Understand this - we on DU are not ordinary voters
(cross posted from GD-2016)
Neither are the Hillary and Bernie delegates at the Democratic National Convention. Both groups are made up among the most fervent, politically active people in the country. They are not ordinary voters.
I know this because I was one of those ordinary voters during the 2008 Presidential election cycle. Well, maybe I was a little different from average; I contributed money to Hillary's campaign because at the time I thought she was the best choice. However, when she withdrew from the primaries and I received an email from her asking me to support Barack Obama with the same enthusiasm, I did so seamlessly. In fact I sent a small contribution to the Obama campaign that same day and continued contributing during the general election cycle. I even spent some of my time calling Hispanic voters in Florida, reminding them to get out and vote.
When I joined DU about a year ago I was somewhat shocked at the animosity between the Sanders and Clinton camps. However, when I read several posts attacking my candidate, I joined right in, giving as good as I got. It got personal, and I have much for which I should apologize, as do many others. I, like many Sanders supporters on DU now being asked to support Hillary,would have had trouble eventually supporting Senator Sanders if he had won the nomination. I think that is the natural result of the animosity which develops on boards like DU.
However, what surprised me the most is when DU veterans assured me that the fights between Obama and Clinton supporters on DU in 2008 was every bit as bitter, every bit as rancorous as were the fights between Hillary and Bernie supporters this year. Though obviously true, it is still difficult for me to believe.
I was just a everyday supporter on the outside, not even looking in, and felt none of that decisiveness. Therefore when I was asked to switch allegiances from one Democratic candidate to another, I had no problems doing so.
Maybe that means that we here on DU get too caught up with the campaigns. Or perhaps that is what we are supposed to do as Americans, get involved in the process and lend our voices to our causes. Regardless, let's all understand that the vast majority Democratic voters are not like us, and support of an alternate Democratic candidate is not that difficult for them.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Feels like I have been enjoying your posts for longer. And I do enjoy your posts.
