Oregon Superdelegate Jenny Greenleaf: I'm for Obama
By Jenny Greenleaf of Portland, Oregon. Jenny was elected as Oregon's DNC Committeewoman in 2004. In 2006, she contributed, "Will you have Howard's back?"
The netroots is my political home and where I got started, so I have chosen to announce my endorsement here on BlueOregon.
The voters of Oregon have spoken, and I have listened.
I will be supporting Senator Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in August. Senator Obama has the vision and leadership ability to move this country forward and to undo the damage done by the Bush administration. I am proud to support him in this endeavor and will do whatever I can to make sure Oregon's electoral votes are Democratic this fall.
Our Democratic Party of Oregon will be the hub for the presidential campaign in Oregon. I hope you will join me in volunteering with the DPO to turn Senator Obama into President Obama.
I have the utmost respect and admiration for Senator Hillary Clinton. She has run a great campaign and has contributed much to our national debate. She deserves our thanks for her service, her leadership and her candidacy.
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May 23, 2008 |
guest column | Comments (136 so far)
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Comments
Posted by: Bill R. | May 23, 2008 10:06:40 AM
Thanks, Jenny. Welcome aboard the Obama Express!
Posted by: Adi | May 23, 2008 10:08:16 AM
Awesome! Thank you.
Posted by: Mark F. | May 23, 2008 10:08:31 AM
Very welcome and excellent endorsement! Let's go kick McCain's butt!
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | May 23, 2008 10:09:02 AM
Yes, thank you, Jenny! It's great to have a DNC member from Oregon who comes from the netroots. Thank you for everything that you do.
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | May 23, 2008 10:10:59 AM
BTW, Jenny, I loved this quote in USA Today yesterday:
Superdelegate Jenny Greenleaf said she'd been getting calls from luminaries associated with both campaigns."I am really looking forward to crawling back under my rock," she said. "Once this is over nobody will pay any attention to me again."
Your rock is waiting for you... all nice and cozy.
Posted by: carla | May 23, 2008 10:13:14 AM
Well done, Jenny! It's awesome that you announced here...NETROOTS!
Btw..I love that cozy-under-the-rock, thing. :)
Carla--Netroots Outreach, Jeff Merkley for Oregon
Posted by: Eve | May 23, 2008 10:14:12 AM
This is terrific news - thank you, Jenny, for coming out with your support of Senator Obama! He's truly a once-in-a-lifetime candidate and I'm so proud of Oregon for recognizing that so overwhelmingly.
Now, let's get him elected president so we can start taking this country in the right direction.
Posted by: Steve Bucknum | May 23, 2008 10:17:12 AM
Not that it matters - but Jenny - you have my 110% support on this!
Least we forget, Blue Oregon was about a week old (I exaggerate) when one of the first things of substance that happened was a discussion of the race for the DNC National Committee woman position. Mary Botkin had failed to answer questions regarding her position on rural issues, and Jenny stepped up and addressed those concerns. A great deal of that discussion happened right here - and well - Jenny got elected nearly 4 years ago. My how time flies!
So, it was a very good choice to announce here!
Posted by: torridjoe | May 23, 2008 10:19:33 AM
Great job, Jenny! The race is over; let's get it officially wrapped up. Although I wonder if your TV is broken in order to have the utmost respect for Clinton and her "great campaign." I'd rather roll naked through smashed Coke bottles than give kudos to race baiting and smear-mongering...but that's just me I guess.
Posted by: Chris Guy | May 23, 2008 10:39:50 AM
Congratulations on your outstanding decision. You can't see me right now, but I'm giving you a standing O.
Posted by: Chris Lowe | May 23, 2008 10:43:51 AM
Jenny,
Thanks for deciding to cast your vote with the Democratic voters of Oregon, and letting us know. IMO that's the right way to go, barring something catastrophic on a scale that is much larger than anything happening in the current race.
Second-guessing "electability" just isn't on, despite the sometimes smeary efforts of the Clinton campaign to make it an issue, given Hillary's rising negatives, now up to 53% nationally (though this may be skewed geographically toward states Obama wouldn't win either).
I have to say I'm a touch concerned by this quote from Meredeth Wood Smith from the USA Today article Kari linked:
"The holdup is absorbing what the results are, and where we are nationally in the race," she said. "We are thinking about who do we feel would make the best president, who would be best for the Democratic Party."
This is in tension, at least, with something else she was quoted as saying recently about paying close attention to how Oregon Democrats would vote in the primary, which is the right criterion IMO.
I hope Ms. Wood Smith takes into serious account the high degree of alienation that overturning the will of the voters would cause, as she assesses what vote would be best for the party.
Very high degree of alienation.
Posted by: Christi D | May 23, 2008 10:47:05 AM
Jenny,
Thank You, Thank You, you are truly honorable and a great democrat.
Obama will be fantastic president and it is so important for the party to stop the division. So happy you made the right decision.
Posted by: Vishous | May 23, 2008 10:47:27 AM
Thank you and the state of Oregon for clinching the pledged delegate majority for the next President of the United States.
Posted by: Ben | May 23, 2008 10:50:13 AM
Hooray! Well done!
Posted by: Deb | May 23, 2008 10:51:52 AM
Thank you Jenny! You make us all proud to be ORegonians!!
Posted by: Chris Lowe | May 23, 2008 10:53:57 AM
Also, if Hillary's people mob the May 31st meeting as is being reported as their intention, in a move that sounds reminiscent of the Republican mobbing to influence the Florida election outcome in 2000, I hope that the Rules Committee will not allow themselves to be intimidated.
And I hope that superdelegates will respond to any such efforts by endorsing Senator Obama. I specifically call on Governor Kulongoski to switch to Obama if the Clinton campaign makes any such intimidation attempt. We should prepare to bring organized pressure on him to do so, if they really try anything like that.
If her campaign actually does that, the incongruous ironies of Senator Clinton's idiotic Zimbabwe remarks will be redoubled. Though even so, nothing in this race is remotely like Zimbabwe and neither of the candidates is remotely comparable to Robert Mugabe, in person or in position.
But it was a stupid thing to say. And any efforts to intimidate the Committee should be made to backfire.
Posted by: Anita W. | May 23, 2008 10:53:59 AM
Thank you Ms. Greenleaf. I am from California, but am very happy for your decision. It's time for our party to come together and put our country back right.
Posted by: Bear Wilner-Nugent | May 23, 2008 11:03:54 AM
Jenny, I am delighted to hear this. Thank you for announcing it here!
Posted by: torridjoe | May 23, 2008 11:07:39 AM
Also, if Hillary's people mob the May 31st meeting as is being reported as their intention, in a move that sounds reminiscent of the Republican mobbing to influence the Florida election outcome in 2000, I hope that the Rules Committee will not allow themselves to be intimidated.
Seems you and I are in full agreement, right down to the evocation of the 3-piece mob in FL. I believe the best way to support that committee's ability not to be intimidated is to deliver a full 2026 delegates or more to Obama in the next eight days. Currently DemCon has the number at 56; 7 add-ons happen between now and then, all in Obama states. Six OR remain, sounds like neither Wyden nor Bradbury plan to talk before then, but there should be four more next week from the party officers. Would love to see Ted bolt, but I doubt it.
You're already under 50, and there are a lot of Obama-state or Obama-district people still out there. Over 200 in total.
So strong thanks to Jenny for leading her team a little closer by going first. Sometimes final unity can only be gained at the presentation of a fait accompli.
Posted by: Regina | May 23, 2008 11:08:15 AM
Ms. Greenleaf, I am sorry to hear this. While Obama is a promising figure in American politics, he just isn't ready. I am depressed that you chose him over Sen. Clinton. Please exert some independent thought.
Posted by: Trish | May 23, 2008 11:11:06 AM
Thanks for announcing it here, which is cool. But I have to disagree with you. Hillary Clinton is the best candidate who has truly progessive positions on health care. She will work for universal health care, and I'm just not convinced Obama cares much about the issue. I wish you had withheld your support until Obama agrees to put her on a fusion ticket of Obama-Clinton, perhaps where she gets to work on health care as VP. He and his campaign have been extremely dismissive of her for the last two months (and other 'sweeties' in general), and as a Clinton supporter, I am depressed generally and unhappy with Obama's behavior. Please don't reward his behavior with your endorsement.
Posted by: DH | May 23, 2008 11:14:38 AM
Thank You so much. We will win in November and more importantly, the American public and people of the world will benefit. It won't be easy. Mistakes and challenges lie ahead. But we will keep our eye on the prize.
Posted by: Laurie | May 23, 2008 11:14:49 AM
Ms. Greenleaf, My Oregon cousins thank you as well as Austin, Texas supporters.
Posted by: Ben | May 23, 2008 11:15:13 AM
Remember people, don't feed the trolls.
Posted by: Frances | May 23, 2008 11:18:17 AM
Thank you for your courage and your patriotism.
Posted by: Garrett | May 23, 2008 11:20:51 AM
Woo hoo. Thanks Jenny!
Posted by: backbeat, woman | May 23, 2008 11:21:15 AM
Jenny, thanks for this endorsement, and for taking my call a few years ago. You're the best!
Posted by: Alycia | May 23, 2008 11:24:25 AM
Jenny, thanks for stepping up and casting a vote. I hope other uncommitted Oregon superdelegates will now do the same. The primary in Oregon is over. It's time to start unifying the Oregon Democratic party.
Posted by: Christopher London | May 23, 2008 11:27:56 AM
Bless your soul Ms. Greenleaf. While I was not a supporter of Senator Barack Obama from day 1 and have evolved to support him, I believe that many thinking Americans recognize he is the right choice. We need to do our best also re-inform that misinformed who have been duped and deceived through fraud about the true nature of Obama's character. His qualifications are simply a keen intellect, a profound perspective about the state of our country and the common sense to seek out the right decisions and partners.
Posted by: Jenny Greenleaf | May 23, 2008 11:28:21 AM
Thanks, everyone. I'm just relieved to be able to do this today.
Posted by: Ethel | May 23, 2008 11:29:04 AM
Mrs. Greenleaf, while I understand you have to make a choice at some point, I am disheartened that you did not go for Clinton. Oregon did vote for Obama, but there are a lot of Clinton Democrats (like me) in this state too. Will you pledge to support an Obama-Clinton ticket? I hope so.
Posted by: Jenny Greenleaf | May 23, 2008 11:42:44 AM
Ethel, I will support the Democratic ticket, from the top down.
I would like to thank everyone for being so engaged. I started my political odyssey back in 2002 because I didn't like the way things were being done. I know there is a place for working both from within an organization and from outside, and I chose to get inside the organization to see what I could do. Others have worked to establish blogs, think tanks, and volunteer efforts separate from the party.
While it's hard to turn a barge, the renewed activism of Democrats and Howard Dean's 50-state strategy have strengthened our party immensely. I hope all of you will be out this year knocking on doors, making phone calls, and writing checks!
I look forward to beating McCain in November and taking back our country for the people. What this is really all about is getting out of Iraq, providing healthcare, strengthening education, and all the other things Democrats stand for. And while the presidential race is critical, it's also important to give our president a more Democratic congress to work with. So let's make sure we all support Jeff Merkley and Kurt Schrader.
Posted by: Janet | May 23, 2008 11:48:05 AM
Jenny, thank you for reflecting the will of Oregon Democrats with your endorsement of Barack Obama! we'll win with 'real' not imaginary numbers...
Posted by: Bill R. | May 23, 2008 11:51:00 AM
Breaking story- The SD tsunami begins-Rep. Cardozo of CA is the first of 40 Clinton SDs in California to flip:
http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/
Posted by: jclempet | May 23, 2008 11:51:39 AM
How about briefing Sen Obama on Hanford and finding out why he voted for Dick Cheney's energy bill? Don't be a low demand supporter like many of Obama's.
Posted by: lestatdelc | May 23, 2008 11:52:22 AM
Thank you Jenny.
I have known Jenny since the Dean campaign, she is a 'gate-crasher' and one of the good guys/gals and so her endorsement doesn't surprise me, but rather confirms she is working hard to remake the party (for the better) from the inside out.
Posted by: TroyB | May 23, 2008 11:53:25 AM
Thank you, Hopefully the other Oregon Super's will follow your lead soon.
Posted by: Dan | May 23, 2008 11:55:48 AM
Thank you! There are others we hope will join you promptly.
Posted by: Kristin | May 23, 2008 11:57:04 AM
Yet another thank you -- you make Oregon proud...
Posted by: jason | May 23, 2008 12:00:53 PM
As one of the "activist" young folks who are energized by the current election, I am very motivated that we are finally coming together as Democrats. I live in the state of NY. Hillary Clinton is my senator.
However, I moved here from the South, where most are brainwashed into blindly voting for Bush and now perhaps McCain. I was Republican before, but I could not vote for Bush even then.....Please America you know the right thing to do, so let's do the right thing!!!! Let's all come together and show our unity. We must practice what we preach to others!!!! Let's change this country for better, for once!!!!
Posted by: Stephanie V | May 23, 2008 12:02:47 PM
Jenny, nice pick. Thanks.
I know all that neutrality was wearing on you!
Posted by: Kevin Hayden | May 23, 2008 12:03:01 PM
Good for you, Jenny. For any Clinton supporters, I can say that the reason Jenny likely waited this long is because of the amount of thought and due diligence she's given to the two candidates. Anyone who knows her would never accuse her of not thinking independently or of jumping onto a bandwagon solely for the company of any crowd. I recall when she first became a delegate for the 2004 race and how much effort and intelligence she's brought to the position ever since.
Someday, her successor is going to find they have some pretty big shoes to fill.
Posted by: Pat Ryan | May 23, 2008 12:03:51 PM
Jenny,
Let me add my thanks to the chorus, but also thanks for having held your ground, staying neutral until after the primary and maintaining your good humor in the face of the hate mail, hysteria and hype.
I fully expect that some of our party leaders will be coming out in favor of Clinton in the coming days, and that's all good too. The discipline shown by our supers (excluding natioinal office holders and the governor) has been wonderful to watch and reenforces our decision for a new direction for the state party in the wake of the Dean candidacy.
We'll still be able to find you under that rock and we will come knocking.......
Posted by: Gary | May 23, 2008 12:05:07 PM
Just finished watching Obama's speech at the Cuban American celebration in Miami, in regards to experience and being ready for the office; his command of the big 'world' picture is impressive. From that position he makes obvious and straightforward policy proposals that I find both logical and inspiring. The ability to motivate and energize a country to think big and global is a strength that trumps years of experience. One only needs to look at the wealth of 'experienced' individuals in Bush's cabinet to question at least some of that argument. (Rumsfeld, Cheney, Wolfewits (sp?))
Also, Hillary bashing should end, like Nancy Pelosi says "Let's all be patient and let the primary season come to a conclusion", however that shouldn't stop Obama from making speeches similar to the one he gave today.
Posted by: mcbush is a phoney | May 23, 2008 12:07:26 PM
I especially think Obama has some clear contrasts in energy policy, smart growth, smart trade, which will only be accentuated in the general with more of the same from McBush, i.e. iraq, vouchers, NCLB, and more things which do not work, have proven to not be viable, are disastrous and yet are still advocated for....mccain will continue wasteful policies, saying all of a sudden he is "green" but then saying we will be in iraq 100 years..if we are going to scrutinize policies, let's START scrutinizing mccain's rambling, such as how an endless war in the WRONG COUNTRY for the WRONG REASONS to enrich ALREADY WEALTHY will make us safer or more secure...
Have we already forgotten how Halliburton has moved all its' staff and headquarters to Saudi Arabia???? Yet all but one of the hijackers were saudi arabian!!!! I thought that is WHY WE WENT TO WAR!!!! not to help halliburton (and blackwater) get more contracts!!!Even bill clinton recently status as much...if we forget even recent history, of course we are doomed to repeat it....mccain just had to fire staff associated with myanmar's junta...maybe one article mentioned it....
Posted by: naschkatzehussein | May 23, 2008 12:32:57 PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jenny Greenleaf!
Posted by: Ethel | May 23, 2008 12:48:03 PM
To Gary: The Hillary bashing shouldn't just end. It should never have occurred. I have no problem hard-nosed contrasts on policy, but I have been appalled at some of those in the netroots and their response to Hillary Clinton.
Jenny, I am glad you are supporting the Democratic ticket. I would still like to know if you would push Obama to choose Clinton as the VP nominee. That is what a lot of us want. I like both of them.
Posted by: Matthew Sutton | May 23, 2008 12:51:06 PM
Thank you so much Jenny!!
Its time for Obama and Clinton supporters alike to start pulling together!! Let's focus on beating McCain, not beating up on each other.
Posted by: Susan Shawn | May 23, 2008 12:53:01 PM
Good job, Jenny. Thank you. I've been an Obama supporter since the last Democratic convention. 3 1/2 years ago.
I would like to encourage you to consider what someone else posted here: please talk to Obama about nuclear power, how we shut down Trojan, and why. If you get to speak to him, please encourage him to move away from nuclear power. It is not clean power; in fact, it's downright dangerous. Encourage him to invest in other alternatives.
Thank you.
Posted by: torridjoe | May 23, 2008 12:55:41 PM
"I would still like to know if you would push Obama to choose Clinton as the VP nominee."
God, please no. Jenny, cover your ears! LALALALALALALALALALALA!
Posted by: MsT | May 23, 2008 12:58:25 PM
Way to go! Thanks for representing us and hearing what Oregonians said. And thanks for showing some spine and courage in understanding that now is the time to endorse and say no to all the blustering and drama.
And I hope you saw the comment on Daily Kos calling you "a smashing woman."
Please support an Obama/HIS best choice for VP ticket.
Posted by: trishka | May 23, 2008 12:59:43 PM
thanks from me as well, jenny.
also, not to be confused with the other person who posted under the name "trish" above in disagreement w/ your decision.
i am wholeheartedly in agreement and applaud the move. the timing is perfect.
Posted by: torridjoe | May 23, 2008 1:01:07 PM
"And I hope you saw the comment on Daily Kos calling you "a smashing woman.""
That was me. Jenny probably doesn't want the compliment from me at the moment, since I dropped the tip on her announcement earlier, but it's definitely true--a simply smashing woman, a direct result and proxy of Howard Dean's impact on politics for Oregon.
Posted by: tc | May 23, 2008 1:15:07 PM
Well done...it's been a long wait. Good choice for Oregon. From your Rock...
Tom
Posted by: Jeremy Davis | May 23, 2008 1:20:35 PM
Way to stand up for what you believe in Jenny. And thank you to Howard Dean for the call to superdelegates to stand up and make their decision. We need to cinch this up and focus on the national campaign against Bush's 3rd term under McSame. Just look at what Putin did in Russia, it could happen here under McCain! Different name, different guy, same policies, same blunders.
Posted by: backbeat, woman | May 23, 2008 1:21:16 PM
Every time I think Senator Clinton has FINALLY jumped the shark, she hurdles another one:
May 23, 2008 --
Hillary Clinton today brought up the assassination of Sen. Robert Kennedy while defending her decision to stay in the race against Barack Obama.
"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it," she said, dismissing calls to drop out.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05232008/news/nationalnews/why_hill_wont_drop_out__bobby_kennedy_wa_112232.htm
THANK YOU FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING JENNY, I LOVE YOU!
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | May 23, 2008 1:25:17 PM
I would still like to know if you would push Obama to choose Clinton as the VP nominee.
Um, yeah. Because Barack Obama is going to ask Jenny Greenleaf what he should do about a vice president.
No disrespect to Jenny, but I highly doubt that.
Perspective, people. Perspective.
Posted by: Cynthia McKinney | May 23, 2008 1:27:47 PM
[Off-topic comment impersonating Cynthia McKinney removed. -editor.]
Posted by: torridjoe | May 23, 2008 1:33:42 PM
"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it," she said, dismissing calls to drop out."
My God. That's disgusting. I should stay in because the black guy might get picked off? Is she insane?
Please. If it was ANYONE else...
Posted by: Regina | May 23, 2008 1:36:46 PM
Jenny Greenleaf and all other superdelegates can have a hand in the selection of an excellent vice presidential candidate. The DNC convention rules provide for delegates to put the names of presidential and vice presidential nominees in. Since this was such a close race, it would be an excellent show of unity to do what Sen. Dianne Feinstein suggested: an Obama-Clinton ticket. It would be historic and would be a sign of people-powered grassroots support for both candidates and the party. Please don't forget all parts of the Democratic coalition and let's have the dream ticket!
Posted by: torridjoe | May 23, 2008 1:37:05 PM
Psychopathology. That's the word I've been looking for, and I just saw it in the Kos diary about her RFK remarks. It's psychopathology. She knows she shouldn't say that.
Posted by: Sid Anderson | May 23, 2008 1:39:33 PM
Thank you Jenny. I knew you were going to endorse Obama when I read your piece in the Oregonian this past Winter. I think it was around the time Obama had campaigned in Idaho, one of those red states that the old guard had decided "didn't matter any more." Funny thing... there are some competitive races in Idaho this Fall.
Anyway, you spoke of the importance of the 50 state strategy, while Obama was doing exactly that (Dean 2.0, as some have called Obama's strategy.) So I just had this gut feeling that you were going to cast your vote for Obama.
And a note to Regina: You claim Obama lacks experience. Did anyone venture to guess just one year ago that Obama would be so close to the nomination. His campaign will go down as the most organized, innovative, intelligently run campaign in history. This is why he overtook Clinton and is why so many believe he would do a better job at running this country. He did something that was believed just one year ago to be unbelievable.
Posted by: joel dan walls | May 23, 2008 1:39:56 PM
I would still like to know if you would push Obama to choose Clinton as the VP nominee.
This is a popular theme at present amongst HRC supporters. I keep wondering:
(1) Why is it that in 2008, as opposed to every previous election cycle in my lifetime, the presidential nominee should NOT get to pick a running mate?
(2) If the point is electing a Democratic ticket, don't we want to be damn sure that the two nominees are compatible? On message with one another? That the VP nominee is not going to try to upstage or derail the presidential nominee?
It's not about what Clinton supporters want. It's not about Hillary Clinton, either. It's about electing Democrats to be President and Vice-president.
To repeat: it's not about Hillary Clinton.
If Barack Obama is the presidential nominee, and if he thinks Hillary Clinton is the best VP choice, then by all means he should offer her the spot. I don't envisage him doing this, but I'm been surprised before.
Posted by: t.a. barnhart | May 23, 2008 1:44:26 PM
hey Jenny, you know the Multnomah Dems will never ignore you. you are one of us!
great decision, of course.
Posted by: backbeat, woman | May 23, 2008 1:45:38 PM
Since this was such a close race, it would be an excellent show of unity to do what Sen. Dianne Feinstein suggested: an Obama-Clinton ticket.
NO!
She has alluded to a possible assassination.
RESIGN FROM THE SENATE NOW HILLARY
YOU ARE SCUM
Posted by: Ruth Adkins | May 23, 2008 1:51:53 PM
Bravo, Jenny!! Thank you so much!
It's so exciting to see Howard Dean's 50-state strategy come to its full fruition. Let's get to work, folks!!
Posted by: trishka | May 23, 2008 1:52:58 PM
"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it," she said, dismissing calls to drop out."
excuse me, i have to go throw up now.
Posted by: joel dan walls | May 23, 2008 1:54:01 PM
I just printed out the NY Post article about HRC's assassination mongering, showed it to some co-workers, then tore it into tiny shreds and declared, "There went the last shred of respect I had for Hillary Clinton."
And to think I was leaning towards a vote for her a couple of months ago.
I feel sick.
Posted by: t.a. barnhart | May 23, 2008 1:58:47 PM
Chris
you don't have to worry about Meredith overturning anyone's popular vote. no one in Oregon is more committed to true democracy. she fully understands the paramount importance of grassroots democracy and that the future of the Democratic Party in Oregon depends on developing those 'roots. as Chair of the DPO, she has to stay neutral in primaries until all voting-related matters pass. and right now, the determination of how the votes translate into delegates is incomplete. once that's done, she'll be free to announce who she supports. but there is no way on earth she or anyone else at DPO will do anything but the right thing. you can rest easy on that (at least i know i do).
Posted by: Terry | May 23, 2008 1:58:57 PM
"Why is it that in 2008, as opposed to every previous election cycle in my lifetime, the presidential nominee should NOT get to pick a running mate?"
You must not be very old because this has happened. Further, our party is split in two, with a spectacular candidate, Barack Obama, getting slightly more delegates. This close of a race has not happened in my lifetime, where no candidate wrapped up a majority of elected delegates and there was only a 200-delegate margin where superdelegates like Jenny had to make the final call. Given this situation, it only makes sense for the superdelegates to push for Obama-Clinton. Go Dems.
Posted by: joel dan walls | May 23, 2008 2:08:02 PM
Hillary Clinton / Sirhan Sirhan '08
Posted by: artwound | May 23, 2008 2:15:00 PM
Jenny, Thank you. You make me proud to be a Democrat, and proud to be a supporter of Barack Obama. Please use your influence to help bring other delegates to our growing coalition. And do whatever you can to help Hillary find the exits. Soon.
Posted by: Bill R. | May 23, 2008 2:22:25 PM
Looks like Hillary's road to the White House involves assassination. As David Gergen so aptly put it, if Obama puts her on the ticket, he better hire a full time food-taster.
Posted by: Margie | May 23, 2008 2:26:05 PM
Thrilled with your decision, and happy you've declared before the May 31 hulabaloo. Proud so many of us Oregonians think OBAMA o8. He really does inspire. I hope we make it in November....
Posted by: Jamais Vu | May 23, 2008 2:32:40 PM
"We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it..." - HRC
Jesus. That is beyond the pale.
I hope the remaining superdelegates step in and end Hillary's increasingly derranged campaign as soon as possible by casting their votes for the inevitable winner, Obama. And, no, he doesn't need her anywhere near him after cracks like the one above.
As for Hillary's supporters, please don't continue to speak of Obama's supporters as wearing rose-tinted glasses after Clinton has made remarks practically inviting an assassination of her opponent. Many of you seem prepared to follow Hillary anywhere. You should stifle the impulse.
Posted by: Eric Parker | May 23, 2008 2:33:53 PM
You made a great decision, Jenny. It shows you have the guts to reject the ever increasingly sweetened and daily dose of Clinton Kool-Aid that HRC is providing her enthusiatically guzzling followers.
Bringing up RFK like that...how much sugar can Kool-Aid be sweetened with? With crap like that, I would not be suprised if Barak chose Richardson or Edwards.
As the British say "What a twit".
Posted by: Lou Evansville | May 23, 2008 2:43:10 PM
With Hillary suggesting Obama may be assassinated, I have no doubt her people are looking to "Vince Foster" Obama. From what I've been reading Obama security detail has been beefed up, but one can only hope he will remain safe.
Thanks for your support Jenney.
Posted by: Sid Anderson | May 23, 2008 2:53:53 PM
Regina,
I think Obama's life would be in severe danger if Clinton were his VP.
Posted by: Regina | May 23, 2008 3:00:40 PM
SidAnderson,
I don't like what Hillary said either, and I am glad she apologized. But seriously, the pathology of Hillary hatred is very strong here--please read Stanley Fish on this. Does anyone actually believe the garbage that Hillary Clinton assassinated one of her best friends, Vince Foster? This is Rush Limbaugh material, not BlueOregon.com material. I am strongly supportive of Hillary Clinton for VP and Barack Obama as president. They greatly complement each other and the unity ticket would bring an end to this long and difficult nomination process in which no one received a majority of delegates through elections. And if anyone is interested in pushing Hillary Clinton out of the Democratic party, then I don't want to be part of that party. I want to be part of the Democratic party where Obama, Clinton, and others are all bright lights as we work toward important policy goals together.
Posted by: trishka | May 23, 2008 3:08:43 PM
i agree that this statement was horrendous and, as one poster put it above "beyond the pale". but let's leave it at that and not continue with the accusations that clinton is a murderess.
that, too, is beyond the pale.
i don't want her as the veep, either, but otherwise i think regina makes a good point. let's be blueoregon, not rush limbaugh here.
Posted by: torridjoe | May 23, 2008 3:09:47 PM
"Hillary Clinton / Sirhan Sirhan '08"
Sick and twisted, but devastatingly funny.
Posted by: Eric Parker | May 23, 2008 3:11:45 PM
Its not hatred, Regina - Just some common sense that HRC is seriously lacking because of her uptight nature and her political mission to force herself into an office she really isn't psychologically fit to be in.
Posted by: Eric Parker | May 23, 2008 3:11:46 PM
Its not hatred, Regina - Just some common sense that HRC is seriously lacking because of her uptight nature and her political mission to force herself into an office she really isn't psychologically fit to be in.
Posted by: Eric Parker | May 23, 2008 3:11:51 PM
Its not hatred, Regina - Just some common sense that HRC is seriously lacking because of her uptight nature and her political mission to force herself into an office she really isn't psychologically fit to be in.
Posted by: Eric Parker | May 23, 2008 3:13:59 PM
Sorry about the multiple posts like that....computers hiccup at the oddest times....
Posted by: Bill R. | May 23, 2008 3:28:14 PM
I think Hillary's comment today gave us a snapshot of her fantasy life, it leaked out from fatigue or whatever.
Posted by: sadie | May 23, 2008 3:55:06 PM
Jenny, I appreciate your service and your vote in support of the candidate who won Oregon. I'll be there door knocking, phone banking, house partying and doing whatever I can to elect our Democrats, including Obama, right there with you (well in Washington County, but you know what I mean).
Go Dems!
Posted by: joel dan walls | May 23, 2008 4:03:40 PM
Dear Senator Clinton,
I DO remember RFK's assassination. I was a 13 year old in Southern California and went to bed thinking RFK had won the primary and was on the way to the nomination. I awoke the next morning to find my mother weeping in front of the TV and learned what had happened.
Posted by: backbeat, woman | May 23, 2008 4:07:27 PM
I think Hillary's comment today gave us a snapshot of her fantasy life, it leaked out from fatigue or whatever.
Guess she was fatigued in early March when she said the very same thing, almost verbatim. No, it is one of her talking points.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1719900,00.html
Posted by: naschkatzehussein | May 23, 2008 4:07:52 PM
Um, all you uncommitted superdelegates out there, haven't you been embarrassed enough yet by this woman?
Posted by: naschkatzehussein | May 23, 2008 4:15:07 PM
Sorry, Regina, but I am a stickler. Clinton did apologized to the Kennedy family but not to Senator Obama. Of course, he is a second class citizen and doesn't deserve one. I have seen Dianne Feinstein come out and try to explain Clinton, but I have not seen one Democratic leader come out and say that this is abominable. What they will do in the end, and what they have done many times before, is end up saying how BOTH of the candidates are so wonderful, or tarring Obama with the same brush as Clinton and saying how BOTH of them need to knock it off. That is why my money goes straight to Obama and not the DNC, the DCCC, or the DSCC.
Posted by: joel dan walls | May 23, 2008 4:20:56 PM
I have seen Dianne Feinstein come out and try to explain Clinton, but I have not seen one Democratic leader come out and say that this is abominable.
Speaking of Senator Feinstein, any reason why Hillary Clinton is held up as some particularly gifted female Democrat, instead of, say Feinstein? Or Feinstein's colleague Barbara Boxer? Or various other senators, governors, and representatives?
Someone, please, tell me what exactly sets Hillary Clinton head and shoulders above those other women.
Posted by: Matthew Sutton | May 23, 2008 4:21:35 PM
Sigh. Those were very unfortunate comments indeed. She owes the Obama family and all of us an apology. T
Posted by: Sue Hagmeier | May 23, 2008 4:46:17 PM
“Earlier today I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Senator Kennedy waged in California in June 1992 and 1968 and I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nomination primary contests that go into June. That’s a historic fact. The Kennedys have been much on my mind the last days because of Senator Kennedy and I regret that if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation, and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that, whatsoever. My view is that we have to look to the past and to our leaders who have inspired us and give us a lot to live up to, and I’m honored to hold Senator Kennedy’s seat in the United States Senate from the state of New York and have the highest regard for the entire Kennedy family.”
That's an apology? No, it's an absolutely classic "I'm so sorry you mistakenly found what I said offensive" statement.
Posted by: Chris Lowe | May 23, 2008 5:29:25 PM
t.a. -- thanks for the reassurance. Didn't mean anything against Meredeth Wood Smith, whom I don't know and of whom I have mostly a vaguely good impression. Your testiimonial strengthens that.
The Vince Foster smear was a "big lie" lie and invocation of it is IMO on a par with the "big lie" lie of Obama being a Muslim.
That said, many Clinton supporters have actively circulated just that lie, and Hillary has not shut them down, instead saying "as far as I know." Imagine if Obama had said Clinton wasn't involved in Foster's death "as far as I know."
Which leads me, Regina, to say that your criticisms of the extremes of Hillary-hating are quite fully matched on the pro-Hillary, Obama-hating side, and the portrayal by persons such as yourself that this is only an issue of Hillary-hating are not helpful nor likely to gain you allies among those of us who do not hate Hillary but don't love her either. Ditto with accusations that we treat Senator Obama as a divinity or a saint or whatever. Most of us just don't. Those who have a strong emotional attachment to him (I don't) are no different from those with strong emotional attachments to Senator Clinton.
Whether or not it involves Hillary's fantasy life, the assassination comment reveals an extreme lack of judgment. The risk is always an issue and perhaps more so with figures who inspire strong feelings, and perhaps also with those who represent change that some people find threatening -- neither restricted to one candidate in this race. Bringing out in the open raises risk.
This doesn't seem calculated to me. I think Hillary Clinton has raised her own risk as well as Barack Obama's. She doesn't gain anything from having said it -- if something bad happened to Obama that took him out of the running, say a heart attack, she would have had a strong claim anyway even if she had suspended her campaign today, or last week, or a month ago.
This extreme bad judgment, whatever its source, which is now reflected in a string of such statements, renders her utterly untrustworthy to me.
Posted by: Jenny Greenleaf | May 23, 2008 5:58:05 PM
Just wanted to stop by and say thanks again. Reading all your comments is really heartwarming, and I'm getting great emails from people I haven't heard from in awhile.
Regina, Kari's right....I'm not going to get consulted on who Obama's running mate should be. I was very sincere, however, about having a lot of respect and admiration for Senator Clinton. I know there are a lot of people here who don't like her, but I do.
I made my decision based on Oregon's vote, because I believe voters should make the decisions. I also feel that Obama's strategy ties in better with my belief in the 50-state strategy and empowered activists.
So, rest up for a week, but then get out from behind your keyboard and find a campaign to volunteer with!
Posted by: t.a. barnhart | May 23, 2008 6:57:24 PM
tj, no - not a damn bit funny. looking back at the events of my life, i think the most tragic by far was the death of RFK. what a different world we would live in had he beaten Nixon -- and i think he would have. the Vietnam War would have ended in 1969. nuclear disarmanent would have begun in earnest and been fruitful. and most of all, the care that America's, and the world's, poor and struggling needed would have been there. Bobby was a brilliant, driven and compassionate man. instead we got an insane person surrounded by thugs and war criminals. Sirhan committed the most heinous political crime in our nation's history -- matched only by the assassination of Lincoln and the theft of the 2000 election.
and Hillary used that as an object lesson for her staying in the camaign? jfc.
Posted by: Torridjoe | May 23, 2008 8:29:56 PM
we laugh to keep from crying, ta...
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Posted by: Jeff Alworth | May 23, 2008 10:02:01 AM
Who hoo! Very cool that you announced here, Jenny. Very cool.