Thoughts On June 3rd

On June 3rd, the day of Barack Obama's historic, honorably-achieved,
miraculous victory, a day of national and worldwide celebration for
the progress we've all made, Paul Begala wrote an article*. In this
article, Mr. Begala made a comparison to the story of Jackie Robinson
(the first African-American to break the color line in baseball around
50 years ago). Oddly and sadly, the person he was comparing Mr.
Robinson to in this column was not Barack Obama, but Hillary Clinton.
Seriously.

This was yet another perfect example of a die-hard Clinton supporter
just completely missing the point, mangling the moment, being in a
hole and using a shovel when they need a rope. It's hard to overstate
how offensive and distasteful this column was. What's really sad,
though, is how it fits in with the whole tenor of Clinton's failed
campaign, right down to Clinton's final big speech that night in New
York, as she tried one last time (one can only hope) to steal Obama's
moment and momentum. Hillary Clinton and her supporters STILL just
don't seem to get how their perpetually-persecuted, nuclear-solution
attitude has cost them this contest.

Well, that and the simple fact that Barack Obama is a
once-in-a-lifetime leader, the sheer embodiment of the infinite
possibility of America. A young, vibrant, brilliant, charismatic
person who triumphed over insurmountable odds. A person that is
helping millions of young, jaded, disenfranchised people to believe in
the possibility of our Country to do great things, that we can do them
together. Yes, he and the possibilities that he represents are the
biggest and most undeniable reasons for her defeat, as will be the
case with McCain in November.

But still.

While I'm the last to deny that virulent sexism still exists, Hillary
Clinton playing the victim card, given her resources and stature, is
just irrational and pathetic.

Barack Obama has consistently taken the high ground, despite there
being clear, empirical evidence everywhere that racism is, of course,
alive and well in the USA. Yes, he's had his defenders, and Clinton
hers. Her defenders even call Obama himself a sexist (and a radical
Muslim and who knows what else), despite his being raised by his
Grandmother and his single Mom, his healthy marriage to a strong,
amazing woman, his two wonderful daughters and the fact that he has
grown up working alongside strong women to better the community. Yea,
sounds like a real woman-hater to me. Hillary might want to look
across the bed for the pig her supporters are trying to make Obama out
to be (I used to love Bill so much, but wow, how the mighty have
apparently fallen).

So no, the problem wasn't her gender; it was all the pathetic,
old-school, mud-slinging that made her look ridiculous, that made her
most ardent followers leave her, that finally helped to make her the
loser of this primary season.

Clinton still doesn't seem to get that she doesn't need to fight and
cheat and manipulate her way to power, she HAS it. All she needs to do
is be civil and creative and intelligent, as Obama has been, as she is
capable of being.

Along with so many disgusting tactics she and her team have tried, her
recent invocation of slavery in the context of the MI and FL
(non-)primaries was politically-driven, say-anything cynicism at its
worst. Begala's column fit right into this pattern.

So yea, sentiments such as those have, in many ways, cost Hillary
Clinton this contest. To Hillary Clinton and her supporters, then,
PLEASE don't let this sort of ridiculous, vain mess cost the Dems this
election. Don't let it get in the way of our country's progress. Just
be happy that we're here at this incredible moment, that no one saw
coming, that could transform this country in so many incredible ways.
Hillary Clinton will find her place in this moment, and it will be
substantial and world-respected and powerful (Universal Health, so
much more)... If her ego and her 'supporters' will only let her.

Barack Obama came into this race with a snowball's chance in hell. He
stuck to his simple, humble, division-transcendending, grass-roots,
inclusive approach. He is energizing voters that no one ever has,
helping the Democratic Party to be relevant, exciting, innovative and
brave again. Let us celebrate that. Together.

Peace,
Jonah Matranga
Jonah Matranga Dot Com -- It's The Best Way

* http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-begala/hillary-and-jackie_b_104874.ht...