Why Would Clinton Supporters Vote For McCain?
Why Would Clinton Supporters Vote For McCain? – by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at BlogHer)
I think all the talk about women supporters of Hillary Clinton, voting for John McCain, is being overblown by the media. Shocking.
Yes, it has been a tough time to be a Hillary supporter. And yes, there are a lot of fresh wounds that will take time to heal. However, I do believe that most women who supported Hillary, did so because of her positions on the issues, and not just because she is a woman. For that reason, I have to believe that after careful consideration of the issues (especially women’s issues), Clinton supporters will see that a vote for McCain, would be a vote against women.
For the record, I admit…I’m still holding out hope for the dream ticket. But, no matter how this all shakes out, come November, I’m voting Democrat.
Here is some of what other bloggers are saying about this issue…
Will Pro-Choice Women Vote For McCain?
Following up on my post from yesterday on John McCain’s bid for Hillary Clinton’s female voters, I see my good friend Arianna Huffington has finally joined the ranks of pro-choice bloggers and writes about a promising poll by Planned Parenthood. The poll concludes that many of McCain’s supporters in swing states are pro-choice, and don’t realize what a reactionary barbarian he is when it comes to a woman’s right to control her own body.
From an Open Letter to Women Supporters of Hillary Clinton
I have family members who have strong ties to Bill and Hillary, one of whom campaigned with them during the primaries. I can’t tell you the love and admiration she has for the Clintons. However, she is going to set aside her personal feelings and work hard to ensure an Obama presidency. She is well-aware of the consequences if he is not elected.
You may choose to follow Hillary’s lead and switch your allegiance to Obama. You may also choose not to vote; or (as some of you have indicated) vote for John McCain The latter two options are one-in-the-same. Since record numbers of Democratic voters are expected to turn out for November’s elections vs. a lesser amount of Republican voters, a non-vote will essentially benefit McCain.
Should you choose to vote for McCain, you would be wise to study up on McCain’s positions regarding issues which are important to most women.
White Women To vote Against Reproductive Rights
Yeah, that’ll show him!
John McCain is in favor of forced pregnancy, but these women would rather vote for him than Obama.
John McCain’s healthcare plan is “let the market handle it” (like it has been handling it so far), but these women would rather vote for him than Obama.
John McCain is obsessed with fighting wars and extending the war of choice on Iraq, but these women would rather vote for him than Obama.
Why? Because they seem to feel that Hillary Clinton is somehow entitled to the nomination, despite the fact that she didn’t get the votes.
A Hidden Well: Obama in 08…
I just ordered an Obama in 08 bumper sticker from moveon.org. Hillary was my candidate of choice, for many reasons, but mainly because she has been a champion for women’s reproductive rights, justice, and health for thirty years. However, the reality is that Barack Obama, not Hillary Clinton, has been chosen as the Democratic presidential nominee. And sure, I experienced some initial disappointment over this. But it is what it is, as my friend Jayne would say. So now I’m ready to step up to the plate in support of Obama and do everything in my power to make sure that he is elected the next president of the United States.
Also See:
Where The Candidates Stand On Reproductive Rights
Linda Hansen: Little Women…a sad story of stereotypes.
Welcome to The Now: “What’s He Going to Do For Women”
Washington Wire – Abortion Rights Advocates Take Aim At McCain
Is John McCain a Pro-Choice Republican?
Citizen Mom: What Would Alice Paul Do?
Are you a woman who was supporting Hillary Clinton? Will you now support Barack Obama? What are the chances you would vote for John McCain? Are you mad enough to risk another four years of Republicans in the White House?
Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan, also at catherine-morgan.com and Care2 Election Blog
Comments
Comment from register
Time: June 7, 2008, 8:10 pm
Obama will never get my vote – I am not moved at all my his feel good speeches and promises of change. I refuse to drink the kool-aid. This Democrat will vote McCain and hope many others will choose to do the same.
Comment from James McPherson
Time: June 7, 2008, 9:02 pm
I always suspect that respondents like the one above are actually McCain voters trying to capitalize on whatever might help them win. I’ve voted as an independent in almost every presidential election, and I generally agree with folk singer/storyteller Utah Phillips’ statement that, “if you vote for the lesser of two evils, you’re still voting for evil.” But on the rare occasions when I’ve lived in a state where my vote might actually matter (mostly I’ve lived in heavily red states where the outcome was a foregone conclusion), I’ve had enough sense to vote for the person most likely to support my interests.
One thing I do know: Conservatives will revel in the irony if disgruntled women voters give McCain the votes he needs to win and finally guarantee the Supreme Court majority that will overturn Roe v. Wade. Much of the reason for the current court majority is that Republicans who disagreed on various things–-taxation, immigration, war, abortion, etc.–-managed to put aside their differences to vote for one bad nominee after another. As a result, we’ve all lost–-but progressives have lost the most. And those of us who care about women’s rights likely will be the biggest losers if McCain wins.
Comment from Catherine Morgan
Time: June 7, 2008, 9:12 pm
Hi James. I wonder the same thing…
“I always suspect that respondents like the one above are actually McCain voters trying to capitalize on whatever might help them win.”
Thanks for commenting. 
Comment from Hatshepsut
Time: June 8, 2008, 3:12 pm
Believe me, I am no closet McCain voter, but I cannot in even halfway good conscience vote for Obama for the simple reason that he is unqualified to be POTUS and will permit the likes of Wright-Pfleger and Co. to rant freely (black liberation theology church’s will grow in popularity and venom), each time saying he is “disappointed” BUT “the anger is real!” as he put it in his so-called race speech. Hate and divisiveness will grow exponentially, and at the same time inept foreign policy will create one disaster after another for our allies, especially Israel. He may try to get the Jewish vote, and thereby spout pro-Israel lines, but it is evident in his remarks about Israel being “a sore” and the basis for other countries to hate the US that, once in office, he will side with Israel’s enemies. Bottom line: he’s inept and untrustworthy and it’s simply impossible for many of us to vote for him. Finally—he, together with the enabling DNC who are drooling after his money, never mind that they realize he’s scarcely electable—have run an illegitimate, sexist, racist campaign, and have collected superdelegates by illicit means!!! Need I say more?
Comment from rob
Time: June 8, 2008, 10:29 pm
Most repugs are single issue living brain donors; they either want their guns or they hate gays or the environment or they just love war. “conservatism” is basically a mental disorder. Which leads me to believe that some Hillary supporters who espouse a mcbush vote may be single issue voters also (vagina??). What else could explain their insanity in casting a vote against their own best interest
Comment from democrat4mccain
Time: June 9, 2008, 2:01 am
Wow, all of you Obama supporters sound alike, it’s almost like there’s one stupid person writing in every blog and comments. You all are desperate for a 3rd Bush term and don’t to admit it, that’s why you all are voting and praising Obama all the time, and are always against Senators Clinton and Mccain. You guys should might as well tell Bush to run for another term as president.
McCain ’08
Comment from rob
Time: June 9, 2008, 2:53 am
Democrat4mccain is one of those brain donors I warned you about. Makes no sense, rambles on and is dellusional in his absurd construct that Obama supporters are desperate for a 3rd monkey term.
Comment from Garrett
Time: June 9, 2008, 2:04 pm
All of the Obama supporters clearly have no understanding of the Hillary supporters that choose Senator McCain over Senator Obama. They think it’s a choice born of revenge, spite, bitterness, sour grapes, and so on and so forth. Democrats for McCain seem so irrational to Obama supporters because we see Senator Obama in a completely different light than they do. While I don’t approve of all of McCain’s ideas, I’m not naive enough to buy into this third term of Bush nonsense. The simple fact is, I would trust Barack Obama to wash my car. He’s completely disingenuous, and his entire life has been determined by political expedience. He couldn’t disown Wright (even though he eventually did because it was politically expedient) but he could “cease to advertise” his mother’s race….
Comment from Bair
Time: June 9, 2008, 3:28 pm
Give it up, Hillary supporters. Somebody with big money has a choke-hold on a wide swath of mainstream media outlets so they can market Obama-ism and suppress the voices of the actual voters. McCain will go down in flames just like Hillary because of this media bias. Stupid, stupid Americans believe anything they hear in the media — so all you have to do is own and control the media and you control the sheep-like humans who are supporting Obaaaaaaa-hhhma.
Comment from rob
Time: June 9, 2008, 8:44 pm
so………….Bair………. You’ve managed to put down all three of the candidates. Can we assume that you are a Ron Paul supporter? Or are you a bible banger longing for the day that Huckabee can run again?
Comment from George
Time: June 11, 2008, 9:36 pm
To McCains credit he really is the only one in this race that has developed positive discourse and cooperation with opposing parties….If change is really what people want that can only happen with cooperation from both parties…The most liberal member of the senate, aka Obama, will be far more devisive to the oppositon than McCain who really isn’t a democrat or republican….Obama had better pick a moderate to seal the deal. As for me, hopefully Nader will run again.
Comment from Lee
Time: June 14, 2008, 3:55 pm
Black people didn’t vote for Bill Clinton because of his color, but black people will vote for Obama because he is black. This is racist. Fellow Hillary supporters, please don’t vote for Obama. Obama and his supporters totally disrespected (and still do) Senator Clinton and us Clinton supporters. The DNC, only cares about half of the democrats in their party, so why let them con you into putting the DNC above the country.
Comment from austin, austin
Time: June 20, 2008, 1:40 am
All you Mcain supporters, asked yourself how many Americans have dead in Iraq. All McCain talks about is WAR. What kind of plan has he table down for poor folks like you and I. If you choose to vote for McCain just because of his genetic make-up, I pray that you and I will live and see Bush third term in office because that is what McCain winning means. So think brfore you vote in November, if you don’t want to gnash your teeth on how bad the economy has become.
Comment from misa
Time: June 22, 2008, 11:58 pm
I will probably vote for McKinney. I don’t see Obama as anything more than a political opportunist. He probably thinks his voters are idiots.
Comment from Manderson
Time: June 27, 2008, 6:34 pm
Catherine, I just wrote a very similar post to yours, wondering whether this ‘Clinton supporter supporting McCain’ thing is just a media construct. Given some of the comments above, I am beginning to think that some people must be even more confused than I originally thought.
I don’t understand any of the anti-Obama sentiment voiced above. Obama is ‘disingenuous’? McCain is the ‘only one. . .that has developed positive discourse?!
Does the Republican party pay people to post these kinds of things?
Comment from Lori Casarez
Time: August 7, 2008, 9:40 pm
For the first time in my adult life I will vote for a republican. I have to . The way Obama has stolen the nomination I cannot and will not vote for that man. Might I add that I have always voted democrat and have marched for the team but no way this time. Hillary really won this and they took it away. Get ready to lose Obama, you are about to set blacks back about 50 years, I hate to say.
Comment from Adorable Girlfriend
Time: June 7, 2008, 12:31 pm
As a Clinton supporter, I am NOT, nor was ever, no will I ever, vote for John McCain.