of America’s Most Wonderful Leaders (Senator Hillary Clinton) but, you have insulted all of us. “I WILL NOT FALL IN LINE” if there is not a change of course in this primary…I will be voting McCain in Nov. And, so will my family and friends. It’s not about Hillary anymore, It’s about the VOTER’s which you have kicked to the crub with your arrogance. “STOP!!!!! TRYING TO FORCE THAT DIRTY, UNTRUSTWORTHY, LYING, RACIST POLITICIAN ON US…IT IS NOT WORKING …!!! Regards, Suzanne Riverside County, California PUMA DEMOCRAT/INDEPENDENT
I am shocked and horrified the way the Democratic Party kicked Hillary Clinton out of the race. Instead of taking the race to the convention, Superdelegates pushed her to end the democratic race based on the declarations of Superdelegates “in the name of unity.” In fact, the party declared today that shoring up unity in the party continues. This is a call of disunity. I can not nor will not conform to the desires of the Democratic Party. I have been a member of the party for more than 20 years and intend to retain my member ship at this time but I will not be voting for president under party lines. I am one of 18 million voters whom the Democratic Party disenfranchised before taking the matter to the convention. I cannot and will not be voting for your presumptive nominee in November and I am shocked at how my candidate was treated. If the Democratic Party really felt that unity was important, this was not the way to bring it about.
I wrote post #448 and neglected to add my name.
Jill Lienhard
Arroyo Grande, California
Former Democrat voting for McCain
Thank you
As Thomas Jefferson eloquently put it, “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
We must fight Obama’s tyrannical hold over our youth (and the clueless).
“In the multitude of the people is the king’s – ” Hillary’s ” – glory. But in the want of the people is the ruin of the prince.” – Proverbs, 14:28
http://tinyurl.com/53yul8
Dear Dr. Dean:
I will refrain from voting for the selected current presumptive Democratic nominee if he is on the ticket in November. It’s either Hillary in 2008 or John McCain, then Hillary in 2012, because each is a more qualified candidate than Barack Obama. Many of us want Hillary to run as an Independent, and that includes many Republicans. Yet she is very loyal to a party whose leadership proved to be completely spineless and corrupt. The DNC had a predetermined outcome in mind for this primary, and their actions furthered that outcome no matter how many successes Hillary enjoyed. The more big-state primaries she won, the more the superdelegates drifted over to her opponent’s side, robot-like, underlying the case that the SD’s have outlived their usefulness. The more BHO lost, the more endorsements he got from ridiculous grandstanders like John Kerry, Bill Richardson, and John Edwards, all losers looking for crumbs from your “golden boy.” Did you notice he looked quite tarnished once the media started vetting him, however? Yet the DNC took voters’ contributions while pretending the people had an honest say in the overall outcome. There is a reason why this party has proved to be so unsuccessful, except for William Jefferson Clinton. You all berated him, too, however, these past months. And now I understand you expect him to hit the campaign trail on behalf of Hillary’s opponent? What a joke!
V. J. C., Esq.
Cook County, IL
P.U.M.A. Unaffiliated Democrat
Howard,
In 2004, you promised to help take back our country.
In 2008, you have taken our party.
DNC exists to SERVE the VOTERS.
Not to EMPOWER ITSELF BY TAKING OUR RIGHTS FROM US.
That is called FASCISM.
Democratic voters selected Hillary Clinton as their nominee for ‘08. But DNC appointed their own nominee.
The Democratic voters do not find the DNC choice acceptable. We are appalled that our votes were not considered, and many voters were disenfranchised.
You righteously punished voters because Republicans forced state parties to change election dates.
Yet you were silent about fraud that went on in caucuses – because it worked in favor of the DNC candidate.
You looked the other way while your candidate, Obama, hijacked all of the democratic blogs and turned them into hate propaganda machines the opponent, Hillary Clinton.
The DNC is old school, corrupt politics as usual.
I will not support fascist tactics.
I will not support DNC appointee, Barack Obama.
YES to Democratic Voters!
NO to Fascism!
Dr. Dean,
As a voter, I am of a moderate / left-of-center persuasion. That said, I have always voted for Democrats, not out of party identification or loyalty but simply because the candidates’ positions correlate more closely to those of my own.
As a supporter of Senator Clinton, I was and still am extremely disappointed at the level of condescension, not to mention plain hatred, directed against her and the people who voted for her. I am disgusted that self-professed liberals would employ tactics such as race-baiting and misogyny in order to propel Obama, their Chosen One, to the Democratic nomination. In other words, the Obama campaign and now the DNC, have been intellectually dishonest to the voters of this primary season.
Henceforth, I will be donating to and actively supporting John McCain for president because I believe it to be my duty as a citizen to protect this country against an Obama presidency. Senator Obama does not inspire confidence in me as a leader, let alone as a candidate for President of the United States. His telecompter-dependent speechmaking skills do not qualify as a presidential trait. Count me as one of those voters who value experience, compassion, intelligence, and tenacity, all characteristics that Hillary Clinton possesses, as crucial qualities to have in a president.
I will not be cajoled and intimidated into voting for Senator Obama. You will not achieve success in attempting to convert me to your side by painting Senator McCain as Bush redux. This country has survived eight years of Bush, it can survive anything! My decision to vote for Senator McCain is twofold. First it is a vote to protest the media bias and DNC machinations which coalesced to hand Mr. Obama the nomination. Second, dissenting issues aside, I consider John McCain to be an honorable public servant and one who is worthy of the presidency, something I cannot say for Barack Obama.
Sincerely,
J. Lin
Intelligent, polylingual, thirty-something, high-information voter,
San Francisco, CA
Dear Dr Dean
I am protesting the 2008 Democratic Nomination because you have shamed our democracy by NOT COUNTING EVERY VOTE.
You have made a sham of the Democratic Party that will set us back for years, by NOT CHOOSING THE STRONGEST CANDIDATE.
You have made a sham of Democracy itself by encouraging other superdelegates to NOT TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE POPULAR VOTE.
You have disenfrancised Florida, which was disenfranchised enough in the election of 2000.
You have stood idly by while SEXISM, and MISOGYNY and RACE BAITING dictacted this election.
You have taken delegates away from the stronger candidate, and given them to the weaker candidate, you did not wait until both candidates had completed their campaigns before declaring a winner.
You have made a hyprocisy of democracy
Christel Robinson
Bell County,Texas
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Howard Dean:
I am a newly registered Independent voter, free, after 34 years of allegiance to the Democratic Party. I will not vote for your annointed candidate in November, nor will I support your attempts to sacrifice democratic principles in the name of party unity.
I think you and other DNC officials, not least a majority of the Rules & Bylaws Committee, have painted yourselves into a corner. Not only will Obama fail to gain the presidency because of your desire for power over truth, the DNC will face closed minds and closed checkbooks in his wake. You have already lost whatever claim you may have once had to your dignity.
I will be voting “present” in November.
B.Lee
Prince George’s County, MD
P.U.M.A. Independent
opps, please add my name to comment # 450:
Jennifer
Los Angeles, CA
Proud PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am a lifelong Democrat who has voted a straight party ticket since I was of voting age. I am simply outraged at the handling of this Democratic primary and the undemocratic selection process that gave Obama the presumed nomination. Please remember he does not officially become the nominee until the Democratic National Convention in August and please discontinue asking Hillary to release her delegates. You haven’t asked any of the other candidates to do so.
I cannot and will not support Obama as the nominee. Here are my reasons:
1. Hillary Rodham Clinton won the popular vote. The caucus results were widely reported to have been corrupted by Obama supporters who used strong-arm tactics to keep Clinton supporters out. Yes, agreement was made to have the caucus system but it is by nature undemocratic and does not represent the will of the voters. And there will not be Democratic caucuses in November.
2. The overt stealing of 4 of Hillary’s legally earned delegates and the giving of delegates to Obama from MI when he had voluntarily removed his name from the ballot.
3. Obama is un-electable because:
—he sat in a church for 20 plus years who was led by Rev. J. Wright, an overtly racist, hate-mongering “pastor” Obama named as one of his three spiritual advisors, and who married him and baptized his children,
—his associations with his two other spiritual advisors, Rev. Meeks and Father Michael Pfleger who are also hate-filled racists. Father Pfleger was recently disciplined by the Catholic Church for his sexist and racist rant about Hillary Clinton from the pulpit,
—his associations with the now convicted Chicago slum-lord, Tony Rezko which have not been satisfactorily investigated and unrepentant domestic terrorists, William Ayers and Bernadette Dorhn, and having a Communist Party mentor, Frank Marshall Davis,
—his woeful inexperience with foreign policy, including his statement during a nationally televised debate, that he would sit down “without precondition” with some of the most vile, despotic leaders of some of the most corrupt governments of the world.
—his campaigning for his paternal cousin, Raila Odinga, who sought to bring Sharia law to Kenya, and who is considered to be a political tyrant,
—his “flipping off” of Senator Clinton during a debate and the disrespect he has shown her as a woman,
—his and your silence on the way Hillary Clinton was treated by the media during this campaign, which was completely disrespectful of a long-time, great public servant,
—his wrongly accusing the Clintons of being racist,
Again, I will NOT support Barack Hussein Obama for the nominee of President of the United States and I will NOT, under ANY circumstances, vote for him.
I will vote for John McCain on Nov. 4th if Hillary Rodham Clinton is not the presidential nominee.
Dr. Dean
Would you be kind enough to explain to me how a man…until he was politically FORCED to denounce his affiliation…can serve two countries at the same time?
The church he was (is) with has a doctrine. That doctrine requires it’s members to pledge their allegiance to Africa. This, obviously, is what Obama did.
This reason, not withstanding the many others which I won’t belabor you with, is horrifying! This alone, if nothing else, is frightening!
I will vote with a ‘write-in’ and I hope our other members of Puma Pac do as well…
Stephanie
Santa Monica, CA
Dr. Dean:
I’m a new democrat. This is my first presidential election. I’ve always felt my vote didn’t really count and the results were rigged. I do remember how great everything was here in Ohio when the Clintons’ were in office. When I found out Hillary was running, I made a commitment to get out and vote. What a travesty this contest has been! Obama was allowed by the DNC and the media to use his money and cunning to rob America of her only true chance of redemption – Hillary. As a Roman Catholic, I’m deeply concerned about America’s moral values, and I was confident that the true humanitarians , the Clintons would keep my soul at ease. Who will guide America now? Where are the democratic leaders of yesteryear rooted in faith and the dignity of all people? If there are any, why did they not voice their objections on May 31st? This is not the party I subscribed to. This is not the John/Robert Kennedys’ DNC. This is not the party for the everyman, the everywoman. No, sadly, I was duped. This is a business with an agenda. And this agenda counts me and my vote out. I will be voting for McCain. He’s a patriot with experience. He respects Hillary. And he’s a republican.
Laura
Portage County, Ohio
PUMA
The letters are stupendous.
All, what a wonderful day! Over 100,000 site visits, hundreds and hundreds of letters, phone calls, and emails to the DNC and media. Contributions of services, expertise, and money to get us moving and strong.
I am so proud of us today!
Comments will be in moderation for a few hours. Please get rested and be ready for Tuesday, because. . .
Tomorrow is another day!
Dr. Dean,
Your handling of this election made a mockery of the democratic process. Under your leadership, the DNC selected Obama as the party’s nominee, ignoring the will of the majority of Democrats. And, you forced Clinton, the only electable Democratic candidate, out of the race. In so doing, you and the RBC colluded to ensure that the voters of MI and FL were counted in a
manner that would give advantage to Obama. In order to ensure your ability to crown Obama the nominee, you took four of Clinton’s delegates, and gave them to him.
The fact that you chose to ignore the disgraceful gender bias and disrespectful treatmen to which Hillary was subjected in this farce of an election, is reason enough to sever ties with this party. You were conspicuously silent when sexist statements were made about Clinton and her daughter. You ignored it when Obama and his supporters made vile comments and hand gestures at a sitting Democratic Senator and a former first lady. You failed to condemn even one of the many violations until after you had forced her to suspend her candidacy. And then, you had the absolute gall to denounce the sexism that had been hurled at her from day one. Contrary to what Sen. Obama would have the country believe, we Hillary supporters are not stupid. We recognize patronism when hit with it in the face.
In your zeal to have Obama steal this election, you ignored the many reports of voter fraud at several of the caucus sites. In so doing, you further proved to Democrats all over this country that your goal was for Obama to win at any price. Believe me Dr. Dean, the price was too high. The actions of the DNC and Obama have destroyed this party.
Donna Brazile has said that white women, working class Democrats, and Hispanics are not needed in order for the Democrats to win the general election. We are the Old Coalition Democrats. The party only needs the New Coalition Dems – the African Americans, Children for Obama, and liberal elites. Well, as far as I can tell, that’s about all you have left. Good luck with keeping that population after Obama loses.
Many have speculated about your reasons for treating a loyal, successful, electable Democratic candidate with such contempt, and allowing others to do so. Some have said it is because the DNC wants to ensure that the “new voters” and their money remain with the party. Obviously, that is failed logic since the party is experiencing serious cash flow problems now that the loyal “old coalition” Democrats have left the party. Others have said that you declared several years ago that Clinton would never be given the nomination-that you personally detested her and were envious of her power and popularity. If that is the case, your smallness as a leader and a man is is apparent.
In protest of the disgraceful, sexist treatment of Clinton by the DNC, along with your obstruction of the democratic process and violation of democratic principles, I have resigned from the party and have registered as a supporter of John McCain. I will support him financially. I will work for him, and I will vote for him, marking the first time in more than twenty-five years I have not supported a Democratic candidate. I will also vote for and support either Republican or Independent down ticket candidates from now on.
Finally, and please understand this – Hillary Clinton is not responsible for my actions. She has repeatedly asked her supporters to support the Democratic presidential candidate, regardless of whether she or Obama won the nomination. That is probably the only thing she could ask of me that I will not do. Please do not blame her when Obama experiences a significant loss to McCain. I will not vote for him even if Hillary is on the ticket with him as VP. I sincerely hope she does not even consider such a move, as he will take her down with him when he is revealed to be a fraud and a fatally flawed candidate.
Since Hillary’s speech on June 7, the attempts to win Clinton supporters over has begun. First, there were the scare tactics, trying to convince us that McCain would overturn Roe v. Wade and continue the Iraq war. Then, there was the sweet talk by Obama”s hired bloggers. Please do not even patronize and insult us in that way. We know several things for certain: 1) Obama and the DNC are every bit as sexist as McCain; 2) the DNC took democracy away from the people and selected the nominee they wanted; 3) the DNC treated Hillary and her supporters with contempt and disregard 4) Obama cannot win.
This party is dead, and you, along with others on the DNC, especially Donna Brazile, are responsible. Of course, other Democratic leaders helped you kill it. These would include: Kennedy, Kerry, Daschle, Pelosi, Richardson, Reid, and a number of others.
Remember this, if Obama remains the Democratic nominee, you bare the responsibility for putting a Republican in the White House in 2009. Finally, an opportunity for a Democratic win, and you chose a loser as the nominee.
Jodie
Lee County, MS
I’m a naturalized citizen and I always vote whoever is the nominee. I don’t participate in politics until now. We have two candidates going for Presidential nominee.
Hillary Clinton has worked hard and diligently for all Americans. She spent her adult life building a vision of social change, a vision of what American can be in the future. As for Senator Obama, I saw and heard his speech in Oakland last year. He was very articulate and eloquent speaker. He can move you with his notion of change. But then, I looked it up his records in Congress and as Illinois Senator, I don’t see any distinguishing accomplishment that would convinced me that he is ready. As the campaign heated up, I became very discouraged.
I’m not activist and I’m not political expert, but what I have read and saw makes me sick .
What really affected me was how the Democratic leaders swayed the votes to Obama.
How the media started a frenzy negative report about Hillary and how Obama is the chosen Presidential nominee. It is so heartbreaking and sad how the Democratic leaders manipulated the votes to Obama. What affected me the most was the blatant disregard of a very qualified person and treated her as a second rate candidate. She has 18 Million people behind her but did the Democratic leaders care about that-NO. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine what the leaders had decided long time ago. Then, DNC mishandled Fl and MI votes. Excuse me,
I don’t think it was mishandled, it was handled the way the DNC wanted. That is not democracy, not the values of the Democratic Party, and definitely not MY VALUES.
The media has mounted the most biased, blatant one-sided campaign support to Obama.
It is time for the Democratic Party to be accountable for their manipulation. Come this November election, I will not vote for Obama and you will see how many die-hard Democrats not voting or switching to another party.
#470
Signed:
Pamala
Santa Monica, CA
P.U.M.A. Independent/Decline to State
I believe that once again a more competent woman was passed over for an inadequate man. Senator Clinton is the people’s choice by the people and for the people. We protest the entire 2008 Election.
Hey, guys. Will Bower here. I was one of the P.U.M.A. representatives on Neil Cavuto’s show on FOX NEWS today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsTo-Mknce0
I haven’t read all your posts, but I wanted to answer a few things from the posts that I *have* read.
Firstly, *we* have thought that *you* were the imitator group. That’s not to say that you *are*. It could be that this is either a coincidence, or else a synchronicity. But, rest assured, that we invented our own group completely independently of yours. D.J. Kelsey was the one who came up with the acronym (on our end), Thuc Nguyen created the images, I acted as our FaceBook and media liaison, and Amy Goldman created the FaceBook group itself.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20652218523&ref=ts
Also, we are *not* the people at “pumaparty.com”.
We *are* however at:
http://gopumaparty.com
and
http://swingcrats.org
As for the acronym itself: We understand that there are drawbacks to having “ASS” in the title. However, it is exactly that wording that has been getting us media attention and exposure.
It has been our intention that P.U.M.A. will ultimately have two expressions… a formal one, and a folk one. We are handling the folk one. I personally will be fine with your own acronym becoming the formal one.
Finally, we can all come together now at:
http://JustSayNoDeal.com
I look forward to seeing you there, and to working with you in the near future.
Will Bower
P.U.M.A.
Washington DC
Mr. Dean,
Here are a few reasons why I reject and condemn the DNC and the candidate you insist that we love and support.
BO was selected not elected. BO with your help is staging a coup for the office of President. This is supposed to be a democratic nation in which we hold free elections.
BO divided the constituency. United you were. Divided you are. Divided you lose.
BO inspires hatred and fear where before there was none.
BO inspires racism where before there was none.
BO’s supporters are vicious and mean individuals with the propensity towards violence against anyone who stands in their way. Their fearless leader inspires and advocates their attitudes and behavior.
BO despises and oppresses Americans. I thought we fought a civil war to end slavery and that it was abolished. Looks like I am mistaken.
BO is dishonest far and above any other politician. Playing a criminal political game behind the scenes while preaching political change is the most deceitful, dishonest, and reprehensible act I have witnessed in American politics. Looks to me like the change he advocates is NOT for the better. That’s a change I CAN’T believe in.
Finally, I take offense at the disdain and disrespect you have shown the 18 million Hillary supporters. I am counting on your calculation that we are stupid and will fall in line. What a surprise you will have in November!
Remember, what goes around comes around. You and the DNC will be working off your bad karma for millenniums to come and I am running the other way as fast as I can. I want no part of the bad karma that clings to you now.
I have never voted Republican before. Unless Hillary is the nominee I will be casting my vote for McCain in November.
I WILL remember in November.
Hillary08/Hillary12
McCain08/Hillary12
NObama, NOVP, NOUnity
Carla
Nye County, Nevada
PUMA Independent
I am protesting the 2008 Democratic Nomination Election because it doesn’t reflect the will of the people with superdelegates not voting with the people of their state we need better rules!
The problem is the party itself. 2008 was the year that the party abandoned its principles. It is no longer the party of FDR and shared responsibility. Now, it is the party of wannabe rich libertarian Democrats.
Failure of DNC/RBC to follow its own charter/constitution re: fair reflection, uncommitted votes, taking votes from one candidate and giving them to another candidate, and using EXIT POLLS to bolster their own agenda, while all the time repeatedly stating that “Rules are Rules.”
Hipocracy of DNC failing to count all votes; when that was their mantra in 2000, I am now 1/2 a person with a 1/2 a vote.
The sexism and misogyny piled onto Hillary, and through her on us, by pundits, politicians, and Obama supporters – pure hatred that will not be forgotten.
The election process, the voting process ( why can’t it be the same as the general election? every state votes on same day and if there is a tie then that can be faught out in primaries! no more cacusies, and everyone needs to show a picture ID, so there isn’t any more dead people, dogs and children voting!)
Obama does not share my values, is not patriotic, and has used Chicago style politics to steal the nomination – with the entire Democratic Party and DNC aiding and abetting.
The Democratic Nomination was Stolen!
Senator Obama was SLECTED not ELECTED!
Dr. Dean
I am 45 and have voted democrat ever time since I have been old enough. My son turned 18 and will be voting for the first time this year. I wanted him to make up his own mind but of course I wanted him to be a democrat like myself and my mother and father before me. I was so proud when he decided to join the democratic party. Well I am no longer proud of our party. I am ashamed. I am amazed of how our best candidate to beat John McCain has pushed out. Hillary Clinton has been treated terribly. Yes, when you run for the most powerful job in the world, you live your life under a microscope. She is a human being first and does not deserve to be treated this way. OK, I could go on and on about that but I want to say some things about what I don’t understand about Obama and how I think that he is the weaker candidate. Let’s start with his background. Why are there no pictures of his mother and grandmother that raised him?!
When his mother remarried an Indonesian Muslim, he was put in Muslin schools. He then went to Hawaii to live with his grandmother. That is where, I understand, he had his struggles of being a ‘poor black child’. If that is true, where did he get the money to go to the most expensive colleges?
He lives in a $1.6 million home that was acquired though a deal with Rezko. I know they have found no wrong doing on Obama’s part, but it just sounds a little strange. He has dealings with a lot of shady characters. I do not want my President associating with these kinds of people.
He says he is proud of his ‘African heritage’. What about his ‘white heritage’? His father ran off and left him. It was his white mother and grandmother that raised him.
He went to a church that was made up of mainly African Americans. I do not believe him when says he went to this church for 20 years and did not here hatred againsts whites and Jews, and America that spewed from the pulpit by his pastor. He said he could not confront his pastor. Are we to believe that he will able to confront leaders of Iran, Russia, Korea, China etc.? I know that he finally left his church, but I don’t think he would have if thought it wasn’t going to help him politically.
He is already flip flopping on some remarks he has made. His wife says that she is proud of her country for the first time in her adult life! I have other reasons, these are just a few.
You say that Hillary supporters will come around and fall in line. Some probably will, but I don’t think that everybody will just forget. We are intelligent people. Give us more credit than that. I want to make it very clear that I, or the rest of my family and friends will not forget. We are not going to vote for Obama. We feel that will not be good enough. For the first time in my life, I will be voting republican this fall.
Sincerely,
Java,
Hardin County, Tennessee
Puma Democrat
Dr. Dean,
I am a lifelong Democrat, and have voted a straight Democrat Party ticket for over 30 years. I will be protesting the 2008 Presidential Election by not voting for the presumptive nominee for the following reasons:
1) Party leadership forced this candidate on the electorate by selectively choosing to follow illogical rules whenever it helped Obama, or hurt Clinton. The leadership should have “punished” Florida and Michigan by forcing them to revote, at the very end of the primaries. This should NOT have been left up to the candidates to approve or disapprove.
2) Once the damage was done, party leadership intentionally insulted the 18 million Clinton voters by arbitrarily moving 4 Michigan delegates to Obama.
3) The caucus system is an embarrassment and travesty. In my own state of Washington the caucuses granted Obama 2/3rds of our delegates, while the primary was only 51%. I had to leave my mothers death bed to attend the precinct caucus (she died a few days later), and hire specialized care for my father with Alzheimer’s to fulfill my duties at the district caucus. This is NOT equal access voting.
4) The nominee we have chosen will not even be viable once the Republicans begin their vetting process. They are staying gleefully silent waiting for our convention to lock us in, and will then let loose. We should do our own vetting, long before candidates reach such national visibility.
I am embarrassed by my own beloved party. I feel they have performed even worse than the Republicans did during Gore v. Bush, and we are supposed to be the party of unity.
Kathy
Thurston County, WA
PUMA Democrat
Good Morning Pumas!
Comments are back — may take a few minutes to appear.
Let’s get to 1,000 letters today!
Maty
Pennsylvania
Puma Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
this is a message to the DNC:
stop trying to bully Hillary Clinton supporters into submission. It will never happen. You have already “tried” to strip of us of our candidate even though the majority voted and Hillary was the clear winner. Hillary won the majority even when state after state Obama’s people made it nearly impossible for Hillary’s voters to participate by closing Caucus doors to them, by handing our early ballots and by smearing her all over the press. What the Democratic Party did was against the party rules and we are going to push back. Do not count me in as a Democratic vote because I will never vote Obama-NEVER! He does not represent my views nor my moral values. Hillary is what fit America. She has worked for us all of her life and that’s why America fell in love with her.
You made the wrong choice Dr. Dean. History becomes amazing to the future when someone has the guts to stand up and do what’s right!!!!!!!
Maty
PA
Great letter Maty – to the point and very heartfelt.
If anyone sees Shorttermer, please ask her to email me the list of states and members.
Pass it on.
Murphy, I believe “mutatron #481″ does not belong in here.
An attentive PUMAcat
Swiss4Hillary, thanks.
All, I heard from Shorttermer, thanks.
Mr. Dean,
I am a registered independent that has voted for one Republican in my adult life. I have supported the DNC with contributions…campaigned for Democratic nominees.. and financially supported candidates from the Democratic Party.
I am writing to you to protest the DNC’s role in this years primary contests. I will not get in line.. nor will I take direction from a Party that has abandoned one of their most respected members.
Am I bitter because Senator Hillary Clinton did not win. No.. that is politics.. however what I am bitter about is WHY she didn’t win. Senator Obama was SELECTED a long time ago and I fear that has alot to do with the amount of dollars he can raise.
For months we heard how the super delegates would most definitely pledge for the candidate that won their constituencies…however… we did not see this. Super delegates from states like Massachusetts..supported Barack Obama when Senator Clinton clearly won that state. Not once did anyone from the Democratic Party come forward to stop the onslaught of biased media coverage nor the overt sexism in this race.
You have a candidate now that is flawed.. he will not win in November… the American people will not take in Barack Obama. All they have to do is read his books and realize how he is not running for President for noble reasons. His assosciations are frankly scary and only someone that is blind or a total idiot would vote for him.
I am now contributing to the RNC and John McCain. He is at least an honorable man that does indeed love this country. I’ll suffer with his policies and pray for the best but I will NOT enable Barack Obama to take over the White House and sink this country.
Take a listen to this tape.. you will see how a large faction of America is feeling now. We will not stand idly by any longer allowing the likes of you and Nancy Pelosi to dictate our future. We put you where you are at and we will take you out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b9PsDebTrw&eurl=http://noquarterusa.net/blog/
Susan J. Hall
Indiana
Dear DNC Chairman Dean,
It appears that everyone of the Party is taken the easy way out on this. They believe someone who is weak to win in GE is the best choice for the Party; just he has a small percentage of RED states delegates and many immature young followers.
The SDs are simply take the easy choice for themselves, ignoring the experience, ignoring GE map, ignoring the will of core and majority democrats of the party.
Because of this conflict of will of people and will of the Party leaders, now we are facing losing 08’s election. All red southern states are go Republican, all big blue states and swing states which HRC won are now up in the air.
BO had lost 9 contests of the last 16, and key swing states, and he lost working class voters in a very large margin. Many of BO’ donors have maxed out, and due to his weak performance after March, how many of his donor will still be willing to donate. HRC’s 18 million are not likely to donate to BO.
Be realistically, even those in 2000, 2004, had majority of Demo votes who had lost in GE, not to mention this kind of. I would quit if I am BO, for the good of the party and the country, and his own political future. Think about BO had this delegates lead before March 4th, he would have got whatever he supposed to get from HRC camp.
I could go on and on for ever, but I will continue to write later.
Sincerely,
SparkForHill from MA
Always demo so far
Dear DR. Dean, I have in the past been a very loyal democrat, I am sorry to report, that as of late I can no longer be part of such an undemocratic organization. Votes being fought for and counted, in the past, seemed to be the guiding principal of this once great party. Imagine the dismay that has spread throughout the hearts and minds of the countless many who voted, and believed that their voices would be heard. I fear the democratic party as a whole will be feeling the fallout of this debacle for years to come. My mind and the minds of many others are already made up, and I assure you Sir, we will not be swayed, for we feel strongly that this tragedy that has been bestowed upon us, can not be rectified, until we the people elect, not you the people annoint, our democratic candidates. In closing, what a sad year for many, that the people’s candidate will be sitting on the sideline, as the annointed one will be running down the field, hoping against all hope for the HAIL MARY pass, that will surely sail right over his head and assure the opposing team the glorious victory that they are sure to recieve. Signed a puma democrat,lucas county.OHIO.
Hi friends: Today is a new opportunity to share, plan and work towards a greater goal. Hillary Now!
Lets spread the word and contribute so this PAC can continue to grow and we can launch our candidate into the White House. I still think we can, if we organize.
Do we have a work plan and timetable already?
New Action Open Thread and Update posted above.
Please move action discussion and bragging upstairs. Feel free to repost recent comments there.
Keep posting your letters to Dean here.
Pass it on.
Dr. Dean: I am protesting this election for the following reasons. The Democratic party hand selected Senator Obama prior to the start of the primary season. As noted in the New York Times interview with Tom Daschle and other various sources I have found in my research, this was a scheme by he and Senator Kennedy to offer us an alternative to Senator Clinton. The goal was to prevent another “Clinton Administration.” As a result, Senator Clinton has been in battle against the Kennedy Political Machine, the media, and her own party. Senator Obama does not compare to Senator Clinton to even be considered an alternative. Senator Clinton is multi-talented, focused and knowledgeable on issues in foreign policy, has international experience, and was deemed as the most knowledgeable and capable in the Senate with the economy. Senator Clinton is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and has a record in crossing the aisle and being the change agent. Madd Money deemed Senator Dodd and Senator Clinton as the two most superior senators in the area of the economy. I happen to believe that our president should be multi-talented. Since Senator Obama is a one year junior senator, with no international experience, no evidence of a solid voting record, no military experience, who voted present 138 times, and even manipulated Senate votes in Congress, I hardly think he is up to the task of becoming the next leader of the free world. Senator Obama, at his SF fund raiser, (remember the bitter comments) also stated to that same audience that he was more capable than either Senators Clinton or McCain and listed his qualifications as follows: 1. He lived in Indonesia as a child; 2. Took a trip abroad for his post graduation gift after receiving his BA; 3. Took a political science class(s) in college. Also, Senator Biden’s most recent excuse to the media was that “Senator Obama is still learning.” If Senator Obama becomes President, we can then assume that his position is “entry level”. In light of that, I suggest you reduce his salary to reflect his lack of experience and obvious training period for this job.
In closing I would like to say the following. Due to the fact that the democrats have only occupied the White House 3 times in the past 40 years, and two of those terms were held by President Clinton, you should all be kissing President Clinton’s feet rather than demonizing, disrespecting and plotting against both he and his wife.
Dr. Dean,
Never thought I would say this, but I am voting for John McCain this year and you and Donna, Nancy and friends can all do the happy dance for a job well done. Nothing like loosing 18 million strong, faithful, loyal voters all in one day. Comon Howard, let’s hear a shout out!
What in the world were you thinking that just because you threw the black vote in our face we would fold and cave in? Until you let Obama set us back 50 years we had made great leaps in doing away with all this silly stuff that has now shown it’s ugly head again. If you had not pushed him into the spotlight because Al Sharpton started spewing his hatful threats instead of standing strong and saying it is the peoples choice, whether any of you wanted Hillary or not we would not be in this horrible situation. It is so shameful that the rest of the world has watched the great USA tear down democracy in front of their eyes. Here we are asking our brave men and women to risk their lives for this very right to be given to others and you don’t even honor it for them. This is outrageous! My family takes this very serious since my husband is a disabled veteran and he lives with the meaning of the right to freedom and the right to vote everyday of his life, and you laughed at him and all others like him by saying our wants are more important then their sacrafices. I would love to see you say this to the faces of the over 4000 newly torn families from the Iraq war. No you only know how to work behind closed doors.
You will only have one chance to set this right. Come August in Denver if any of you have any guts or love of this country and our beloved freedoms you will elect Hillary Clinton our nominee for president. If this is not fixed by then you will have successfully destroyed a very large portion of our countries heart. You only know of the 18 million of us who came out and voted in the primary whose votes were not destroyed or changed at caucuses and those who could not go to caucuses and the elderly that were freightened away at the doors by Obama’s strong arms and many other reasons votes were not placed on their voteing day. All of which we know you all knew about and ignored just like you ignored all the ugliness his campaign pulled on the Clintons and waited until the end to say this must stop. Do you know how stupid you all look? How could you have allowed this ingrate to be our nominee? We won’t rest until every last one of you are out!!! We will never vote for this anti-american family to live in our white house and never never be our President. YOU REALLY BLEW IT THIS TIME.
While your at it, get rid of your stupid caucases which you know he cheated in every one since the people at the polls reported it many times over, and the cheating way you dole out delegate votes. Who do you think you are fixing an election in this manner? You all need to go to jail for voter fraud!!!!!!!!!!
Janice
McCracken Co. Kentucky
Puma Democrat
Mr. Dean,
You seem to insist on wielding your control over the party hoping that your actions will go unnoticed. I believe that you made a serious miscalculation when you picked the constituencies you chose to hoodwink.
You should not have tried to manipulate the hearts and minds of your party members. It was your job to listen to the voters and back the candidate who captured the hearts and minds of over half of your party members, of independents, of Republicans, and of otherwise undecided voters. You should have supported the candidate who could win in November.
It is not too late to correct your mistakes. If you want a united party and if you want to win in November, here’s what you do:
Immediately release the information that will expose OB for what he really is. I don’t have to go into details here since you have been informed and already know.
Start the slow trickle of super delegates back to Hillary where they belong and where they should always have been.
Nominate Hillary to run for President of the United States at the Denver convention.
If you do these things, your party will unite again and you will win in November.
If you do not do these things, your party will remain fractured and you will lose in November.
If I do not see these things come to pass, then I will vote for the honorable Republican candidate in November. I am not alone. The PUMA movement is underway and underfoot. You have been given notice. It is not too late to act honorably.
Hillary08/Hillary12
McCain08/Hillary12
NObama NOVP NOUnity
Carla
Nye County, Nevada
PUMA Independent
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am against the underhanded methods of the DNC in your attempt to appoint Barack Obama as the nominee for our party. The clear majority of voters in our party have chosen Hillary Clinton as the one we want to face John McCain. I have left the Democratic party in protest and will remain an independent voter until the Democratic party returns to the democratic values on which it was founded. Furthermore, I will vote in November for whomever I feel is best qualified to run or country, whether that person is John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Cynthia McKinney, or some other candidate. Barack Obama does not have the qualifications necessary to get my vote.
Sincerely,
Wanda
New York City, NY
I am a former Barack Obama supporter, but I feel that the DNC stole the election from Senator Clinton when they handed Senator Obama Michigan delegates that belonged to Hillary Clinton. How and why could Obama be granted delegates from Michigan? Obama sued to have his name removed from the Michigan ballot. The only answer to the question is AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. The DNC lowered the bar to steal the primary for Barack Obama. I will NEVER vote for Obama. For the first time in MY lifetime (with apologies to Michelle Obama) I will cast a vote for a Republican and gladly pull the lever for John McCain come November.
Dear Dr. Dean:
I have been registered as a Democrat for over 25 years and have never voted anything but democratic in Presidential elections. This year I will not be voting for the democratic nominee. I am an educated person with a Ph.D. I am not a conformist and will not just fall in line. I have researched the candidates, and clearly Senator Clinton is the more qualified candidate for the position of Commander in Chief. Our democratic nominee was appointed not chosen by the people. I am appalled at the undemocratic procedures for choosing a democratic nominee. The system is severely flawed and in desperate need of revision so the voters choose the nominee and one is not just appointed by the superdelegates.
I urge you Dr. Dean to listen to the people…I thought that what was what the democratic party was all about. I sadly will be leaving the party and registering Independent unless some of these issues are addressed and resolved. I have dedicated my life in helping others and I feel that the Democratic Party has let down millions of people. We will not be silenced any longer.
Thank you for your strong consideration in what I have reflected in this letter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Barb
Mercer County, PA
Dr. Dean:
I am very disappointed in the way the DNC has operated during the primary season. We know that the DNC decided early on to support Barack Obama because you thought by being able to bring nearly all the blacks onboard, coupled with the normal Dems who routinely vote for a Democrat, you could win the White House. You obviously did not foresee the problems his church affiliation and his “bitter” blunder would create. You purposely put roadblocks in the way of Senator Clinton because you thought she could never win with the “Clinton baggage.” Little did you know that she was the best chance for the Democrats.
I believe you and the DNC now know that Senator Obama will not be successful in November. You are trying to force Senator Clinton to somehow make her supporters vote for Senator Obama. Although we believe in her policies and her experience and believe she would make a great president, we will not support Senator Obama even when she asks us to do so.
There is still time for the DNC to come to their senses and back Senator Clinton as the nominee. You’ll have to figure out a way to do that without alienating the black voters, but you know in your heart that the African American vote is not large enough to put the Dems over the top and you of all people should know how unreliable the young voters are. And you know the white middle class voters and women are the keys to winning in November. Senator Clinton could pick up several red states like WV and Kentucky. People are looking for a Democrat to vote for but they will not vote for Senator Obama, some because of his race, but mostly because they don’t trust him or don’t like his experience or associates and they don’t see him and his wife as patriotic, even though it is not true.
You have done a great disservice to this party and this country. Please make it right. Speaking as a lifelong Democrat who has never voted for anyone other than a Democrat for president, I will not vote for Senator Obama. Putting her as VP on the Obama ticket will not change that fact. I will not vote for a ticket with him on the top, primarily because he was pushed forward by the DNC while Senator Clinton was pushed in the ditch.
You and the DNC have angered millions of Democrats. Please make it right.
Sincerely,
Hazel Moyer
Central PA
Dr. Dean,
For the future of our nation-hopefully the SuperD’s will support Sen. Clinton in August. Consider the following: fair reflection, a bedrock principle of the Democratic Party and Obama’s gaming the system to cheat a candidate out of delegates in order to secure more pledge delegates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYzzyctEVcs
The above link depicts a video of Harold Ickes at the DNC 5/31/08 meeting.
POPULAR VOTE (all primaries and caucuses)
Hillary Clinton: 17,785,009
Barack Obama: 17,479,990
PLEDGED DELEGATES
Barack Obama: 1766.5
Hillary Clinton: 1639.5
Had the RBC not voted against fair reflection of the Michigan votes, and sliced the Florida delegation, Sen. Clinton would be the pledged delegate leader.
Remember, a SuperD vote for Obama is overturning the will of the people and ignoring strong, available evidence that Clinton is the strongest candidate and the candidate without anti-American, racist CLOSE affiliations.
“WE WILL REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER”
We are the 18 million, and we are not getting in line.
DNC–don’t be overtaken by far left, anti-American sentiment and action. The Center Will Hold.
Sincerely,
EWE
Wilmington, NC
Dear Dr. Dean,
Below are my reasons why I will not support Democratic Party unity.
1. You and the rest of the DNC leadership worked to disenfranchise Florida and Michigan rank-and-file Democrats.
2. You and the rest of the DNC leadership acted passively to resolve the Florida and Michigan primaries matter.
3. You and the rest of the DNC leadership did not strongly come to the defense of Hillary Clinton when she was subjected to horrific sexist treatment in the mainstream media (CNN, MSNBC, NBC, etc.).
4. You and the rest of the DNC leadership pushed Hillary Clinton out of the race, even though the nomination will not be decided until the super delegates vote at the Democratic Party’s convention in August.
I will protest your actions with my own actions to continue to support the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. And, if Hillary Clinton does not become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, or if she does not run as an independent, I will vote for John McCain.
Sincerely,
Wayne Singleton
51 Manchester Road
Huntington, NY 11743
To Howard Dean and the DNC: To be honored, you must
first act honorably.
We care for the welfare of the country and the family over the welfare of the party.
I and my family have been devoted Democrats for generations, but today’s party is not the party we knew and supported.
Hillary Clinton is the people’s choice. She won the popular vote.
Our children are asking us, “If most of the people voted for her, isn’t she supposed to be the one who gets the nomination?” What do we tell the kids?
When I was a kid, our parents and grandparents told us why the Democrats were the better party. Even the name, Democratic, stood for high principles. That impression stayed with us all our lives. But we can’t tell that to the generation coming of age in the next few years. They are already telling us ”the Democrats suck.” They are telling us that democracy is not real – that it’s pointless to vote because the votes don’t count. That the US is dishonest in preaching democracy to other countries when it isn’t democratic in its own elections. Their first impressions will have a lasting effect, a very bad effect on their lives and therefore on their country, and you are to blame for this.
We will not vote for Barack Hussein Obama.
We will not vote for anyone in our states who supported the corruption of the party by ignoring the popular vote, by insisting upon bad rules that exclude voters, by unfairly manipulating delegates, by failing to support all candidates equally, by allowing silly savages to insult all races by irresponsibly calling one another ”racist”, by failing to defend a female candidate from misogyny.
The Clintons work for the people. Their work for the good of the people is what you should be proud of – as we, the people are. Hillary ran a brilliant and beautiful campaign. We are proud of her and her supporters.
We will never abandon our loyalty and gratitude to the Clintons. We will abandon the party that failed her, failed the people, failed its principles, tarnished our reputation world-wide, and, most of all, tarnished our children’s faith in our country.
Mr. Dean and the DNC
Please do not expect me to fall in line behind “your chosen” candidate. You have made a mockery of the democratic process and I cannot in all good conscience be a part of it. To ignore the votes of 18 million Americans is no different than what the Republicans have done.
Sandra Goodwin
US citizen
Check this out. I just saw it.
http://www.audacityofhypocrisy.com/2008/06/09/the-dirty-politics-that-started-obamas-political-career/
Dear Dr. Dean
I protest the 2008 Presidential Election on many grounds, primarily the shameful treatment of Senator Clinton and the way the DNC has ignored the voice of the people. Mrs. Clinton is not only the best qualified candidate, she was selected by the popular vote. I don’t know how you can sleep at night knowing what you did was morally and ethically wrong. This election has been corrupted from the top and the candidate you have chosen is not qualified to lead this country.
I started my affiliation with the Democrats with the nominating convention for JFK and after all these years, for the first time in my life, I am ashamed to be associated with the Democrats. Senator Clinton will get my vote in November no matter who you push down the throats of the media. I have changed my party affiliation and am urging all of the women I know to do the same. We all know the truth about what has happened. No matter what you say or do now you cannot hide the truth. You can’t get toothpaste back into the tube!
GiGi
Delaware County
Pennsylvania
Puma Democrat
check aol.com. In a recent poll, McCain is way ahead of Obama, and take your time to vote for McCain. I hope this people at the DNC will be monitoring polls, and this one must have them in shock! all frightened and regretting having thrwon out the best candidate. But it’s never too late, I hope a miracle will happen and we will be able to see Hillary as the next president. If it does not happen, she can run in 2012, but never as Obama’s VP. At the very beginning I thought it was a good option, but after carefully thinking about it, I would have not voted anyways.
I sent her campaign an email yesterday, telling her that no matter how much I admire and respect her, I would never vote for Obama.
I have been able to post on Huffopost very briefly and wrote PUMA democrat , so I am trying to spread the word.
Let’s keep working to avoid this injustice continue. Our country deserves better, and Obama is not even the last option as president !
Unity is not a principle. It is a strategy. It is a strategy that can be right or wrong depending on what principles you are unifying behind. The DNC chose political expedience over honoring the will of the voters it purports to represent. ANY party that thinks its rules and its process are more important than honoring voters (especially voters who had NOTHING to do with the breaking of party rules) is a party I WILL NEVER support.
Your shrieks about the dangers of McCain (for whom I will also NOT vote) do not move me. First, if your real priority was protecting America from McCain you would have backed Hillary. All the data shows that she is more likely to beat McCain. Instead, because you are “inspired” by Obama, you choose to risk not taking the surer path to victory over McCain (Hillary and her traditional swing states, etc.) for a new and untested “Western” and “younger voter” strategy. Apparently, you have no problem risking a McCain win when it suits YOUR purposes.
While this raises concerns about your credibility, it is not the real reason I will not stand behind the DNC and Obama:
Your real problem is that you misunderstand people like me. You thought we were posturing when we told you that it was wrong to disenfranchise people. You thought we said that because it advantaged Hillary. And I guess you were correct about 60% of Hillary supporters–they did trot back home to the DNC once Obama was declared the winner.
But you were wrong about me, and many, many, people like me. I cannot support your party because respect for the voters underlies all other policies. A party that can disregard the voices of its constituents when it sees fit is a party that cannot be held accountable for its actions. And it is a party that does not share my core values.
You have done great damage. Good luck trying to drum up support by calling people like me bitter, shrieking feminists who are sore losers. Good luck trying to reduce our problems with Obama to sour grapes or racism. Good luck trying to reduce our position to silly straw men like we (1) claim that Hillary lost only because of sexism or (2) we fail to admit any of Hillary’s flaws or the mistakes of our campaign. I wish you good luck–because you are going to need it.
The surest way for people like me to ensure that our beliefs and values are not taken seriously is to fall line. You already showed us that when you trotted out statistics months ago showing that while people often say they won’t support the nominee they always come home in the end and by your conviction that we can be “controlled” because of Roe v. Wade. You know why people spend so much time catering to swing states and voters? Because they swing. Because they vote based on their beliefs and priorities (whether you agree with them or not) not party allegiance.
I have never been so inspired by a candidate as I am by Hillary. It pains me that I cannot follow her lead in supporting Obama and the DNC. But the most important thing Hillary thought me is to never stop fighting for what I believe in. And that is exactly what I intend to do. Standing by her has helped ME find my own voice.
Before this primary I thought that the great battles for democracy itself had been fought before I was born. While (very) important work remained in rounding out its edge to prefect our union by expanding gay rights and the like, it never occurred to me that bedrock democratic principles would have to be defended.
I am a gay, black progressive woman who is a patriot through and through. I actually believe what others apparently only toss around as rhetoric–that there is nothing that Americans cannot do when they act like Americans. And that Americans do not accept the options available to them when they are unacceptable–they create a new one. The DNC and the RNC are now both organizations that this American will not accept. It is time to chart a new course.
Jocelyn Bramble
Washington DC
This election is based on a foundation of deception and dishonesty. The DNC publically stated they were looking for a way to punish Michigan and Florida for their voting violations. What they did was punish the voters and hand the nomination to the underserving Candidate of their choice who has a history of ruthless methods for winning.
The DNC used this opportunity to manipulate the election. Never was there a mention of punishing those responsible for scheduling those primaries incorrectly. Who has given the DNC the authority to redesignate the votes of the American people? The votes of Michigan and Florida should be restored to the original votes. The DNC should be punished for their immoral and unethical actions and each member should be removed from the committee immediately. One American one Vote! Punish those responsible, not the voters!
WJA, snowtiger, oscarp
Copy your comment and paste it upstairs to the open comment thread so that it will be seen.
This thread is for letters to Howard Dean.
Thanks
WOW BNQ (Joyce)
HOORAY for you. You made me tear up. I loved what you had to say. Bravo. I bet Hillary is so proud of her supporters. I know I am. I’m glad to be part of such a wonderful thing, like democracy in action, and wonderful people like yourself. Hillary attracts all kinds of great diverse people. I think she, her campaign, and her supporters represent the true backbone of America that keeps America standing.
Sonya in GA
Dear Chairman Dean,
As a lifelong Democrat, I’ve experienced my share of frustration with the actions and attitudes of the Party. I’ve cursed the boneheaded Committee members who’ve, time and again, proven the old adage about our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. I’ve emailed Party bigwigs (once on your behalf, in fact) and participated in Dem and Dem-supportive events. In 2000, I held my nose and voted for the Party’s nominee, despite my contempt for Sen. Lieberman. In 2004, I again held my nose and voted for the guy with the D after his name.
But after watching the Democratic Party shaft voters in Florida (of all places!) and Michigan, and after noting your complicity in the Obama campaign’s efforts to emulate Bush2000, I won’t do it again this year. I have already mailed the form to update my State voter registration info – I’m no longer a Democrat. I don’t yet know what I’ll do on election day but I do know this: Neither Sen. Obama or Sen. McCain will get my vote.
Regretfully,
Sam DuBose
North Carolina
1/18,000,000
“thought” should be “taught”
“edge” should be “edges”
SonyaD
you just made my day. that is why places like this are so important, so we know that we are not alone!
Dear Dr. Dean,
I will not fall in line behind Barack Obama because of the following:
1. Michigan’s delegates were distributed unfairly. Obama did not appear on the ballot and should have received zero delegates.
2. The votes in Michigan and Florida were not fully counted.
3. Both of the Clintons were demonized in the media and the DNC did not come to their defense.
4. I don’t believe that the most electable candidate was chosen by the super delegates.
5. Obama is still new to the political scene and I don’t know him well enough to have confidence that he will make the best president.
Lydia
Orange County, California
Registered Independent
The DNC has indeed determined the candidate instead of the letting the voters choose.
This former Democrat (I changed my party to “decline to state”) supported the campaigns of Clinton, Gore and Kerry. I called people around the country to rally support.
Then, out of the clear blue, an angry, anti-American is coronated as the DNC’s choice.
The DNC ignored Florida and Michigan, but when the protests were loud enough, the DNC counted them as less than slaves. To make it worse, uncommitted votes were given to Obama.
I will never vote for Obama. The fact that the DNC and Obamamaniacs quashed the voters in FL and MI makes me wonder whose voices will next be silenced?
Like many Clinton supporters, I thought the DNC represented democracy, but apparently not.
I am hoping there is enough support that we can all write her in. We need Hillary Clinton to be the President of the United States of America.
Team/murphy-
I think we should consider adding a page where we puma members can post a picture of ourselves. Our numbers are undeniable, and we have already established ourselves as a prominent vocal contingency. But we need to put a FACE on that. We are PEOPLE, first and foremost, and that’s what the DNC and all the Obamabots FORGOT. By putting a face on ourselves we can truly show that we are VOTERS that MUST be HEARD. You can say a lot of things on the internet when you’re anonymous and cowardly, but when you see that we’re all people I think that will amplify our collective voice. Maybe start a flickr group that people could post to?
Just something to consider.
Hillary in 2008, 2012 and 2018!
Dear Dr. Dean,
I supported the Democratic party my entire life up until May 31, 2008 when the DNC made a mockery of democracy. On that day the Democratic party left me. And since you have made it clear that my voice means nothing to you, I will do everything in my power to defeat you.
Pagan
Butler County, Ohio
PUMA Democrat
Write-ins don’t count as votes in most states unless the candidate petitions to have them count. I don’t see Hillary doing that unfortunately.
Zach
Can you cut this comment and paste it above in an open comment thread so that it does not get lost. This thread is for letter to Howard Dean
Thanks
Good suggestion zach.
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am protesting this election because I am one of those 18 million voters you don’t want counted. Because
you did not change your ‘lobby and PAC’ policy before Barack Obama accepted all those bundled contributions he used to buy an early Nomination.
I don’t support this election because you have forced Hillary(the nominee ‘we the people’ chose) to suspend her campaign and give lip service to Obama, and I will never support anyone but Hillary. You will not get one dime from me to support a nominee who was selected, not elected. I don’t support this election because what you and the DNC did on the 31st was so against your own rules it is not to be believed. I believe both you and Donna Brazile should resign or be fired-NOW! You should be ashamed of yourself. So much for 50 states, so much for OPEN meetings. You have hand picked the wrong Nominee, and I can only hope you realize this before the convention, rather than after McCain wins!
Rezco, Ayers, Exelon, Wright, Auchu…they aren’t going away.
I will write in Hillary before you ever see a dime from me.
I won’t support this election because every penny you’ve received from Obama is from those very PACS and Lobbyists whose contributions you now say that you don’t accept.
I’ve been a democrat since I was 16 years old, when JFK was running, even though I was too young to vote, and I never thought I would have to be ashamed of my party, but today I am.
Lori White, Puma Pac and
Hillary Democrat
P.O. box 505,
Asotin,WA, 99402
*moderator, if this letter is in any way innapropriate, please let me know at river-witch@tds and I will edit it.
diss4u
Can you cut this comment and paste it above in an open comment thread so that it does not get lost. This thread is for letter to Howard Dean
Thanks
I am broken hearted as an American, A Jew and a woman, that a man who surrounds himself with the most vile people I have seen in years could become the nominee for the Democratic Party.
How did it happen? How could such a man slip by the vetting system until it was too late? Only the party leaders will know that, but they must have known.
I understand that the same leaders want to blame Hillary if Obama loses the election.
Obama lost the election the day we all witnessed his “mentor” ranting his racist diatribe for the cameras.
Obama has done more to destroy racial harmony in this counry than all the clowns in the KKK.
I voting for McCain, a true American hero.
Dr. Dean:
I am a M.D. and a 36 year voting Democrat that is apalled by the way you and the DNC handled this primary and did nothing to stop the disrespectful treatment of Senator Clinton throughout. I cannot and will not support a flawed candidate that the DNC enabled on every turn. The party’s and media’s continuous calls for her stop her camapign after February were unconsciencable. This has been the closest primary in recent history and you manipulated the super delegates to decide for Obama along with disenfranchising FL and MI even when time remained for revoting. Since write-ins don’t count in most states unless the candidate petitions for them you have forced me and millions of others to vote for John MCCain in November.
Beth C
Roanoke County, Virginia
Proud PUMA member
Sorry my mistake, this is the full letter I sent:
6/10/2008
Mr. Dean,
This election is based on a foundation of deception and dishonesty. The DNC publicly stated they were looking for a way to punish Michigan and Florida for their voting violations. What they did was punish the voters and hand the nomination to the undeserving Candidate of their choice who has a history of ruthless methods for winning.
The DNC used this opportunity to manipulate the election. Never was there a mention of punishing those responsible for scheduling those primaries incorrectly. Who has given the DNC the authority to re-designate the votes of the American people? The votes of Michigan and Florida should be restored to the original votes. The DNC should be punished for their immoral and unethical actions and each member should be removed from the committee immediately. One American one Vote! Punish those responsible, not the voters!
Dear Dr. Dean,
I have to respectfully decline any invitations to support Obama, however. I will continue to let the DNC, the SD’s, and congressional candidates, know of my anger at their treatment of Hillary and her voters. This is a time to make women’s voices heard, and what better way than with our votes and our money?
I understand why Hillary has to support Obama; I too used to be a fervent advocate of party politics and loyalty. But when that party doesn’t reward loyalty, hard work on behalf of its candidates, and straight electablility, then I don’t support the party. I will vote for those who supported Hillary, and not vote for those who betrayed her.
Please let all your Democratic candidates know that August is make or break time for their own campaigns.
Dear Dr. Dean
I protest the 2008 Presidential Election , because I am one of the 18 million americans who voted for Ms. Clinton and that we were ignored by the party and also for the delegates.
You ignored the fact that Senator Clinton is not only the best qualified candidate, she was selected by the popular vote.
This election has been corrupted from the top and the candidate you have chosen is not qualified to lead this country.
You and the media selected and decided which candidate will be better , but only for you.
I am a woman and like many of us I feel we were trated rude and with disrespect.
I am not changing party affiliation, however Mr. Dean in november I will not be supporting McCain BUT don’t expect me to vote for your candidate either.
Elisa
Los Angeles CA
PUMA DEM
Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the way my vote for Senator Hillary Clinton was discarded and the latest “flavor of the month” was crowned as the so-called Democratic choice.
I did not decide not to vote for him because he is Black, (as some Obama-bots are accusing) but because he is green. Green as in rookie as in in-experienced as in still wearing little boy shorts.
I feel that he cannot truly represent himself as a Democrat and carry through with my beliefs and visions for a better America.
He was selected not elected as Senator Clinton was. I never thought I would see the day that Oprah’s latest Favorite Thing would send people jumping on the Barack Bandwagon and make the Presidential Election the biggest joke that we can all be ashamed of.
I will Remember in November, I am one of 18 Million voters who cracked that ceiling.
As in the words of Songstress Janis Ian -
“You live and You Die,
And I’ll probably throw it away…
But in the end…..
It’s MINE
No one has the right to say…..
Go down Gently….
Go down Silently…..
I’ll go down Screaming…..
Give it back!!! It belongs to ME!!!!”
MY VOTE COUNTS!!!!!!! GIVE IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!
Sandra
Los Angeles County
California
Puma Democrat
I sent my letter and it felt GREAT!
Witchy 1
Dr. Dean,
I am protesting and working diligently to make necessary changes because:
1. Senator Obama was SLECTED not ELECTED
2. Failure of DNC/RBC to follow its own charter/constitution re: fair reflection, uncommitted votes, taking votes from one candidate and giving them to another candidate, and using EXIT POLLS to bolster their own agenda, while all the time repeatedly stating that “Rules are Rules.”
3. The “Bully pulpit tactics” used on anyone to do with Hillary’s campaign
4. Hipocracy of DNC failing to count all votes; when that was their mantra in 2000, I am now 1/2 a person, just call me Jane Crow.
5. The sexism and misogyny piled on and piled onto Hillary, and through her on us, by pundits, politicians, and Obama supporters – pure hatred that will not be forgotten.
6. Obama does not share my values, is not patriotic, and has used Chicago style politics to steal the nomination – with the entire Democratic Party and DNC aiding and abetting.The only thing Chicago style that I like is my pizza.
Christine
this is too long. editing suggestions appreciated. i’ll send this tonight. i’m disabled and too tired to edit now. thanks to the ppl here for being here.
“No self-respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a Party that ignores her sex.” — Susan B. Anthony
Dr. Dean:
It is with much sadness that I inform you that I am no longer a Democrat. I am leaving the party because of the manner in which the past primary season was conducted. First and foremost, I have been a loyal and staunch supporter of the Democratic Party for thirty years. I was proud of the party when both a woman and an African American were among the candidates for President of the United States. However, over the past year I have watched this party dissolve into one of the most corrupt, hateful, divisive parties I’ve ever seen.
I’m a lifelong Democrat and have never in my life been so ashamed of this party. I watched in horror as Chicago machine-style politics were used to win elections: the intimidation at the caucuses, the false news (e.g.,the AP’s story that Clinton was conceding) and other tactics designed to drive down voter turnout, the “Dem for a Day” efforts, the failure to check IDs or make reasonable efforts to ensure that caucus attendees were eligible to vote in that caucus, the reports of black superdelegates being bribed or threatened, and other fraudulent practices. I am still angry and dismayed that these corrupt practices have been implicitly sanctioned by the DNC. I was appalled (and emailed the DNC in Jan and Feb to say so) that the DNC was disenfranchising voters in FL and MI. I thought we were the party of the people, the party that wanted every vote and voter to count. The backroom deal presented at the Rules and Bylaws Committee hearing on May 31st undermined every principle that I thought the Democratic Party stood for: one person, one vote; equality; the importance of everyone, including the powerless, to our country and our party; inclusiveness; openness and transparancy; and fundamental fairness. The DNC has betrayed the Democrats and it has betrayed democracy. If we allow such tactics to succeed, they will become the pattern in future elections. I will do everything in my power to ensure that does not happen.
I have never felt this way about any campaign–that the soul of the Democratic Party and, indeed, the soul of this country is at stake. I fear that this soul will be lost through what a once a great party, my party, has allowed and thereby sanctioned and encouraged during this campaign: the amoral cheating; the bullying; the intimidation of honest people who tried to participate in caucuses; the threatening of black leaders who were brave enough to support Clinton; the facile destruction of the Clintons and their decades-long service to America and the Democratic Party; the cavalier disenfranchisement of millions of dedicated voters. The corruption of the Democratic Party has saddened me beyond measure. I’m sick and I’m sad. But I know that I must fight against this corruption and hatred.
As dismayed as I am by the corruption, I’m even more estranged by the contempt that the Democrats have shown large segments of their base – and of America – during this campaign. The DNC and the Obama campaign have shown that women, the poor, the less educated, and the elderly are not important to the Democratic Party. As a disabled Hispanic woman, I feel betrayed by the hateful and misogynistic attacks upon Hillary and, by extension, all women by Barak Obama, his campaign staff, his supporters, and the MSM. I feel betrayed by the DNC’s implicit sanction of such vile behavior through its deafening silence in the face of such invidious, incessant attacks. I feel as if the DNC has dismissed my years of work for the Democratic Party simply because I’m a woman who has never had a powerful or authoritative position within the Party. But then I look at Hillary and see how they have treated her after her decades of service to the Democratic Party and America and know that I’ve been dismissed simply because I’m a woman. The Obama campaign’s attacks on those with less education or less money, Hispanics, and older Americans were met with similar silence.
The hatred, the invective, the absolute wish to destroy Hillary Clinton by many Obama supporters, members of the MSM, and many Democrats is appalling. Until this campaign, I have never seen anything like what I routinely see in the MSM. Until this campaign, I have never seen anything like I routinely read on blogs or on Obama’s official website. Until this campaign, I have never seen or anything like this from any campaign for any office, much less from a campaign for POTUS. When I read some of the stories or the posted comments on DKos, HuffPO, and other blogs, I am horrified at the levels of hatred expressed. This is the stuff of nightmares. I don’t know what Freudian monsters have been unleashed, but I am frightened for our party and our country when I see that much of Obama’s support is built on hatred of women, mothers, wives, intelligence, and older people, all of which is expressed by the Obama supporters in their vile screeds. The hatred is concentrated on Senator Clinton, but is also directed at her supporters as well as females in general, the less educated, the poor, the elderly, whites, and rural voters. Obama could have renounced the misogyny and sexism but he didn’t. He chose to fuel the flames of misogyny because that misogyny was driving his supporters. He could have tried to unite America instead of encouraging his supporters to hate anyone not like themselves. I could never vote for a candidate who calculatedly unleashes such hatred, and then pretends that he is the person to heal it.
The DNC and the Democratic leadership have encouraged this vicious misogyny and hatred by their silence. The MSM and the Obama campaign have, correctly in my opinion, interpreted that silence as an implicit sanction and endorsement of their hatred. I’ve been outraged at the treatment of Clinton by the MSM, the Obama campaign, and the blogs. But what is most disturbing is how the Democratic Party has stood by and allowed the dishonest and degrading attacks on Hillary to continue, thereby encouraging them. The Democratic Party benefited enormously from the Clinton administration, including the accomplishments of one of the most activist, hardworking First Ladies in our history. Bill and Hillary Clinton have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to civil rights and human rights, a commitment that benefited the Democratic Party and America enormously. Hillary Clinton has devoted her adult life to serving others: she worked to impeach Nixon, she worked tirelessly on behalf of children and programs that would benefit them, she was distinguished First Lady who stood up for peace and human rights all over the world, she helped her colleagues pass legislation and win races in their own states, she fought for all of our rights. She has be ravaged not just by the media but by her own Democratic Party. Instead of defending the Clintons against vicious, calculating, untrue attacks, the Democratic Party repaid the Clintons’ service by encouraging those attacks. The Democrats are no longer the party that stands for fairness, justice and equality for all. They are no longer the party that values every American – male or female; rich or poor; black, brown, red, yellow, or white; educated or uneducated. They are the party of George Soros and company. Only the rich or charismatic need apply.
The DNC’s abysmal behavior during this primary season has shown us that, if democracy is to survive and continue to have any meaning, we must fight the DNC and the Democratic Party itself. We must fight their disenfrachisement. We must fight their unwillingness to monitor the caucuses or stop the intimidation of potential voters. We must fight their unwillingness to condemn what is essentially ballot-box stuffing by: (1) materials that encouraged people who have no intention of supporting Obama in the GE to vote in caucuses (e.g., the scan of a campaign poster for “Dem for a Day” at No Quarter) and (2) encouraging and enabling ineligible voters to vote for any candidate. We must fight against their refusal to condemn the voter suppression efforts of at least one Democratic candidate for POTUS. We must fight against their support and encouragement of discrimination against various groups by refusing, in a timely and forceful manner, to condemn sexism, ageism, homophobia, or classism. Finally, we must fight against their blatant disregard of the actual vote in MI in order to “unify the party” rather
than reflect the actual wishes of the voters. This election has become much bigger than a fight to support our chosen candidate, it is a fight now to keep Democracy in America. If we fall in line and vote for Obama in the GE then we are telling the Democratic Party that is acceptable to us to do anything they want and be just as dirty or dirtier than the GOP. If we fall in line and vote for Obama, we’re endorsing corrupt, machine-style politics (as well as misogyny, classism, ageism, homophobia and other tactics) that pervaded the BO campaign. We’re endorsing the backroom deals of the DNC. If those corrupt tactics win, they will become the norm in future elections. They’ll be used widely by both the Democrats and the Repuplicans. Then our vote won’t mean anything. Unless we are very rich, we will have no voice in our party or our country. We will have no way to influence our leaders or make our voices heard. It’s more important to protect our right to vote in a fair election than to sacrifice it for any party, issue, or candidate. If our party and our electoral processes are corrupt, we will lose all power over all future candidates and all issues. We can’t let that happen.
sassy
“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.” Abraham Lincoln
Dear Dr. Dean,
As with 2000 and 2004, i am protesting the 2008 Presidential Election as a complete fraud. We are UNITING Political action committees and are organizing to urge Hillary Clinton to take her nomination fight on to the Democratic National Convention in Denver in late August. Many of us are now withdrawing membership in the Democratic Party and re-registering as Independents, requesting refunds for contributions made to the DNC, and reaching “Unfaithful Superdelegates” whose constituents voted for Clinton, but nonetheless have, for now, committed to Barack Obam, this is CHANGE! We are circulating petitions to encourage Clinton to continue the nomination fight, and ask you to do the right thing and resign from your position with the corrupt DNC.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr. & Mrs. John Desiderio & Family
Brooklyn, NY
Puma Democrat
Here’s a great EASY website where you can send your letter to the superdelegates in YOUR state. I just sent my letter to each one of them (those for Hillary, Obama and the undecided).
*** Make sure you copy your text, in order to paste each time (Hillary’s, Obama’s & Undecided)
Select “EMAIL”-> it’s free!!
NOTE: When you click “Preview” and it does NOT work, look into your info. field, if you see a red star it’s because you forgot to select a state or your info.
Once you “preview” the letters GO to the BOTTOM of the page to click SEND. Then GO BACK and paste for Obama’s…
http://www.lobbydelegates.com/Delegates.aspx?vSto=C&stateid=34&stateName=Pennsylvania
This is another way to make waves. Keep it positive!
GO PUMAs!
Dear Dr. Dean,
We are protesting this election due to corruption at the DNC; they have selected the candidate they wanted, Barack Obama, despite the will of the voters, who wanted Hillary Clinton as evidenced by her greater popular vote total, by the fact she won most of the primaries — Obama won caucus states, which are not reflective of the will of the people, including quite a number of Republican caucus states which will never vote for him in the fall — and the fact that she won the big states and swing states necessary to win in the fall via the Electoral College.
We feel that any nominee who must be carried, limping, across the finish line due to the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee giving him 55 Uncommitted MI delegates despite his name not being on the ballot and 4 of Mrs. Clinton’s fairly earned delegates (because she, not being a political rookie, kept her name on that ballot), is not a legitimate nominee, and he is one we can never support.
Sincerely,
Barb C. and Diane H., Racine, WI
Puma Democrats
Dr. Dean:
I am writing this letter to inform you that because of the May 31, actions by you and the DNC that I will I am no longer affiliated with the democratic party and am now a registered ‘unaffiliated’.
The reasons for this should be quite obvious to anyone but considering your position I will explain it to you.
I will not ever support a candidate simply because someone tells me to.
I will not support a candidate that has no experience whatsoever.
I will not support a candidate who calls our men and women in uniform ‘terrorists’.
I will not support a candidate who has been a member of a racist church, until it suited him not to be.
I will not support a candidate who is willing to hold talks with terrorists, no guidelines.
I will not support a candidate that has kept company with the likes of Resko, Wright, Ayers, etc. etc. etc.
I will not, I repeat, I will not support a candidate that ridicules women, the working class, and the poor.
I will not support a candidate that did not win the popular vote.
I will not support a candidate because Dr. Dean and the DNC tell me to.
My support and loyalty lie with Hillary and only Hillary, and if the DNC comes to their collective senses in November and nominate Hillary, I will vote democrat, If not I will vote for McCain.
I am aware that if I write In Hillary’s name, that in some states that is simply a vote of protest and BO would still get my vote. I will vote McCain so there is no way possible that BO will get my vote.
You and the DNC made your beds, we will not be re-electing any of you who supported BO, we are strong and our voices and votes will be heard, we are 18 million strong!
Belinda
Iron County, Utah
Puma Democrat
Great letter DaddysDarlin.
Everyone — the letters are wonderful. Thank you to all who have taken the time to think, write, and post them here. they are a testament to our integrity and our commitment democracy.
I spoke with a man in Dean’s office today, who proceeded to argue with me on every point I made. I finally told the idiot to just let Gov. Genius Dean know there would be NO PARTY UNITY and to stop perpetrating this blatant falsehood. The guy thanked me for my “concern”. He’s the one who should be concerned…. about Nov. 4th!
Sassysenora – what a great letter. This is another example of what we need to publicize so that people who don’t have computers/internet access, etc. know what we are doing. I’ve seen lots and lots of talk about doing things but let’s make sure that this is not thousands of people going in every direction like dogs chasing their tails and accomplishing nothing in the process.
Dr. Howard Dean,
I am one of many long-time Democrats who is apalled and disappointed at the way Hillary was disrespected and pushed out of the race by Obama people, the hostile and sexist media and the big money interests. Hillary is the candidate I voted for, she legitimately won the candidacy , and she should be our 44th President! I will no longer support DNC for selling us out for half a vote in Rules & By-Laws committee , and will vote Republican in November, as I will never vote for any candidate who was soaking up the hate rethoric for over 20 years!
I agree, great letter DaddysDarlin (posting #536). I do not think I could have said it any better than you did! Great job.
I still cannot believe how the DNC did what they did and there is not a bigger “outcry” about what they did. But then again, the way the Media positions all that happened, unless you watched everything that happened, you could easily miss the full story. You would not learn it through the media channels. (they only provide their side of the story) Then, to add insult to injury after last Tuesday’s primaries, those same folks, pressured Hillary to “step” down so that they can “unite” the party.
Why do I protest the current presidential election process:
The unbelievable, enormously biased media and their continued misrepresentation of facts
The DNC and the way they assign delegates to people not on the ballet
The DNC and the people who pressure Hillary to give up the race (even though she has continued to win in popular vote)
The “strange counting” of delegates versus popular vote
The caucus process – you are pressured to vote by intimidation (in ballets you can vote as you like without others being “privy” to your interests and cannot influence you on your decisions
Even if I do not have issue with the “process” still there are plenty of reasons why I would not vote for Obama…
Dr. Dean,
Dr. Dean,
Hillary Clinton 17,673,329 (50.45%)
Barack Obama 17,355,652 (49.55%)
DO WE GO WITH LEGITIMATE VOTES AND DEMOCRACY, OR WITH
CORRUPT CAUCUSES AND DISPROPORTIONATE DELEGATES ?
PELOSI SAYS GO WITH THE WILL OF PEOPLE.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE GO WITH THE PEOPLE’S VOTES, DOESN’T IT?
John & Gail York
Palm Beach FL 33480
why does my letter #481 not belong? have I done something wrong? I was only trying to help. Take it out if you have to. I feel terrible.
Reading all these letters is a great way to get moving.
I kind of feel bad all I said in my letter was NO more money, NO more support I am now an indy voter and I pasted and copied my receipt for the the donation I sent to McCain.
You guys are great!
Dr. Dean,
I just made my first donation to PUMA and it felt great! I have been a lifelong Democrat and would like you to know that the reason I will NEVER VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA is that this individual has absolutely no credentials to be POTUS…except that you, Donna Brazile, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy decided it must be so.
Shame on you. This country deserves so much better.
My husband, my daughter and I reject your decision.
We are now PROUD PUMA DEMOCRATS!
Marsha, Peter and Lisa
Puma….er, I mean Pima County, Arizona
PROUD PUMA DEMOCRATs
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am shocked at the fact that not once did you speak out against the blatant sexism that went on during this campaign. As a result of that I will be registering as an independent and will not be supporting the DNC again. To speak about it after Hillary took herself out of the race was unacceptable. It was insulting to all the women who vote and are part of the electorate in this country.
Sincerely,
Felix
Connecticut
Dear Dr. Dean,
I will not be voting for the anti-American, anti-semitic, manipulating pretender you and the party leaders selected to be our nominee.
I have been a Democrat for 35 years. I have raised funds for many prominent Arizona Dems and served as a precint chair. I will now be changing parties. Never in my life would I expect to see the Democratic Party nominate a hate-filled bigot who openly surrounds himself with the worst dregs of society. It breaks my heart to see such a person taken seriously let alone nominated. The general public didn’t know what you and other leaders had to know about this man. Rev. Wright is apparently well known to Dems. Why wasn’t he vetted before the mania set in?
Barack Obama has done more to divide this country racially than any hoard of clansmen could ever dream.
Thank God for McCain, a true American hero. No, I wasn’t going to vote for him if Hillary was allowed to take her rightful nomination.
Julie
Tucson, AZ
JAVA..NOT SURE WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO, BUT YOUR LETTER LOOKED OK TO ME. YOU HAVE A VOICE TOO AND WHAT YOU SAID WAS FROM THE HEART.
Dear Doctor Dean;
I have been removing my name from all of your letters and fundmailing lists because I cannot give to a party that calls itself democratic but does not behave that way. I cannot believe that a candidate who voluntarily removed his name from a ballot not only received pledge delegates from that election, but was given delegates based on votes given to another candidate.
Additionally, I know folks that were bullied, threatened, and basically told their votes would not count and heavily weighted caucuses. Two of those were my 18 and 25 year old daughters. You have made a complete mockery of this primary (sic) season.
I will not vote for the selected Democratic nominee this year under ANY circumstances. Coronations are not relevant in democracies. You and the DNC have given us yet another irrelevant and unelectable nominee (sic). I will not vote for Senator Obama. He is completely unfit to hold the office. His associations are specious. His accomplishments are few. He gets his positions in manners that have nothing to do with brains, achievements, or talent. You’ve managed to completely turn this party into a sham and I ask you to resign.
Felix, fabulous. Great letter.
Dr. Dean:
I would like to take this opportunity to ask you how it feels to preside over the biggest political disaster I’ve ever witnessed in a presidential election? I’ve been voting since 1968 Dr. Dean, so my memory of these things is longer than most.
I’d also like to know how the DNC managed to co-opt the promotional services of MSNBC/NBC/CNN for YOUR total, in the tank, sellout to Barack Obama?
Perhaps, at the convention, you might consider changing the name of the your party from the Democratic Party to the Autocratic Party since Democracy died on the weekend the DNC Rules Committee decided to select our presidential
candidate.
Will Rodgers once said “I am not a member of any organized party — I am a Democrat” and it only took me 40 years to realize that what Will Rodgers said 70 years ago is spot-on!
So Dr. Dean this one time Democrat wants to say thank you for opening my eyes to the lunacy and hypocrisy of the DNC and it’s leadership. Prepare sir to be defeated!
Dear Dr. Dean
In writing this letter, I am notifying you that I will NOT be voting for Barak Obama. It is very apparent that this election was “fixed”. The Democractic Party has developed rules to disinfranchise voters in two states, then gave actual pledged delegates of one candidate to the other candidate.
The DNC was on a mission to get their choice nominated without the will of the people. I have voted straight Democratic ticket for 20 years, I have worked on several election campaigns from Clinton, Gore, and Kerry. The DNC is no longer the peoples process, but is the anointing process of the DNC and the Super Delegates.
Special Interest groups should not be disapportioned on the DNC Committee. I did not see one Hispanice. When Donna Brazilie talks about equality issues, she needs to look right at the Board. This was not a good judgement or fair hearing. I fully disrespect this body!
I will not be voting for Obama, but rather this year my choice is John McCain. I am tired of the corruption. I did not leave my party, it left me!
Pam
Pima County, Tucson, AZ
PUMA Democrat
dr dean
i am a registered independent who has always voted dem .
this year is the first time i was inspired to actually campain for my canidate ,and to donate to my canidate of choice .
i am writing to you to express my disapointment in the way you and the dnc have chosen to sit by and let senator clinton be degraded and lied about by a member of her own party to whom she has always been loyal , even when sen obama circulated false information for the second time during the primary after the record had been set straight on hillary’s health care proposal .
i could go on all day but the fact is you all know what was done and so do 18 million of us .
so i cannot support senator obama and the bitterness i feel will not be going away by november .
i will not vote for your selected canidate and i cannot beleive you have chosen to do to us what george and jeb bush did to us in 2000
todd
taunton mass
puma democrat
dr dean: well golly heck…just a dumb little woman here, who’s supposed to fall in line with your plans to exclude the clintons, especially hillary, from the dnc…think y’all decided early on to make obama, by hook or crook, YOUR CHOSEN CANDIDATE…l feel no further need to educate you re what l intend to do about it…everything l can! THE DNC PARTY’S SOOOO OVER!!! wait and see….
To the DNC,
My husband and I will not be casting a vote for Obama. We will not vote for someone who is incompetent and unqualified to be president of the USA.
Based on Obama’s past and present associates the FBI/CIA would disqualify him for employment. So what qualifies him to serve in the highest position in the world.
In regard to the DNC as a whole, the audasity to disenfrancise voters, force a candidate down our throats and support media sexism and degradation of a great political family is appalling.
We pray a strong third party will be established that will represent the values of its members and reclaim our country for the people and by the people.
The DNC violated core democratic principles listed below.
You chucked these 10 principles because you saw a list of names who could donate money and your eyes got big:
1. Loyalty to the Elderly and Working Class – the Democrats displayed no loyalty to the elderly and longtime party activists. All these new donors and young voters show up out of nowhere, got their way because they had the money and the muscle. The caucus system amplified this.
2. Voting – Dean screwed up Michigan and Florida when he gave both candidates full veto power over revote plans. Because of this, either Hillary or Obama would be seen as illegitimate nominees. Dean abdicated his responsibility and pandered to Obama.
3. Love of America, and Vetting – Not only is Obama THE LEAST EXPERIENCED NOMINEE IN HISTORY, he has a few crazy preachers and a lot of sleazy Chicago friends (William Ayers is the one that bothers me the most, and what I hate about the left – so what if he bombed his own country, he’s smart and rich!) Those college kids would have been just as excited if Obama were a veep. The Democratic party could have elected the first woman president AND the first African American president. Now we may have neither. He is the LEAST EXPERIENCED NOMINEE IN HISTORY. Abraham Lincoln tried 400 cases before the state supreme court. Lincoln was elected Whig Party Leader in the state legislature. JFK saved his crew from a sinking PT Boat. What has Obama done, other than be biracial? He published no papers while editor of Harvard Law Review. What has he done on behalf of others? What has he done for African Americans?
4. Fairness, Impartiality, Nancy Pelosi – from late February on, convention chair Nancy Pelosi was vocal in support of Obama over Hillary. See the New Republic article on Pelosi for concrete examples.
5. Elitist Superdelegates – if you want to use superdelegates, fine. But please make a rule that they cannot disclose their preference until all the primaries are complete. The superdelegates continually overruled the votes of their own constituents: Kerry, Kennedy, Patrick, Byrd, the list goes on. Elitism is supposed to be a Republican party value.
6. Equal Opportunity, and Breaking through Barriers – if Pelosi and Dean wanted to side with Obama, fine. But they now want to deny an historic first convention ballot to the first female candidate to get this far? Where was Pelosi defending Hillary from the sexism in the media? Even if Pelosi doesn’t like Hillary she could still give her recognition or provide insight on talk shows that women are scrutinized for things men are not: wardrobe, voice pitch, etc. And why does Nancy Pelosi hate Jane Harman? Isn’t it time to restore Harman’s position on the Intelligence Committee?
7. Loyalty to the Clintons – you didn’t have to GIVE Hillary the nomination. But you could have stepped up and defended this great American couple who have done a lot of good things for this party and this country. You know how many people from around the world were rooting for Hillary Clinton? Jimmy Carter is not revered to the degree Hillary or Bill Clinton are. Bill Clinton is the only Democratic president elected to two terms in my lifetime.
8. Freedom to Disagree – what is with the coersion in the unity talk? Are we the Kim Johg Il party now? If you have to use the word “unity” all the time, it’s a sign you’re in trouble.
9. Participatory Democracy – in the Democratic party, people are encouraged NOT to run for office (see the Texas Democratic Party state chair story in the Houston Chronicle.) Or if you’re running, you’re encouraged to drop out before someone’s clinched the nomination. We are now the party of entitled princes, not wanting to be marred by opponents. A meritocracy we are not.
10. 50 State Strategy – Michigan and Florida. Dean punted the revote plan and really really blew it. Really blew it bad.
Had this been a landslide primary victory on Obama’s part, these core Democratic party principal violations would not sting so badly. But he did not, in fact he weakened toward the end. And had you handled revotes in Michigan and Florida with competence and fairness, (by the time the Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting rolled around, it was too late) we would not be in this mess.
But instead we nominated the LEAST EXPERIENCED NOMINEE IN HISTORY. A man who NEVER PAID HIS DUES to this country or to this party or to the people who make up the base of this party. He’s never done anything for African Americans. And you did it ALL FOR MONEY. MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY. DONOR LISTS DONOR LISTS DONOR LISTS DONOR LISTS.
You revealed to the base of this party that you stab people in the back. You show off not by standing up to Republicans, but by standing up and beating on Democrats (Nancy Pelosi – that was directed at you.)
Republicans are too loyal, loyal to a fault and follow each other off a cliff. But the William Ayers Democratic Party has the loyalty of a mercenary Blackwater soldier – for sale to the highest bidder.
Obama may list Democratic policy positions on his website, but the way he talks about healthcare and Social Security, I’m not sure if he’s a real Democrat. I cannot discern a foreign policy theme or philosophy with Obama, other than we should start apologizing to every other country for being America.
I’ve always admired Teddy Roosevelt and my vote in November will go to another TR admirer, John McCain.
Alison F
San Francisco, CA
PUMA Democrat
Democrats for 50 years, we now will register as Independents. We cannot and will not support an individual proclaiming victory when the nomination has not been earned. I could go on and on but the reasons have been stated by so many others that it would only be redundant. It is so encouraging to see so many others getting involved and maybe with enough action the DNC may take notice before the convention in Denver. We are not only switching our party registration but have managed to collect 25 others and counting. I would encourage for all disenfranchised democrats across our great nation to get out, register as Independent and do it soon in hopes that Washington hears our message loud and clear!
Thank you for the site and the hope you have provided!
Edward, Rosanna and Caleb
Central California
puma dems
Thank you CTKEY. I am new to this and don’t want to do anything wrong. I want to do anything I can to help.
Dear Dr. Dean: I no longer consider myself to be a Democrat. My party would not disenfranchise voters. My party would not SELECT a candidate over the will of the voters. My party would not stand silent while an accomplished, intelligent, hard-working Democratic Senator is pummeled by the media and the Obama campaign with vile, misogynistic, demeaning insults. Your silence spoke volumes. I will take back my party and that means NOT voting for the SELECTED candidate. We tried to warn you but you would not listen. PUMA!!
I have been a registered Democrat for 23 years. I am a male. I come from a blue-collar working class family in Ohio. Although I have live in Los Angeles for nearly 20 years, my roots run strong through me. After the unscrupulous and repulsive action taken by the DNC on behalf of your ‘Selectee’, Barack Hussein Obama, I have re-registered as an Independent. Additionally, I have been pivotal in re-registering approximately 40 friends and co-workers in Los Angeles along with my entire family in Ohio (nearly 70 strong). Ohio is a swing state, after all. I never thought the Democratic Party would stoop to Republican levels. Congratulations! I will be voting Republican in the fall – because I would rather see John McCain running the country than Barack Hussein Elitist Marxist Obama. Never surrender. Never Obama.
Dear Dr. Dean,
The DNC and Democrat Elites stood by while our ex-president was thrown under the bus. Let’s endeavor to be a little more loyal to people that have contributed so much for the Democratic party.
Democrats should NOT allow the Media to choose our nominees. When millions of people rely on the 4th estate, perhaps you should have lead the battle cry for a level playing field.
You of all people should know.
Just before voting for you in 2004, I left the Democratic party to become an Independant.
Alex
Boston
Indy Puma
Dr. Dean,
I am writing in protest of the 2008 general election. No sir, I will not be falling in line to vote for your selected and least qualified nominee. I have no problem voting for an African Amercan, but the one that you have pushed down our throats will never get my vote. In fact, for the first time in 30 years, I’ll be voting a Republican straight ticket. This is something I have never dreamed of doing, but then again, I also never dreamed that I would witness the disgraceful practices that have taken place throughout this primary season. Without question, the Democratic Party no longer represents my values, beliefs, or democracy.
I have sat back and watched the most qualified candidate that we’ve ever had, Hillary Rodham Clinton, being treated like a 2nd class citizen, while you and your cohorts allowed it to happen. That sir, was a very big mistake on your part. You see, every single thing that was done to her, was also done to all of her supporters. We are the roots of the great mighty oak, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and we felt every blow.
I am only one of the 18 million who you’ve chosen to ignore and also treat as 2nd class citizens. Many of us will never forget this and the votes that we cast in November will reflect our refusal of this disrespect. I’d also like to remind you there are many who voted for your “favorite” who are now wishing for a refund. No doubt they will correct their poor judgement in November as well. You can ignore us now, but our voices will be eventually be heard.
When I compare the two candidates for the general election, I only see one who is honorable enough to lead this nation. His name is John McCain. He would not be my first choice, but at least he has the wisdom to not bite the hand that feeds him. I hope that one day, you and your comrades within the Democratic Party, will develop that same wisdom.
Jean
Chatham County, NC
PUMA X-Democrat
Murphy,
Could you fix the last sentence of the 3rd paragraph of #562. Too many “bes”. Thanks.
Dr. Dean,
It was always an article of faith with me that we were safer with the Democrats. Eight years of George W. Bush convinced me I was absolutely right.
No more.
I have watched dumbfounded as the DNC disenfranchised two states, gave 59 delegates to a candidate when those voters did not vote for him and reduced 2.3 million Americans to 1/2 citizen status. If Michigan and Florida had been seated based on FULL citizenship as the voters voted then Sen. Clinton would be leading in both the VOTE and DELEGATES. But the fix was in long ago, wasn’t it?
In 2000 I watched in horror as the Supreme Court selected an incompetent and dangerous man and installed him in the White House. On May 31st I watched in horror as the DNC installed an incompetent and dangerous man as my party’s nominee for President. Now I am expected to get in line and support him.
No more.
I have never voted for a Republican. So great was my distaste (quite honestly hatred) for George W. Bush that I donated nearly $2,000 to John Kerry in 2004.
No more.
You have opened my eyes and my mind. I no longer view the Democrats as the compassionate party. You are every bit as thuggish and corrupt as the Republicans. Thankfully GW Bush is not running this year and so, for the first time in my life (and I’m 45 years old) I will hold my nose and vote for the Republican and my conscience will be clear.
Sandra
Oakland, California
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
I have faithfully voted Democratic for the last 24 years ever since I could vote. Through thick and thin, good candidates and bad I voted that way because the Democratic party was about fairness and respecting the rights of all people. After the sham that was the primary in Michigan and Florida, the rules committee decision, and the calls for Hillary Clinton to quit as no one else has ever been asked by leaders in the DNC, I truly don’t believe fairness and respecting voters rights are part of the Democratic party way. It’s undemocratic and it’s unAmerican and I can’t be a part of a party that conducts itself in that manner. Because of that, I am now an Independent and the DNC will no longer receive my support.
Elizabeth Henderson
Michigan
New Independent/PUMA Democrat
For the Trinity church to express racial grievances is fine. For Trinity pastors to trash talk from the pulpit is fine. For Wright to use the pulpit to insult President Clinton AND Senator Clinton, two great loyal Democrats, is the choice of the Pastor Wright and Trinity United.
But for the DNC to REMAIN SILENT, for Senator Obama to NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE that Obama’s spiritual advisor — Wright, the man who gave Obama the title of his own memoir — insulted Hillary from the pulpit, insulted Bill from the pulpit, for Senator Obama to fail to acknowledge Pfleger insulted Hillary from the pulpit, is inexcusable. For Obama to quit his church but say “I will not denounce my church because there is nothing worth denouncing” — not even the tasteless insults of a public servant and fellow Democratic senator, not even the tasteless insults of a United States President — means Obama is not fit for office. And it means I do not want to be in a party that neither denounces nor rejects the tasteless insults thrown at Bill and Hillary Clinton from the pulpit of a house of worship.
And – if Obama were to apologize now, it will be too late. He didn’t get it. He didn’t understand why he should apologize for the behavior of his spiritual mentor. But Obama should still apologize.
And I have championed racial diversity my entire life, so do not write off this complaint as if I were some uneducated racist hick.
Alison F
San Francisco, CA
PUMA Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
I have been a lifelong Democrat. I grew up in house where FDR was worshipped. I began volunteering as a kid–for Eugene McCarthy. I have participated in every election since. I am also a lawyer and have volunteered to protect voters rights locally and worked for Move On in Pa in 2004. There are my liberal bona fides. I am so appalled by the “selection” of Barack Obama by the DNC insiders–it goes against everything I have worked for. This is the man who got his start by disqualifying the signatures of minority voters to get rid of his opposition. It doesn’t get much lower. Obama is a complete phony–change Washington–who are you kidding? Great start on the VP search head–the ultimate DC insider with Fannie Mae graft to boot. Maybe I have been a fool for years, but it’s all over now. I will not donate another hour or another dime. My only consolation is that the DNC has picked another sure loser. Good job of alienating your loyal base and betraying the legacy of the only 2 term Democratic president since FDR.
SAM, NY, NY
I will be taking many measures following the undemocratic nomination of Barack Obama. 1) I will change my party affiliation to Independent after August. 2) I will vote for McCain over Obama in the GE. 3) I will see to it that Dean, Pelosi, and company are not re-elected.
To give a candidate votes AND delegates he never earned is absolutely ludicrous! The Undemocratic Party low-balled Hillary Clinton in every way possible.
Remember when you were upset when Gore lost to Bush in 2000? You all felt he should win since he had the most votes. Hillary Clinton has won the popular vote. What are you doing about it? You are shunning her and the 18+ million individuals who have voted for her.
I am only one of 18+ million who has been rendered invisible thanks to the Democratic Party. This party has become such a shameful bunch of power-hungry and corrupt hypocrites. I will not associate myself with such an embarrassment. McCain will have my vote, and I hope the Democrats lose the GE. Maybe this will teach you a lesson about putting your country and its people before money and power.
Dear Dr. Dean,
As a native Floridian, the first presidential election in which I was able to vote was 2000. I voted for Al Gore. When the hanging chads had cleared, I had a gut-level certainty that the Republicans had robbed us with voting shenanigans.
The second presidential election in which I was able to vote was 2004. My father, an active Republican, didn’t speak to me for weeks leading up to the election when I told him I would be voting for John Kerry. That’s the value of a Florida vote in my family. Again, at the end of the election, I felt that the Republicans had robbed us with well-placed anti-gay marriage questions and voting shenanigans.
After both elections, I looked forward to the day when Democrats would be in power and would protect my vote and the votes of other Democrats, especially those in predominately “non-white” districts.
I live in Massachusetts now. A 28-year-old, I began this election supporting Sen. Obama, giving him the benefit of the doubt regarding his relative lack of national experience. Yes, he had barely a year in the Senate when I watched him announce his candidacy in Springfield, but I liked his personality. I believed in his intelligence and his message. I also believed in the fundamental value of having an African-American president.
But it became apparent to me, watching that debates, that Sen. Clinton was more knowledgeable. Though I still respected and admired Sen. Obama, I came to support Sen. Clinton as my choice in the primary.
It was when Sen. Obama blocked a party-approved re-vote in Michigan — by not returning the state legislature’s calls and going on vacation — that I saw a different side to him. A side Alice Palmer saw in Chicago. His lack of support of a Florida re-vote also spoke volumes to me. It seems that a man who proclaims to champion the politics of hope and change would go first to the state where Republicans pillaged the electorate to realize a second Bush presidency in 2000 — even if it meant he might lose that state. And yet he turned his back and pretended Floridians weren’t talking to him.
Your silent stance on this issue also spoke volumes.
As did pressure from the party leadership on Sen. Clinton to end her campaign before the primaries had finished, especially when the race was so close. Tell me something, Dr. Dean, why would you punish states for moving their primaries up, then act as though later primaries, whose dates you approved, were inconsequential?
It seems you have, despite your insistence that you were only following rules, bent and even broken the rules to satisfy your agenda.
You punished Florida and Michigan for changing their primaries, but not Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire, which also changed their primaries.
And then, of course, there was the sexism in the media. You know what it was; I don’t need to link clips here. That was adding insult to injury, and yet so few Democrats came out against it.
I reject the silence. I reject the double standard and double talk. There is much at stake this fall, but the issues that have currently set me in opposition to the Democratic Party are more important to me than a four-term presidency.
I will not vote for Sen. Obama. At this time, I intend to vote for Cynthia McKinney.
What’s more, I will not support the future candidacies of leaders in my state who supported Sen. Obama, even though Massachusetts went soundly for Sen. Clinton.
I am resolute. I am angry. I am defiant.
I resent being put in this position. I am un-registering as a Democrat.
No candidacy, no matter how historic, is worth compromising the most fundamental value of democracy — respecting and protecting the rights of the voters.
Respectfully,
Marli
Nantucket, Nantucket County, MA
PUMA Democrat
Oops…add my information to my last post please:
Alyssa of Shawnee Mission, KS
Dear Dr. Dean, or is it Chairman Dean, Chancellor Dean, or Dean the Duplicitous?
Congratulations on your supposed laissez faire handling of the DNC. We know you’ve been pushing Obama since 2004. To what end we cannot fathom. Is it some sick joke you’re pulling in vengeance because you didn’t get the party’s backing after the Yeehaaaw incident? Is it because you really want the Republicans back in the White House? Or is it because you are really a powerless hack who doesn’t value the most basic of American values, franchise? I suspect that it’s a little potpourri. In any case, I will not support a candidate that was selected by the RBC. The DNC’s rejection of fair reflection makes the Democratic Party completely and totally illegitimate, as does its attempting to nominate the candidate that doesn’t have the support of the majority of party voters, as reflected in the popular vote totals. The duplicity and downright fraudulence of the 2008 primaries is so deep and so vast that I might miss my birthday…next year…by trying to lay it all out for you. Suffice it to say that I will continue to support my candidate for President, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Obama is a fraud pretender who, if he had one original thought beyond his sociopathic tendency to cast aside anyone he’s done using, including his typical white grandmother, his head might implode. Way to go Howard. Your lunacy has killed the Democratic Party. Can we put a bow on that for the Republicans please? Ya know, the kind that they put on at your Lexus dealership.
PS Coming out and admitting there was blatant sexism against Senator Clinton, after the primaries are over, only makes you look like a bigger ass than you already are. Way to go moron.
Oops, forgot to mention that I’m Shtuey from North Carolina and a PUMA for life!
Dear Mr. Dean
I am a 35 year old Jewish-Latina woman (white collar, multiple degrees) who has voted Democrat my entire life but plan on leaving the Democratic party this year due to the party’s recklessness and departure from its core values.
After withstanding abusive treatment and harassment by Obama supporters for months, witnessing the dangerous convergence of unscrupulous media support of Obama and the abuse of the “race card”, the sexist treatment of Senator Clinton by media and party members, and the disenfranchisement of voters (not only in Florida and Michigan, but also in the frustrating caucuses which discriminate against the elderly, the infirm, single mothers, rural residents, and just about anyone who has a job)…..I’ve decided enough is enough. The party’s decision to back a man who by his own admission is not good with deadlines or paperwork, whose greatest talent is giving great (plagiarized) speeches that are thoroughly staged, who thinks himself the second coming of Christ, who cannot even complete a sentence when he is off-script or has not gotten enough sleep, who fabricates story after story after story, who acquaintances are criminals and supporters of terrorism, who flip-flops on an hourly basis depending on what audience he is pandering to, who is weak and naive, and who is unable to win the support of the party’s base is UTTER RECKLESSNESS and STUPIDITY.
It is insulting to my intelligence and to me personally, as a woman, that you would select a nominee with a thin resume and no experience when you have another nominee that has not only won the majority of the popular vote, but who is respected by both Democrats and Republicans alike for her command of knowledge, experience, stamina, strength, commitment, and wisdom. Step aside, woman! Nevermind that she is the qualified candidate. And the party leaders have the nerve to say that their decision to prop up Obama is not based on “race”…when Sen. Kerry himself stated that Obama’s race is what gives him credibility as a candidate!
The Democratic obsession with identity politics is dehumanizing and pathetic. Rather than deal with issues, you pigeonhole individuals into artificial categories and then tell them how they should vote based on your categorization. And now, with Obama, you are using “race” as the new packaging to sell your product.
Further, the Obama Democrats have slandered and defamed just about anyone that disagrees with Obama. Calling someone a “racist” is one of the most effective ways of chilling speech. This is the true meaning of Obama’s call for “unity”—submission, obedience, the end of debate. Similarly, the Democratic party assumes that I will submit and vote for a candidate that is totally incompetent to do the job.
I don’t believe in any of the threats the Democratic Party has made against Clinton supporters to try to make us into lemmings. (Supreme Court justice nominees? The Democratic Congress will be held accountable, not me. Roe v. Wade? If it wasn’t overturned during the Bush presidency, I don’t think it will. Environment? McCain is strong on this issue. Immigration? McCain is on the left with this issue.)
I will vote for McCain and will do everything in my power to see that he is elected. Most of my family has decided to do the same.
-Midwest Democrat (one of the small town rubes)
I will never support Barack Obama because he offended millions of Latinos by using Bill Richardson as his toy to send to Puerto Rico, apparently not knowing Mexican Americans (ie Bill Richardson) and Puerto Ricans, are not the same. Also because I was called a fag by an Obama precinct captain. And Hillary was called cunt by several Obama supporters I know. NEVER.
Hawk= Cody from Davenport, Iowa
Many decades ago, the nominee for the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate was chosen in a smoke-filled room by a large group of the party bigwigs. In the mid 1960’s the party realized that its members around the country simply didn’t have much interest in the chosen nominee since they were not involved in selecting him; thus came the notion of a primary election.
Only here we are in 2008–some forty years after the Democrats created national primaries to choose its nominee–and the DNC party bigwigs (Dean, Pelosi, Reid, Brazille, etc) decided to go back to the good old days of choosing for the rest of us! Let’s face it, these folks knew all along who they wanted as nominee…that’s why they kept telling Hillary to step down, that’s why they refused to count the votes in Florida & Michigan, that’s why they permitted all kinds of voter fraud in the caucuses, and that’s why they refused to hear fellow Democrats in Florida & Michigan begging to have their voices heard! Anything to get their precious Obama the nomination!
Well, I’ll tell you what…nothing is more frustrating than sitting on the sidelines while the rest of the country gets to participate! Now I know why the DNC party leaders changed the rules in the 1960’s to give the people a voice! Only the likes of Howard Dean and company took that away this year.
Look, as far as I’m concerned, there is only one person who can really rescue our ailing nation, and that’s Hillary Clinton. If she lost fair and square, I would say “oh well…looks like the country’s asleep at the wheel again!” But, in this case, between the biased media that sat on valuable information about Obama’s poor judgment (ie: Wright, Ayers, Rezko, etc.) at a time when he was criticizing Hillary’s judgment; and the swindling of caucuses to unfairly tip the delegate scale in his favor is simply unforgivable!!!
If this is the way the DNC wants to conduct its business, then we’re all better off with the Republicans–at least they do it out in the open! With only these two candidates left, since the best one was literally thrown out, I now choose John McCain! At least the man has ‘a record’ to run on! I honestly do not feel safe with Obama and his genuine lack of experience, nor do I trust his poor judgment in dealing with others! The way I see it, I will take my chances with four years of McCain and then hope and pray Hillary comes back and runs again. Though she should come back as an Independent! It would serve us all so much better to be spared this sort of crap again!
Mike
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dear Chairman Dean,
I am very distressed that the Democratic nomination was ‘bestowed’ on Senator Obama, who is by far the weaker candidate. Senator Clinton won all the big states, save Illinois, she won all the swing states and the popular vote. She leads in all crucial voter demographics we need to have any chance of winning this election in November. The decision of the Rules and Credentials Committee was a ‘mugging’ and for this reason, my husband and I, after 30 years of being die hard Democrats, have left the party and registered as Independents.
We will not vote for Obama in November for the same reasons we did not vote for him in February. He is not qualified, experienced or anywhere near honest enough for the job. Twenty years of nefarious associations and his continued dissembling to the American people about them have confirmed our decision.
Furthermore, no lip service pretending to compliment Hillary’s supporters now is going to win us over. He spent months classifying her supporters as racists, clueless, dried up, bitter. He misrepresented her policies and trashed her great record and that of President Clinton: 8 years of peace and prosperity, a balanced budget and surplus in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Throughout her life and in the Senate, Hillary Clinton has accomplished the things Senator Obama can only pontificate about.
At every turn, Senator Clinton has been treated disrespectfully by Senator Obama, the media and by the people in her own party who she has fought tirelessly to support: shame on them all.
We will not support this unqualified nominee. More important, we will not support anyone who supports him.
Do the right thing. Right this wrong and nominate Senator Hillary Clinton at the Convention this August. Otherwise, we are lost to your party for good.
hello Hill Villagers
I finally made it here after several attempts. Sure miss our old home, but we are here now in our new home.
Vivian T. CA
Dr. Dean,
As a lifelong Democrat who worked very hard to ensure GW Bush’s defeat in his first run for public office, I am not the least bit saddened to be leaving the Democratic Party. As Donna Brazille said, you don’t need me. You have made it very clear that you don’t want me. So please, don’t worry your pretty little head sweetie, I am gone.
I am a moderate and in November, I will be voting for the only moderate in the race…John McCain.
Please, don’t try the poor, tired “but what about Roe v, Wade?” You can’t scare me into voting for your hand-picked candidate. Something you should have thought about before you allowed the horrible treatment of Sen. Clinton.
Sherri
Tarrant Co. Texas
PUMA Democrat
Sorry, Dr. Dean, but as a parent I never rewarded my children’s bad behavior, nor shall I reward your with my vote.
Mike
Mount Joy, Pa.
Howard Dean,
Like some of us this is the 1st time I have been heavily involved in politics physically, emotionally and financially.
This has been a RUDE awakening for me how your DIRTY politics can be. Your words and actions will serve as a constant reminder why we CAN NOT and WILL NOT support bo. Even if Senator Clinton is on the ticket as VP we will NOT support bo.
We will not forget and forgive the way Senator Clinton was treated, ridiculed and diminished to the point of extinction by the media, bo and most of all your party.
Vivian, family and friends
(used to be democrat)
Now Supporting Senator McCain
ps. Cindy McCain is a fine classy lady nothing compared to your mo.
Dr Dean:
You and the other so-called party leaders forced the best candidate out.What DNC has done poses a grave threat to the democracy in America.
As a chinese citizen,I have no right to vote in my country and I know I cannot interfere with your business either.But frankly speaking,this is the most corrupt election in America I’ve ever seen!What’s wrong with America,the most powerful and democratic nation in the world?!
I don’t think Barack Obama have the ability to CHANGE.I don’t think BHO can unite Americans.I don’t think his HOPE would gave America hope.At least,as far as I know,what he has done does no help in UNITING his country.My country has experienced too many disasters,mostly caused by CHANGE and HOPE.
What DNC has done also violates the peace and freedom in the world.BHO is not a reliable and responsible person to lead this great country.However,I believe the Democratic party will lose the election in November if Hillary is not the nominee.McCain is much more reliable than BHO.
Hillary was forced to suspend her campaign,but she will never surrender.She is the best candidate to lead this country.If she can’t be the nominee,then Americans will choose McCain.No Obama!!!
Dr. Dean I am writing to tell you that I was once a registered Democrat and now, due to the decision making at the DNC have re registered IND and I will not, and do not “count on”, vote for Obama in November.
My reasons are many. I do not believe that BO is the best candidate, I do not believe his rhetoric and his actions are proof that he cannot substantiate his own claims. I am appalled at the treatment of Mrs. Clinton throughout this entire campaign. It is now evident that you picked Obama from the beginning and she never had a chance. You should be ashamed of your behavior. We all watched in utter disbelief the dozens of things, done or said on Obama’s behalf that were ignored in the media, I couldn’t figure it all out, now it is crystal clear. I truely believe, and this is not hyperbole, but I believe that his candidacy is a fraud. The most offensive part is that you know that people are unhappy with who he is and do not support him, but you ignored all of us, you gave us the Obama bird. I feel sorry for you that you think you are going to win without us. Is it true that Mr. Obama is not going to try to get our votes? Who’s votes is he going for then? Your hubris is astounding.
Proud Puma Member
EBishop
AZ
Dear Gov. Dean,
I have always voted Democratic, but the sexism and racism of Barack Obama’s campaign, the person you selected, whose behavior you tacitly condoned, cannot be forgiven. I will not be voting for your selection in November. There is nothing you could offer me to change my mind. He is a weak choice and once the Republicans get through with him he’ll be lucky to get elected dog catcher.
“Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
(American 32nd US President (1933-45)
Obviously you, Chairman Dean, are no FDR.
A Bailey
Richmond, VA
Democrat 1977 – May 31, 2008
I am protesting the 2008 Primary because Donna Brazille has been out to get Hillary out and Barrack in. I am protesting because the males in the Democratic Party were bein sexist by trying to get Hillary to quit from the begining. I am protesting the Primary because Obama was allowed to make racist and sexist statements and inappropriatly play the race card. I am protesting the Primary because noone in the Democratic Party stood up for Hillary Clinton.
Howard Dean,
I will not be supporting Senator Obama as the nominee as he clearly does not have the experience to navigate the realities of the Washington power structure effectively.
We had a candidate that is truly ready to lead on day one, has a remarkable work ethic and formidable intellect to name a few of her long list of qualifications. She even won the majority of our votes. However, the Democratic establishment, conveniently supported by corrupt corporate media decided they would choose our nominee instead. After spending year after year canvassing, raising money and phone banking alongside a mostly female volunteer staff, the Democratic party made it clear they wanted my gender to stay behind the scenes. The Democratic party demonstrated that they would achieve this goal at any cost, no matter how unfair or dishonest.
Well, this is your wake up call. You are not going to take your dirty, dishonest politics to victory in November.
I intend to invest all of my considerable time, energy and money to assure that you, your party and Senator Obama are brought to your knees in November. I am the demographic you will never dismiss again.
Howard Dean,
I, my husband, and my 84 year old mother are lifelong democrats or were. The stench of corruption that follows yours, Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Reid, and lastly but not least the dear Ms. unbiased Donna Brazille’s ILLEGITIMATE NOMINEE is so bad and nobody is being fooled. Why is Donna still around. She should take her marbles and go home. I heard her make the statement she would no longer be a part of a party if the Supers chose our nominee. She and you and whoever else planned this little party, is it the New Democratic Party, with the new winning coalition. Well sir, you sure are taking alot of risks with your superior and holier than thou thinking that the supporters of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton are a bunch of ignorant rednecks who will come around to seeing ya’lls way of thinkin. Not so. How deep are all of your pockets and all the Superdelegates and others who switched loyalties from Sen. Clinton and stabbed her in the back. How much Chicago dirty money can Mr. Obama spin out to keep everybody on the ole’ bandwagon. My daddy, God rest his soul, was a loyal die hard democrat and I just know he isn’t resting very easy in his grave right now. He believed in voting party right on down the line. My daddy was a real man. He stood tall. But if he were alive today, he would change his party too. He was your Old Time Kind of Democrat. The Real Loyal Ones. The ones you could always depend on to get you over the top. Well, sir, I hope ya’ll have a real nice party come November, because it seems to me that you never really counted on the divisiveness of Mr. Barack Obama, the uniter, not the divider. He has done more to divide the party than anyone in history. I just hope the superdelegates realize before it’s too late what a joke this guy is turning out to be and take the reigns out of your hands and the rest of the crowd who thought you had such a brainstorm this year of electing an unknown with so many skeletons in his closets, you don’t know which one’s going to open next, and what in God’s name will fall out this time. The Republicans are going to have so much fun this year and me and mine plan on playing Mr. Obama’s game and become a Republican for a day come November unless somebody up there wakes up and does the right thing and realizes this guy is totally unelectable. I really don’t mind if this makes anyone mad, because I’ve been mad for years. I am tired of the spineless Democratic leaders losing elections. I never understood why until this year. It played out right before all the world’s eyes to see. Hillary Clinton is one fine lady who never deserved what you people have sat back and let happen to her. That to me is unforgiveable. Even if I were not a woman. That said PUMA baby!!!! Once was a Democrat. Might be again when we get real leadership.
Jenny (ALforHill)
Calhoun Co., Alabama
HOWARD DEAN,
Not since 2000 when the presidential nominee Bush was SELECTED, NOT ELECTED, have I felt such outrage at the powers that be who ANOINTED their chosen candidate while flying in the face of the popular vote and the democratic process. The travesty that took place with Michigan and Florida finally sealed the nomination for your chosen candidate Obama. I ask you, if the situation were reversed and it was Obama who was behind by a few scant delegates, would not the DNC bend over backwards to COUNT ALL votes??. Everyone would be screaming racism from the mountaintops, and you and your DNC cronies would have found a way to put him over the top, rules be damned. The DNC and its arcane and stupid rules, breaking of the rules, and primary process is a JOKE. Didn’t South Carolina hold their primaries in advance of their date, against the rules? So why did you not penalize them? Oh I know, because you would have had to disenfranchise Obama voters, correct? God forbid. But it’s okay to sweep Hillary Clinton under the rug despite 18 million votes and major LANDSLIDE victories in Kentucky, West Virginia and elsewhere late in the primary season.
I have been a lifelong Democrat. But I will not be supporting Barack Obama in this coming election. I will not be donating to the DNC or to his campaign. I will be sitting back and watching the Democratic party implode with another losing candidate whose baggage and scandals will be the downfall in his bid for the White House. I will not support a candidate who has ZERO experience in national politics, whose nefarious associations are un-American, and whose campaign played on old GOP anti-Clinton bashing tactics. To sit here and watch the travesty unfold while the DNC did nothing but RIG this primary in favor of their chosen candidate was a complete JOKE. I reject your silence while all this sexism and misogyny was taking place. I reject your party elders who endorsed a newcomer and neophyte and poser while at the same time BASHING a loyal democrat and great Senator, Mrs. Clinton, and her husband, a great two-term president. IN the eyes of millions, Senator Clinton is the true LEADER of the democratic party. You people should be ashamed of what you’ve done. There is no party unity here. And you and your cronies have seriously underestimated the anger that millions of voters hold against you and your candidate. The backlash will be felt this November. If Donna Brazille thinks Obama doesn’t need us, (which is what she actually stated on national television), then that is ALL I need to know about the DNC and its so-called policy of inclusion. NObama. Never, ever, ever.
Dr. Dean,
If the DNC is going to penalize MI & FL for violating primary election rules, then the other states that violated the rules should also be penalized.
The Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama should step down because his nomination was illegally handed to him and he was ’selected’ by the DNC and not ‘elected’ by the voters.
Now that the automatic delegates have annoited Obama to be the presumptive nominee, Donna Brazile said when this happened she would quit her job in the DNC. I expect Ms. Brazile’s resignation soon.
Corage
San Francisco, CA
PUMA Democrat
(Democrat switched to Independent on 6/1/08)
Dear Mr Dean,
For the first time in my 35 years of voting as a democrat I am seriously considering changing my political party. This election has been hijacked by the elitists from both the Democratic and Republican parties, in great measure with the outrageous and biased support from the pundit class and mass media. I am outraged at the misogyny, race-baiting, and crude railroading that Hillary Clinton and her supporters have received. I think the information about her superior electability is vast. I do not believe in voting for an inexperienced, controversial, unvetted and prematurely annointed candidate. I do not believe we have witnessed a democratic process. The methods in how we count votes has benefitted the aggressive and manipulative tactics employed by elitist community organizers and the well-heeled patrons of this cultish “movement.” Are we to be held hostage by a fear of backlash? Is this concern about stopping the first Black presidential candidate from getting nominated a greater concern than stopping the first female presidential candidate? Is one “ism” of greater concern than the other, and reason enough to disenfranchise millions of voters? Could we not have taken the time to appraise the changes in momentum and electability dynamics before forcing the choices and climate to nominate a flawed candidate? Haven’t we witnessed two other Democratic races in which the underdog candidates took their fight to the Democratic Convention?
For the first time in my adult life I am completely disgusted with the process espoused by the Democratic party leadership and with how the Democratic party is being led by elitist politics. It is a fractured party along socioeconomic thresholds. They do not represent my values. They no longer authentically represent the hard working people that form the backbone and infrastructure of this great country.
I am a middle-aged, professional Latina that is going to make my views known to legislators, the DNC, the media, and every working american I can reach. For the first time in my life I will probably not vote as a Democrat, but will give my vote to the Green Party.
L.
Santa Clara County, CA
Dr Dean
As an active, dues-paying Democrat for almost 40 years, I am now ashamed of my party.
It is ironic that the Democratic Party is no longer democratic: the unequal weighting of voters per congressional districts; the caucuses that disenfranchised thousands of voters who could not participate; the unequal punishment of FL and MI and the ridiculous resolution of both primaries.
Can you imagine the outrage if we had witnessed the Republicans stealing votes and blatantly engineering the outcome of their primary as we did the DNC’s RBC meeting? It was Kafkaesque.
You, Ms Pelosi and other party “leaders” should not have been afraid of witnessing real democracy at the convention in Denver. By forcing one candidate out prematurely I am afraid you have alienated your base.
My husband, my 87 year old parents and I cannot support a candidate who illegitimately claimed the nomination while he still does not have enough pledged delegates to do so. –Robin Marin County, CA PUMA Democrat
Not only was I outraged at you handing Hillarys delegates to Obama but the way you stood by and let the press and the Obama supporters disrespect Hillary brought me to the point of dropping out of the Democratic party.
Now I’m going to work towards fixing this mess you created
Dear Dr. Dean,
We cannot begin to tell you how disappointed we are in the Democratic Party and its Rules Committee’s decision on how to count or ½ count the Florida and Michigan American Democratic votes. How can you decide to only seat some of the delegation or to take away their votes? How can you decide to award delegates to people who weren’t even on the ballot in Michigan? What on earth is the party doing? What message does the Democratic party send to its members and to other citizens in the United States when it strips away the votes its citizens? It DOESN’T matter that you warned the states not to move up their primaries!!! You don’t punish the elected officials and state parties who made the BAD decisions by stripping away the votes of your party members!!! Now do you? How does that make sense? How short sighted of you all – after the voting scandals in Florida in 2000, Ohio 2004, especially! We cannot see any way around this – We used to wonder why people voted against their own best interest – i.e. why poor people would vote for Republican candidates, etc? We’re starting to understand. It becomes clearer to us every day that the party elite and their groupies who control this party are out of touch with reality and are more concerned with their own position and status within the party than they are with doing the right thing or caring for their party members rights to be heard fully and given justice. Bye! Good riddance. You won’t get any support from us in the future – We’ve made that mistake for the last time. We will not reward your irresponsible behavior with support in any way, shape, or form – no matter who your candidate is. It is clear to us that those who support Barack Obama do not play by the rules – they have tried to paint themselves as rules players but saying it doesn’t make it so. The voters are smarter than that and they will not reward you in the end. Our protest vote’s will go to John McCain this November.
Sincerely,
Life time of Democrat voting to Independents 6/10/08
Danny B. and Bart L.
Seattle, WA
PUMA
Dear Dr Dean,
I came from Russia and became the US citizen in 1996.
I always voted Democrat without even checking the names of candidates.
In the Soviet Union presidents were selected.
In the United States of America they must be elected.
Sincerely,
Irina
Bergen County, NJ
PUMA
HOWARD DEAN,
Not since 2000 when the presidential nominee Bush was SELECTED, NOT ELECTED, have I felt such outrage at the powers that be who ANOINTED their chosen candidate while flying in the face of the popular vote and the democratic process. The travesty that took place with Michigan and Florida finally sealed the nomination for your chosen candidate Obama. I ask you, if the situation were reversed and it was Obama who was behind by a few scant delegates, would not the DNC bend over backwards to COUNT ALL votes??. Everyone would be screaming racism from the mountaintops, and you and your DNC cronies would have found a way to put him over the top, rules be damned. The DNC and its arcane and stupid rules, breaking of the rules, and primary process is a JOKE. Didn’t South Carolina hold their primaries in advance of their date, against the rules? So why did you not penalize them? Oh I know, because you would have had to disenfranchise Obama voters, correct? God forbid. But it’s okay to sweep Hillary Clinton under the rug despite 18 million votes and major LANDSLIDE victories in Kentucky, West Virginia and elsewhere late in the primary season.
I have been a lifelong Democrat. But I will not be supporting Barack Obama in this coming election. I will not be donating to the DNC or to his campaign. I will be sitting back and watching the Democratic party implode with another losing candidate whose baggage and scandals will be the downfall in his bid for the White House. I will not support a candidate who has ZERO experience in national politics, whose nefarious associations are un-American, and whose campaign played on old GOP anti-Clinton bashing tactics. To sit here and watch the travesty unfold while the DNC did nothing but RIG this primary in favor of their chosen candidate was a complete JOKE. I reject your silence while all this sexism and misogyny was taking place. I reject your party elders who endorsed a newcomer and neophyte and poser while at the same time BASHING a loyal democrat and great Senator, Mrs. Clinton, and her husband, a great two-term president. IN the eyes of millions, Senator Clinton is the true LEADER of the democratic party. You people should be ashamed of what you’ve done. There is no party unity here. And you and your cronies have seriously underestimated the anger that millions of voters hold against you and your candidate. The backlash will be felt this November. If Donna Brazille thinks Obama doesn’t need us, (which is what she actually stated on national television), then that is ALL I need to know about the DNC and its so-called policy of inclusion. NObama. Never, ever, ever.
Karen Anderson
Captain Cook, Hawaii 96704
PUMA democrat
Sore losers. You people act like Hillary is some sort of godsend; she is the establishment candidate. Also the popular vote was split very closely. What about the opinions of people who vote in states that have caucuses? Don’t those votes count, too?
Vote for McCain in protest? You don’t protest Ford’s choice not to build a more fuel efficient car by buying a Hummer instead, why would you protest the DNC’s choice by going Republican? Hillary, Obama, and McCain are all of the same vile politician sort; it’s just a question of the lesser of evils at this point.
Dear Gov. Dean -
We are currently part of the Just Say No Deal Coalition (www.justsaynodeal.com). My website is devoted entirely to breaking the media’s generous coverage on Senator Obama’s candidacy (www.obama-wire.com).
The DNC cannot tolerate the way the media treated Senator Clinton in comparison to the generousness they have continuously shown toward Senator Obama.
Best,
David
http://www.obama-wire.com/
newsdesk@obama-wire.com
Dear Dr. Dean,
I grew up in Hyde Park, the Chicago neighborhood that Barack Obama first represented, and where his family now lives, that is, when not in Washington.
I grew up there during a time of true hope and change, a time that saw the birth of the Students for a Democratic Society, a time when, misguidedly or not, huge numbers of young people believed in change enough to fight the Chicago Police at the Democratic National Covention, in order to bring war protest to a national stage.
But I’m older now. Hope and change do not win elections. Experience and the votes of the Democratic base does. Hope does not re-draw the electoral map. Change does not make it so some alignment of Virginia, Iowa, Wyoming, Oregon and other states will suddenly, for the first time in American history, elect our next President.
As political “professionals,” you, the DNC, and the super delegates should know that Presidential elections are won in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida. And the qualified, experienced, tough, and smart candidate who won all these states, got absolutely no support from the DNC.
After a lifetime of voting Democratic, I can no longer support this party, which no longer represents the will of the people. At this point in American history, a political party that DOES represent the will of the people WOULD be the stuff of hope and change.
The will of the people is the definition of democracy. I urge you to read these postcards and do something to heed to that will. That is the only way a Democratic ticket will get my support.
Hydeparker
Los Angeles, CA
PUMA Democrat
Howard Dean,
I have written to you again and again without any response. But you keep emailing me to unite behind you. Well, today I joined PUMA PAC. We are uniting, but not behind you.
You insulted me by not listening to what I wanted and you now want me to get into bed with you? This isn’t going to happen. I don’t sleep with crooks.
The Party is using reversed discrimination. Don’t listen to CNN and Obama’s campaign mangers. We women have photographic memory, short term memory, long term memory, absolute memory, you name it. We don’t forget anything and don’t expect us to.
The more you try to push Obama down my throat, the more I puke him out. The more the media pastes Obama’s face on the TV, the angrier I get and the more action I’ll take.
I am not going to vote for your Obambi. I will vote for McCain. In the congressional elections, I will not vote Democratic as well. Congratulations, you’ve done a “great job.” Now move over, step down, resign and let somebody decent take your place.
Sore losers. You people act like Hillary is some sort of godsend; she is the establishment candidate. Also the popular vote was split very closely. What about the opinions of people who vote in states that have caucuses? Don’t those votes count, too?
Vote for McCain in protest? You don’t protest Ford’s choice not to build a more fuel efficient car by buying a Hummer instead, why would you protest the DNC’s choice by going Republican? Hillary, Obama, and McCain are all of the same vile politician sort; it’s just a question of the lesser of evils at this point.
This website is probably run by the RNC, featured on FoxNews.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am writing to express my dismay and outrage about the DNC’s maltreatment of Senator Clinton; and the hi-jacking of the Democratic nomination process which insured that Senator Obama would be the selected nominee. I will, under no circumstances, vote for Senator Obama as the Democratic Presidential nominee. Senator Clinton is infinitely more qualified and electable and I want NOTHING less than her name at the top of the ticket. I would go so far as to say that Senator Obama would weaken the ticket, even as the VP nominee.
Sincerely,
Joanne,
Broward County,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
PUMA democrat
Minus any emotionalism, and in full disregard of the negative tactics of the Obama campaign;
Not including his questionable associates, who have serious mental problems, as well as the tendency to exploit their followers with emotional crutches, and fully unreasonable drivel;
Excluding the devastating unfairness of the Democratic party and the MSM, it is clear that Mr. Obama is not qualified for the job. His application is thin. He uses his opposition to the Iraq war as proof of his superior judgment. Unfortunately his argument is of the “I told you so” kind. …
He believes that he should be the Commander in Chief of the military, offering, to this country NO experience, questionable judgment and a wife who for all intents and purposes is not fond of America.
He believes as, so many politicians do, that his advisors will lead him, and that he will make judgments based on the full information he will be given. This country cannot really, at this hour, afford a president, whose most common excuses are “an aide filled that out”, or “this isn’t the man I knew”, to be judging anything based on the committed soldiers in the field.
Barack Obama, has shown highly flawed judgment, which is based on his lack of experience, his pragmatism and his enveloping need to impose his judgment about how our lives should be, while his life, is filled with chaotic characters, at best.
He may believe that another speech will change minds, but to be honest, the only speech he can give, which would make sense to me, and others, is “I resign”. This culminating act of humility might set him on the course of true leadership. Obviously, he has believed that what he learned through organizing in the inner city, has given him insight into how deep his soul is, and how expansive. Yet his large house in the middle of the streets filled with poverty, makes him as culpable as those he criticizes.
I realize that those who support him, will not find in my words, anything of value, because some of you are sitting in those latte hotels, with your own smug ideas of how the world should be; others of you are in your college dorms, with your minds, not yet seasoned with the wisdom of recognizing a figurehead. Some of you have misplaced ideals, and just want to hear something “nice” and comforting.
You want to dream again. But dreams begin not because of our vaporous hopes, or desire to follow others. Dreams are solely the hope of your own soul, acting in concert with reason as well as patience and hard work. No one can take you to the mountaintop, and especially those like Mr. Obama, who has not been there himself.
He needs us, more than we need him … to get to that bigger house he desires. I, will not under any circumstances for for Barack Obama.
I am protesting the manner in which the Democratic National Committee forced an unvetted, unqualified Barack Obama on the Democratic party. I also believe the DNC actively destroyed the democratic coalition out of fear of offending African Americans and young people. I believe you have been bought by Barack Obama.
I also protest the way you treated Senator Clinton and trashed Bill Clinton’s legacy. You should be ashamed!
I am voting for John McCain in the fall should you fail to nominate the most qualified person for the POTUS–Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Ignore me and millions at your own peril.
Dr. Dean,
For nearly a year I and other supporters of Sen Clinton have been abused by Obama and his supporters and surrogates. We have been told we are racist, low-information, old, that we should just die, that we’re unwanted, and that Democrats don’t need us. In caucuses the threats and intimidation were physical and not just verbal. This has all been quite shocking since many of us have been voting and donating Democrats for 20 years or more.
We would’ve written these insults off to youthful ignorance except that you, Pelosi, Brazile and others began to echo these vile and contemptuous sentiments. In addition, you simply ignored the fact that the majority of Democrats were voting for Sen. Clinton. You acted as though victories in NH, MA, NY, NJ, OH, PA, TX, FL, MI, NV, NM, CA, IN, PA, WV and KY were absolutely meaningless while victories in ID and WY were the be all and end all.
Sen. Clinton is the strongest politician and Democrat that I have ever seen in all my 30 years of voting. No other Democrat could have continued to win even with the media, money and her own party leadership ganging up on her the way Sen. Obama and you did. You had to reduce yourself and the Democratic Party to level of Bush, stealing votes and failing to recognize voters, to create the mirage of victory. When that wasn’t even sufficient you and Sen. Obama had to use extortion and intimidation to get super delegates to endorse Obama against their best interest and ours. You must be so proud.
Well, I will never support a candidate or a Party that treats its membership so poorly. I prefer the Clinton Democratic Party where candidates work for and ask for voters to support them. I intend to do my level best to destroy this Obama-Soros-Dean version of the Democratic Party that you’ve created. You embarass yourself and all Democrats when your 50 state strategy only goes to 48.
There’s still time to save the majorities in the House and Senate and to win the White House. Nominate Sen. Clinton and we’ll be sure to vote in down-ticket Dems. Fail to do so and you may just succeed in permanently destroying your version of the Democratic Party. Not to worry though…it will be remade one way or another.
Sincerely,
Ann, King County, WA
PUMA Democrat — If you want unity, Clinton ‘08
Dear Dr. Dean,
We became citizens during Bill Clinton’s presidency after 20 years of being legal residents. Bill Clinton inspired us.
Imagine our shock to find that the losers in the Democratic party – you, Donna Brazile, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, etc. intended to smash Bill Clinton, at the behest of another loser, Barack Obama, who would use the race card to try to destroy an excellent ex-President’s reputation.
We are Canadian/Americans so we don’t have any white guilt to play to. Hillary Clinton is the best choice for President by far. After that is John McCain.
You have left us no choice but to vote Republican in November.
Good luck with your place in American history.
Ellen D
PUMA – Hollywood, California
“…. it died the day that 30 people decided that their desires were more pressing than the expressed wishes of 600,000 people in Michigan and 1.7 million in Florida.” by Regencyg
What’s the point of having a primary when at the end the DP will just select their nominee.
It’s no longer the will of the people but the will of the chosen few.
We can’t allow our party to be run by rogues.
To vote for Obama is to concede our right to vote for our nominee for presidency.
To vote for Obama is to recognize what our party did to Hillary is right and give them right to do it again. It can be you, me , and your daughter and my daughter, too.
To those in charge of the DNC,
Back in 2000, I was extremely depressed after the selection of the ’so called’ President. I was a big supporter of Al Gore’s. I found it despicable at that time when voters were left out of the system and could find nothing Democratic about that.
I survived the first four years of Bush. Many others didn’t because they believed his words… which is nothing I ever did.
In 2004, again, not sure if that election was all on the up and up… due to Blackwell in charge in a State that mattered. I was disgusted by all the Swiftboating done to Kerry and could not understand why he did not fight back. The DNC and the Party cried foul for many reasons and I agreed. It was a heartbreak that another election kept Bush in the White House.
Did I ever look forward to this coming election… Oh yeah!!! But something strange happened on the way there…
Some candidates were left out of debates and some candidates had delegates and votes taken from them. I can’t understand why the DNC allowed this to happen. It was clear early on who the DNC elites were pushing for… maybe because of ‘white’ guilt? I don’t know. I have nothing to be guilty of so I did not drink the Kool Aid and never will. My favorite for the nomination was actually John Edwards. Unfortunately he was shunned by the media like the rest. The only two candidates that got significant media attention were Clinton and Obama. But, I can hardly say that they were treated equally… it took months until some scrutiny was put on Obama and the racists he surrounded himself with. Rarely was Obama criticized and attacked personally the way Clinton was. Believe me, none of these candidates are perfect… but deciding in the fashion the way it was done… it was as far from perfect as anything. This was more a selection than anything and it is disgusting. I heard Donna Brazile say that if the nomination was taken away from Obama (i.e. the Super Dels would bring the candidate over the finish line) there would be ‘blood in the streets’. She referred to the riots in LA after the Rodney King incident. This was despicable.
Having ‘party elders’ scare the voters and use fear like the Bush Admin. themselves… makes the DNC no better than the RNC.
The way Clinton has been treated is disgusting, and the way Obama has been coddled is anything but Democratic. Sure, I will vote a certain way… just because Oprah or some other endorsers say so… NOT!
I am a free thinking woman in my mid forties and I am not going to vote for a Democrat this time…
I don’t like how Democrats are now doing their own kind of ’swift boating’ of McCain. Can’t stand double standards. I would never vote for a candidate who seems to have no problem with his hateful supporters. I have never felt such silent racial division and glee since the O.J. Simpson verdict. It’s disheartening to think what this party has come to.
If you try to scare me to not vote for McCain… try again. I know that no matter who he puts forth to the Supremes won’t be too radical since that person won’t have a chance with a Democratic House and Senate. The same goes for whatever Agenda he would push. He can’t do it.
As for the Democratic leaders… Fire them both! They have no spine and lack balls. They have no interest going after a most corrupt Administration and does not stand up for the Constitution.
Shame on you all… You just lost one dedicated volunteer in me.
A former Democrat.
There are many reasons to object to the actions taken throughout the campaign, and most particularly at the RBC meeting that disenfranchised the voters in Florida and Michigan. The country has suffered from the loss of the rule of law, over and over again, since the 2000 election. I am more discouraged now that the leaders of the DNC have adopted the same methods and lack of principles. I will under no circumstances vote for Barack Obama, because of his allowing misogyny, and racism to promote his own pursuit of a job he has no qualification for. If Hillary is on the ticket I will still not vote for him. Let me be perfectly clear, I will vote for McCain, not because I want him, but because I believe he will do less damage to the country than Obama, the most unqualified candidate I have seen in my over 40 years of voting. I no longer consider myself a democrat, and the party will not get a cent from me again. Oh if you see the truth of the wrongs done to the voters by the DNC and nominate Hillary, I might reconsider.
Dear Dr. Dean,
How are you? It seems like yesterday I wanted to vote for you as our President. Not much has changed we still have a republican in the White House named Bush.
Now its that time again hope springs eternal we have another chance to do it right this time, or so I hoped.
Up until June 3, my birthday, there was hope, until Hillary clinton was forced to withdraw from the primary race as one of our nominee’s for President.
Dr. Dean, I must say there was absolutely no reason why Senator Clinton was forced to with draw her name from the Primary to become President of the United States.
Still, Dr. Dean you and the democratic party put the old fashion squeeze on Senator Clinton, not allowing her to pursue this to the convention in Denver in August.
Dr. Dean, please tell me what all the rush was for, why?
Lets face it many boys have gone to the convention floor and fought it before. Our good Senator from Massachusetts, Senator Kennedy, did it to a sitting President of the United States, President Carter. Senator Kennedy, if I remember right had only about 400 delegates, Senator Clinton had nearly 2000 if not more, very close to Obama. Senator Clinton has over 1/2 million more popular votes.
Senator Clinton had earned that right to go to the convention floor.
I gather Dr. Dean, it was because she was a strong capable woman, you know one very capable of leading this great nation, and capable of making and being trusted with this enormous power that a President of the United States has, no Howard Dean, I think you were intimidated by the thought that a woman, a very capable and strong woman was going to probably be one of our strongest Presidents and dear god you were going to have none of that. Not you the man who lost the presidency with your tirade of words on where you were going to go in the 2004 campaign. No, Dean you just couldn’t stand it and had to try and destroy her but you didn’t, you can’t she has more power, more ability and caring for her fellow Americans and you can’t destroy her, Hillary Clinton has 18 million supporters, voters and you and the whole democratic party can’t take it away from her. Senator Clinton will be our first Madame President.
Furthermore I have a friend who worked on the caucus in Texas, and I know for a fact Obama stole all the caucuses. he had bus loads us kids going into Iowa from IL. disrupting the caucuses and voting. Obama did that from state to state.
Now, lets look at his friends we will only touch on the three amigos Rezko, Wright, and Ayers oh the smell of it. Smells like BO to me the stench is so strong it must be BO.
Do you not think the republicans are going to have a time with all this and there is more. How about the connection and friendship to the PLO. A friend and campaign contributor to Obama’s campaigns.
Oh,no dear god not a woman, you know not one of those pesty, strong and more then capable women that some of you insecure men love to hate.
You can gather, I switched parties after 40 years and will vote for McCain. You low down sleeze bags shredded what once was the party of Roosevelt. McCain looks like a breath of fresh air after the stench of BO.
Diane Bourdeau
I am an AMERICAN first, then a democrat.
To vote for Obama would be the biggest disservice to America. I will never, ever, vote for Obama. Hillary has done us proud but now we are on our own.
I have been a life-long Democrat and will be voting for McCain. I am not leaving my party, MY PARTY LEFT ME WHEN THEY PRE-SELECTED THIS CORRUPT, RACEBAITING AND INCOMPETENT CANDIDATE.
I have seen Senator Hillary Clinton and President Clinton called racists. I have seen the level of disrespect and sexism directed at Senator Clinton. I have been bullied by Obama supporters. I have been verbally attacked and threatened because of supporting Hillary. The DNC took away our votes and gave them to Obama. They allowed race-baiting, sexism, hate-mongering, bullying and corrupt tactics to be the path to electing their candidate. Then, like a battered wife now, I’m expected to “go back to my abusers”? NO!! NEVER!!
All of us know that Hillary is supporting what she said she would support. She is an honorable person and is thereby honoring her statements. I applaud her and would expect no less.
BUT I WILL NEVER, EVER VOTE FOR OBAMA. In fact, by voting for McCain, you are effectively taking two votes from Obama, (the one you would have given him and now one for McCain).
I am an AMERICAN first, then a democrat.
To vote for Obama would be the biggest disservice to America. I will never, ever, vote for Obama. Hillary has done us proud but now we are on our own.
I have been a life-long Democrat and will be voting for McCain. I am not leaving my party, MY PARTY LEFT ME WHEN THEY PRE-SELECTED THIS CORRUPT, RACEBAITING AND INCOMPETENT CANDIDATE.
I have seen Senator Hillary Clinton and President Clinton called racists. I have seen the level of disrespect and sexism directed at Senator Clinton. I have been bullied by Obama supporters. I have been verbally attacked and threatened because of supporting Hillary. The DNC took away our votes and gave them to Obama. They allowed race-baiting, sexism, hate-mongering, bullying and corrupt tactics to be the path to electing their candidate. Then, like a battered wife now, I’m expected to “go back to my abusers”? NO!! NEVER!!
All of us know that Hillary is supporting what she said she would support. She is an honorable person and is thereby honoring her statements. I applaud her and would expect no less.
BUT I WILL NEVER, EVER VOTE FOR OBAMA. In fact, by voting for McCain, you are effectively taking two votes from Obama, (the one you would have given him and now one for McCain).
Eileen
Los Angeles, California
PUMA
I have been a life long Democrat, but now I see that my vote is irrelevant and that you folks are not going to address my issues, such as national health care for all.
When I saw the committee give some of Hillary’s delegates to Obama, along with all the other insults and abuses heaped on her supporters, I just gave up on the Dems. I’m an independent now, likely to go Green this time just to break the Dem habit. Why vote for those that won’t count the votes?
Dr. Dean,
I will not be supporting the DNC’s selected nominee, Barack Obama, in November. Every vote must be counted and every voter must have exactly ONE vote! Not 10,000 votes for the super delegates, a half of a vote for Florida, a vote and a half for urban dwellers, blacks, and college students, three quarters of a vote for rural Democrats… What in the world are you people thinking?
Hillary Clinton was elected the Democratic Presidential nominee by the people. Barack Obama was selected by the DNC, RBC, MSM and the super delegates.
My suggestion, the DNC leaders run their candidate for President and the rank and file Democrats run theirs. Is there a rule saying the party can’t put two candidates on the ballot in November?
I am sure that this note will be ignored the same as my vote but it is worth a try.
Blu
Sherman County, NE
PUMA = People United Means Action….I need to see more action. Are we joining forces with any other groups ? Blogging is great but we need specifics to sink our teeth into. Only 77 days until the convention.
sable1: I agree, we will do that here, and you can also make an Action/ Diary/ Protest Alert at Clinton Democrats: http://clintondems.com/
dear dr dean: need to tell you this…you and the dnc are corrupt…l intend to spend the rest of my political time, energy,and money… left on this earth to legally strip the dnc of all its misplaced, missused power…who are any of you to take someone’s vote from them??? it’s gonna be for the last time…you,your pals, and the dnc party…can put a fork in it…you are done!!!! l am one of eighteen million who are are gonna see to it.
hill.babe2
seattle,king county,wa
puma democrat
Greetings Dr. Dean,
As a younger voter I must say that I am disappointed in you and the DNC.
I’ve been brought up with the teachings of fairness, faith and trust.
You sir and the DNC have not followed through with the will of the people.
There is no fairness in supporting Barack Obama over the popular vote winner Senator Hillary Clinton.
I do carry the faith that your decision will be overturned in August.
I trust that Senator Hillary Clinton will be the appointed nominee for the democratic party.
I know it must be hard to admit the fault and mistakes of yourself and the DNC but in order to truly unite the voters, you must reconsider Senator Hillary Clinton as our top runner for the next President of the United States of America.
I’m afraid if you don’t, I along with several millions of good, faithful and trusting American voters will be casting our votes to a different party.
Respectfully,
Jessica
Ashtabula, Ohio
(Hi Mom!)
Dr. Dean
I cannot in good conscience support the actions of the Democratic National Committee nor its presumptive nominee, Barack Obama. After the disheartening defeats of both 2000 and 2004, I realized that our country needed a party that would stand for ordinary people and work with them to find public-private sector solutions to the problems that are keeping them from ensuring a better life for them and their children.
One way to do this was to re-frame and confront the destructive mind-sets that the ultra-conservative, right-wing mind-benders had injected into American life.
Instead, what I witnessed over the past 6-8 months has been a turn in the opposite direction, to a politics of hate, division, and distrust (all disguised as politics of hope and change).
You turned away from a career public servant and masterful politician, who had done her homework and was ready to serve with a positive frame and a mind-set that asked us all to be better than we thought we could be. You are worshiping money and power at the cost of serving the people and the highest values of the Democratic Party. I haven’t decided who to vote for, but I will make no further contributions to support the current leadership and the realization of their goals.
Dear Howard Dean,
Congratulations are in order. You’ve managed to select someone that has destroyed the Democratic Party in six short months, something the Republicans have been trying to accomplish for years.
You and your band of Obama thugs have alienated so many Dems and pushed us aside in favor of the rich elite and younger voters. Well guess what, John McCain welcomes this 35 year old woman’s vote and he will get it in November.
Good luck with your new far left liberal party. You’re going to need it.
Angela
Chicago, IL
sable1, kat in your hat
copy and paste you comments above in an open thread so that they can be seen and read.
This thread is reserved for letters to Howard Dean
Thanks
Sorry – prior post at 7:21 am should end with
P Newcomb
Dayton, Ohio
thanks
Dr. Dean,
I am a life long Democrat who will NOT vote Democratic in the next election for Obama.
Foremost, voting for him would be like voting for Bush – an attractive candidate that looks good and sounds good, but does not have the track record, experience, or background to be president. Who knows what he will actually do as president? His Chicago roots are troublesome. I think he will be the puppet for those who helped him get elected.
Secondly, I believe that the Democratic Party, in its rush for the independent vote, has abandoned those of us who have supported the party for years. I get the message loud and clear that DNC takes me for granted and that I, an older white women, will vote Democratic no matter who you nominate or how you disrespect women.
You cannot marginalize those who have supported the Democrat Party for years and expect our continued loyalty.
Lastly, the DNC has not stood up against the sexist attack waged against Senator Clinton. SHAM on you!
I think you all had your heads in the sand if you thought that this “historic primary” would not cause a major division in the party. Because of it, I think the Republicans will win again and it is your fault!
An outraged Democrat,
Victoria Grando, PhD
Dear Mr. Dean,
Do you recall when you went on television and said “shut [your] mouths,” because of the disharmony in the dem party? Sir, you are are very disrespectful–don’t you dare ever speak to me or any of us like that again. I believe your position has gone to your head. I’ve watched how you demanded that superdelegates choose a candidate–pressuring them like a bully. Don’t you know how sleazy it has all been?
Believe this: I am dropping the dem party and re-registering as Independent. I don’t need this party and I certainly don’t need you.
-The dem party is now just a mob of wild eyed frenzied power hungry too far left radicals. I’ve been paying attention to this primary season, and I am outraged.
-Superdelegates going against their states that Hillary won to endorse Obama. Superdelegates who were ready to jump out and endorse Obama after every one of his screw ups. Superdelegates like Donna B, acting like she was undecided on CNN and MSNBC and everywhere she went, even though she was clearly in the tank for Obama.
The superdelegates have too much power, and you know it, and you love it. One man with 10,000 votes? The superdelegates were not put in place to stand in as a multi-headed dictator. I simply cannot believe how you have all manipulated this primary season.
-I am outraged with how FL and MI was handled–the whole thing just SMELLS of corruption and sneakiness and LIES.
-I reject the caucus system in this silly party. Obama wins caucus events in red republican states with George Soros backed Moveon.org maniacs that were bussed in–how can that not be taken into consideration as far as what it means in the general election: NADA.
Hillary wins the big blue dem states, and the all important purple swing states, and you FOOLS throw away the one who beats McCain in the electoral map, and the one whose supporters polled that they would not vote for Obama–far more than the Obama followers who said that they would not support her?? That’s just STUPID.
Donna B says that she doesn’t need the old coalition of democrats…you know the LONG-TERM, LIFE-LONG, CORE democrats, like seniors, women, white working class, rural whites, hispanics, catholics, and jews, and even gays. ARE YOU ALL NUTS?
I also cannot believe that none of YOU said ANYTHING about the media insanity–all the attacks on Hillary and all the misogyny. Kerry knows all too well that the media is bought off by powerful people who want to push their political agendas–he’s been quoted as saying that sort of thing in the past numerous times, and yet he said NOTHING. Mr. Dean, did you forget Yeeeeahhh!!!? I suppose you thought it was fair what the media did?
EVERYONE can plainly see that this primary season was fixed! The bought off media protected and promoted Obama, helping to build his cult of personality, while never vetting him, and attacking Hillary NON-DAMN-STOP. EVERYONE can see how panicked you ALL became when Hillary kept winning and winning. OMG! Drop out! OMG! Supers decide now!
You are all low-down greedy corrupt politicians no better than the republicans. You were all promised the moon and a brick of money to stash it at.
If any of you superdelegates bowed to the political pressures and threats to support Obama even though you knew it was wrong: SHAME ON YOU.
You hand it to the MAN who was only a U.S. Senator for one…ONE year before he announced his candidacy to run for the White House, over a woman with decades of experience, a person who has always been a civil rights and equal rights activist. How DARE you! How dare all of you disrespect the Clinton’s and allow them to be portrayed as racist from the Obama camp and the Obama-media. How DARE you allow our Former First Lady and U.S. Senator, and the Former President of the United States be so mistreated!! It’s UNFORGIVABLE! I no longer want to be associated with this sleazy dem party. The new and ‘changed’ SLEAZY dem party.
I will never vote for Obama.
EVER.
Katherine, a former Democrat
New York
PUMA
The sexism perpetrated by the Obama campaign and the disregard of that behavior by the DNC has left me disgusted. I have been a democrat my entire life, marched for Choice, donated heavily and worked to move the Democratic agenda forward. I worked in Chester County, PA, one of the most republican in the US, to get votes for Kerry, door to door, and for the first time we carried that county. Thanks to you and Obama, I am now an independent. I will vote for McCain in the fall unless Hillary is the candidate. You are backing a weak, inexperienced candidate who fights dirty and uses his thugs on the internet to advance his campaign. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.
Dear Dr. Dean:
We’re hearing so much these days that it’s Hillary’s job to unite the party. We’re hearing that if Barack Obama loses, it’s Hillary’s fault. We’re hearing that the easiest way to lure Hillary’s followers to vote for is for Hillary to speak out against John McCain.
We’ve heard you say – too little and way too late – that sexism has to stop and has no place in a democratic election process. Where were you when the most disgusting attacks were happening by the media, egged on by the Obama campaign and his followers?
The expectation is that after Hillary’s supporters get over it, they will fall in line and vote for Barack Obama. “All we like sheep” is part of the libretto of Handel’s Messiah. According to you and the DNC, it’s an appropriate lyric for the expectations that you have about the supporters of Clinton toward your hand-picked candidate, Barack Obama.
Do you realize that this is the prime example of the greatest sexism of all? The almost unconscious expectation; the inability to see Clinton and her supporters as separate individuals, with each having the ability to think independently of the other; the counting on the loyaltly toward the classic ethic, when you have destroyed that classic ethic – you think you are magicians whose sleight of hand is invisible to the masses.
This is, in fact, the greatest sexism – that you think you can pull this off; that we don’t see the truth.
My family has been Democratic for generations. I am 69 and have voted in presidential elections since 1960. I retain my Democratic registration so that I can continue to speak to the travesty that I see. This is no longer the party of FDR; it’s not even the party of JFK. This has become the party of Animal Farm.
Don’t expect my vote to bail you out. And from the other companion comments, don’t expect theirs either.
Dear Dr. Dean, As I watched the Democratic Convention in 2004, specifically the keynote address by a politicain I had never heard of, Senate Candidate Barack Obama, I had the thought that this person was being groomed to run for POTUS. During the 2004 Election I gave up every weekend to go to NH to campaign for John Kerry and John Edwards. I am a professional, small business owner, a voter who has voted for Democratics for 30 years. But this year because of the actions of the DNC, the RBC, the Obama campaign’s thuggery and delegate theft at caucuses (yes, there is evidence), and the predetermined nature of this election, I will NOT vote for Obama. There was a lot of noise made by you, Pelosi and Brazile about the SDs following the will of the people. Well, the will of the people in MA was overwelmingly for Sen Clinton. Since Sen Kerry does not follow the will of the people, I and others will work our collective butts off to vote him out. As for the GE, since Donna Brazile says you don’t need our votes, you won’t get them. For the first time in 30 years I will be voting for a Republican unless you come to your senses. I will also promote this to my very wide, across the country, friends and business associates. Thank you for opening my eyes to the fact that you are no better than the Rovian Republicans.
Karen Ann S., Massachusetts
Dear Dr. Dean-
The DNC has entered a dangerous time – ignoring the voice and votes of its members. Please be aware that we will not tolerate this, especially when compounded with the leadership (yes that is you) allowing the type of sexist destructive campaigning that went on between its candidates.
There is a chance to address this at the convention, but I doubt you will show the courage. So we will move forward and organize and four years from now the DNC will either be very different, or there will be a new party which WILL represents its members.
Joe
Cleveland, OH
I am so disappointed because it seems like that our individual votes do not matter. This is America. We are supposed to be involved in the election process, and the big dogs at the DNC took care of that on May 31.
Hillary Clinton will lead our country with her heart, spirit, determination, and strength. She wants to be President of the United States of America to make our country a better place for us all. Barack Hussein Obama just wants to be President so he can say he is.
DNC – you are tearing the country apart. Please start the repair immediately.
Wonderful letters this morning.
Welcome to all No-Quarter readers!
I was an active and activist Democrat since I became eligible to vote in 1974. I never missed an election and never failed to vote for the “D.”
I have knocked on doors, raised and contributed money, carried signs, phone banked, and driven people to the polls.
Hillary won my vote with her brilliance and preparedness on every single issue. I was disheartened by the rise of Obama with his messianic and content-free campaign.After 8 years of Bush we need more than another cult of personality!
When I heard the “bitter-cling” remarks I realized that I could not support this candidate, and nothing that has happened since then has changed my mind. In fact, my position has hardened even further against Obama after the sexist gaffes and the foreign policy blunders. How can you call yourselves “democrats” and allow your candidate to support the Cuban embargo and Israel’s occupation of Jerusalem?
But the last straw was the RBC vote. When your committee voted to take away votes from Hillary and give them to Obama, that was the moment when I understood that the game was rigged all along.
You have pissed away the chance to put a candidate with indefatigable energy, an astounding grasp of the issues, an amazing work ethic, and a toughness that puts every man in the party to shame.
As of June 5 I have changed my registration from “Democrat” to unaffiliated. Be assured that you won’t get any more contributions from me, be it time or money. And I will NOT vote for Barack Obama.
Murphy, I am reposting the Dean letter because I forgot my name, county and state. Sorry! Ohio08
Dear Dr Dean,
I have been very disappointed in the lack of support and respect shown to Senator Clinton by the DNC during this primary season. Amid calls for her to step aside and repeated insults to her character and gender, the DNC stood by silently. Only Senator Clinton’s voters defended her. It is difficult to feel like a member of such a party because I sense that my values are no longer represented by the DNC. The Democrats have chosen to go forward with the weaker inexperienced candidate who as the now popular saying goes, “Was selected not elected”. The party has allienated Mrs. Clinton’s supporters. We are waiting to see what role she will play within the party. I do not believe that using her as Senator Obama’s cheerleader will be an effective way to reach out to us.
Susannnah
Mecklenburg
North Carolina
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean,
The sexism perpetrated by the Obama campaign and the disregard of that behavior by the DNC has left me disgusted. I have been a democrat my entire life, marched for Choice, donated heavily and worked to move the Democratic agenda forward. I worked in Chester County, PA, one of the most republican in the US, to get votes for Kerry, door to door, and for the first time we carried that county. Thanks to you and Obama, I am now an independent. I will vote for McCain in the fall unless Hillary is the candidate. You are backing a weak, inexperienced candidate who fights dirty and uses his thugs on the internet to advance his campaign. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.
Laura
Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Puma (former Democrat)
There are many reasons I will not support Obama:
1. His campaign messages of “unity”, “change” and “no more politics as usual” are flawed.
-”Unity”: His campaign distributed a memo accusing the Clintons of racism. They coerced black super-delegates and other party members to express their support for Obama. They vilified Hillary – a champion of traditional Democratic causes such as universal health-care and economic justice – to the extent that many of his young, immature supporters were spewing more vicious words of hatred for her than for even G W Bush, the worst US president is modern history. His support for a racially divisive church and its pastors – whether for short-term political gains with the AA community or out of true belief in these principles- belie any stated interest in unity. Quite apart from unifying the country, his dirty tactics have left even the Democratic party far more divided than it was six months ago.
- Change”, “No More Politics as Usual”: Obama has, like most politicians, engaged in shameless pandering on many issues. He has lied about his role in opposing the Iraq war (no one thinks of him as being a star of the anti-war movement, yet he has painted himself as such). He has lied about not taking money from oil and gas companies, to the extent any candidate can take such contributions. He has lied about the participation of lobbyists on his campaign which does not employ federal lobbyists but employs state lobbyists and former federal lobbyists and also targets spouses of current lobbyists for political contributions. In his first major political run, he engaged in dirty Chicago “politics as usual”, shoving the incumbent senator Alice Palmer off the ballot.
2. He benefited from extreme misogyny not repudiated by either him or the DNC:
The talking heads in the media used him as a foil to rage against Hillary Clinton. They plastered Hillary with all kinds of sexist and other undeserving insults, while turning an ordinary Obama into a mythical super-hero. Some of the false charges made against Hillary were so disgustingly devious that even the Republican attack machine would have struggled to come up with something better.
The DNC and Obama did not speak out against this at the time. Instead, they are taunting pro-choice Clinton Democrats with the predictable “Roe V Wade” bait. As if the ONLY progressive issue for women is abortion rights. I reason that if the Democrats manage to lose this election – of all elections to lose! – then it will force the DNC to sit up and take notice the next time misogyny of this nature and magnitude is peddled by the media. That, to me, would be just as much a step forward for women’s rights as upholding Roe V Wade. Women will feel equally secure about their rights if they were assured that never again shall an inspirational, capable female’s head have to silently roll away to accommodate the unbridled ambitions of a younger, less-qualified, weaker male.
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am one of 18 million voters who helped put a crack in the ceiling and this Ohio woman is going to protest the 2008 Presidential Election. For the last 7 1/2 years our country has suffered at the hands of the Bush Administration. We the people came out by the millions to vote for the best candidate to be the Democratic Nominee and that is Senator Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton. She has the most votes because this is what the PEOPLE want, but, the DNC and the Rules Committee stepped in and SELECTED Senator Obama instead of honoring our votes. The DNC and the Rules Committee does NOT speak for me, I speak for myself, I will NOT fall in line with your bad decisions. The DNC has brought great shame to it’s own party.
Carole
Mahoning County, Ohio
Puma Democrat
I am a lifelong Democrat, a woman, who wants the DNC to know that the traditional talking points of the DNC to keep the average American in line will no longer work for me. E.g. — “no DNC/no preservation of roe v. wade” … “no DNC/nobody to look out for the ‘working class’” … and the “100 years in Iraq” line. (The dumbest “talking point” yet as it is an out of context twisting of the meaning of McCain’s remarks.) We have had a thoroughly sexist primary campaign that lost the lion’s share of the working class vote with a one-note samba issue (the war). And the party is over because many of us now see what is behind the curtain. The “proportional representation” garbage, especially with regard to hijacked caucuses, is an outrage. As a woman, I have always resented the way the DNC co-opted the “reproductive rights” issue, making a bigger deal about what went on in our wombs and ignoring what goes on in our heads and hearts. As a member of the working class, no matter who’s in power, I still pay the larger share of income taxes. And as a tax payer from New York, I contribute to the largest share of Federal taxes from any state in the union. I’m still waiting for the occasional Democratic Congress/Chief Executive to do something about that. (At least Bill Clinton’s administration reduced the deficit and left the nation with a huge budget surplus. Oh, and by the way, I really resent the trampling of Bill Clinton in this campaign while the DNC sat on its hands. I don’t think I’ve heard the Democrats talk about deficits in this election year or how to achieve a budget surplus the way Clinton did over two terms, but the trashing of our only two-term President in 40 years is horrific and flies in the face of so-called “party unity” speeches.) Aside from Obama being an empty suit, not at all qualified to be POTUS… aside from his outrageous circle of close friends and advisors who will surely get input on appointments and lifetime posts in the Federal bureaucracy (yes Lifetime Posts with pals of Bill Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn, Richard Dailey, et al!) … aside from Obama’s connections to unsavory, possibly illegal sources of campaign financing … aside from Obama’s hypocrisy regarding lobby/pac money as he continues to reap same via “bundlers” … aside from Obama being a critical part of Chicago’s Dailey Machine … there are so many reasons to break with you all at the DNC this year. In particular, as a woman, I choose not to be bullied into voting with the DNC and go along with being reduced once again to “reproductive rights.” The “working class” stood with Hillary because their values were embodied by her record of service. Obama has the record of a socialist and the platform of a socialist. I don’t want that for the Democratic Party, but more important, I don’t want that for America. Where can we in the working class stand now and why on earth would we stand with a candidate who repeatedly ignored us in every campaign speech and debate? As for Iraq, if the tide continues to turn over there, Obama’s one-note samba will fall silent. Anyone who promises “instant exit” from Iraq is lying … we all know that because the amount of soldiers and equipment over there cannot be “instantly” removed even if we were in the middle of a major victory. But if the tide on that war continues to turn, we may have a “working class” electorate demanding that we “finish the job.” This segment of the electorate continues to be volatile and as a member of that segment, I remain totally opposed to Barack Obama. No matter how you slice it … nobama in 2008 or ever. It makes no sense. I am calling on my family and friends to boycott the DNC in 2008 and take a “wait and see” attitude about 2009 … hoping Howard Dean & Co. will lose sleep ever night from here on out. BTW, that link to ABC’s Jake Tapper’s blog from June 5, showing Obama strongarm Leiberman off the Senate floor for a who knows what encounter was priceless … looks like Obama is a Thug-bama as well. Multi-talented/multi-tasking/unfit to be President of the United States. For 2008, I am an Independent, leaning to John McCain. I will find a way to make my vote count against the DNC. I will not support candidates who support Barack Obama. I will not stay home on Election Day. And if the DNC does not find its soul pdq, I will do all I can in the coming years to work for a new Democratic Party, a third party that will ultimately crush this sham party we have in 2008.
Howard Dean: I am protesting the 2008 Presidential Election . You tried to become the Democratic Nominee but had it taken from you. Gore actually won a presidential election but had it stolen by the Republicans who used political clout to take the highest office in the land. This year, they won’t have to do that. Know why? You did it for them. You and the DNC stole the nomination. You have prostituted the nomination process and shown that the Democrats are all talk, no meaning. Congratulations
I came to this country for college 35 years ago and became a citizen 25 years ago. I have to say I have never been terribly interested in politics until this primary season when Senator Hillary Clinton emerged head-and-shoulders over all of the other contenders. This impression is based on her policies, performance at debates, her speeches as well as her track record in politics. At the same time it became quite clear that the main stream media was outright biased, making unwarranted negative comments when a simple, reporting the facts, would have sufficed. This type of behavior permeated TV and print. The comments by pro-Obama readers at NYT and Washington Post were for the most part, aggressively insulting, not interested in debating on points at all. If I were to write anything critical of Obama, I would be called a liar etc. It is not surprising that Senator Clinton was treated to the same kind of irrational bias – from her Bosnia misspeak to the RFK comment, stoked by the media and the pro-Obama camp. As an Asian American, my impression is that Obama has emerged to be the most divisive of all presidential candidates that I have seen in the last 35 years since arriving in this country. I firmly believe he encouraged his surrogates and supporters to use race to get himself votes. Is the reason why the DNC caved into Obama because of threats of racially motivated riots?
After Super Tuesday, I decided I needed to be more pro-active and I recruited my husband, a life-long Democrat, who has also been appalled by the openly sexist and biased treatment accorded Senator Clinton. We wrote hundreds of blogs, donated the maximum amount of money to her campaign, canvassed for Senator Clinton in Ohio and Indiana and went to her rallies. Additionally, as residents of Michigan, we were outraged that the DNC was not planning to count our votes. We wrote to the governor, both senators and to the Reps. We held out hope for a long time because of the possibility of a re-vote but the Obama forces blocked that effort. We still thought that the DNC RBC would do the right thing, at the very least the democratic thing. When the decision came out on May 31st, we were unimaginably disappointed and angry. First our votes only counted as half, second our votes for Senator Clinton were given to Obama, who wasn’t even on the ballot. When I heard Carl Levin talk about exit polls as being the best they could do to relegate the Uncommitted, I thought the DNC has totally lost it. And for what? Rules over democracy?
I also find the incessant call for Senator Clinton to quit the race since Super Tuesday was unprecedented. Especially beginning with Ohio and Texas, she was winning and winning, with fewer resources but with hard work on the part of Senator Clinton and her supporters. All the time the media was giving Obama a free pass, even with all the ugliness coming out regarding his associations with Wright and now Pfleger, Rezko and Auchi, Ayers, Dohrn and Khalidi. Obama is not qualified to be President, yet for reasons that have not been made transparent, he has been “selected” by the DNC. Now we are also hearing about all sorts of irregularities that went on at the caucuses where Obama raked up his delegate lead, how he bused supporters in from other states, how they intimidated Clinton supporters. In addition, the very nature of the caucuses disenfranchises a significant part of the electorate. To proportion delegates based on such an undemocratic process is not democracy.
I am not a sore loser, but when the system fails, I am angry. I left a society where there was no voting, no health care insurance, to a country where I thought everyone was entitled to live their dreams. This dream has now been taken away from the 18 million voters who supported Hillary Clinton. We will not forget.
Dear Dr. Dean, I am protesting the 2008 elections because of your actions, statements and silences during the primary elections. You betrayed the principles of the Democratic Party and I will no longer be a faithful, fall in line democrat as I, and at least 4 generations of my family have been.
Despite the many warning signs, you continued working against and marginalizing Sen. Clinton and her supporters, all 18 million. You are culpable for striping Sen. Clinton of her rightful votes and for striping the Democratic Party of their principles. I will not vote for any MA delegates who ignored the voices of their constituents and played a role in this undemocratic travesty. I will not vote for Barack Obama.
Kathleen Cowley
Dukes County, MA
Puma
Murphy, could you take my name Jenny Noles #589 from the top of my protest letter and change it to ALforHill. Thanks.
Dear Dr. Dean,
My family has “checked the donkey” for three generations. We have sat in our homes and were shocked by the nonresponse that come out of the DNC when candiates were attacked based on gender. We called the DNC and were told “the first amendment allows this.” Thank you for the lesson on the first amendment and now my family has a lesson for you. No money and no vote….take that to the bank. Suzanne, Tarrant County, Texas
Howard Dean, Sen. Carl Levin, Mark Brewer, and Sen. Barack Obama stole my vote and gave it to Sen. Obama. So much for democracy. So much for counting the votes. No way will give the DNC, the Michigan Democratic Party, or Sen. Barack Obama another vote to steal.
Dr Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 presidential primary election because the votes and voices of the majority of the democratic party were ignored. A group of party elites lead by yourself, Nancy Pelosi and Donna Brazille, have in effect decided who the nominee will be. I am thoroughly disillusioned by what has taken place.
I am a lifelong democrat who has just registered as an independent. I have voted party ticket for 30 years but not after this. The DNC, with you at the helm, has thrown 18 million registered democrats under the bus. You don’t need us. You changed the rules to suit YOUR needs in both MI and FL. Yet you left other states change their dates (move them up ahead of other states so as to still be first) with no risk or penalty at all. How is that possible? And how can you seriously call yourself a Democrat after doing so? I must be living in a parallel universe because I thought democracy was for the people, by the people, of the people. Guess I got that part of the lesson wrong in history class…. They did not mention it was for the RIGHT people, by the ELITE people and of the PARTY OFFICIAL people. I get it now. I believed, obviously naively, every vote should count and I thought the Democratic Party stood for that principle. Apparently, I was wrong. Way wrong. This is no longer a party I wish to be associated with. I say PUMA and will vote independent come November. Watch out Dr. Dean, the 18 million you threw under the bus did not die. We are only slightly battered and bruised and mad as hell.
Melissa
Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Just SOME of the reasons I say:
Nuclear waste bill
Obscurantism
Bullying
Attacks
Race Card
Ayers
Caucas fraud
Khalidi
Health care
United Trinity Church
Sweetie
Sexism
Extremist views
Inexperienced
NAFTA
Obtuse
Bias in the media
Arrogance
Misogyny
Anti-Gay bigots
DEAR DR. DEAN,
I AM A TYPICAL WHITE AMERICAN WOMAN, WHO HAS VOTED DEMOCRATIC FOR 50 YEARS. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF DNC INTEGRITY THIS YEAR, I WILL VOTE REPUBLICAN ACROSS THE BOARD.
THE DNC HAS COME TO EXEMPLIFY AN UNREALISTIC LEFT WING ACTIVIST MEMBERSHIP. IT TOOK THE PEOPLE’S VOTE AWAY FROM HILLARY CLINTON, BY THE FRAUD COMMITTED IN CAUCUS STATES; BY BUYING THE SUPERDELEGATES WHO WENT AGAINST THE WAY THEIR STATES VOTED IN THE PRIMARY; BY ENCOURAGING THE MSM IN THEIR SEXISM TOWARD HILLARY; AND FOR YOUR UNTIRING SUPPORT OF NANCY PELOSI, TED KENNEDY, JOHN KERRY, ETC.
RETIRED, I HAVE HAD THE ADVANTAGE MANY AMERICANS HAVE NOT, AND THAT IS THE CAPACITY TO WATCH TV MSM NEWS AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY. IT HAS BEEN AN EYE OPENER. I FEEL SORRY FOR ALL THOSE AMERICANS WHO VOTE ON EMOTION AND BLINDLY.
I CANNOT AND WILL NOT VOTE FOR BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA. BOTH IN HIS BOOKS AND LISTENING TO HIS RHETORICAL WORDS ON THE TV, I AM APPALLED, THAT THE DNC SUPPORTS SOMEONE, WHO IS SO CONTRADICTORY, SO LACKING IN GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE, AND SO CONNECTED TO THE FOREIGN ENEMIES AS HE IS SO WILLING TO SPEAK WITH. IT MAKES ME WONDER IF ALL OF THE DNC ARE NOT SO CONNECTED. BHO’S ARROGANCE, AS WELL AS THAT OF MICHELLE OBAMA, AND DONNA BRAZILE LEAVE ME WITH NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO VOTE AGAINST THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. MAY I ALSO ADD THAT THE KNUCKLE TOUCH DEMONSTRATED BY THE OBAMAS ON THE NIGHT OF HIS SO CALLED VICTORY SPEECH IS A SYMBOL OF TERRORIST SIGNIFICANCE.
YES, WE NEED CHANGE. CHANGE IN THE DNC. CHANGE IN THE DEMOCRATIC HOLD OF CONGRESS. CHANGE IN WHO IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OF THIS U.S.A.
DOROTHY
HARTFORD COUNTY
CONNECTICUT
PUMA DEMOCRAT VOTING REPUBLICAN
Dr. Dean,
I am adding my voice to protest the 2008 Democratic Presidential Election Primary. I do not believe it was conducted in a fair and appropriate manner for many reasons. I will list two.
Political equality (one person = one vote) was set aside. Florida votes counting as half as well as trying to end the voting prematurely. The race was a statistical dead heat, and every state deserved a voice. Responsiveness (elected officials following the will of the people) was not acheived. The superdelegates ignoring the popular vote, as well as their constituents, goes against this basic political principle.
I will not “fall in line” in the name of unity for its own sake. I have my own mind, and I will vote my conscience. I will vote for the candidate most qualified. Unfortunately, the democrats did not choose that person this year.
Respectfully,
Kara
Christian County, MO
P.U.M.A (People United Means Action) member
For me it’s simple the DNC no longer represents me, my family, and our ideology. All of us will vote MCCain.
Dear Governor Dean:
I have never, in my 35 years of voting democrat, seen such a shameful spectacle as this primary season. It became more and more clear as the process wore on, that you and the inner circle of the DNC would do anything and everything in your power to elect the candidate of YOUR choice, not the choice of the people. As I listened and watched the sham of a hearing under the guise of the ‘rules’ committee, I began to understand that this election had been pre-determined long before it began. The sequence of the election was taylor made to fit Obama and Obama alone.
I have never cast a vote for any non democrat candidate for president in my life. I have always looked to the Democratic party for good government and fairness. Most of all, I have always seen the party as the party of civil rights. Among those civil rights is the right of every citizen to have a vote, and for every vote to count equally. Now that I see the truth about the Democratic party, I grieve for the lost ideal and the lost promise of a better future for our country.
We all know that Obama is not the choice of the electorate. Why, then, is he the presumptive nominee? Does this make any sense to anyone?
The party needs to come to grips with its bad system and correct it post haste. I will not follow like a lemming and vote for your choice. I will find some way to write in Hillary Clinton, or I will vote for Nader or McCain. The choice is yours: either clean up the party, or the party ceases to exist. Give us our rightful nominee.
Dear DNC:
I have just changed my affiliation to Independent. The way the DNC has conducted the primary has totaally opened my eyes to the fact that there is no interest in helping America be the best it can be by the DNC. The only priority for the DNC is it’s internal power base keeping their own thrones intact at America’s peril. I hope that you realize by promoting an inexperienced candidate, with questionable background links, over an experienced, tough and knowledgeable one, you have betrayed every value you say are your priorities. I will not be party to turning my country over to the enemy. You will reap what you sow and it is on your heads. I will do the right thing and remain a patriot forever. I won’t sell my soul for a few minutes of fame. Good luck with that.
Dr. Dean
Once again the “presumptuous” nominee has left the starting gate before the gun.
Yes this race is over for now. The nominee will not be determined until the convention. Hillary will not waste her political capital on this loser. An ultra-liberal with no appeal.
The party provided for superdelegates for just this reason; to prevent another McGovern or Dukakis disaster and Obama is both. He has little or no appeal to middle class America, a demographic he needs to win, his hatred and his questionable patriotism are wonderful fodder for the Republicans. .
Quite frankly why in the world should she bail him out?. Party loyalty? You don’t deserve it. You want a candidate you can control and you know that is not Hillary.
Obama will not get my vote no matter what or whom.
I will vote for McCain, a moderate alternative,period.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I will not be voting in the next election because there is no point. If you are going to decide who is going to be the nominee and change the rules around whatever will make that happen, then why vote? Even with the popular vote, with the most states that will actually vote democratic in the election and with the best record and chance of winning, you still have forced another candidate down our throats! I will not vote for a cheater and as a caucus goer in Houston Texas, that is the only reason Obama won the caucus and not the primary. Don’t you find it at all odd that a person could only win caucuses and not primaries, but then all you hear is there was rampant cheating? That should be a huge red flag to anyone.
I will not vote for someone that does not have any experience to lead this country. That is what elections are for, so we can find the best person to lead and when the person with the popular vote is not the person selected, even though they truly are the better candidate, you are going to have huge problems.
Welcome to the problems of the DNC. You will be remembered in history just as kindly as GWB will be for his steeling of the elections.
Melanie
Dear Dr. Dean,
I will not be voting for Barack Obama in November if the DNC presents him as the democratic nominee.
He does not represent my values.
I am a Christian who believes we are called to love all people by helping the poor and marginalized (including women, ethnic minorities, children, gay, lesbian and transgender) in our society to have food, shelter, healthcare and EQUAL RIGHTS in our political and work life. I do not believe Mr. Obama shares these values based on the various religious leaders Mr. Obama has chosen as mentors and the way he has treated people who are different from him. For example, he used his grandmother as an example of a typical white person who is racist, he would not allow pictures to be taken of him with the mayor of SanFrancisco, he made disrespectful gestures while talking about the Senator from New York.
I believe in treating people with respect and taking responsibility for my actions. I have not seen where Mr. Obama shares these values with me.
I believe in one person, one vote and I KNOW Mr. Obama does not share this value with me AND neither does the DNC.
Jennifer
Pierce County, Washington
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean,
I know I have already written you many letters but my thoughts just won’t be turned off. Everyday something happens to make it all boil back up inside me. Yesterday, another stranger called me because of a letter I sent to our newspaper about the horrible treatment the superdelegates and the DNC showed to Hillary Clinton. They are wanting to know how to join in the fight against you for what you have done. This fight is growing everyday. But the worst for me has been the young kids and my own children that I have preached to for years about why it is so important to vote and have your voice heard. They are all coming back to me now saying see, my vote didn’t count. Why should we bother? You said it would count. Just what do I tell them now? They say you have allowed an anti-American, racist, terrorist affiliate to get the nomination. You even cheated to get him in. Everything I ever told them would never happen you allowed. So now I not only have to fight to keep this neandrothal out of the White House, but I have to find a way to get my name back with all of these young people. I have let them down, including my own children. I will never forgive you for that!!!!
You now want us to accept listening to Hillary promoting the election of this beast. How can you even have the gall to ask her to get him elected after what both the DNC and Obama himself have done to her. You obviously have no conciense. Do you know what that makes the both of you? I won’t even repeat it here but you know what I’m talking about. First you both steal the election from her then you ask her to win it for him!!! How dare you!! You show your ignorance even more if you really believe that we will forget and forgive this damning act and vote for him. Hell will freeze over first. You were on Morning Joe again this AM condeming McCain for working with lobbyists and lying about Obama not taking money from them. Again, HOW DARE YOU think we are that stupid? If you are not going to reconcider and fix this at the convention, you better watch how much you ask her to do for him. We know her carreer has been threatened!!!! You all will go down for this. We will not let it go.
Dr. Dean,
I know I have already written you many letters but my thoughts just won’t be turned off. Everyday something happens to make it all boil back up inside me. Yesterday, another stranger called me because of a letter I sent to our newspaper about the horrible treatment the superdelegates and the DNC showed to Hillary Clinton. They are wanting to know how to join in the fight against you for what you have done. This fight is growing everyday. But the worst for me has been the young kids and my own children that I have preached to for years about why it is so important to vote and have your voice heard. They are all coming back to me now saying see, my vote didn’t count. Why should we bother? You said it would count. Just what do I tell them now? They say you have allowed an anti-American, racist, terrorist affiliate to get the nomination. You even cheated to get him in. Everything I ever told them would never happen you allowed. So now I not only have to fight to keep this neandrothal out of the White House, but I have to find a way to get my name back with all of these young people. I have let them down, including my own children. I will never forgive you for that!!!!
You now want us to accept listening to Hillary promoting the election of this beast. How can you even have the gall to ask her to get him elected after what both the DNC and Obama himself have done to her. You obviously have no conciense. Do you know what that makes the both of you? I won’t even repeat it here but you know what I’m talking about. First you both steal the election from her then you ask her to win it for him!!! How dare you!! You show your ignorance even more if you really believe that we will forget and forgive this damning act and vote for him. Hell will freeze over first. You were on Morning Joe again this AM condeming McCain for working with lobbyists and lying about Obama not taking money from them. Again, HOW DARE YOU think we are that stupid? If you are not going to reconcider and fix this at the convention, you better watch how much you ask her to do for him. We know her carreer has been threatened!!!! You all will go down for this. We will not let it go.
Janice
McCracken Co. Kentucky
Puma Democrat
How are we doing on the letter count? Are you getting close to 1000? I have read a LOT of letters, but most of them are not in the correct format.
Could you update us please.
Dear Dr. Dean,
As a lifelong Democrat, I just wanted to write to let you know that after 35 years of voting for your party, contributing to your party and supporting your party, I will not be “united” with your party in November. The “Party” run by you and people like Donna Brazille have turned off millions of voting citizens to the point of switching parties. My loyalty has always been to the country first, but the Democrats were always the party who represented my views until this year. Your treatment of Senator Clinton and silence at the terrible treatment she got from the media and the Obama campaign was stunning. Then of course there was the fiasco in Florida and the mess in Michigan that you did nothing to alleviate until May 31st. The fix was in and accomplished on that day as planned by your organization. You have taken the most prized right of living in a “democracy”, the right to vote, and turned it into a joke. Instead of hearing you and other party leaders say that “next election this will not happen because we will change the way we elect our nominees in the future to one person one vote”……..you said, “we must split the delegates and punish these states because if we don’t, what will happen next time a state does this?” Probably the same thing that happened this year and you will end up disenfranchising more voters.
Good luck in November without us 18 million ex supporters.
Dawna Falso
Cape Coral FL
Dear Howard Dean,
I am a 34yo male who has been a hardcore Democrat my entire life. And let me tell you, I have never been so outraged and disgusted by the Democratic Party. The treatment of Hillary Clinton by the party leaders, the DNC, the obama campaign, and the media has been the worst spectacle of vile maliciousness ever directed towards a candidate. Where were you Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi when Chris Matthews made his sexist and outrageous statements? Where were you when the Hillary Nutcracker hit the store shelves? I could go on with example after example. You remained silent. The Democratic Party is now being taken over by left wing bloggers and Obama is their candidate. I don’t recognize my party anymore. How the party leadership could force out of the race the most experienced, electable and prepared candidate to run for the presidency in over 100 years is beyond my comprehension. How could you put this rookie senator over the top over Hillary Clinton? It’s a disgrace and corrupt to the core. Your only salvation is to put Hillary as VP. That’s the only way i will vote for Obama. Dean, do you not realize how angry people are at the party’s actions? Do you not realize how MAD we are! The treatment of the clintons has been a disgrace and the dem party is partly to blame. If Hillary is not on this ticket one way or another, i’m voting McCain or staying home.
William
Jefferson County
Alabama
Howard Dean,
Barack Obama will not get my vote. The DNC has conveniently ignored my vote. The DNC plays by it’s own rules selectively, as it was so blatantly demonstrated in Texas at all three levels of conventions. I was somehow mistaken that if I voted, that is what mattered, and the vote would be counted. What i found out is it’s not the votes, but the “old guard” of this party that manipulates the outcome, it’s the back room deals and it’s undemocratic. Don’t be deceived by thinking the dissenters will all fall in line by November. We live in a new era, don’t base that judgement on the “past”. This conversation will not cease.
Sincerely,
Rhonda H
Fort Worth TX
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the 2008 election because I have been ashamed and appalled at the actions of the DNC including the death of democracy that occurred on May 31st, 2008. I am a lifelong democrat who will be leaving the party because I used to believe that the democrats were the good guys. I now know they they no longer reflect my morals, values, judgement or common sense. I will not support the DNC who had a candidate that could have won back the White House this year, but chose to go with the hype and hypocrisy of someone unfit to do the job. I believe that the Office of the President of the United States of America should be held by a person of honor and integrity, not by a man and a political party who has to cheat their way in to have it. I will be voting for the candidate of honor this year, senator John McCain.
Susan
Hennepin County Minnesota
“…the DNC is violating one of the most fundamental of all constitutional rules, that once a vote is cast it must be counted. This constitutional principle, pronounced by the United States Supreme Court since Ex parte Yarborough (1884) and reiterated as recently as Gray v. Sanders (1963), is simply beyond reproach. This rock-bottom constitutional demand applies to primaries as well as general elections. United States v. Classic (1941). Reiterating black letter law stated in Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections (1966), the high court reasserted in Bush v. Gore (2000) that “once granted the right to vote on equal terms, the State may not, by later arbitrary and disparate treatment, value one person’s vote over that of another.” – Sen. Arlen Spector
I have done some serious thinking and concluded that I cannot support the DNC or its candidate when the process used to choose the candidate ignores the will of the people. Obama was selected by the superdelegates; Clinton was elected by the people.
Now, Mr. Dean I ask you to do some serious thinking. What right do you have to ignore the will of the people? What right do you have to ignore one of our country’s most fundamental constitutional rights–the right to vote and to have that vote counted (as a whole vote)? You, Mr. Dean, do not have the right.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am an independent voter who crossed over from Planet Independence in order to support Hillary Clinton. As a native New York City resident, I am familiar with Sen. Clinton’s record over the past 8 years that she has represented our state. She was (and still is) the most qualified candidate to be the next president. As an independent, I could not vote in the Democratic primary here in NY, but I donated to Sen. Clinton’s campaign, and I was intending to volunteer and to vote for her in the general election.
The voters of Michigan and Florida had the chance to vote for this fine candidate, Sen. Clinton, and they did so. They were then robbed of half their votes after being denied a re-vote. Sen. Obama’s campaign stood in the way of a re-vote. Sen. Clinton did not have the requisite number of pledged delegates to secure the nomination, but neither did Sen. Obama. Sen. Obama was not elected by “the people” — he was chosen by a group of superdelegates in a manipulation of democracy that I have never before witnessed in my lifetime in this country. Obama’s status as “Democratic nominee” is a sham.
I as an independent will not vote for the Democratic nominee. I will not vote Republican. I will vote “independent” once again, as I always have. The Democrats could have had my vote, but they will not get it this time. Hillary Clinton was railroaded out of the race by a corrupt nomination process. This is shameful.
Hillary will always get my vote, no matter what party she is affiliated with. The Democrats will not.
I am one of 18 million. We are 18 million strong, and we stay strong for Hillary Clinton.
Judy
New York, NY
To DEAN and the SUPERDELEGATES:
I’ve been a member of this party for thirty two years.
I’ve brought many family members and friends in to this party over the years. Yet, today I’m sadden to say this party no longer deserve my support. I will not be silent, and I take great exception to what you have done.
The word is spreading about the outrageous conduct of the bias media, you, Pelios, Richardson, Kenndey, Kerry, Lewis, Clayburn, Dobbs, Leahy, Brazile, just to name a few. This party not only stole the nomination away from Hillary but you discarded her voters.
This Primary season has opend my eves to some of the most corrupt back room deals that I’ve ever witness.
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ONE PERSON ONE VOTE?
Some of your so called rules are out of date and out touch with reality. For instance, you allow caucuses which are totally undemocratic. You allow some voters in some states to vote twice on the same day. You count delegates instead of votes. You discarded and Punished Michigan and Florida voters for some silly reason. (SO WHAT IF THEY WANTED TO MOVE THEIR PRIMARY UP WHO CARES) you should be greatfull so many came out to vote. NOW COMES THE WORST SIN OF ALL AND THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS RULE IS YOU GAVE SUPERDELEGATES THE POWER TO OVERTURN THE WILL OF 18 MILLION VOTERS.
In closing I just want to remind you and the superdelegates that the voters make this party strong and when you anger 18 million voters (many of whom have been in this party for years and have been loyal,tride and true} you can bet if we stick together in solidarity than I feel come this fall this party is headed for diaster.
Until this party recognizes and admits to its members that you were wrong and you’ll make it right, I for one will not vote for Obama or any other Democrat candidate, (city or state).
Sandy
Casa Grande, AZ
Proud to me a member of PUMA Democrat!!!
Dear Mr. Dean,
“…the DNC is violating one of the most fundamental of all constitutional rules, that once a vote is cast it must be counted. This constitutional principle, pronounced by the United States Supreme Court since Ex parte Yarborough (1884) and reiterated as recently as Gray v. Sanders (1963), is simply beyond reproach. This rock-bottom constitutional demand applies to primaries as well as general elections. United States v. Classic (1941). Reiterating black letter law stated in Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections (1966), the high court reasserted in Bush v. Gore (2000) that “once granted the right to vote on equal terms, the State may not, by later arbitrary and disparate treatment, value one person’s vote over that of another.” – Sen. Arlen Spector
I have done some serious thinking and concluded that I cannot support the DNC or its candidate when the process used to choose the candidate ignores the will of the people. Obama was selected by the superdelegates; Clinton was elected by the people.
Now, Mr. Dean I ask you to do some serious thinking. What right do you have to ignore the will of the people? What right do you have to ignore one of our country’s most fundamental constitutional rights–the right to vote and to have that vote counted (as a whole vote)? You, Mr. Dean, do not have the right.
B. Mullin
Bloomington, Indiana
Reposting letter – forgot signature
Dear Dr. Dean:
We’re hearing so much these days that it’s Hillary’s job to unite the party. We’re hearing that if Barack Obama loses, it’s Hillary’s fault. We’re hearing that the easiest way to lure Hillary’s followers to vote for is for Hillary to speak out against John McCain.
We’ve heard you say – too little and way too late – that sexism has to stop and has no place in a democratic election process. Where were you when the most disgusting attacks were happening by the media, egged on by the Obama campaign and his followers?
The expectation is that after Hillary’s supporters get over it, they will fall in line and vote for Barack Obama. “All we like sheep” is part of the libretto of Handel’s Messiah. According to you and the DNC, it’s an appropriate lyric for the expectations that you have about the supporters of Clinton toward your hand-picked candidate, Barack Obama.
Do you realize that this is the prime example of the greatest sexism of all? The almost unconscious expectation; the inability to see Clinton and her supporters as separate individuals, with each having the ability to think independently of the other; the counting on the loyaltly toward the classic ethic, when you have destroyed that classic ethic – you think you are magicians whose sleight of hand is invisible to the masses.
This is, in fact, the greatest sexism – that you think you can pull this off; that we don’t see the truth.
My family has been Democratic for generations. I am 69 and have voted in presidential elections since 1960. I retain my Democratic registration so that I can continue to speak to the travesty that I see. This is no longer the party of FDR; it’s not even the party of JFK. This has become the party of Animal Farm.
Don’t expect my vote to bail you out. And from the other companion comments, don’t expect theirs either.
Barbara,
New Jersey PUMA
I wrote the following to congratulate Obama:
If you are a good man Obama like some people say you are, I ask you to please step down, and let Hillary heal our country. You blatantly lie to us and yourself about almost everything, you have very little experience, you can’t think on your own, you are anti-democratic, you copy good ideas from other people and then ruin them, you say something is bad when it’s against you, and when it’s for you it’s good, or saying something is bad while you are doing the same thing, making you the biggest hypocrite that ever lived, you stand by while people around you are doing and saying attrocities. The only thing you had going for you was your campaign team which got the worst governor elected of all time in MA, and now they’re about to get you the worst possible president of all time elected. I beg you to have mercy on this country and let us finally have a good president! Please!
Dear Governor Dean,
Integrity and and principle. Moral authority? That has been tossed out. And now today, I feel like your 2006 Corruption Tour, brought to the Columbus Statehouse, could now be about the Democrats.
After being one of your strong supporters and working to elect Democrats, now over the actions of the DNC, with your help, unevenly pushing and influencing this Democratic Primary with an obvious bias, has destroyed the Democratic Party of the people. Of course, we now see that it apparently was this intention, as disclosed by DNC Committee member Donna Brazile, to be the NEW Democratic party, not one for Women, Blue Collar Workers, Hispanics or Seniors, but one for “urban” and Elite voters.
The absolute cap, breaking the rules and laws, to unfairely apply them for a desired outcome. Then, one more step, to allow the DNC to become the extension of Camp Obama, to unfairly rig this election, seizing control of the DNC and YOU, changing standards, hold fundraisers to direct large sums of money to the DNC, for Camp Obama to use the maximum $28,500.00 per person amount, much greater than a presidential campaign, so they control the funds and use the DNC as another arm of their campaign. This puts Republicans corruption as a non player.
You have made the Democratic Party not something I recognize and being the “official” Democratic Party has left me, I care not be a part of it, so I had to leave the DNC. Yesterday for the first time in my two decades of voting age, my husband and I have registered as Independents.
And while you lose the base of the Democrats over this years despicable shenanigans, the rest of the voters will have little reason to support your party, as I was just reminded seeing a TV Ad this morning for a Democratic Candidate for the Senate. He stated, ‘he has fought for the middle class and worked to get every one an opportunity to have the same HEALTH CARE AS EACH MEMBER OF CONGRESS’. OOPS, ONLY PROMBLEM, NOT ONLY DOES THE DEMOCRATIC PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE NOT SUPPORT HEALTH CARE FOR ALL, HE ATTACKED THE ONLY CANDIDATE and DEMOCRATIC AT THAT, FOR OFFERING A UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE THAT COULD BUY IN TO CONGRESS’, BUT ALSO ATTACKED THE ONLY SUCCESSFUL TWO TERM PRESIDENT IN A CENTURY.
The unlosable Democratic win has just become losable.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am a lifelong Democrat, but after the actions of the party bosses during this primary, I will leave the party. Maybe you think that with all your new members, you don’t need “the old Guard” anymore. We shall see.
I am one of 18 Million. I will cast my protest vote for Senator McCain in November.
Sincerely,
Donna
New Haven County, Connecticut
Mr. Dean,
I could tell you how I am a huge Hillary supporter, and I am. I could tell you how many years I have been a democrat, but I wont. What I will tell you about is how the DNC has turned my son away from the politcal process.
My oldest son is 16, not old enought to vote I know. But when he came home from school one day and told me how his peers were saying “a women cant be president”, ” a women is not saavy enough to run the country”, ” a women is too emotional”. My response was “they must be republicans”!
That day I decided it was time for him to get involved and learn about the issues, the country, and the presidency. So I insisted he help with the Hillary campaign and though he was kicking and screaming he joined me. He hated making phones, sitting in a room with a bunch of women but he soon felt empowered. He starting asking me questions daily about the polls. He sat with me and watched primaries as they came in. He became interested in the process. He spent several days working the phones and soon met other men helping Hillary aswell. He told me how great it was to be part of something. And when the time came for her rally here in Wilmington NC, he asked if I wanted to help! Can I tell you how proud I was of him. My son is a football player, and a very good one at that. And even though he is an honors student, I can tell you he was never interested in politics and policy.
Sadly that is where he is again today. Not interested. He gave up hanging with his friends on the 31 of May to watch the rules commitee meeting. He couldnt believe what he was hearing. He was even more amazed in the lack of respect the adults were having as they presented their case. He said “we hold ourselves to a higher standard in high school”.
He is right. He is no longer interested in politics after watching the injuctice. He feels very disappointed with the process. Not because Hillary lost but because it was a sham. My soon to be democrat son will be a republican when is turns 18. He said he would be embarrassed to be a democrat.
Thank you Mr. Dean and the DNC for turning my son away from politics at 16. Thank you for showing him its okay to take from one to give to another. Thank you Mr Dean for showing the youth of today, that politics in this country is no different from polictics in some repressed countries. This time Mr Dean, you blew it.
Dr. Dean:
I have been thinking about how to put into words all I have to say. So simply, I am disgusted, dismayed and shocked over what has happened this primary season. Senator Clinton was criticized constantly and NO ONE from the party stood up and said “stop”. I find it interesting however that now we are told we should not bring up race, and Michelle Obama is off limits. You sir along with Nancy Pelosi and Donna Brazille need to take a long hard look at who you are!! I also think you should immediately go find a dictionary and look up the words – democracy and democrat. Also regarding the Fl/MI votes. What is with the “back room” discussion and decision? Public meeting? I changed my party affiliation in order to vote for Senator Clinton in the California primary. I have since changed again. I can in no way be a part of what you call “democracy”. I am one of the proud 18 million and I am also proud to say I no longer support anyone in the party that did not stand by the vote of the people. This is still America isn’t it? For the people and by the people? I guess November will tell all and then we can say “told ya so!”.
Thank You
A proud Puma
Sue Ventura County, CA
Dr. Dean~
I have devoted the last four years to the cause of ELECTION INTEGRITY… clean elections in our country, for the legitimate rights of all Americans and in support of our democracy.
I am broken-hearted and enfuriated that “my party” has srtooped to the level of election theft, and is now fighting agianst my efforts for true voter representation.
I will NOT vote for a candidate who was not legitimately chosen by the voters.
I will NOT donate money to a party that supports election theft.
I will NOT remain a member of a party that commits election theft.
My first vote was cast for Shirley Chisholm, and have voted Democratic party ever since. No more. The Democratic party does not exist for me anymore. I cannot and will not be a participant in this crime against democracy.
I have left the Democratic party and have no loyalty or faith anymore.
I will not vote for ‘The Pretender’. I won’t vote for any “down-ticket” Dems, either, unless they speak out and stand up against this theft.
The Party has decided that my vote does not matter, so I will not give it anymore.
~Melinda
California PUMA
Arizona PUMA
Dear Dr. Dean,
I am protesting the process by which a nominee was selected in this year’s Democratic primary season –
• Extensive personal attacks were directed towards Sen. Clinton by the media, which served to demean her candidacy. The DNC leadership did not protest this.
• The DNC leadership itself engaged in personal and demeaning attacks of Sen. Clinton
• The caucuses were unduly weighted with delegates, even though they are not representative elections. Caucuses disenfranchise many of the very groups supportive of Clinton – elderly, ill, disabled, mothers, and working class people working shifts.
• The results of the popular vote were considered insignificant – despite our experience with Gore in Florida in 2000.
• Florida and Michigan were unreasonably punished for actions beyond their control. Given the controversy, a re-vote was an option fair to everyone. Clinton worked out an agreement with Michigan and Florida [and I believe with the DNC] – including the funding. But Obama did not want a revote, so the DNC supported that position and did not insist on it. Then it allowed Obama to receive votes that had never been cast for him, and gave him some of Clinton’s delegates. This disregards the actual votes of the people and the party did not insist on a re-vote to ensure fairness.
• The DNC has declared a nominee prior to the convention, when two candidates are very close. This is unprecedented; many nominees have been elected at the convention.
• There is a push for ‘unity’ behind a candidate who is not yet nominated, did not win the popular vote, and won most of his delegates in caucuses.
Obama has not won the nomination; he has been ‘selected’ by DNC leadership rather than elected by the people.
If, under these conditions, he is declared the candidate at the Denver convention, then I will vote for McCain in November.
I am 61 years old, and have been voting since 1968. I have ALWAYS worked for and voted for Democratic candidates.
This is the first time that I believe a candidate is being ‘selected’ without being ‘elected’ by the people. I would work for any Democratic nominee that is elected in a fair process that ‘counts all the votes.
I am protesting this fraudulent process, and will not return to the Democratic Party until it returns to its positions of:
One person; one vote
count all the votes
Include our all of usual coalitions in the process [including the working class, the poor, the ill, the elderly, Latinos, and women.]
Sincerely,
Elaine
York County, Maine
Dear Dr. Dean,
When I turned 18 three years ago, I registered to vote as a Democrat. This November would have marked my first presidential election. I was looking forward to voting for an intelligent, highly qualified candidate savvy enough to handle precarious national and international situations.
Needless to say, I will not be voting for your chosen candidate. “Party unity” means nothing if we lack a strong candidate to unify behind.
I am saddened that the DNC leadership puts personal vendettas and party interests before our country. Further, I am sickened that vicious media attacks on a respected member of your party have been ignored and even encouraged.
After your chosen candidate loses in November, do not expect to retain the so-called “youth” vote. I live among these people, and they are fickle. You have seen fit to ignore and alienate the true base of loyal Democrats.
There is a simple way to fix this: nominate Hillary Clinton in August. Otherwise, my relationship with the Democratic Party will have been short-lived.
A. M. F.
Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Dean,
I have always considered myself a democrat and voted accordingly. However, I am one of the millions who cannot and will not “fall in line” to vote for Senator Obama in November.
We, as Americans, believe passionately in a free, open, and fair democratic process to nominate the Party’s strongest candidate to go against the opposition in the general election. That process was not followed by the Democratic National Committee (“DNC”); indeed, it was desecrated time and again by the media, the DNC, and Senator Obama’s campaign to hand-select the nominee they wanted. Hillary and her supporters were forced to endure caustic, sexist, and hate-filled comments throughout the primaries. The DNC’s and Senator Obama’s campaign’s deafening silence in opposition to this conduct by the media and Senator Obama’s supporters gave it weight and acceptance as a norm.
While free speech is a right bestowed upon every American, responsible speech was vital to maintaining the Party’s unity. The DNC and Senator Obama’s campaign were given a multitude of opportunities throughout the primary season to provide leadership and stop the hateful and sexist comments in order to maintain party unity. This is particularly true for Senator Obama, whose actions will represent the nation on an international scale, should he win the general election. His conduct is not what I would deem “presidential.” I do not believe it is in our country’s best interests to have a president who would condone, let alone participate in sexist, hateful, and divisive remarks and behavior. Senator Obama and the DNC chose to allow the behavior to continue, and did so to their detriment. Their choice, your choice, Mr. Dean, has left millions of us wondering what kind of party would allow such divisiveness to penetrate and alienate its core constituencies when this is such a crucial year for the DNC as it seeks to regain the White House.
Senator Obama has shown his true colors during this primary season. Though the media continues to portray him as a symbolic messiah to gain his popularity, millions of us have independent minds and can think and read for ourselves. We have come to our own conclusions about his preparedness and his morals as he seeks the most influential office in the world. I do not believe that he ready, nor does he represent my values.
As stated in Ronald Reagan’s immortal words in 1962, “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The party left me.”
Respectfully,
A Will
A Puma Democrat
I’m submitting my letter through my mom’s screen name will join when I have more time Thank you,
Dear Dr. Dean,
As a 21 year old American Indian/caucasian divorced mother of 2; I am outraged at the audacity of the DNC et al for the inhuman treatment of Hillary, the sexism, the media bias etc.
You Dr. Dean, the party elders & Nobama not only allowed it but by not stepping up to the plate; you condoned it!
This goes way beyond politics, it goes to the very core of who we are!
Mom taught us right from wrong, to have faith in God and our fellow Man(& Woman), to get ahead you gotta work hard, that all are equal, all the golden rules & last but not least to be a democrat. This party is no longer Of the people & By the people, it has no good values, it allows cheating & counting we the people as 1/2 people(Florida) & in our case (Michigan) even less & you allowed others to be bullied into voting someone they didn’t choose.
Hillary is a strong woman & we appreciate her sacrifice over the years on our behalf, she has the soundest & strongest solutions needed to get our country and fellow man(woman) back on track.
We the PEOPLE voted for Hillary & if you dont honor our vote not only are we leaving the party; we will vote for John Mccain. I agree with my mom “This Sweetie, Refuses to go sit Quietly in the back of the bus!”
Will the last person to leave the Democratic party Please; TURN OUT THE LIGHTS! This family wont be coming home in November.”
Rebekka & children~
Monroe County-Newport, Michigan
“PUMA DEMOCRAT FAMILY”
Dr. Dean,
I am one of 18 million who helped put a crack in the glass ceiling. I am protesting the 2008 Presidential election because I am disillusioned with the Democratic Party. After loyal support since 1964, voting, contributing and volunteering for any candidate with a (D) in front of their name and for it all, being called a racist who is not needed in this election by a high ranking member of the DNC, you could say a sleeping giant has been awakened.
This is the first time in my life I have really seen the true Democratic Party. This party does not stand for every vote being counted fairly, defending racism, sexism, etc. wherever it rears its ugly head.
I will work my heart out to return the Democratic Party to the ideals I always thought it believed in. If that is not possible I will work toward creating a party that really believes in equality and every voter counting.
St. Charles, Il.
Puma Democrat
I colleague of mine asked me to pst this for her.
Mr. Howard Dean,
I am appalled. I am dismayed. I am ANGRY. I have a Bachelors Degree, 2 Master Degrees, and a Ph.D. in American Studies/American Culture. I have devoted my life to learning and understanding our history and culture. I have taught American history, American folklore, American Women Studies, etc. in college. One thing I have always taught my students was that even though America has made its share of mistakes and is not perfect, it is the best nation in the world. But the problems in the last few election put our greatness as risk. I have seen George Bush cheat his way into the White House twice. I have seen TV reporters state that they would like to take Ms. Clinton “out behind the barn and teach her a lesson!” Rape? Beating? These men were not reprimanded in any way. I am heart broken that our DNC has chosen to disenfranchise millions of voters who were basically held political hostage by their states in their primaries. As I asked the DNC, if the committee felt the need to “punish” Florida and Michigan for their early elections, then the DNC should have fined the states’ individual committee members who made the decisions, and NOT the people who voted in good conscience. When these voters can be stripped of their votes so horribly and so easily, then it can happen to any state or territory. No vote in America will be safe from disenfranchisement in the future. There were also too many voting irregularities that hurt Ms. Clinton and favored Mr. Obama that have not been resolved or fairly resolved at this point.
In this election campaign and in the EXTREMELY BIASED media coverage, we have not moved our country forward, but backwards. I WILL NOT vote for Mr. Obama because: 1). He lacks sufficient experience to be President at this point, 2) He has presented no clear, concise, specific plans on how he proposes to fund, implement, and effect change — he only has vague rhetoric, 3) I feel he has repeatedly exaggerated, deceived, or misled people about his past, 4) Mr. Obama has no tract record of effecting change initiated by him through legislation, and 5) He has associated himself (including calling them his mentors and asking them to serve on committees if he becomes president) with several people who appear to be hate mongers and he only broke his ties to them when it was politically correct for him to do so.
The manner in which Democrats “elect” (though it strongly appears that the DNC cares little for electing a nominee rather than “appointing” one) a nominee does NOT work as shown in this disastrous campaign. The millions of dollars spent on these prolonged elections could be feeding the poor, raising the quality of education offered our young, insuring the populace, finding cures for diseases, protecting our environment, etc. I most strongly feel that the DNC cheated Ms. Clinton out of the nomination for the presidency. I feel even more strongly that the DNC cheated the NATION and MYSELF out of an effective, caring, productive presidential candidate. I will be revoking my membership in the Democratic party—it no longer cares about the people it claims to represent, as evidenced by the wrong decisions made about the Florida and Michigan votes and its strong bias against Ms. Clinton.
Dr. Mary Alice
Hermitage, PA 16148
I join with ALL PUMA voices today for ALL the reasons that have been mentioned,we have been cast aside for what ,money and the Tiger beat candidate . NOT BUYING YOUR PRODUCT. Hillary Clinton is the only clear nominee she REALLY represents Democrats and for once in a great while the dems had the GREATEST CANDIDATE and you cast her aside and now I cast my party aside ,you DO NOT represent or stand by me. Finally, I am now an INDEPENDENT girl BORN on INDEPENDENCE DAY ! ONLY HRC WILL DO !! MADAME PRESIDENT or Pres. McCain take your pick ! NO OBAMA EVER!! JR in Florida
Dear Dr. Dean, As I watched the Democratic Convention in 2004, specifically the keynote address by a politicain I had never heard of, Senate Candidate Barack Obama, I had the thought that this person was being groomed to run for POTUS. During the 2004 Election I gave up every weekend to go to NH to campaign for John Kerry and John Edwards. I am a professional, small business owner, a voter who has voted for Democratics for 30 years. But this year because of the actions of the DNC, the RBC, the Obama campaign’s thuggery and delegate theft at caucuses (yes, there is evidence), and the predetermined nature of this election, I will NOT vote for Obama. There was a lot of noise made by you, Pelosi and Brazile about the SDs following the will of the people. Well, the will of the people in MA was overwelmingly for Sen Clinton. Since Sen Kerry does not follow the will of the people, I and others will work our collective butts off to vote him out. As for the GE, since Donna Brazile says you don’t need our votes, you won’t get them. For the first time in 30 years I will be voting for a Republican unless you come to your senses. I will also promote this to my very wide, across the country, friends and business associates. Thank you for opening my eyes to the fact that you are no better than the Rovian Republicans.
Karen Ann S., Massachusetts PUMA Democrat
“Dear” DNP Chairman Dean and crew,
My husband and I are lifelong Dems, 20 years of voting down the ticket, totally loyal, nop questions asked. This primary campaign season has shown us what a mistake that was. We are appalle at your treatment of Senator Clinton and your blatant theft of this nomination form her and the PEOPLE. WE THE PEOPLE, are in our charter sworn to protect fair expression of the votes, in ROOL 13a, in ou Constitution, you and your cronies in the RBS viollated ALL THAT MAKES US DEMS, with your “fix” to give/steal Hillary’s 4 dels from MI, somehting unheard of in Democratic Party history. You will go down in istory as part of a THEFT a campaign of hate and obfuscation./ Obama was SELECTED NOT ELECTED. We will donate camapaign and vote for McCain. I am hitting the road with thousands of Latina Clintponistas to make SURE Obama LOSES in NM. Forget your mountin state strategy it is finished. Latinas for Hillary or McCain 08!!!!!
Gina and Rob
Scottsdale, AZ
Dr. Dean,
I am a Democrat who first started voting in 2004, for John Kerry. And in the 2006 Senate election, I voted for Harold Ford Jr, so there goes your theory about me being a racist voter even though I’m from Tennessee.
The media bias and calls for Hillary to get out of the race when all the primaries hadn’t been held were what first started making me angry. I was never an Obama fan, I always felt his being articulate and giving powerful speeches full of promises he can never deliver on were his main draw, that he was all style, no substance. I don’t believe Obama has the experience to be President, especially not when compared to Hillary and now McCain.
I wanted the Republicans out of office in 2004 and 2006 and did my part to try to help get them out. The DNC ran on the platform that they would end the war in Iraq. Yet when elected, you claimed you didn’t have enough votes to be able to stop the war. And you kept funding the damn thing when you could have ended it by doing what you were elected to do and cut off funding. But since that would have been decried as not supporting the troops and hurt your poll numbers, you didn’t do what you promised.
So now we come to 2008 and the DNC says that Barack and Hillary will end the war. Hillary actually has a plan but she also understands the need for force at times. You’ve all sold Obama as someone with great judgment because he didn’t support the war “when it wasn’t popular to do so”, I didn’t support it then either. Hillary and many other Democrats have taken flack for their vote, and Hillary has never tried to back off of her vote. Her husband’s administration and the other members were given evidence that Saddam had WMDs and voted accordingly. Even the media that now wants to be anti war bought into the info and didn’t do it’s job to find the truth. Barack Obama’s stellar judgment really comes down to the fact that he was lucky once. He also proves by touting that one instance the if he were confronted with evidence he wouldn’t do anything. The safety of America is too important to entrust to some neophyte politician who subscribes to the Oprah Winfrey “we are the world” way of thinking.
And another drawback is that the war in Iraq is going better, the surge is working, and yes, I was against it too. We can’t afford to leave millions of Iraqi’s in the lurch. Also, the far left has always said that the Iraq war was for oil, which I used to believe too. So, now that oil prices are at an all time high, we could really use that oil. You want to blame all of our current problems on the Republicans but the truth of the matter is that you have had the Senate and House of Representatives in your control for two years and you’ve done nothing. You were saving these issues for the 2008 election to use as political wedge issues.
Watching the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committe meeting was like especially telling. You people are so smug that you think because of issues like abortion, gay rights, the war and all the other things that have had people choose Democrat are Republican over the years will ensure that even if we have “sour grapes” over Hillary losing we’ll definitely vote Dem because of the alternative.
Watching you use arbitrary rules to decide how people “would have voted” had Barack not VOLUNTARILY taken his name off the ballot is utter b.s. Plenty of uncommitted’s could have voted for Biden, Richardson, and Edwards, yet you also gave Barack all the uncommitteds plus four of Hillary’s votes, which took the cake. Based on your guestimations of turnout if people had thought the election counted, Hillary’s turnout would have been greater than what it was but you decided to take votes away from her. Oh, I’m sure you think you were doing the states favors by giving them votes at all, they should take what they got and be happy to be half votes. The truth is you NEVER should punished the voters in those states in the first place because of things that were out of their control. In Florida the Republicans moved up the primary and in Michigan they were competing with New Hampshire. Why punish Michighan but not New Hampshire? It doesn’t matter if you wanted to maintain order, the whole notion of any state going first as some kind sacred order is ludicrous anyway. Come November there will be FIFTY states voting, not forty seven. I’m sure you think you’ve placated people by saying okay, we’ll show leniecy and give you half votes. How magnanimous.
You are counting on the “anybody but the Republican” mantra to get you the election this year but you’ve been exposed by your own actions on NATIONAL tv, that you are no better than the Republicans. In fact, Barack, with his huggy feely spiel, has been trying to lure Republicans across the aisle, because we aren’t red states or blue states, we’re all Americans. Don’t blame us for taking the messiah Barack’s gospel to heart.
Besides, no matter how much you try to trot out the notion that McCain will be Bush’s third term, it doesn’t sell. McCain is reviled by many on the far right, so try a new line.
And don’t try to use the abortion issue, with the Supreme Court. If the Democrats in Congress allow a judge to get confirmed that would overturn Roe v. Wade then you’ll be useless for a long, long time. You’ll have lost one of your precious wedge issues. And ENDA can still be passed since you’ll have more seats, even if McCain vetos it.
And frankly, the fact that Barack hangs out with so many question people is just another reason not to trust him. Not all of us are lulled in by his promises of things that are impossible for any politician to deliver on. Don’t forget your “fifty state strategy”, Dr. Dean. You’ve run Yellow Dog Dems that are very middle of the road and aren’t a stone’s throw from being Republicans in a lot of places. I voted for Harold Ford Jr. and he’s campaigned saying he’s against gay marriage, and I’m a gay man. Remember you’re candidates are beholden to their constituites. America hasn’t suddenly turned into some Liberal Socialist den, you’ve just gotten lucky that the Republican brand is so tarnished. So you felt comfortable running someone so far out like Barack, to bad for you the Republicans nominated someone who is more centrist than Obama.
Don’t count your chicken’s before they’ve hated, Dr. Dean. The general election is decided by voting in private booths. It’s not like those caucases where you can intimidate people. And you can be sure the Republicans won’t be letting you get by with your backroom deals, like at the RBC committee.
So, while the “anybody but a Republican” deal worked in 2006, don’t be surprised when the “anybody but Obama” movement shows up in force in 2008.
Bobby
Gibson, TN
P.U.M.A.
Susie1945 on 06.10.08 at 9:30 pm
thank you. there are so many amazing, heartfelt letters, here and elsewhere. there are many other ppl who feel similarly who think they’re alone.
i read a good post/rant on the confluence last night and liss at shakesville has some great posts too. there are so many of us who are heartbroken, disgusted, or angry. i’m so glad that there are places like this where we can come together.
i have trouble with blogs bc i have a movement disorder and also a spinal cord injury so typing, reading, and sitting are difficult for me. but i still find solace in places like this.
thank you for posting your letter. i, too, am amazed and appalled at all the misogyny in this campaign. my daughter is too but many women her age aren’t, or at least aren’t saying anything about it. thank you for offering to help here. i appreciate it and i’m sure many others here do too.
Dr. Dean and the “Honorable Democratic Leaders”,
I was a proud and dedicated member of your Party, an organization that I believed cared about its sage, faithful members. Well, you have sold out to the “new and fresh” young recruits won over by Big Hollywood’s latest rock star. If you had cared to remove the blinders, you would have seen the other half of the picture; all the faithful followers who have stood solidly (election after election) by your party. We are the other half, the blue and white collar dependables that stand in the middle, not at the fringe. While you and the media were gushing over all the new voters brought in under Mr. Obama’s handlers, you ignored all those (and more) voters Hillary brought to the table. While you punished millions of American citizens from their basic right to voice their candidate choice, you looked the other way and said it was the “rules”. Donna Brazille said “My momma taught me to play by the rules”, she is forgetting the fundamental rule set down by our founding fathers, every citizen owns the right to vote. Isn’t that what a Democratic Society hold true to it’s people? It seems like YOU broke the rules. And what a shame, especially when this race was so charged with energy, so close, so historically important! We will never correctly know who the full body of the people wanted for the nominee. But wait, those who DID get counted, they voted in a larger number for the more experienced candidate. But once again, those votes did not matter, the delegates “honorably selected” the other candidate! While the media badgered Hillary to get out of the race, the Democratic Party Leaders were mostly silent. She stayed in, dedicated, strong and true to her message and supporters, who came out in droves to remind the country THEY still had something to say! She was blamed for “tearing the party apart” or “stealing the election”. . . from who? Nobody “owned” the nomination yet, although the media seemed to garner that title to Mr. Obama months ago. Hillary put up with more bashing than ever seen in the history of any election, but she remained standing with grace, exemplifying what a true leader would do under fire. This is why we believe as strongly as we do about our candidate. Powerful reasons that we will stand by; using our “voice” one more time, IN PROTEST, if that is the only . . . and sadly, last way we can honestly count.
Dear Dr. Dean,
It’s not all your fault – I understand that. But you could have shown far more leadership in this spectacle that was called the Democratic Presidential Primary. I am weary, so weary, of being treated as a child. I am weary of being told to be a good girl and let the boys run things. I am weary of seeing good women vilified for having more smarts than the men who wish to subdue them. So, I thought I had come home when I aligned myself with the Democratic Party. I have endured disappointment after disappointment with its presidential candidates, all of whom I have wholeheartedly supported beginning with Michael Dukakis. Now you tell me to pipe down ,go home, accept the kangaroo court’s “decision” on May 31, and work to support Obama in the November election. Well, that ain’t gonna happen. I will vote for the down ballot Dems, but NEVER for the top of your ticket. And, I’ll bet for every one of us on this list, there are 100,000 more of us who won’t find this website or protest in any way other than to stay home next November or to vote for McCain or a third party candidate. You will reap what you have sown.
Karen
Richland County SC
PUMA Democrat
Governor Dean,
I abhor your treatment of Senator Clinton during the primary campaign. Not once did you come to her defense with the sexist environment surrounding her campaign especially by the media-Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman of MSNBC especially.
You should have seated Florida and Michigan with full votes not half. You shouldn’t have given Obama 4 of Senator Clinton’s votes.
You played unfair and forced her out of the race when she won the popular vote. You were despicable in your treatment of her on the last day of the primaries.
I will not vote for Obama this Fall. I will write in Senator Clinton’s name in the voting booth.
You violated our Constitution of every American having their vote count in your treatment of Michigan and Florida. Your decision was biased to give Obama the party nomination instead of to Senator Clinton who rightfully won the primaries and the popular vote.
Obama sent out press releases that Senator Clinton resigned from the campaign on the Tuesday morning when the last two primaries were taking place. This wasn’t true. These two primaries were not fair because of it.
You never vetted Obama. He does not have the moral character or judgement to be the party’s nominee.
The Republicans will vett him for you and the Democrats will lose the election they would have won if Senator Clinton was the nominee.
Make Obama produce his birth certificate. His pastor associations and his recent association of Jim Johnson is typical Obama. Bad judgment.
I come from a family where my grandparents and parents as well as myself supported the Democratic party but not anymore.
At the convention please see to it that Senator Clinton and President Clinton deliver a speech . And make sure that the states give the roll call of votes that were cast at the primaries for Senator Clinton. Don’t rob her of this. Give Senator Clinton the respect she deserves. This was a stolen primary. You selected Obama he wasn’t elected by the people.
I could go on but I think you get my drift.
I will never forgive the democratic party for forcing Senator Clinton out of the primary and your criminal treatment of her regarding votes won during the Florida and Michigan Primaries. Give her back her delegates and add them to her total.
Change your primary allocation of delegates. Winner take all in a state where the majority of votes were won. No more caucuses-they were unfair and biased.
Pat
NY
Mr Dean,
Though originally French, I was just given the American citizenship and I registered to vote for the first time in this country.
I am very confused and would like you to explain to me how someone who has the majority of the votes does not get the nomination?
I was naive in thinking I was now part of a great democracy, demos standing for ” people” not for delegates….
I inform you that I will not vote for a Democrat in November though it is the party I registered for, initially full of hopes.
You have been such a manipulator that I am positively disgusted and you lost my vote.
Barrack Hussein Obama, as a Commander in Chief? Michelle Obama as a First Lady ? NO WAY ! and the Farrakhans in the Lincoln bedroom?
I will vote for John and Cindy…
Annie in Fort Lauderdale,
Proud Puma.
I just read one of the previous posts : Good idea, I will write Sen. Clinton’s name on my ballot !
Dear Dr. Dean
I have been a Democrat for 45 years and have been very active in my community for the causes I always thought the party represented.
This previous primary election has disinfranchised me about the democracy involved with the DNC. This began when the DNC put a sanction on Florida and Michigan and then continued with super delegates who did not represent their electorate wishes.
Yes, I am a female and I now feel the Democrat party does not represent me anymore.
Sincerely,
Joel Dina O’Connell
PUMA Member
Howard Dean, what you have done to the Democratic Party, the Clintons and the country is unforgivable. At a time when voters were poised to vote a Democrat into the White House, and we desperately need a hard-working, result-oriented DOER, you and the DNC leadership have managed to foist on us an inexperienced, unvetted and, judging by just the last few days, a bungling novice. Outspending Hillary, and with a chorus of media hacks and bloggers trashing her, he could not win primaries in important states against this admired, experienced, intelligent, dynamic woman.
Your silence during this carnival of trashing her – and her supporters – spoke volumes.
Obama has turned his back on my state where the voters love her; he’s just writing it off. And her reward is to have every single man in our congressional delegation, and our governor, endorse Obama. With Obama at the top of the ticket, there is no chance that Anne Barth can beat Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. BYRD AND ROCKEFELLER HAVE DOOMED HER CAMPAIGN, AND I WILL NOT PUT ANY MONEY DOWN THAT RAT HOLE.
I am a Clinton Democrat. Whenever the party trashed them, you trashed me. When you abandoned them, you abandoned me.
Well, I abandon you.
Peg
Lewis Co., WV
PUMA Democrat
The day of the DNC hearing, I wrote to Howard Dean and mailed him my DNC membership card and said “I resign” along with my other comments about their decision to create votes for Obama in Mich, steal delegates from Hillary, and how Mich and Fla were handled in the first place, along with other comments. In addition, I sent them numerous e-mails with no reply.
Dear Dr. Dean,
This primary season has been utterly appalling. First, it has become abundantly clear that Senator Obama was chosen by the DNC to run for President in 2004 and evidence points to this obvious conclusion. Unbeknownst to the American public, who in good faith cast their ballots for Senator Clinton, the DNC already had their candidate and their candidate would win the nomination, no matter how many votes where cast for Senator Clinton, nor how much support she garnered. It is obvious, beyond doubt, that this nomination was “stolen” from Senator Clinton. This makes the DNC equal with the RNC in not wanting the votes to be counted with “sly” tactics to promote the candidate of their choice and get them elected at whatever the cost. Remember the year 2000?
Apparently, the DNC assumed that putting a charismatic figure with “supposed” oratory skills, in front of the American public would be all that it would take to get those votes. And, the main stream media did their part, as they were the dutiful “cheerleaders” for Senator Obama, with bias beyond belief. However, many voters are not buying into this charismatic figure and his “act.” We know very little about Senator Obama and the more we find out, it becomes more apparent that he is not a suitable candidate.
The DNC speaks of “party unity.” One can not have “party unity”, if half of the public who voted during the primary season are literally told that their vote does not count. On numerous occasions, I have heard it stated, from Senator Obama’s surrogates, for example, that Senator Obama would not need the votes from the people of Kentucky and West Virginia, who supported Senator Clinton, to win in the general election. What? Is this “party unity?” Sounds more like disenfranchisement of a block of voters, who supported Senator Clinton.
In conclusion, the Democratic Party, with the state of our Nation, could have easily won in the general election in the fall, with Senator Clinton as the nominee. However, due to the “audacity” of the party elite, it appears that Senator McCain will be victorious. Why? Many of the voters, that the DNC and Obama want to discount, are either moving their party affiliation to the Republicans or Independents. I and my family are a part of that movement. We have been faithful Democrats, but due to the unfolding of recent events, no longer feel that the party represents us. In the fall, if Senator Obama is the nominee, we will be casting our vote for Senator McCain. Why? He is the better candidate and, above all else, he is not an unknown quantity. He has experience.
Sincerely,
JE
Bland County, Virginia
Dear Dr. Dean,
I, like so many other voters out there am very
upset with the outcome the Democratic party
has “Choosen” for us to support. Here in Pennsylvania I am among 1,260,444 people that came out to vote for Hillary Clinton (55%) verses the 1,046,220 that voted for Barack Obama (45%), on April 22nd.
I am also in a larger pool of Democrats (18 Million) across the country that voted for a smart and hard working candidate that represented the changes in politics that we all long for, as we are in such bad economic times right now. So for the Democratic party to turn around and ignore the results of the voters is just insane.
And it is for this reason that I have changed my party to Independant and will support McCain in November. I regret this after being a loyal Democratic voter for 17 yrs. now. But the Democratic party no longer reflects my values. To me DNC now stands for the Do Nothing Commitee! As it has turned it’s back on us. The only way I will be a Democrat again is if the party reconizes Hillary Clinton in November. I also feel that between McCain and Obama, McCain has the most EXPERIENCE! Who ever heard of hiring someone for a job with LITTLE experience! McCain has been in war and has experience and for that will get my vote.
Sincerely,
Teresa
Levittown, Pennsylvania
New Puma Pac Member
Dear Howard Dean,
Dear Howard Dean
I am so disappointed With the DNC to select Obama as the nominee. Hillary Clinton earned the right to go to the convention. She won the popular vote and would have been even closer in delegate if the DNC hadn’t committed the egregious act of blatant vote stealing. You never came out to put a stop to the misogyny , you continuously tried to strong arm Senator Clinton out of
the race. You should never have allowed one super delegate to vote until the people were done voting. Instead, with each drubbing Obama took
the DNC trotted out SD after SD for their choice candidate. The DNC needs to be held accountable for tainting this election and fracturing
the Party. I will campaign hard to make sure you will be removed from your position.
This democrat of 20 years will vote for McCain and not even out of Protest. He is just the better choice. Why would I vote for someone with no experience, spent 20 years in a racist church and is friends with convicted felons? Good luck trying to get those naive 20 year olds
that have a crush on Obama to contribute, because you are not getting any money from me.
Gina
Oakland, CA
PUMA Democrat
I am truly torn. I feel the pain as a Hillary supporter. At the same time, I was proud of my candidate as she gave a profoundly historical speech. To clarify, I have always been proud of Hillary. I just have mixed feelings about all the infighting. I am educated and well informed (yes, a Hillary supporter). I understand what is at stake, and I understand the difference between a Republican or a Democrat in the White House. Yet, I cannot forgive that the so-called party leaders did not speak out sooner against the blatant sexist attacks and misogyny that was largely perpetrated and promoted by the MSM and Obama supporters/surrogates.
Hillary’s speech was truly moving, inspiring. I AM ONE OF 18 MILLION. Although, I can appreciate why Hillary has endorsed Obama, I do not have to follow. This is now bigger than her. This party use to stand for something. I see no evidence of that, when the party decides to meet in secret and votes to ignore the “fair reflection” of the will of the people.
Nonetheless, Hillary has won more votes, 18 MILLION, than anyone ever running for President. She is the first woman to win a major primary and she started a movement. Yes, a movement. Women have taken notice to the latent misogyny that was let out of the gate like a race horse. No more. WE ARE MAS AS HELL, AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!
My vote counts as a full vote, not this half nonsense. To Howard, Donna, Nancy, and Reid, I say goodbye. Never felt so good to leave.
I never believed Hillary was entitled to the presidency. However, she was deserving of fair and civilized treatment.
Dear Dr. Dean,
Your silence regarding the blatant misogyny and disrespect shown to Sen. Clinton during the primary season has convinced me that the Democratic party is really a boyz-only club. Not being male, I clearly can’t be counted as a member of the Democratic party anymore.
Besides my physical attributes excluding me, I would be excluded by choosing not to belong to an organization that disregards its own rules and bylaws. It certainly would have saved everyone a lot of time and money if we had known in advance that the candidate this year would be selected by the RBC. Clearly, the Democratic party needs only the 30 members of the RBC.
By its name, I had assumed that the Democratic party would uphold the democratic idea of one-person, one-vote. My mistake – now I know that voting is irrelevant to Democratic party leaders.
Given the above, I certainly won’t be voting for the Democratic party in 2008. Too bad about the mess you have made of what would otherwise have been a cakewalk victory this year.
Liz
Chapel Hill, NC
Puma Democrat
What a great slogan:
“My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world.
I hope you will join me as we try to change it.” (B. Obama)
Baggage and bad judgment? Hey, Wright, Rezko, Ayers, Pfleger, and Johnson – those were not the men he thought he knew.. Guts? he didn’t want to appear a woman-basher, that’s why he refused further debate with Clinton. $2000 tax breaks? Well Bush bought his way in first, didn’t he? By the way, his pastor friend and mentor of 20 years, the racist reverend Wright gave Farrakhan a life-time achievement award? Hey now really, that’s guilt by association, I just gave his church $500 per week as a gesture of good faith. Me a Muslim? I only studied the Koran for 2 years, no big deal. My statement in my book “I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother’s race.” makes me a racist? Now there you go again, pulling the race card… I’m an elitist? Look here now, my San Francisco remark about small town people was just a slip of the tongue during a private meeting, and the “Sweetie remark” to a stranger was just a thing I do, no offense intended. I’d probably do the same to the Queen of England. Now why haven’t I accepted McCain’s invitation to join the town-hall meetings? Well you know, that’s a little premature right now, but we’re looking into that. I changed my mind on the tax cut, the death penalty, Iraq, the occupation of Palestine, etc? Hey, I try to be flexible and meet the needs of the day…..
Need I say more, I am now a McCain supporter, I am glad Harry Reid, Donna Brazile, Nancy Pelosi, and even you Howard Dean, know what Senator Hillary Clinton’s 18 million voters should do, and that’s vote McCain!!
Martha Crawford
Clark County, Nevada
Puma Democrat
How could you think we would just fall in line behind Obama when the DNC takes delgates away from Hillary. I have never seen a more undemocratic act.
The people have spoken ! Hillary is the peoples choice. For the people by the people, what a joke. Our forefathers are turning over in their grave.
Super delegates took the peoples canidate away from them.
But they will get the last word in November.
Because McCain will be in the white house.
You would think the DNC would remember when the elections was stolen from us in 2000.
and then they turn around and do it to themselves…how ironic.
nobama SELECTED-NOT ELECTED!!!!!!!
If you had done that to OB the media would have blowen a fuse. Well you (DNC) have blowen 18,000,000 peoples fuse. Slap me in the face and i SLAP back.
Dear Dr. Dean:
I am one of 18 million who supported Senator Hillary Clinton to be the 44th President of the US. Why isn’t the DNC listening to its members? Why does the DNC want to lose the election rather than win it with a woman?
With Barack Obama as the nominee, you are welcoming John McCain to the White House. I cannot vote for Obama. He has no experience and the Republican Party has the ads to run against him in November. They’re already on YouTube.
You have lead the DNC into this division. Before even letting the people choose a candidate, you were asking Senator Clinton to bow out. How dare you! The 2008 Democratic Primary is a terrible example of Democracy.
Shame on you and the other members of the DNC who pushed out the Democrats’ only hope to take the White House in November.
I personally have chosen to vote for John McCain. At least I know he is honest.
Hillsborough, NC
PUMA Independent
Dr. Dean,
The despicable treatment of Hillary Clinton in this primary campaign by the DNC in collusion with the MSM has resulted in the massive disenfrachisement of millions of voters. I no longer support you or your presumptuous nominee Barack Obama. You have given Obama every advantage by allowing him to manipulate the archaic caucus system, bending the rules to permit some states that moved up their primaries to proceed with no penalties while giving others that Hillary Clinton won half a vote and gifting the undecided votes to Obama. Obama advertised in Florida. Why weren’t his delegates stripped? I know why, Dr. Dean. Because all along your party wanted to choose the nominee while ignoring the choice of the people. What offends me most, is that you in your elitist, pompous, arrogant, mind believe that we do not see. Barack Obama is not fit to be president. Nominate Hillary Clinton at the convention or It will be my extreme pleasure to vote for John McCain and work to vote everyone of you who participated in this criminal act out of politics for good!
Kate, IL.
PUMA
Women have been messed over for many years by the Democrat Party and it appears that millions of “US” will be returning the favor, should this primary continue on its current path.
Hillary Clinton is clearly the best choice to be our current parties’ choice as the nominee for President. As a life-long Democrat (55), I find it unacceptable to tolerate just how my party has hosed their most loyal and largest voting block; women. I am confident the Democrat Party will pay a severe price for this blatant assault on us women.
Cry all you want about this being “sour grapes” but, little good will result in your on-going efforts to unite Hillary’s staunch supporters around “your chosen candidate” and not the peoples.
All the Democrat Party wants us to do now is get their selected, from the start, elite, wimp Barack Obama elected in November. It will be a cold day in hell before I do that and I hope Hillary Clinton walks away from this Party, as well.
As with most of the women I have contact, as well as many men, are finished with the Democrat Party now and forever. Many of “US are starting a grassroots movement to assure these kind of sorry tactics employed by my now soon to be former party, favoring a man who clearly has no shot without her support to win over the best women who can win this on her own, will never happen again. Until the final results are in Democrat Party leaders, we will just have to wait and see how things turn out once this primary season comes to a close. I for one am changing my registration to Independent, if not Republican, on the same day that I vote for Hillary in Kentucky. Once all our votes are counted, if you the party leaders allow that to happen, you’ll just have to wait and see how deep this “bitterly disappointed” and highly ashamed of this blatant insult to women is across America. To do this to the largest voting block in America is truly, for my soon to be former Democratic Party, a travesty.
Bye, bye now and good riddance from Susan, Jacksonville, FL, soon to be former Democrat.
PUMA
Mr. Dean,
I am very upset with what you and the other leaders are doing to the Democratic party. I have studied your 50 state strategy on the DNC website, I watched your speech you gave at the Liberal Leadership Convention in Canada and many others. It was at the Liberal Leadership Convention that you spoke of how to conduct a “PERMANENT DEMOCRATIC PARTY” election. You and the DNC systematically set out to elect the candidate you chose. Why would you approach a man who had just been elected into the office of state Senator and ask him about running for President? Why would an unknown young Senator suddenly decide that he could do a better job of running our country? Because you needed a motivational speaker that could woo the public into doing what you want. Obama is nothing more than the spokes person for you and the many other crooked politicians who are trying to take over power and thus overtake our great country. John Kerry introduced him to the public, then a couple years later Kerry decides to endorse him. There have been scandal after scandal concerning Sen. Obama yet you and the Main Stream Media (who are also a part of your 50 state manipulation) have over-looked them. If any of those had been Sen. Clinton’s activities, you would have forced her to withdraw her name as a candidate. It is virtually unheard of and unacceptable that you and others constantly called for Hillary to drop out of the race. It’s appalling the way she was treated and you never came to her def fence. I for one will not sit back and allow our country to taken over by communist type power mongers. We can survive another four years of Republican control, but we will not survive if you get the absolute power you and your friends are trying to achieve. We Americans are not so easily fooled as you are finding out. Obama is having to work for it and each time he has to speak without a writen speech, it becomes obvious the he has been hand picked, and you had set out to put Sen. Clinton out of the race. God bless America and God please protect her from the likes of you.
Neither the DNC, nor the candidate you ordained, represents my values and ethics.
I have been a registered voter for over 35 years (a Democrat for24 years) and I have never volunteered, sent money, attended rallies, made phone calls or talked to friends (Republican, Democrat and Independent alike) about my reasons for supporting a
candidate. That is, not until THIS campaign and not until HILLARY CLINTON!
There are no perfect candidates and no perfect administrations, but the Clinton years in the ’90’s were pretty darned good! Bill Clinton’s elections were the FIRST since 1980 that I cast a vote for a Democratic or Republican candidate for President (I voted third party candidates in 1980, 1984 and 1988). Bill Clinton inspired me and made me proud to be a Democrat. And, a very large part of that inspiration came from Hillary!
Hillary is not afraid to fight for what she believes in. No matter what the press, the pundits, THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP says…no matter how many times they read her political obituary…she always gets back up and keeps on fighting. I like that quality in a President (and in a woman!).
I am now a registered Independent again. The DNC and Dr. Dean have let me down by pushing through the nomination of a LEFT WING LOSER who DOES NOT represent ME as a Democrat. I can no longer, in good faith, remain in the party.
I will not vote for Obama, I will not campaign for Obama, I will not send money to the Obama campaign or the DNC. I have been waiting for a centrist candidate to lead this country and that candidate was(and still is) Hillary Clinton. I feel she has been treated horribly, not only by the press and pundits…but, by fellow Democrats. I listened to her “concession” speech…I heard her words…but, unlike the press, pundits and the Democratic Party…I do NOT think it was her Swan Song!
Hillary will be back. I can wait 4 years. Four years of John McCain (whom I feel is a true bipartisan, American hero and closer to the center than Obama) will NOT be four more years of Bush. With a majority of
Democrats in the House and Senate, I think John McCain is the leader I prefer in the White House. And for the Democrats who will use SCARE TACTICS…telling me he will put judges on the Supreme Court that will
overturn Roe vs. Wade or keep us in Iraq for 100 years I say, that is a risk I will take. Better that than, tea and crumpets with the terrorists and the countries that support them. We need a strong leader to
deal with Islamic Terrorism (ie. HILLARY!) but, John McCain, most definitely over Obama!
And you know what? I don’t think the press…or the pundits…or the Democratic leadership GET IT! (Paging Dr. Dean…Dr. Dean? Are you LISTENING? Can you hear me?…how about 18 million?…can you hear US?) I’m/we’re not going to pout for awhile and then vote for Obama…it is NOT about coming in second (although I think Hillary actually came in first!) to the “other candidate”. This is not about racism (I actually voted for Jesse Jackson in 1984). This is about what
direction I/we want our country to go and the person I/we want to lead us. You have managed to beat her back this time (but just barely!!) Hillary will rise again!! And this INDEPENDENT will campaign and vote for her!
Now that I have finished my personal rant I am going to http://www.hillaryclinton.com to make a contribution to
show Hillary that I/we still support her and will STAND STRONG for her. If 10% of 18 million patriots can do the same we will pay off her campaign debt by the end of June and she can continue to STAND STRONG
for us and for America! If “money talks” then we will give the DNC (and YOU Dr. Dean,) a huge earful!
Roberta
Greensboro, NC
Dear Howard Dean and the DNC:
I am an almost 60-year-old Texas woman. I am really a Texan, having been born in Dallas, Dallas
County, Texas in July of 1948. I also have been a Democrat from practically birth, as well, because
both my parents and all four of my grandparents were Democrats. My dad and grandfathers were
Union Bricklayers and proud members of the Bricklayers and Allied Crafts Union. Because they
were very young during the Great Depression, I grew up with the history of that taught to me at
home. I grew up with pride in our country and patriotism was taught to me at home along with the
morals that my parents taught all of us. I was taught about the greatness of President Franklin
Roosevelt and what he did for the people of this country. I was taught about the differences
between politicians like him, who believed he had a duty to give to this country and to represent ALL
of its people and politicians who represented the few and simply took. I was also taught about
World War II and about Adolph Hitler; and I was told some of the horrors that my dad saw when
he was barely 18 and enlisted in the then Army Air Corps of this country during World War II as
he was stationed in Germany and actually walked through some of the concentration camps there and
in other parts of Europe. I grew up in the times of President Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy and
Martin Luther King. I was barely a teenager when President Kennedy was assassinated in the town
of my birth, Dallas, while I and my classmates in Irving, Texas bowed our heads and cried at the
news. I watched the TV at home and saw it live when Jack Ruby shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald
in the Dallas jail as they were preparing to transport him. I mourned the death of Robert Kennedy
as well as the death of Martin Luther King and could not understand what was happening in this
country. I lived through the Vietnam war and saw many of my friends and ex-classmates go off to a
war and die or come back to us changed forever by the things they had had to live through.
I grew up, simply believing in this country and being proud of being a part of the kind of country
where you could speak out against things you believed to be wrong, speak out for things you believed
were right. I watched President Clinton take the oath of office and I believed again in someone who,
like President Roosevelt and like President Kennedy believed he had a duty to give to this country
and to represent ALL of its people and to make our lives better. It was then that I began to admire
and respect the now Senator Hillary Clinton. When she was fighting even then for health care for
EVERYONE I saw her unswerving dedication to ALL the people and realized that she, too, was
THAT kind of politician who believed she had a duty to give to this country and represent ALL of
its people.
I watched in dismay and disbelief when the election process in 2000 was stolen from the will of the
people. I watched again in 2004 when voting irregularities and strong-arm, underhanded politicians
stole again from the will of the people. I have continued to watch in dismay and horror at the
manipulations of President Bush and his partners in crime and the way they manipulated the terrible
events of 9-11 to take this country and its citizens into some place we didn’t really want to be. I
watched and prayed and did what I could to fight against the slow, insidious chipping away at our
Constitution and the things that made up the backbone of this country. I prayed for 2008 and
hoped for someone to vote for that I could believe in again, for someone to come along who could,
who would bring this country back to what has made it great. I found her in Senator Hillary Clinton
and I worked for her because I knew she was one of the “greats”.
That is why I have watched again in horror and disbelief as the press and others have vilified her
and put her down. I have watched and listened as so many talked about her in a way that I would
have beaten someone down to the ground for talking about my mother or my sister or any other loved
one. I have been outraged that members of the DNC and high-ranking members of the Democratic
party have participated in that process. I have watched as those who should have been defending
her stood back and allowed an unknown, inexperienced man with no credentials become the nominee
of this party, not through merit but through manipulation.
I refuse to simply lie down and accept it. We had a politician running for office against a woman
beloved by many and definitely loved by me, Ann Richards, who did win Governor of Texas against
this man who made those kind of comments about women. He talked about “lying back and taking
it”… well, this woman does not and will not lie down and accept the rape of her beliefs!!! This woman
will not “fall in line” with the party. This woman is not a mindless sheep or a brainless follower who
will “drink the Kool-Aid” and talk about how good it tastes as it kills the American dream.
All of the above, and so much more, are the reasons why I absolutely and unequivocally will not vote
for Barack Obama for President of the United States. His organizations activities are reminding
me, rather forcibly, of the history I was taught about people like Adolph Hitler and how he and his
cronies brainwashed a country and stripped it of everything good and moral and took it down the
path to destruction and ruin. I love this country and will not sit idly by while yet-another “wanna
be dictator” rises to power through a combination of brainwashing and apathy.
Those are the reasons why I will choose for the first time in my adult voting life to cast my vote for
Senator John McCain, a Republican, for president if Obama is the nominee of the Democratic party.
It is why I will disenfranchise myself from the Democratic party because, frankly, they
disenfranchised me first.
I hope and pray that something, anything, our protests, our anger, our resolve for a real leader to
lead this country can still happen and that somehow the Democratic party, or at least, its actual
members will reach down inside themselves and remember why they are Democrats and do what it
takes to remove Obama as the nominee and place Senator Hillary Clinton as our nominee as she is the
candidate who won the hearts and loyalties of “WE THE PEOPLE”.
And these are the reasons WHY I will not “lie back and take it”, “fall in line” or “drink the
Kool-Aid” of you destructive few. Reach down inside yourselves and do the right thing, resign for
the good of the party and the good of this country and let the true leaders come forth.
Sincerely,
Lavenia Otts
Gray County, Texas
A Proud Texas PUMA Democrat
Dear Howard Dean and the DNC
I have read many pieces written by many people and heard many people on television speaking about Hillary Clinton supporters who are sore losers, angry, or racist. In fact, I feel CHEATED AND DISCOUNTED. I have been a lifelong democrat and am now rethinking my entire political self. I cannot believe the way Senator Hillary Clinton was treated by the party and the media and I cannot believe the steps that were taken to ensure that BO became the nominee.
In my state, Arizona, the people clearly desire that Hillary Clinton be the presidential nominee; however our superdelegates, not to mention our Democratic Governor, and other elected officials have chosen NOT to support the will of the people who elected them.
Unfotunately now, the DNC has chosen NOT to support the base that has forever supported them.
I am overjoyed that I found “writehillaryin.com” and “PumaPac.org.” I just donated to Pumapac.org and now only have to find a way to have her name on the ballot as required by Arizona State election laws. I encourage everyone to visit the sites.
Lastly, I encourage everyone to take a look at John McCain, although I and most Democrats do not share all of his beliefs, I know from experience that he is truly honest, cares about his Country and the citizens, and has done a good job as an Arizona Sentor. He will have my vote if Hillary Clinton is not on my ballot.
There is NO substitute for experience.
Sincerely,
A PUMA Democrat
Phoenix, Arizona
Dear Howard Dean and the DNC:
I was just directed to this site by a family member. I have spent hours reading all the letters and would like to let you know that my feelings echo every single one of the letters above.
I have voted for Democrats, unfailingly, since 1976, when I was first eligible to vote. I have never considered any alternatives. However, having read all of the letters, I simply cry to think what the Democratic Party has become.
There does not seem to be a need to reiterate any of the thousands of reasons previously stated, but know that I also will choose to protest this election. I will simply say that the Party I have loved, supported and remained loyal to for over thirty years, is no longer the Party is once was.
There is no way I can vote for a Democrat for President unless it is the nominee of the American people, Senator Hillary Clinton. I am appalled at the way she has been treated and I am simply sick to my stomach at the treatment of President Bill Clinton, who has done so much for the Democratic Party and the Country. I guess people have forgotten how well off and respected our Country was when he was president. Oh yes, and no debt.
It also appears that the Democratic Party no longer has any use for longtime loyal supporters like myself (previously the base of the Democratic Party).
Arizona nearly always votes Republican in the Presidential elections, so the Democratic Party will likely not miss my vote this Presidential election year. However, other down ballot Democratic candidates, whom I blindly voted for in the past, may.
Thanks to Howard Dean, the DNC, and the media (particularly CNN) I am no longer the blind, democratic voting imbecile I have been for the last thirty-two years. From now on, I will pay attention to the candidates, their experience and their positions (God knows I can no longer trust the Democratic Party to do that for me). It seems the DNC Chariman and Party members have really made a mess of a once great political party. There was a time when I believed that “our” Party always had the best candidates. There are home mortgages and car loans that are “upside down” and the Democratic Party also appears to be “upside down.” I am almost embarrassed to admit that I did not pay attention to issues in the past, but I am willing to bet there are many others who did the same, but no longer will.
It is unfortunate the Party did not learn from the 2004 fiasco, DO NOT mess with Americans’ votes.
In closing, I will take some ideas from the letters I have read, it is NOBAMA for me, and from now on I will consider myself a CLINTON DEMOCRAT.
Sincerely,
Paula
Maricopa County, AZ
Clinton Democrat
Puma Democrat
Dear Dr. Dean,
As a life-long Democrat it pains me to see what has happened to our party. It has always been my belief that the Democratic Party represented the people. However, the party is now an Oligarchy – a form of government where political power rests with a small elite segment of society, the DNC Leadership who has disregarded the voice of the majority of the people in this party and has chosen to tell us to vote for Obama. We did not choose him.
Eighteen million of us – the majority – voted for Hillary Clinton. We each made our own decision that Obama was NOT the person we wanted representing us as the Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party. Every time that Hillary won a primary or caucus the DNC Leadership and the biased news media told us it didn’t count – it wasn’t important. You were able to convince millions to change and vote for Obama by continually saying that Hillary wasn’t going to win. However, there were 18 million of us that couldn’t be swayed and voted for the person we felt was best to represent our party. Just think of how many votes she would have had if the DNC Leadership and the media had been neutral and allowed people to vote their mind – a landslide victory!! That is also the victory that could have happened this fall.
It appears that you feel that you can tell us who to vote for but you have overlooked the fact that 18 million of us did not fall for the DNC Leadership and media manipulation during the primaries and we will NOT be forced to vote for someone we do not support now.
With great sadness I protest the 2008 Presidential Election because I refuse to support a nominee who was chosen by the DNC leadership rather than elected by the people. The votes of a majority of Democrats were disregarded; the votes of Florida and Michigan were tampered with and delegates were divided in the most un-American manner imaginable. The situation is as bad as the Bush/Gore election – NO it is WORSE because it is within our own party. Our own DNC Leadership has done this to us – their lifelong supporters!!
I am unable to support the “democratic” nominee and I am saddened and mortified by the treatment of Hillary Clinton by the DNC Leadership.
Sincerely,
Leslie
Dyer County, TN
A PUMA Democrat
Its pure and simple….
A vote for Obama is a vote condoning:
a. sexism;
b. disenfranchisement;
c. discrimination/disrespect;
d. media bias;
e. bias from party elders;
f. the flawed “superdelegate” system;
g. the flawed “everyone gets a trophy” method of proportioning state delegates;
h. the flawed caucus system; AND
i. stealing delegates (i.e. Michigan)
This is the 2nd time in 10 years that one person has won the POPULAR vote….and somebody else won the election! This is not Democracy!!! A vote for Obama is a vote for totalitarianism! A vote for Obama is a vote proving that the American people will ALLOW themselves to be BULLIED!
No way…no how…no Obama….NEVER!!!!!!!!
Obama has demonstrated no leadership and has not led democrats on any issue ever. Only consistent idea he has promoted during his 15 year public life is his own candidacy for higher office. He won his delegate lead from 3% of the flawed caucus votes over 35 million votes which many democrats from various demographics couldnt attend. This system must change for the long term good of the party and the country. A vote for Obama now would be a vote for status quo of the primary process. I will note vote for Obama and hope to bring the real change needed in the primary process by the defeat of Obama
I registered as a Democrat and started the college campus group Students for Carter. Since then, I have been involved in almost every major election. Being a Democratic meant standing for equality regardless of race, gender or sexual preference, and fighting against hate speech.
I listen to statements from the Obama campaign, Obama’s supporters and the leaders of the new Democratic Party; these Democrats do not represent my values or ethics any longer. The new Democratic Party represents racism, sexism and hate speech. Racism, sexism and hatred is wrong. The political left does not get a pass.
The new Democratic Party has become the very nightmare it fought against for so many years.
As a lifelong Democrat, during the beginning of the primary season, I was excited and engaged to see such a wide-open race with so many good candidates. But as the process got to April and May, and Hilary Clinton started to win primaries by 20 or 30 points while being outspent 3x, I also started to see the superdelegates, the “turncoat” endorsers, and finally the rules committee line up behind Obama, making a mockery of the Democratic process. And, I was even more disappointed to see the reputation of Bill and Hilary Clinton, two stars of the democratic party, trashed and labeled as racists, all the while Obama pretended to be running a campaign based upon hope and different politics. Its a disservice to them and all of their supporters, and you have thrown away the strongest asset of the Democratic party.
Because Obama is not part of the Democratic process and didn’t rise to prominence through a lifetime of service, but instead is just a far-left creation of David Axelrod & co with no voting record and recycled speeches from other civil rights leaders, I just don’t see anything there to vote far except a speech in 2004, and that’s not enough for me. He’s had plenty of time to define “hope” and “change” and never did, so I assume there’s nothing there except some recycled class-warfare rhetoric wrapped in idealism.
The republicans did have a fair primary process, and ended up nominating a war hero with a 30+ year record and a lifetime of service, so maybe from now on I just support individual candidates instead of parties. Good job on creating 18 million McCain democrats.
Dear Dr Dean
I traveled to DC during the RBC session thinking my presence may make a difference. Turned out, the DNC was already packed in boxes stamped “Chicago” long before that. My tenure with the ironically named Democratic party: December 15 2000 – May 31 2008 – between the 2 Florida thefts.
You said you missed the sexism by the media in this campaign because you don’t have cable – did you also miss your selected candidates playing at his rallies “99 Problems and the bitch ain’t one”, giving the finger and brushing his shoulders? Do you have access to you tube?
How about entire states of Democrats being called racists? Your selected candidates didn’t just called PA voters “bitter” he called them “afraid of those different from them” – an euphemism for racism – the same one he used for his grandmother. It’s not an accusation easy to forgive.
I don’t know whom I’ll end up voting for in November. But it’s easy to see: the other parties – Green, Independent, GOP are courting my vote. DNC only hurls insults at me. It refuses to see me as a voter who’s been disenfranchised, insulted and taken for granted. It paints me as some hysterical old woman who will go back to her knitting as soon as my hormones balance out (Rahm Emmanuel).
You disdain your voters at your own peril.
Good luck with those Democrats for a Day in the red states.
Leah/Robbedvoter, New York, NY
Dear Dr. Dean,
It has been thirty-two years since I joined our beloved Democratic Party. Alas, our long marriage is now officially OVER.
Thank you for being so clear about not wanting my vote this year. I heard that plainly… about how Mr. Obama, )your “selected” candidate) will not be needing Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Florida …. or any of the other swing states that can’t be easily duped into voting for an empty suit.
Sen. Obama is full of promises, but has no experience with which to carry them out. He has treated my chosen candidate (who ran on experience) like a dead albatross. If, indeed, Sen. Clinton is “dead” politically…. then you ( and your crooked band of DNC thieves) killed her. Hence, you deserve to wear this albatross around your own neck…. and be run out of politics for good.
Finally, I hope you have fun pandering to the Evangelical vote this year. I understand that *they* are now more important to you than Hillary’s Women. I guess you and Mr. Obama think that they will make better bedfellows for the working class out here in the midwest…. clinging to our religion as we do.
Will you be cozying up to the NRA now, as well?
Susan in Ohio
I was a lifelong democrat. For the past 25 years I volunteered for every national election working for the party in various ways, from stuffing envelopes to picking people up and driving them to the polls so they could vote as a democrat.
It was my party. I loved my party. Then Howard Dean and the R&B decided it was THEIR party, not the people’s party. They de-selected my candidate, they stripped me of my vote only to be so very gracious as to then count me as 1/2 a voter, as 1/2 a democrat, as 1/2 a citizen.
Dr. Dean, in case you haven’t noticed by all the angry people in this country, we NOTICED when you urged the superdelegates to basically select Obama so you could tie up the race and seemingly save face. Or was it because he was your candidate? And you did this well before the end of the primaries! Hillary won several primaries after this slanted public urging of yours (who knows how you strong-armed the superDs privately) and she ended up winning the popular vote. That was not much a win for your candidate was it? Winning without the majority of U.S. democratic voters? Wow. That’s embarassing. But it meant nothing to you or the R&B committee as I sadly watched on a depressing Saturday how you not only told me but hundreds of thousands in MI and FL that we are only 1/2 citizens. You couldn’t punish the state parties themselves, NO, you had to punish the voters. What kind of democracy is that? What kind of self-respecting, educated individual wants to belong to such a party? Not this Doctor.
It is nothing short of a travesty the way the DNC acted during this entire “s-election.” You backed a candidate who has the most suspicious and flagrantly racist and America-hating associates, has hardly any experience, has the congressional record of a Jr. Congressman (a very green Jr. one at that) and has a wife who is very clearly angry with a black agenda. Hillary has at least three times the experience and work ethic. Hillary has worked beyond party lines. Hillary has the respect of other leaders and the strength and grace to bring respect back to the office of the president. Hillary has a life of service to ALL people, not just certain minorities. Hillary has Bill. Bill, the one who wiped away a 66 trillion dollar deficit to bring us into 7 wonderfully prosperous years. And the list goes on since history is already touting him as a giant among presidents. Shame on you for going to the Junior Varsity team for the nominee when the Varsity team was front and center and backed by the majority of voters. Shame on you for swindling the voters out of a fair and democratic election.
I still want to vote for Hillary, but in my opinion, John McCain deserves to win this race. Who cares what the polls say since the people already proved them wrong over and over again during the primaries? At least Obama has the good sense to look VERY nervous about the 18 million Hillary supporters. Beware Dean and the DNC: that’s a huge number of people to fail to hoodwink. A huge number.
Dear Dr. Dean,
I will NOT be voting for the selected Democratic candidate for several reasons:
1. Senator Obama has not done ONE single thing for the benefit of this country in his entire history as a politician.
2. Senator Obama bullied his way into the Senate and used similar tactics to get the Presidential nomination.
3. I am appalled for being called a “racist” for not falling in line and voting for someone lacking proper credentials.
4. I am protesting this party’s lack of courage to stop the misogyny and disrespect aimed at Senator Clinton throughout the entire primary season.
5. No voter should be considered half a citizen.
6. The way superdelegates were bullied into voting for Senator Obama was so overt it was completely outrageous and disgusting.
This educated female minority will not be voting for your candidate of choice Dr. Dean. I used to be proud of the fact that you are an alumni here at Einstein, I no longer look up to you.
Isabel,
Bronx, NY
PUMA Democrat
Dr. Dean:
I have voted Democratic straight ticket for 34 years. This year I will not. The resounding silence of the DNC while Senator Hillary Clinton and her supporters were villified, disrespected, and attacked continuously by a biased media and the opponents campaign will not be tolerated. In addition, the travesty of Michigan, in removing legal delegates from one candidate to give to another was unconscionable.
My vote is my voice. I will be using it this year to send a message that is loud and clear. The democratic party is no longer democratic.
Since the Democratic Party has seen fit to select a candidate [rather than elect one], ram that candidate down the electorate’s throat, and then turn a deaf ear to all and any protest, I no longer feel divided.
I am no longer a Democrat. I am one of the 18 million!
Sandra
Wayne County, MI
You must log in to post a comment.