Hillary supporters: please stop.

[auntpurl]

Hi. I'm a Hillary supporter, like you.

She's won the primary. Everyone knows this. Even the most ardent Hillary-haters on this site know this and are talking about it here. It's over.

Nevada is also over. Perhaps Bernie's supporters won't let it go, but I think we should. The authorities will take care of the people who made death threats. We (Hillary supporters) should let it go.

As the truth of the primary being finished becomes more and more clear over the next few weeks, the attacks against Hillary are going to ramp up. We'll see everything from FBI investigation theories to Linda Tripp, and everything in between. And I suggest we leave them alone. Bernie supporters are angry and disappointed right now, and the more we strike back, the longer they can hold on to that anger (of course there will be some who will not let go of the anger ever, but I think there are more who will). The attacks are baseless, so we don't need to counter them.

I suggest we stop posting taunting thread about Bernie. He's lost.

I suggest we stop posting threads about how it's over and he's lost. They know. We know. Everyone knows.

Over the past few days, since Nevada, I've seen a good number of Bernie supporters both edging away from the tone of his campaign and also starting to make real comparisons (and draw distinctions) between Hillary and Trump. Sort of "She's flawed, but not THAT flawed" type statements.

THE MORE WE FIGHT THEM, THE LESS THAT WILL HAPPEN. We want the ones who will eventually come over to COME OVER. Needling them will inhibit that process. Of course there are some who never will, but they're not who we can influence with our posts.

Look, there are a lot of people on this site who are good Democrats and have got caught up in the fervour of a hard-fought primary. Bernie came much further than he was supposed to, further than I think even he expected to, and it will take some time for people to adjust. Leave them alone. Yes, it's a cesspit of insults and rage in here at the moment. That doesn't mean you have to be a part of it.

I am one person, and certainly no authority about what you can or should post about. It's only my opinion. I'm going to follow my own advice, (fully aware that I have been part of some of the anti-Bernie posts up until today, although I hope no one can point to a post of mine that's been uncivil) and I'm going to politely take issue with taunting anti-Bernie threads as I see them.

Note: I am away for most of today so I may not be able to respond much to this thread. Also, I've recently started using the ignore feature as my anxiety level was getting too high, so if I don't respond, it may be because you're on it.

Thanks for reading.

[Thinkingabout]

1. Thanks for posting, yes it is time for a new phase, one which has defeating Trumo as

Number one goal.

[auntpurl]

15. It should be the number one goal of everyone on the planet

because that's who'll be affected if he gets his tiny hands anywhere near the nuclear codes.

[LexVegas]

2. Not as long as this is a Hillary Clinton hate site. Sorry. nt

[baldguy]

4. +1

[hertopos]

7. I can related to how you feel.

However, I see the poll that most of Sander's supporters ( poll say 80% at this point ) will vote for Hillary. No sane Democrat wants Trump to will.

I was extremely disturbed for the last several weeks but now I think I can let it go.

Hertopos

[auntpurl]

14. Yes.

And some of them are on here. It feels like a very few, but then the Hillary-haters are much more vocal than the more reasoned members of Bernie's group. Some of them are reading and NEVER post. They are still influenced by what happens here.

[betsuni]

9. +2

[rock]

10. +1

Nail. Head.

[mac56]

11. Can't stop laughing at "DU is a Hillary Clinton hate site."

Whew!.... (wipes tears of laughter from eyes)

Which comedy club are you at this weekend?

[auntpurl]

12. Right, so let's look at it this way.

Someone posts a thread: "Hillary is a Nazi!!!!", whatever.

And we reply, all, "Hillary is not a Nazi! That's bullshit!"

And they reply "You're a tool of the oligarchy!"

And then that goes on for 150 more posts.

OR

Someone posts a thread: "Hillary is a Nazi!!!"

And no Hillary posters reply.

So you get like 10 other Hillary-haters to reply, they're all talking to themselves, there's no argument, and the thread sinks.

We all KNOW Hillary isn't a Nazi. Even they know that! What's the point? I'm honestly asking.

[Bluenorthwest]

34. But your example is made up, not true, would be hidden. The poster you speak to however

has 12 hides for saying horrible things. It's all name calling, finger pointing bullshit and you entirely legitimize it using fictional counterparts. Read what your pal says about other Democrats. Not fiction, but fact:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=313074&sub=trans

Thanks to the admims for Transparency, a part of the Glorious Amnesty that allows persons with tons of nasty hides to continue their behavior unabated but also spotlighted....

[apnu]

23. DU is not a hate site. DU will support Hillary in the GE.

Its Sanders supporters who are going through the states of grief and loss in GDP that are spewing hyberbolic things about Hillary.

This is behavior long time DU members have seen before. We saw it in 2008. Some people are poor losers.

auntpurl is being a gracious winner and an adult. S/He is moving on, I have as well. I advise you do the same, but take that as you may.

[Cali_Democrat]

43. Yup!

No mercy.

[hertopos]

3. Yes, Yes, Yes

I totally agree.

Hertopos

[brooklynite]

6. But the itch feels so good when you scratch it...

[inchhigh]

8. If you really want unity

TAKE DOWN THIS POST until after the convention. Games not over. She hasn't won anything.

[auntpurl]

13. People are changing their minds now.

So I wanted to address it now.

[inchhigh]

16. have you ever seen a player

Celebrate at the five yard line? Doesnt it make you angry? This continual claim that she has won something before she really has really turns people off. If you are so certain, wait until the whistle blows. Otherwise you are just inciting anger.

[auntpurl]

17. I understand your point.

But my point is that there are Bernie supporters, right now, who've accepted that Hillary has won the primary and they are torn as to whether or not they will support her. My post was to Hillary supporters, to remind them that those people are out there and what we can do (and not do) to influence them.

I fully support your right to not concede this thing until you're ready.

[inchhigh]

18. I fully support your right to not concede

until you are ready as well

[Florencenj2point0]

19. It has been a nasty primary season and she won

why shouldn't she say she won and why shouldn't we be happy? I know how much it sux when your candidate loses. I am sincerely sorry. But there are less than 800 pledged delegates left and Bernie needs more than 800. Hillary needs less than 100. How much more obvious can it be than that?
If you can't work or vote for Hillary, why not organize for progressive down ticket democrats. We are going to need them to get anything done.
In the mean time should you chose to join us, you are more than welcome.

[inchhigh]

31. You shouldn't say it because it isnt true.

It isnt over. She hasn't won. She doesnt need only 100 votes.

NONE of those claims are true so just stop making them.

It is nearly over and she is waaay ahead. Dont spike the ball at the five yard line.

If Bernie was ever going to win it was going to be improbably from behind at the end.

He may not win. But then again, he may. We dont know because it isnt over.

If you want to preach peace and unity start taling to the Hillary supporters about how they will put the campaign behind them and support Bernie.

[Tarc]

27. See, this is the kind of silly stuff we're talking about

[apnu]

20. Thank you for being an adult in the room. +1 (nt)

[Florencenj2point0]

21. yes

[morningfog]

22. Good sentiment. Unfortunately, too many are here in bad faith

with the single objective to disrupt and stir shit.

[apnu]

24. +1. You got it. (nt)

[auntpurl]

36. I agree with you.

On both sides.

[Surya Gayatri]

25. Well said...

"THE MORE WE FIGHT THEM, THE LESS THAT WILL HAPPEN. We want the ones who will eventually come over to COME OVER. Needling them will inhibit that process. Of course there are some who never will, but they're not who we can influence with our posts."

[grossproffit]

26. Loved the last paragraph.

[Adrahil]

28. You're right, of course, but it's very frustrating. NT

[Baitball Blogger]

29. I have said many times that I would vote for Hillary if she makes

it through the primary. But I won't defend her. I hope the Bernie supporters will also vote for her. But, I think that defending actions and decisions that we all know are problematic is a job for her staunch supporters.

I suggest you lay off attacking Bernie supporters because it will just be too difficult to do both.

[auntpurl]

37. You're right.

Whatever you think of her, Hillary would be the first person to say she's going to work hard to earn your vote. And her supporters should do the same.

[cali]

30. Thanks. I just wrote an op saying I can count on one hand the

Number of Hillary supporters who have been even modestly gracious winners. I don't agree with everything in this op, but you're one of the few who came to mind.

[auntpurl]

38. Thank you; that's very nice of you to say.

I always read and enjoy (or find thoughtful) your OPs.

[NCTraveler]

32. I enjoyed reading and think you are correct.

I would like to see us slide over to GD and stick with the General. At the same time many of us are like Clinton and refuse to take abuse. It's not in our nature.

I made a similar plea recently. It didn't go well. After reading the comments to my plea I just said game on, we're still in it.

I also think a lot of it has to do with the importance in campaigning of defining your opponent. It's hard to lay back when you are owning news cycles. It hasn't been that way very often for the Clinton camp this primary season. Sanders and his supporters have spent damn near every second of the primaries trying to define Clinton supporters negatively. The shoe is now on the other foot. What's good for the goose....

I still think the path you are promoting would clearly be our best option.

[auntpurl]

39. I know what you mean about abuse.

I am a mouthy broad, lol.

I think the best thing when that happens is to take the advice of the poster below who suggests we ask ourselves "is what I'm about to post going to help or hurt Hillary get elected president?" This requires a 2-step cognitive process, where we refrain from assigning attribution as a knee-jerk reaction and instead allow additional information to help us decide. Humans are designed to want to make instant attributions, so it takes extra effort to engage in this 2-step process. But I think it's worth it.

Thanks for your post.

[bigtree]

33. as long as he and his supporters are in this campaign mode

...where it's scorched earth assaults on the party and our nominee without ANY indication THEY intend to stop, I'm going to chime in with the other side of the picture, the Democratic side.

[auntpurl]

40. I understand, I really do.

It doesn't seem fair, and I have a strong sense of internal justice and find it very difficult to violate that.

But I am trying to think big picture. What is our intention in participating in this message board right now, during the primaries? Your intention may well be to tell the truth as you see it, to speak your truth. And I respect that.

My intention is to help Hillary's cause if I can. (As well as entertainment and education, the general reasons I always participate on DU).

[Jim Lane]

35. I appreciate your good sense, but just in the responses you see part of the problem.

We constantly hear about "Hillary hating" and "scorched-earth assaults" and the like. I have seen very little recognition from most Clinton supporters that there can be legitimate differences of opinion. A common mode of reasoning (I'll use that term charitably) seems to be: We know that Clinton will be the nominee, therefore anything negative about her can have only one effect, and (from the worst of the zealots) only one purpose, namely to help Trump.

I personally don't hate Hillary Clinton. I simply find that, on many policy issues, my review of the candidates' records and current positions convinces me that Sanders, if elected, would do a better job than she would. Most Sanders supporters are in the same boat.

That's no reason to call us "bed bugs" or the like.

I have no problem with pro-Clinton posts that address serious issues, such as her approach to economic inequality (where I think she's weak) or gun control (where I think she's better than Sanders). What the Clinton supporters should definitely drop is the barrage of personal attacks on Sanders and his supporters.

As a follow-up to your post, I suggest that Clinton supporters ask themselves: "Will this post increase or decrease Hillary Clinton's chances of becoming President?" Obviously, the effect either way will be very slight, because what's written on DU doesn't much influence anything. Still, to the extent there is an effect, vitriol and dismissiveness are unlikely to win her any votes in the remaining primaries (votes that, according to Clinton-supporter consensus, she doesn't need anyway, because her nomination is an absolute mathematical certainty and the Sun will rise in the west before Bernie Sanders is nominated). The more likely effect is to cost her votes in November.

My current intention is to vote for the Democratic nominee. Nevertheless, the conduct of some Clinton supporters here has me contemplating the argument that I live in a solidly blue state so I can in good conscience decline to cast a hold-my-nose vote. As of now I'm still in the hold-my-nose camp, partly because Trump has shown the ability to surprise the experts and partly because I don't want to vote for the likes of Stein and thus give encouragement to the Getting Republicans Elected Every November Party. Still, some Sanders supporters are even less firmly committed to voting for the nominee than I am. Clinton supporters on DU may have the opportunity to influence a few votes from those people. As of now, many Clinton supporters are using that influence to hurt their candidate.

[cali]

41. +1

[auntpurl]

42. Thanks for your reply.

To your first point re: arguing issues - I agree to a point. If you're asking me if I think it's valid to discuss Hillary's policies on the environment in a critical manner, yes I do and no I don't think that's trying to help Trump win. I am happy to chime in with my opinions on her energy platform and have an honest debate.

If you're asking me if I think it's valid to discuss Bill Clinton's sex life from 25 years ago, no I do not. If people are posting policy differences in good faith, I don't think they're trying to get Trump elected. If they're tossing out RW smears they've been using for 2 decades, they may be trying to get Trump elected.

To your second point, that's one of the best pieces of advice I've ever read on this website. "Is what I'm about to post going to help or hurt Hillary get elected?" I am going to use that every time I'm on DU until the GE, and I thank you for it.