regarding the last 24 hours

"We honor ALL of these feelings and opinions"... too bad you didn't bother checking with your members and associate groups about this before making such a blunder

After years of support to NARAL and years of work that has tried to make a better place for my daughter to grow up in how can you so blatently disregard the misogynistic political activity we see happening everyday and targeting one of the most respected and capable women of our times, Hillary Clinton. It is mind boggling that you have not even had the courtesy to withhold your endorsement until everyone has had a chance to vote. I never thought I would feel this way about NARAL--but you no longer have my support. Your actions have hurt me personally, a betrayal of my rights as a woman. Don't misunderstand me, I support Hillary Clinton not because she is a women, but because I am a woman. I call about women's issues--all of them, as does Hillary Clinton. Shame on the NARAL leadership!

How dare you write a lecturing email to us telling us to be "respectful of other's opinions". You don't HAVE an opinion as you are an organization supported by OUR DOLLARS!

How dare you take our hard-earned dollars to support your income when you do NOT support women.

You did NOT have to do this on the day that you did this - so, what I want to know is . . . what is the politics and who is behind this??

I was on the front lines fighting for women's rights with Ann Richards, Geraldine Ferraro, and Pat Schroeder and so many other strong women - just to have you do this. Ann is probably turning in her grave. Actually, I rather believe Ann is on the other side doing something to help make this right and I hope that means that Hillary will finish out the primary so she has built a base in EVERY state in this union so she can get petitions signed and RUN as AN INDEPENDENT!

She sure a hell does not owe the Democratic Party or organizations like this one ANYTHING!

Run Hillary Run as an Independent! Real women and not those that steal our money under the disguise of an organization for women's rights - have your back!!

NARAL NOT ANOTHER DIME FROM ANYONE that I have talked with or have emailed me today.

I am going to be spending my time FIGHTING for the person that is fighting for me and the rights of women!

I am extremely disappointed. Not sure if your organization will make it after this blunder.

You state that "honor" all these feelings and opinions. What on earth does that mean? You still haven't bothered to explain why NARAL took this idiotic step in the first place or why you didn't consult your local organizations or your membership, or why you would mistake your mission that we fund to be choosing between two pro-choice candidates. But perhaps that is your mission now, whatever I no longer care because I will no longer be funding it.

Bravo NARAL for your endorsement of Obama. I commend your decision both to recognize the realities of the Democratic primary race and to communicate in no uncertain terms that the single most important priority for NARAL and pro-choice Americans is the election of the Democratic nominee for President in November, regardless of whether that nominee is a woman or a man.

The responses from Hillary supporters have been very sad. I know that you are very upset that Hillary will not get the nomination but you all are acting like children having a temper tantrum. I blame Senator Clinton for a lot of the hatred that's occured between the two camps. She has made a lot of mistakes that her supporters will not own up to. 1. She ran as the inevitable candidate. 2. She has run a poor campaign. Her strategy in going for only the "big states" or not having a plan after Super Tuesday. 3. Mismanaging campaign finance. By relying on lobbists and a small group of donors that maxed out early..now she's in 20 million + debt. 4. Keeping up this charade the she has a chance of winning. 5. Using the race and gender card.

Is this how Hillary plans to run the Country?

I don't see what the big deal of NARAL supporting Obama. SHE CAN'T WIN...DO THE MATH. Granted, the could have waited but 6 in one hand, 1/2 dozen in the other.

Now what Clinton was leading by every measure, do you think the DEMs would steal the nomination from her? I don't think so.

Thank you, NARAL, for making this important endorsement. I am a supporter of both Senator Barack Obama and of NARAL. On reason I support Obama is his ability to bring people together to move forward and make real changes happen. I believe that just as Obama has showed leadership and vision in reaching out to unite people, NARAL is showing leadership by helping to unite the pro-choice majority. This fall, we will face a critical choice: a vote for Obama will be a vote to preserve women's reproductive freedom. A vote for Senator McCain (or any candidate other than the Democratic nominee) will be a vote to allow the appointment of another anti-choice Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. To preserve reproductive freedom, we must unite behind the Democratic nominee to defeat Senator McCain. I look forward to working again with NARAL to elect a Democratic, pro-choice president. I believe that Senator Obama is the presumptive nominee, and I welcome NARAL's leadership in this historic election.

THANK YOU NARAL FOR SUPPORTING SENATOR OBAMA!

I look forward to working and donating to your organization to protect women's rights. It's time for the adults in the room to begin healing the wounds and start bring the party together.

I want to thank you, as a woman, a feminist, a passionate believer in what you do and an Obama supporter, for throwing your endorsement to him under what must be an EXTREME amount of discontent. I want to thank you for your recognition that just because someone is a woman, does not mean they would make a capable president. And finally, I want to thank you for taking this step, which will hopefully lead to the coming together of the democratic party behind our nominee, so that we can concentrate not on our in-fighting, but on the true enemy to the cause - John McCain.

I know many people on here have threatened to or actually gone through with pulling their support. However, because of your choice, I am making my first donation to NARAL.

Thank you.

I am so very disappointed that you have turned on HILLARY -- such a horrendous thing to do to a fellow woman! Jumpin' on the bandwagon, are you? I am pulling my support -- believe it! I am not alone and SHAME on you!

The people using this blog to condemn Hillary supporters for their outrage are MISSING THE POINT. This organization is largely funded by Hillary supporters who were given no say in the endorsement, (which was timed to overshadow Hillary's win in West Virginia and was a slap in the face). A few people on the board made a decision without anyone's input, as if they were czarinas. It's an insult to the membership, and most of the Obama followers shouldn't even be here because they were never part of NARAL to begin with. Obama is hardly the women's issues candidate. Let's see what happens to NARAL's numbers after the dust settles. Then maybe you'll get it. An organization can't exist without it's backers, and these new Obama enthusiasts aren't likely to stick around.

As an avid pro choice supporter, I commend your endorsement of Senator Obama.

As a more "mature" woman, I have always upheld a woman's right to choose what to do.

Thank you.

I think the Obama camp sent out a blanket email to write in and thank NARAL. If you will notice from the Obama supporters writing in - their is NO SUBSTANCE behind what they are writing.

Those of us that have literally given money, time, and had to standup for women's rights against all odds for years and years - we are writing with real passion and with stories and fierce feelings.

The contrast between the two different groups writing in falls right in line with the substance and experience behind the two candidates; Hillary and Obama.

SPREAD THE WORD! Encourage Hillary to take all of our names and numbers that she has gathered from across the nation and get her petitions signed to be on the ballot in all 50-states running as an INDEPENDENT!

And, for all you women writing in saying you don't get it that we are upset - you are either not telling the truth or you are too young to have experienced what it is like to be a woman in this country. After all - no one can make ANY kind of commment about a segment of the votes coming in being white votes or they are accused of being racist. But, work your heart out as Hillary has for her entire life for women and children and less advantaged - and if some organization like NARAL decides to throw her under the bus - well, 'that's alright because after all - she is just a woman.'

THE ELECTION IS NOT OVER YET! If you are interested in drafting Hillary to run as an Independent then let's get it done!!

We can still have a female president in our lifetime but, we have to take Hillary's wonderful example and stand up strong and NEVER give up - no matter what!

Email me and I will be the first to do something about collecting a petition to draft Hillary to run as an Independent.
nanalovesmyjrck@yahoo.com

STAND STRONG SISTERS and for ONCE let us not be our own worse enemy.

NANCY KEENAN MUST BE REPLACED!!! YOU NO LONGER HAVE ANY MEANING! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE IRRELEVANT!!

So, way to go Naral. Make a decision to endorse one pro-choice candidate over another and choose the one who has a lukewarm record at best over the one who has been a leader in the pro-choice area for decades. You should note that your endorsee Obama is so "grateful" that there is not one mention of this endorsement on his website -- although later ones are certainly there. Moreover, there is not one word about reproductive choice on the website -- what a pro-choice leader. All those Obama supporters who say get over it to those who object -- good luck when this man is President. Say bye to Roe v. Wade all signs indicate that he will not protect it.

I know this may not be the right moment in time to come together, but this is not the time to flirt with a pro-life Republican.

You have seen the last penny from me, I will no longer support NARAL. For you to endorse a candidate with no track record (voting present doesn't count) over a women who has stood up for women's reproductive rights for her entire life - shame on you. I've already called my local chapter and they are insisting that they were not consulted in this decision. When the dust settles, we'll see how much financial support the NARAL pac has.

I am so disappointed in NARAL's endorsement and the timing of the announcement. Hillary Clinton has been fighting for women's rights, including our right to choose for decades. If we compare Clinton to Obama just using the information listed on NARAL's own wesite, it is clear that Hillary is the more substantive candidate on the issue of choice. She has been an ally to NARAL during her seven years in the Senate and while she was a state and national first lady. Shame on NARAL for not endorsing Senator Clinton's presidential candidacy months ago.

Ms. Keenan,

Respect is not a gift, it need to be earned and you have most definitely not earned it. We would like to know how you can endorse Obama when Clinton is still in the race. How can you ignore her when she is the strongest voice on Women's rights and women's choice? I wonder if you are able to look at yourself in the mirror after this endorsement.
Shame on you..

Hillary 'O8
She must run as independent candidate and I know she will win.

Your organization no longer has my support or respect.

Thank you for your endorsement of Sen. Obama. In spite of the many comments I've read here from disheartened Clinton supporters, please know that there are also thousands of pro-choice women who support Barack Obama. Clearly, he will be our nominee, and I hope others can set aside their bitterness and disappointment to work together to put him in the White House. Thank you for your courage - in case it makes up for the grief in some small way, I'm sending you a check.

As a new member of NARAL I applaud the endorsement of the next president of the United States. I look forward to his appointments of the Supreme Court.

I'm so glad you have so many new members. God knows if they'll stick around with money and volunteer hours after their leader Sen. Obama is gone.

The most disturbing part is that so many of the Obama supporters think this was leadership and compare this endorsement to that of EMILY's List. I will explain the difference - EMILY's list is there to get PRO-CHOICE WOMEN elected. NARAL is here to protect a woman's reproductive rights. See the difference? Apples and oranges. One specifically supports women in politics the other supports pro choice candidates. HMMM - that, according to NARAL, means BOTH.

NARAL wanted to be the first to endorse and jump on the bandwagon before the general election. You knew that if you waited to endorse after June 3rd you'd be just another left organization for Obama. Wow! You showed your cards and those of us who have phone banked and put together fundraisers, attended auctions and galas, spent countless hours and dollars - well we will remember this.

What a disgrace.

I have been an active advocate for women's rights my entire life.

I marched on Washington DC, attended Jesse Jackson rallies for choice. Organized bus trips to attend.

I have been a past contributor to NARAL.

NARAL should have remained neutral, as both candidates are pro-choice.

It is a disgrace and I will never send a nickel to NARAL ever again.

Barack Hussein Obama = washington politics as usual, with a twist of racism and hatred towards women!

Nice call NARAL

Thank you Naral for endorsing our next president of the United States of America. As a proud pro-choice activitist I certainly support a candidate who understands and values women's rights. I'm also proud to have my very own Senator Claire McCaskill from Missouri and Senator Kathleen Sebelius from Kansas endorsement for Obama. It is clear that Naral and many others are aware of the positive and unified steps many Americans are wanting to move forward. I look forward in continuing to support this organization in years to come.

Naral, pro-choice made the BEST CHOICE!!!!! Way to go!!!!!

If Clinton still had a chance to win the nomination, I would agree that endorsing with three weeks to go might be a mistake.

Thing is, I don't see how she can win at this point. Even IF enough undeclared superdelegates prefered Clinton to get her the nomination, they wouldn't dare. They know how many people would feel that the "will of the people" was overturned by party insiders and how many voters, particularly younger ones, would lose all enthusiasm for the general election.

The bottom line is there was no reason for this endorsement at this time and if there was a reason it was politicaly motivated. I give $500 a year to NARAL, plan to deduct that from your budget.

I have heard both of them speak, Obama does not even address woman's rights....shame on you!

Don't tell us to be respectful of everyone's opinion when you didn't even consider your organization's opinion as a whole. NARAL you have made a terrible decision and you should replace your political department they may have sunk NARAL as an organization. My money goes o Emily's List from now on...

Respect everyone's opinion! Please how about you respect the people that our in your organization. Shame on you!

I would like to address Thorn's point that Clinton can't win the nomination.

Clinton may not win the nomination in 2008 but she can walk away from this race with a whole lot of political power. Senate Majority Leader is what I'm hoping for, way better than VP, btw. If she goes out after several big wins a row (WV, KY, PR) it underscores her popularity with a large part of the population and helps her political and legislative agenda. She has always been solidly pro-reproductive rights, which is allegedly also NARAL's agenda. NARAL's ill-timed announcement (aimed at drawing attention away from her overwhelming win in WV) was a slap in the face and may have affected her ability to push their agenda in the future. (well, except that NARAL's just not that powerful to begin with)

Also, if she goes out on a high note (and remember, we're not talking about Ron Paul her with 2% support), her base -- also largely NARAL's base -- is more likely to act favorably toward throwing their support behind Obama if that's what she asks of them. It also facilitates her ability make pro-choice political gains.

If Obama loses in Novemeber (which, sorry 'Bots, is a reasonable possibility), Clinton's in a better position for 2012.

By not waiting a lousy three weeks, NARAL has effected the exact opposite result of their stated aim (focus attention on McCain's anti-choice policies), lit a match to gas can of Clinton vs Obama contention, hurt Clinton's political power and pro-choice voice, and will cost them significant money and support.

It is, in fact, NARAL itself that should be criticized for not keeping its eyes on the prize, not Clinton supporters. I don't believe for a second that NARAL 'anticipated' quite these 'strong reactions' to their endorsement. What organization, when choosing between Option A -- tick off your base for a not great chance of acquiring new support or Option B -- wait a few weeks and make your base happy AND bring in new support, would conceivably in any universe or any situation choose Option A? It is inexplicable. It underscores either a radical misunderstanding of their supporters, a blatant disregard of their supporters, or a bewildering naivete of politics.

Reading the comments (and I've read over 400 of them), there are very, very few Clinton supporters who have been or could be swayed toward Obama based on their endorsement. Again, inexplicable.

Btw, does anyone know whether NARAL's board is elected by members or are they chosen some other way? Because if it's elected by members, I seriously encourage everyone who is appalled and disgusted by this action to either stick around or join just long enough to vote them out.

Nancy,

Please respect those of us who are so very disappointed in you and your authoritarian decision to act on your own accord and endorse Obama. I asked you last night to resign today, so that we will not have to take further action, but I sense from reading your patronizing letter to us that you truly don't get it.

I am asking you one more time to resign before you are seriously forced out. This decision will force NARAL into bankruptcy.

WOW.......this endorsement was so important to Obama that he has yet to mention it.

Have a nice retirement.

NARAL will not get a penny from me EVER again! How can an organization supporting women's right support a race-baiting male,fear mongering, spineless whimp who won't/can't debate the next president of the United States???

Your organization should be shunned since you can't figure out that you need to be neutral. BO is no presidential material. MO will never live in the White House.

SHAME ON YOU, NARAL!!! I used to think you were a valuable organization. Now I think you are a sell out to the women you claim to represent.SHAME ON YOU, NARAL!!!

I hope you're happy, because Obama doesn't even want to count Fla. where Hillary won 17% of the vote and in Mich. She would be leading in the popular vote and delegates. Keep on Hillary and run as an independent.What man talked you into endorsing the oily Obama. I will be a first time Republican voter in Nov. Hillary and womens rights activist Nancy Woodard

HUGE response to people writing in to sign a petition to draft Hillary to run as an Independent.

How wonderful would it be for all of us strong women to come together with the wonderful men that support us - to have a victory for Hillary for President up against TWO men in November!

We can do it!

Email nanalovesmyjrck@yahoo.com if you support this idea and want to sign a petition and help.

NO UGLY messages from Obama supporters PLEASE. We are NOT talking bad about Obama and we have had some really ugly messages from those of you that claim you are supporting Obama and a new kind of politics that is positive. Let's have a fair and clean campaign.

May the best PERSON win!

I will respect your opinion, but you lost my support for not asking my opinion. I was obviously wrong that this is an organization that respects the rights and opinions of women, since you obviously didn't care about ours.

Any donations I would have given to you, now go to Hillary, someone who has and will fight for women!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING SENATOR OBAMA, NARAL! AND PLEASE EXCUSE HILLARY's "SUPPORTERS" FOR BEING SO OUTWARDLY NASTY.

It is unfortunate that Sentor Clinton's supporters seem to thrive on such hostility, and it only underscores the negativity that has become synonymous with that camp. This negativity will get you nowhere, ladies.

Cheers, NARAL!

Thank you for supporting Obama. I know that it was a tough decision for you but given the circumstances I think I understand. It is clear that Obama will be the Democratic nominee. If we wish to protect a woman's right to choose we need to make sure that McCain is not elected. While many would have preferred that Clinton was the nominee it is clear that she won't be. I hope that people will ultimately vote to protect woman's rights and not vote out of anger. Unfortunately, many will be angry at NARAL and stop supporting you financially. This is unfortunate. To make up the difference many of us have been actively soliciting contributions to NARAL to help you through these tough times.

Nancy, would you be a dear and explain to your readers how George Soros is a BIG NARAL donor. Be sure to explain that although George Soros is probably Obama's biggest donor since at least 2004, your triangle relationship is only coincidental and had absolutely nothing to do with your endorsement. Thanks sweetie!

I know NARAL sold out to Obama. Obama is controlling the cash and he is now controlling NARAL.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080513/pl_politico/10315

It would not be so bad if NARAL just said, "Hey people we don't care about women, we just want money and power." But instead you pretend to care about women when you are only interested in money and power.

Kudos to NARAL for having the courage to endorse Senator Obama, a true and committed supporter of women's rights.

Need I remind all the Clinton supporters that as Oprah stated, we are not just women, but we are free women; free to choose with our minds and our hearts.

It is very sad to see men put women down and tell them they can not do something because it is a mans world. But, it is even sadder when a group of women tell a woman she can not do anything. Hillary Clinton has ALWAYS been about women right. You know what you don't have to support Hillary Clinton but I will and thousands of other women will. We will not be like you and bow down to any man we will stand strong and demand our rights. I am a 20 year old African American woman and I am a proud supporter of Hillary Clinton.

Thank you NARAL, for your many years of service, not just to women, but to all Americans who care about privacy and safe medical care.
I'm a one-issue voter, and this is my issue. I don't care who supports a woman's right to choose; I only care that it is protected. If Senator Clinton were to run as an independent, my one cause would be considerably weakened. Not only because it would open a door to Senator McCain's win in November, but because it would also cost Senator Clinton her standing in the Senate. She would give up ever being in charge of a committee, minimizing her influence. Influence we desperately need.
I would ask that we step back and see the whole forest. I know the tree in front of us is huge and exciting and has maybe been of intense interest and hope for years -- the Redwood of a woman in the Oval Office. But the entire forest of women's issues is crucial and threatened. I'm not going to allow my disappointment that there won't be a woman in the White House --this time -- set the women's movement back one hundred years. I respectfully ask that the rest of the women on this thread do the same.

As a strong feminist and Obama supporter, your decision to endorse Sen. Obama really impressed me! I am signing up for your email list and donating ASAP! Together with NARAL, Yes We Can! Gracias!

AnnaM,

You have stated that you care deeply about your one-issue and therefore, don't care who NARAL endorses as long your issue of a woman's right to choose is protected. THEN WHY WOULD YOU NOT CARE that the Democratic Party and this organization is trying to get rid of Hillary Clinton who has been a staunch supporter for your one-issue?

The ONLY power that Hillary and all of us are going to be assured to have for this issue and other issues that are good for women, children, and ALL - is to take the White House so we can REALLY clean house and make real changes.

Don't you see that Hillary is being expected to continue to take her place in the office where women work as the secretary that NEVER gets the promotion but is always training and mentoring the new young man that comes in to get the job we should have been promoted to take. And, then after we train this young man - he becomes our boss and we are fetching his coffee and making his tee times.

Wake up Anna and stand strong for REAL rights of women by putting a women in the bosses chair. IT IS TIME!

I am an Obama supporter,middle aged,white woman...he has thousands and thousands of us! I am thrilled with your indorsement of the obvious candidate for the dem party. Hillary as an independant??? That shows how far removed from reality some of the irate members are. What will these members do when Hillary herself works hard to make sure Obama wins the general election. I understand the passion and disapointment but it sounds like many of the posts here are written by women who do not understand the political process. The United Steel Workers also endorsed Obama without asking its members. To say that Obama is a weaker candidate when it comes to WOMENS rights is an ignorant rant...LOOK at his record!!!!! the real record,not the rants of woman who have not done their homework.
My Gosh,we need to elect a democrat in Nov. ...mourn the loss,educate yourself on the REAL OBAMA,and join Hillary in supporting him! If she is your voice follow her ...she will be working to get Obama elected...watch and see!!
THANK YOU to NARAL,I am joining and making a donation!!!

Just remember that part of the reason for the second wave of feminism was that women had to take a second seat to men in practically all walks of life, even in the civil rights movement,as the famous Stokely Carmichael comment made clear ("the only position for women in SNCC is prone"). Therefore we all knew things weren't really going to change until women got in positions of power. So now, for the first time, a woman is a serious contender for President and a major feminist organization decides to endorse her opponent. Even if her chances are slim, symbolically it is a devastating move. What a message it sends to feminists. I'm beginning to think the one thing you can count on is that women, even women who call themselves feminists,can always be counted on to stand by...men.

....i am voicing my internal anger at your endorsement of senator obama....i
have and will always be a pro-choice female....i have worked and campaigned
for many of the pro-choice candidates throughout my 56 years....my
involvement with the presidential campaign this year has been
extraordinary...i have been on the "trial" in hew hampshire and in
pennsylvania with senator clinton....she is an extraordinary human
being...and she happens to be a woman....your organization is entitled to
endorse whomever they choose and at whatever time in the campaign they
choose to do so...but with that said your blatant manipulation of this
endorsement at this particular junction in the campaign is inexcusable and
will forever change my support of your organization....allowing the process
to complete itself is what the american democratic system is prized for and
you have "sabotaged the system and the values that your core constituency
hold most dear...shame on you and your not so "subtle" undermining from a
very important public "pulpit".....your politics have tainted your true
conviction and underlying mission.....barbara kobren

What a disgrace that NARAL has turned its back on the woman who has stood up for women's issues her whole life; made actual progress and changes in doing so and reached the level of power that Hillary Clinton has achieved. It is one thing for the Democratic party hierarchy to pat her on the head and tell her to sit down and be patient and be a nice little girl and wait her turn because we have a man who has come on the scene and although he hasn't really done anything for women, he speaks well. That's bad enough but it is what we have become accustomed to - certainly we can all play those tapes of our own experiences. But it is quite another thing for a national women's organization to join the misogynist ranks. What was the rush to judgment when the nomination process was not complete? Why squander any power at this point. I have had suspicions since Nancy Keegan took the helm and now I am more convinced that my misgivings were well founded. As a long time pro-choice activist and NARAL supporter for many years, I will now give my support to other organizations who truly believe in women gaining political power in order to achieve true equality of human rights in this country.

THE IRONY of this situation is incredibly disturbing! -

An authority figure makes a unilateral decision without regard for the opinions of those whose lives will be affected.

NOW you want to "chat"? I'm sorry, it's TOO LATE!

I'm writing here because my 15 year old daughter asked me why a woman's organization would endorse Hillary Clinton's opponent before the race was complete.

The claim that this race is over is propaganda. The fact that you accepted this misinformation demonstrates ignorance as to the purpose of the superdelegate system...and a complete lack of respect for our country's first viable woman candidate for the Presidency. I cannot believe I even need to say this to NARAL...but your premature endorsement of Senator Clinton's opponent hurts every young girl who is watching this race.

The purpose of the superdelegate system is to deal with any late-breaking information regarding the winning candidate. Their purpose is to choose the candidate that has the best chance of winning the general election.

SUPERDELEGATES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE UNTIL THE CONVENTION. Their endorsements mean nothing.

NARAL, you have embarrassed yourself; you made a political statement and thus lost my family's support. You've taught my daughter that the world does not respect women.

What's the matter with you? I would have thought your organization would be the last to stab Senator Clinton in the back.

NARAL, we thank you for being honest about your endorsement of Sen Obama. We understand that this was a tough issue for you to make. Don't take the remarks from the Clinton supporters to heart too much. Sen Obama was behind Sen Clinton by 100 superdelegates; and has not surpassed her. YOU were not the ONLY ones to endorse; many many people also feel that this race is over and it is VITAL that we do what's best for the Democratic Party. Femenist groups want to make this about just voting in a WOMAN - no matter what, no matter how. It's unrealistic. HRC had every opportunity possible to WIN this nomination - but didn't. That's not Obama's fault or yours.

For the first time in my life I am ashamed to be a woman.

I am ashamed of Oprah
I am ashamed of Maria Shriver
I am ashamed of Caroline Kennedy
I am ashamed of Jane Fonda
I am ashamed of Barbara Walters
I am ashamed of NARAL

I am ashamed of these powerful women who refuse to stand by the first woman who has the experience to be President of the United States.

I am ashamed of these powerful women who stand by in silence as the media and others spout vial, sexist remarks.

I am proud of Senator Hillary Clinton.

I *will* vote for McCain.

Google these people for yourself. The media is only doing favors to the GOP by not reporting on any of this stuff:

http://www.barackobamaassociates.info/

Has anyone read this stuff? The GOP is chomping at the bit to go after Sweetie, but they are waiting until the nomination is over and there's no chance for Hillary to save the day.

Obama Helped Supporters Get Millions in Illinois State Business
John Rogers, Whose Business Obama Helped as a State Senator, Is Now One of Obama's Chief Fundraisers
By AVNI PATEL, JUSTIN ROOD and BRIAN ROSS
May 15, 2008
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=4861699&page=1

More on Illinois Teachers' Retirement System:
http://www.opednews.com/author/author58.html

Change? What kind of "change" is it when this nomination is bought and paid for by Sweetie and his entourage of left wing money bags? Seriously, who are you folks kidding?

It's amazing from reading these remarks, how HRC camp and supporters - jumped all over Obama's 'misquoted' bitter statement. Yet, in almost every post almost every one of them sound 'bitter'. These do not sound like the so nice and pleasent people that Clinton mentioned.

You fight for CHOICE - but won't stand behind another woman's right to choose. Yet call Obama a hypocrite. AMAZING! You cast your vote and let NARAL cast theirs! Isn't that what AMERICA is all about? Isn't that what NARAL - is all about????? THis is about he DEMOCRATIC PARTY and AMERICA! NOT Hilary Clinton - and not JUST women's rights only!

This message in response to "Mindy":

As in sports, it is disrespectful to proclaim victory until the competition is complete. Senator Clinton has not stopped her campaign. When she arrives at the convention, she will be the leader of the popular vote. She will make her case as to why she has a better chance of winning the general election. Then, the superdelegates will decide based on all the information available to them...including late breaking information about Senator Obama. Clinton's case is actually a very good one...for the good of the Party.

I am not a "feminist". I believe in showing respect to those who are brave enough to run for President of the United States.

Your obvious attempt to prematurely end this Primary race is sad and transparent. And NARAL's support of this behavior is a disgrace.

What is everyone trying to hide? Why won't you allow this race to continue for another few weeks?

to all of you hysterical clinton supporters:

1. the fact that the race is over is NOT propaganda, it is reality. i have been a feminist all my life, i was raised by a strong feminist and there is nothing i've ever wanted more than to see a woman running the country. but just because hillary clinton is a woman, does not mean she would make a good leader. regardless, it is over and it is time to start fighting john mccain. even your candidate has stopped saying this is a horserace, even she knows it's over.

2. hillary clinton is not stupid enough to run as an independent. she would lose, obama would lose and she would go down in history as the person who destroyed the democrats chances of getting the white house back in a year when it was being handed to them on a silver platter. if that were to happen, her political credibility would somewhere around water commissioner, and she's smart enough to know that. what i find ironic is that many of you claim to be pro-women's rights and yet are so blinded by your loyalty to hillary clinton that you would vote for her as an independent (indirectly for john mccain) or directly for john mccain. you do realize that if that happens, we get two more ultra-conservative judges on the supreme court, right? you do realize that is sort of the opposite of what you're supposed to be for, right? and to think that one of your commenters called us (obama supporters) "'bots."

3. finally, to the person who said in an earlier comment that we obama supporters should not be so rude and nasty, please go back and read all the comments on this post. i think, if you have an open mind, you will see that WE are not the ones having a problem with being nasty. and as much as i get enraged reading your ignorant comments, i don't blame you. your candidate has lost and you're mad, it's completely understandable and if the shoe were on the other foot, i would feel the exact same way.

BUT it's time to start dealing with reality. and the reality is that you can be angry and disappointed forever that hillary clinton is not going to be president or you can ruminate on her political future, but right now it's 2008 and it's so very important that none of us have 4 more years of george bush light. i think that's something we can all agree we don't want, right?

PS. please save your breath telling me i'm a "'bot" or an idiot or whatever else. thank you.

In response to Peter:
"You fight for CHOICE - but won't stand behind another woman's right to choose. Yet call Obama a hypocrite."

Peter, you neglect to see that a women's right to choose is being violated by NARAL right now. Senator Hillary Clinton chooses to continue her campaign for 3 more weeks.

You have decided to take her right to choose away.

Sadly, I'm afraid that you are incapable of understanding why this is a gross violation.

Alm wrote:
"to all of you hysterical clinton supporters:"

Hi Alm,

Imagine if the NAACP endorsed Obama's opponent before Obama had withdrawn from the race.

I'm guessing you would be outraged, but would that make you a "hysterical Obama supporter"?

No, I guess it would not because you are refuse to see the world from anyone else's perspective.

Good luck with that.

Just wanted to let NARAL know I am making ANOTHER donation today, after reading the absurd comments from so many Hillary supporters.

I am a 48 year old feminist and I would have loved to see a female president, but Hillary was not going to be it.

Anyone who claims to care about women's rights would NEVER vote for McCain, so stop the ridiculous blustering.

If you do vote for McCain, or act to undermine Obama, I hope you stock up on latex gloves, because you will need them to help the poor women who will need emergency medical care after they resort to back alley abortions.

Pro-Choice Pro-Obama!!!

The race is *not* over:

popular vote popular vote
w/ MI FL w/o MI FL
Clinton 1713 16,691,639 15,492,344
Obama 1894 16,648,060 16,071,846

Remember that the General Election is NOT a caucus. One person, one vote.

source: http://abcnews.go.com/politics

HRC Supporters, I know this is hard for YOU. But HRC needs a minimum of 76% of the remaining votes to just catch up to Obama. Even though she won WV by a landslide - she STILL did not make it to 76%.

I'm sorry, HRC fought a good fight - but this race "IS" over!! In every likelyhood, Sen Obama will be the nominee and we should rally behind him and push every woman's issue we can, to make sure we are heard. But try to begin to embrace that HRC will not likely be the nominee. NARAL waited I'm sure as long as they could for HRC to catch up - but it just never happened. Give NARAL a break! Love HRC - and let's begin to embrace Obama.

I agree that there are some amazing remarks on this blog. To "Fletcher" who is ashamed of being a woman- I find your comments to be most shocking. It is appalling that your disagreement would cause you to support McCain. That really negates everything that women's rights are all about. Rather than being ashamed of being a woman, you should be ashamed of being willing to throw in the towel and risk setting women's issues back. Although I am an Obama supporter, I agree that NARAL should have waited a couple of weeks before announcing their support because it does come across as being somewhat politically motivated- especially after reading many of these comments. However, to say that NARAL is turning its back on women's issues is insane- only had NARAL been endorsing McCain would that have been the case. Even if Hillary instead of Obama was to win the nomination, I would not be so bitter as to forget the big picture- she would have my vote without any hesitation. Shame on many of you for being so narrow minded.

Hi Lisa,

Why are we talking about McCain?

What we are really talking about is 3 weeks. 3 stupid weeks!

Let's be honest here. The real reason there is uso much pressure on organizations like NARAL to prematurely end Senator Clinton's campaign is.......

Obama cannot win this primary as a vetted candidate. You folks are afraid of what may come out about him. You are afraid that the numbers will highlight his weaknesses.

Clinton will complete this process as the "people's choice"; she'll have the popular vote. Senator Obama is a "caucus candidate" only where the bully tactics of his campaign are so successful.

I've got news for you, Sweetie. The general election is no caucus.

To Reese above:

As a black american, yes, I would be hurt if the NAACP endorsed Clinton, you're right. But not if it looked HIGHLY HIGHLY likely that Clinton was the winner and they did what they felt was best to begin to unite the party to defeat McCain. I know with all of my heart the NAACP would have loved to endorse Obama (in this hypothetical situation) but understands that we must UNITE now. Just like NARAL.

I would be hurt Reese, but would be able to understand their FREE CHOICE. And I could also RESPECT their decision because I know it had to be a hard one to make.

But what you guys are doing is disgraceful, you are trying to humilate, demean, hurt, destroy - NARAL 'now' - because of their free choice. I don't think I would write off all the GOOD the NAACP has done for Black America - because of ONE decision they felt they had to make to bring unity,, for the GOOD of ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL America!

Yes, Hilary supporters are going TOOOO far. In the same way that you guys are writing off NARAL and now threatening to vote for McCain - it's all irrational. I do understand the hurt, but you guys are going too far.

Elizabeth Malcolm, the head of Emily's List, called the move "disrespectful" to Sen. Clinton, "who held up the nomination of a FDA commissioner in order to force approval of Plan B and who spoke so eloquently during the Supreme Court nomination about the importance of protecting Roe vs. Wade - to not give her the courtesy to finish the final three weeks of the primary process.

It certainly must be disconcerting for elected leaders who stand up for reproductive rights and expect the choice community will stand with them."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/15/massive-blowback-to-naral_n_101889.html

NARAL, I know you have many WONDERFUL supporters and I pray God sends you tons more to futher your causes.

I hope the THREATS you are receiving to withdraw their funding and so forth, doesn't STOP your mission. I had never heard of NARAL, until your endorsement and I will be making a donation and spreading the news about your work to everyone in our circle.

Also know, that many of the people that are threatening not to support you - wasn't supporting you to begin with. It's another FEAR tactic that is used A LOT these days. Keep up the great work! Be women enough to stand behind your decision and not let the HRC supporters bully you into 'regret'. As an Obama supporter, I applaud the strength it took for you to make this heart wrenching decision. We will stand with you, too.

Hi Cindy,

Thanks for the thoughtful reply; I really appreciate that.

Yes, it is a hypothetical, but I *know* the NAACP would not endorse Obama's opponent in this case. If you really understand the rules of the Primary contest, then you know that neither candidate will reach the finish line before the last vote is counted. So, the rules dictate that it goes into "overtime", and the Superdelegates make the call.

The NAACP would rightly continue to endorse Senator Obama because the organization believes he is a role model for all African Americans and white folks too!

I know it is hard to see beyond the media bias and your own desire to see your candidate win this Primary. But, if you rise above it and read the rules of the contest, this isn't over yet.

The only way to bring unity to the Party is to show respect to Democracy and allow the contest to reach it's natural conclusion.

I find it curious that Ted Kennedy took his contest to convention years ago when behind by many more delegates. But, then again, he *is* a man.

Obama's "brand" tells us that he will be the great "unifier". Everything that is going on here with this premature call to this contest is working against unity. This is a repeating theme with Obama: a conflict between the Obama brand and the behavior of the man.

To Rick Above:

Rick, believe me, this will not go to convention. I will come back here to talk with you on Jun 15th; so that we can verify at that time that Sen Obama is the nominee. No one is afraid of HRC or anyone esle. We have professional analysts from every camp that have flipped the numbers inside and out...and it's not impossible, but it is very unlikely that HRC will get over 76% of the vote in the next 5 contests. Rick, there is NO WAY in GOD's green earth that the superdelegates are going to get to the CONVENTION and TAKE the nomination from Sen Obama after he has won more votes, more delegates, more superdelegates - now THAT is NOT going to happen. That would demean everything that the democratic party stood for. The nominee is chosen based on DELEGATES! If Obama has the MOST delegates - the DNC would have to BREAK the RULES at the convention to "GIVE" Sen Clinton the nomination. If she doesn't get the 76% by JUNE 3rd (delegates) - Sen Obama will be the democratic nominee. That's not fear. That's FACTS. It's sad to me that you guys won't allow Sen Clinton to get off the fence Jun 3 with her dignity in tack. Good champions can accept defeat.

TO: Obama supporters who are trying to misconstrue the issue
FROM: A Pro-Choice Democrat

Please stop accusing Clinton supporters and the real NARAL supporters of working against choice.

The backlash against NARAL's mistimed, ill-thought-out action is based on its timing and its disregard for the opinions and thoughts of its members.

There are plenty of other organizations out there which work for reproductive rights and which do not ignore their supporters just to get their names in the media, or make a power grab. Most posters are going to move their support to those other organizations. Stop insulting them by trying to depict THEM as traitors to the cause.

NARAL could have timed their endorsement differently and easily NOT caused a rift among their supporters, NOT slapped Sen. Clinton in the face, and actually ENHANCED the campaign of the DNC nominee. They chose not to.

It is NARAL that put its own interests above the interests of their mission, not its supporters.

And calling Clinton's supporters stupid, disloyal, or fill-in-the-blank-from-Obama's-campaign-literature will not garner support for your candidate, it will only drive them futher away. Personally, I would far better disposed toward him if his supporters practiced some of the 'unity' they preach.

NARAL knew, or should have known had they been the least bit interested in the opinions of their supporters, that this decision would drive much of that support away. NARAL is not entitled to my support or my money or my favorable opinion. They are not the IRS. They are a nonprofit organization supported by financial and volunteer support in the furtherance of a particular political mission. When such an organization disregards its mission it's perfectly legitimate for supporters to look elsewhere for an organization which will further their goals.

Hi Mindy,

The point I think you are missing is that is Obama has not yet reached the finish line either. That would define a victory. Personally, I do not think he'll reach that number. And that means it goes to convention where the superdelegates will vote. Those are the rules.

Any chance we can show some respect to the process, to Democracy and to Clinton supporters?
If the tables were turned, I suspect you would be asking the same question. Actually, I know you would.

Once Senator Obama reaches the magic number of delegates as specified by the rules committee who will meet on May 31, then we can rally behind him.

Until then, it's not over. These are facts. I'm sorry if you need to believe otherwise.

Here's an great article that explains the superdelegate system:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/26/AR2008022602649.html

They don't vote until the convention. Period...case closed...that's a fact.

For either candidate to reach the finish line (to win), they need votes of the superdelegates.

This contest is not over, and NARAL should not have turned on the candidate with a long history of support of the organization's mission.

Reese:

If it had been so abundantly clear that Obama was going to lose and his opponent was just as strong on black rights as he was, I would of course be upset, but I would also understand. You seem to forget that I had to live for over a YEAR with pretty much everyone saying Hillary was "inevitable." Perhaps it is you who should open your mind.

Further, to support your own point, what exactly happened to the Democrats chances of winning the white house when Ted Kennedy took his fight all the way to the convention?

Finally, a point about this all being sexist from firstread:

The Boston Globe’s Lehigh writes, "[T]he notion that sexism is primarily to blame for Clinton's woes doesn't pass logical muster. Consider: Last fall, Clinton was widely judged the prohibitive front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination. In early October, she led Obama by a staggering 53 percent to 20 percent in the Washington Post/ABC News poll. At that point, her average lead in national polls was 20 percentage points. Therefore, if gender bias really were the cause of her primary problem, one would have to posit that a epidemic of resurgent sexism suddenly infected the country late last year."

Respectfully,
alm

To Bill Above:

It's too funny, you guys sound JUST LIKE HRC! :-) Adding Michigan and FL in your popular vote count! Too funny. Since OBama wasn't on the ballet in Michigan and didn't campaign in FL.

Now tell me Bill where is that FAIR/right/ JUST?
Especially when HRC was winning - she signed OFF on MI & FL NOT counting - HRC even went on TV and said with her own mouth they would NOT count. Then ONLY changed and called it a travesty when she began to take 2nd place, thus NEEDING FL & MI. Come on Bill - where is that fair? How could you guys declare yourselves the winner by popular vote - when the Nominee has always been won by Delegate Count? How many times are you guys going to change the rules - then say we're scared. ?? Come on!!! (haha)

Don't just quote everything you hear HRC say - get online and do your own research. Ask yourself why did HRC sign off on FL & MI in the first place and WHEN exactly did she change her mind. Look at how many ways HRC said she was leading - big states, small states don't count, white vote, uneducated vote, MI & FL, caucus' don't count etc etc. That to me is sad. She's a GOOD woman, who I truly did like before all of this. I believe she will do GREAT things and will probably run again in 4 years and may just win... but THIS ONE IS A WRAP Bill. It's like Lakers and Spurs - Game 7, 1:20 on the clock; Lakers up by 45 points. No, NOTHING is impossible....but in alllll likelihood, the Lakers will win, right? We don't hate HRC. We love her too. It's just over. So leave NARAL alone, please Bill. :-)

I'm starting to think these posts by the "strong feminist Obama supporters" are being made by some of the paid bloggers from the Obama camp. They're eerily similar, as if taken from a script. Also the ones by the elderly women Obama supporters. If you take the time to read through these posts, you'll see what I mean.

ALM Wrote:
"You seem to forget that I had to live for over a YEAR with pretty much everyone saying Hillary was "inevitable." Perhaps it is you who should open your mind."

I'm sorry, but I have no idea what this has to do with the rules of this process. The process is not over until one of the candidates reach the delegate threshold (superdelegate "endorsements" mean nothing).

I'm sorry if you found this roller coaster contest difficult. But that gives you no right to prematurely end this competition.

And...it's not over yet. If the tables were turned, and Obama was being told to get out of the race prematurely...I promise you that I would be outraged! I would have to agree that racism would be a possible explanation. We didn't force Kennedy (a white man) out when he went to convention under more dismal circumstances. Why Obama? What's different about this situation?

Some people believe that Obama cannot win the general election. Those people have to right to voice that opinion at the convention. Welcome to Democracy!

Stunning. Piling on by a women's organization. Not supporting the first viable female presidential candidate in our nation's history.

How much real work over 35 years has Senator Clinton done to support women's causes globally? How much has Obama done? What message does this send.....don't bother putting your neck on the line for organizations like NARAL, they won't have your back when needed.

I will never send another dime to this organization. You have proven yourselves to be opportunistic to an extreme and not committed to those who have shown real commitment (meaning hard work, not just platitudes) to causes important to women.

I have heard a quote but do not know to whom attribute.....there is a special place in h@ll for women who do not support other women. That is where NARAL stands.

NARAL will NEVER see another dollar of my money ...and I might add that we have been supporters and generous donors for more than 14 years! I urge every women to spurn NARAL and their fundraising efforts! Rita Bennett

To Valhalla-

I am an Obama supporter, and I found your post to be refreshing. However, too bad many of the HRC supporters on this post do not appear to mirror your views. Or at least they are letting their bitterness cloud their better judgment- willing to support McCain out of anger. That is reckless and what I find most appalling about some of the posts here. Although I appreciate NARAL's endorsement, I have to agree that they should have considered their members. Disagreeing with NARAL's endorsement and even pulling your financial support and putting it elsewhere is understandable but many comments go well beyond that.

Ann wrote:
"I have heard a quote but do not know to whom attribute.....there is a special place in h@ll for women who do not support other women. That is where NARAL stands."

Agreed. It was Madeleine Albright, Former U.S. Secretary of State

“There is a special place in h*ll for women who don’t help other women.”

I applaud your courage and foresight endorsing the pro-choice Democratic candidate, Barack Obama. He is our future, our children's future, and he is the most optimistic progressive voice I have ever seen in national politics. (And I speak this as a 55 y.o. Southern woman.) Keep your eye on the prize - preventing another Bush/Cheney/McCain term of tearing down the fabric of our great society. Barack will win in the Fall with our support. That Obama chooses not to focus this process on himself - or his races - or his gender - but on our citizens is a refreshing change. We don't need more fighting - we need collaborating. Thank you for leading by example.

PS RE: Maddie Albright's comment: I don't vote for ANYONE because of "their equipment." How positively chauvinistic and cynical!

Nance,
Please.....BO has played the race card (generally through surrogates) whenever it was advantageous while simultaneously using gender stereotypes to bash Senator Clinton. Would you like examples....here's just a few....

how about his "bamboozle, hoodwink" speech in SC.

how about saying that Clinton gets "periodically down" - tell me what he really meant by that?

how about Samantha power calling HRC a "monster"

How about that memo written by BO staffers leaked to the press re: how to accuse the Clinton's of being racists.

How about BO saying ..... "whenever you challenge the status quo, the CLAWS come out...."

How about General McPeak saying.....BO "doesn't go on television and have crying fits; he isn't discovering his voice at the age of 60" -- references to Clinton's much-publicized show of emotion during the New Hampshire primary campaign and her speech after winning the contest in which she declared that she had "found my voice."

Who has been playing to stereotypes to create advantage.....BO. It is the most cynical thing I have ever seen.

Sorry you don't want more fighting but that is what you've got.....we are not going to sit quietly aside like nice little ladies anymore. We are finally mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore.

Here's an article I shared with my daughters a few montha ago:

http://www.womenco.com/benefits/308-the-special-place-in-hell

Not looking for blind support for the female candidate. May the best candidate win! Only looking for fair treatment as suggested in many posts above.

If you feel that forcing Clinton out of the race is fair, please read the many posts above that document why this contest is not yet over.

here is the truth of things for me......

Many of us have been deeply wounded as we watched many members of the democratic establishment work actively - some overtly, some covertly - to undermine the first viable female candidate for President of the United States. We have been watching closely. We have seen how she has been treated. We identified her struggles as our own. Every blow they landed on her, has blackened our eye. Every snide comment she has endured has drawn our blood.

These wounds will not heal quickly or in knee-jerk response to the tired old rhetoric about the Supreme Court and reproductive rights.

Many in the democratic party have been cowed by threasts of African Americans rioting in the streets of Denver. Well, democratic women may just have their own riots if Clinton is not the nominee. Only our riot will be quieter. And more lethal. Our riot will be at the polls in November when we pull that lever for John McCain. The party (or organizations like NARAL) hasn't stood with us, why should we stand with the party?

I am a 54 year old woman, a long time supporter of women's rights and an Obama supporter.

It is with great sadness that I read the venomous posts on this website against my candidate. Apparently, as was Hillary's intention, her supporters have forgotten that at the end of the day, we all have the same goal, and those of you who say that you won't vote for Obama will have the blood of those women who are not allowed to have safe and legal abortions on your hands, once you help to elect President McCain and his anti-choice judges.

I find it extremely offensive and demeaning that you assume that we should support Hillary Clinton just because she's another woman. I didn't much like her to begin with, and was extremely disappointed by her vote in favor of the war in Iraq. I've grown to like her even less as I've watched with a sick stomach as she employed her so-called "kitchen sink" strategy in an effort to beat Obama at any cost. He never attacked her personally, as she did. There were many ugly episodes in the Clinton administration that people could have been reminded of, but he chose not to do that to a fellow Democrat. Which is more than we can say for her.

And then, after she had what was supposed to be an insurmountable 30 pt. lead, she starts crying "sexism" when she starts losing. This is the kind of stuff that gives feminism a bad name.

I am proud to support Senator Obama and am proud of NARAL in their decision to recognize that we need to come together sooner rather than later.

I am making my first donation to NARAL today in thanks.

Barack will win in the Fall with our support.

Maybe your support, Nance in Atlanta, but not my support. I would not vote for him if you paid me. . .You need to work real hard because there are many in the most important states who will pull the lever for John McCain. Go to Real Clear Politics and look at John McCain's leads in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc., over Barack Obama. Remember those are key states in any election. And if you think Obama winning small caucases in Republican states is proof that he can win those states, think otherwise. During the last election I worked very hard for John Kerry and learned my lesson when the four horsemen -- Kerry, Kennedy, Bradley and Dashle -- old men riding their horses in to defeat Hillary for their guy, Barack. Some Hillary supporters will hold their noses and vote for Barack Obama because they so want the Republicans out of office, but many will either stay home or vote for a third party candidate. Myself, I am leaving the Democratic party with my donations and will be registering independent. And I would never give a dime to Naral. I agree with Boston Whaler who said: The party (or organizations like NARAL) hasn't stood with us, why should we stand with the party?

Sue,

You are just the kind of Clinton supporter I was referring to in my post just above yours. You'll cut off your nose to spite your face. Abortion rights be damned - your candidate didn't win. (I'm going to take my toys and go home.) Have fun being an Independent. We will be registering lots of young new voters to take your place.

Vote for Obama! He is a real "sweetie". Good job Naral!

Alane,

Your fear tactics will not work. McCain is not going to overturn Roe vs Wade. He's a moderate.

Nice try though.

You know, you still have time. Instead of attacking Sue and others like her, perhaps you could work to "change" (great word, huh?) the way your candidate's campaign is pressuring the female candidate to leave this competition just as we're entering overtime?

This endorsement was a mean slap in the face of Hillary supporters; just as a premature NAACP endorsement of Clinton would deeply hurt African Americans who support Barack Obama.

But, instead of trying to build bridges, Obama supporters continue to agitate Clinton supporters. The Alynsky method isn't going to work this time.

my previous comment was addressed to Marzies instead of "Alane".
Thank you

I have to say that what I find most disheartening is all of the people that STAND FOR CHOICE on this website who are BASHING all the people that are upset about people "CHOOSING" Obama OR Clinton.

The main point here is ALL of us standing together to support each other. I agree that NARAL should have not stopped supporting Hillary OR Obama, because that is our job, to support those that support the cause.

Bashing each other for who we prefer plays directly into the hands of what we ALL "claim" to want to change (it sound like alot of you are saying "my way is the only way").

This has NOTHING to do with who you would like to see in office and everything to do with supporting EACH OTHER.

This division of democrats and bashing each other like you are on opposite teams is ridiculous, just like this endorsement.

It has nothing to do with Hillary being a women or Barack a man and everything to do with supporting THEM BOTH because THEY BOTH support this cause.

If we turn our back on ANYONE who supports this, isn't that just wrong?

The ones who are insulting each other for expressing their opinion one way or another, really should not be in a pro choice group anyway, it is APPARANT that is not truly how you feel.

John,
I was not "attacking" Sue. For gosh sakes.

And you are wrong about McCain. People have bought into his "maverick, moderate" schtick, but he said the other day, very clearly, that he will appoint judges in the mold of Alito and Roberts. See Huffington Post article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/06/mccain-woos-conservatives_n_100339.html

So go ahead and vote for him if you can do so in good conscience. I suspect that if people like you do vote for McCain and defeat Obama, you will be the same ones wringing your hands about the mess our country is in, just as many who voted for Bush are doing now.

Well, I wasn't paid by Obama to write this: THANK YOU NARAL!!

McCain is not a moderate on issues of choice. He is against Roe, he is anti-sex education, and on and on. If McCain gets elected, Roe gets overturned, and the days of the back alley abortion return.

Hmm. No matter who it comes from the "I understand you're angry, and you have every right to your feelings" speech is just damn infuriating, isn't it? Of course it's also an admission that the national officers knew exactly how many people the endorsement would upset and decided we didn't much matter. Fair enough.

Maybe NARAL really can muster up a few gullible souls who believe this has anything to do with getting the word out on John McCain. But it's clear to me that it was about getting the word out about NARAL. And hey, it worked! As more than one poster has said, now they've not only seen those funny letters but they know what they stand for ...

With any luck, their pockets will get deeper with time, and their devotion to the cause will at least last long enough to get them to the polls in November. I hope they make the insult to the rest of us worthwhile.

I, for one, have had it with the way women and women voters have been treated this election season. I know the party line now is to blame Hillary for the "rift" among us, but way back when Hillary was the "presumptive nominee," I don't remember anyone telling Obama he had to run. If he and the Ted Kennedys and John Kerrys and John Edwardses had truly been all about party unity, they could have gotten behind her then--and frankly, no one will ever convince me that they wouldn't have done just that gladly if she were a man.

But too many men, and even more sadly, too many women, hold female candidates up to an impossible standard they wouldn't dream of subjecting male candidates to.

I mean, the litany is just too long. Hillary "lies;" Obama "misspeaks" and uses the wrong words. Hillary's the doyenne of special interests; Obama's ties to questionable financiers and racist ministers are irrelevent at best, at worst, honest mistakes only "negative campaigners" would mention. Hillary's an arrogant politician who'll do or say anything to get elected; Obama's simply running out of the goodness of his heart.

I mean, seriously, Hillary gets chastisted for playing "identity politics" and practicing "triangulation" when Obama's "We are the change we've been waiting for" offers nothing BUT his identity as the entire basis of his candidacy!?

I would love to believe that he can make our nation purple by virtue of his very being. But somehow I don't see conservatives lining up to annoint him king. When he reaches across the aisle, I fear the issues that are important to me will be the ones that fall by the wayside.

Jodi Lustig

Words cannot adequately express my extreme disappointment in, and disenchantment with, NARAL after its unbelievable endorsement of Barack Hussein Obama--an unqualified, racist, empty suit with a closet full of skeletons. Shame on you.

You have turned your back on not only the most QUALIFIED Democratic candidate, but also the one who has been a champion of women's rights--ALL of them, not just reproductive--for 30+ years, and also the one who is a woman. Shame.

You've hopped on the Obama bandwagon, mindlessly swallowing the Kool-Aid and, apparently, buying into the idea that he will be the Democratic nominee, even though this race is far from over. Shame.

In return, I am now turning my back on NARAL. You will never again receive one cent of my hard-earned money. Never again will I promote the organization or participate in its activities in any way. If you're willing to blatantly turn your back on the legions of PEOPLE--not just women--who support Hillary Clinton AND reproductive rights, and who appreciate all she has done over a long and illustrious career to keep women safe and healthy, I want NOTHING to do with you ever again. Shame.

trying to reason with this group is like shouting at the wind. i'm sorry you're so hurt, and that is all i have left to say in this argument (and you may call that being too sensitive to the process if you wish).

except i must say this. if you really are so short-sighted that you will actually go out and vote for john mccain (who again guys, IS GOING TO STACK THE SUPREME COURT WITH ULTRA CONSERVATIVE JUDGES), then NARAL is well rid of your support because clearly you are not truly pro-women's rights in the first place. nor will you be doing your candidate any favors, she will be personally blamed for losing the white house and will lose the rest of the country's support (which, believe it or not guys, there are more of us than there are of you). just something to think about.

What Obama supporters don't get is that everything is interrelated. The fact that a woman can't get elected president due to blatant sexism is a main reason why women's rights are threatened.

I used to March on Washington back in college. It's clear now, however, that young women are too complacent and don't understand why supporting the female candidate is CRUCIAL for all women.

With that in mind, I'll take the chance that McCain gets into office and stacks the Supreme Court because then and only then will young women WAKE UP and realize that they need to rally behind OTHER WOMEN.

If NARAL can't understand why we need to rally behind Hillary, the first viable female candidate for president, they do not deserve to exist as a women's organization. Period.

The posters like alm are probably paid bloggers from the Obama camp. He hired a bunch of new ones. They are here to "talk sense." I think you should ignore them.

I'm not sure I've ever given to NARAL; however, I am a long time supporter. Because of the courage the organization has shown with this endorsement, I just made my first contribution.

Keep up the good work. Thank you for working hard to protect choice and elect a pro-choice president.

It is absolutely unbelievable that women never support women even when women's rights are at issue. Senator Clinton is completely qualified to protect reproductive choice and has been an unambiguous pro-choice advocate throughout her life. Here, we have a chance to elect a woman president who will change the lives of all women, and we throw it away.

It makes me SICK to see women news commentators rolling their eyes and counting Senator Clinton out as if her campaign was frivolous. If the tables were reversed and Obama was trailing, the news media would not be calling for him to step down "gracefully". Men would NEVER do that!

It is unfathomable that you would throw a wonderful First Lady and an incredible New York senator under the bus for the smooth TALK of a man. Discrimination against women is so totally engrained in our culture that you actually believe a man will take better care of women's rights than a strong smart woman. If Hillary does not get her chance to run for PRESIDENT, I will vote for McCain in retaliation -- and I won't be the only woman doing that!

fred:

yes, clearly i must be paid blogger because there's no possible way i could have these opinions on my own because the sun rises and sets over hillary clinton and i'm a self-hating woman who is complacent and ignorant and too young to know what i'm talking about (did that cover all the attacks leveled against me?)

believe it or not, over 50% of democrats agrees with me that obama is the better choice (oh wait, are polls another one of those things that don't really count unless they went for hillary again? i can't keep track).

not that i need to say this, but just for the record, i am not now nor have i ever accepted money from the barack obama campaign.

Actually, alm, Hillary has won the popular vote as of today if you include Michigan and Florida (ooh, that's right, you Obama people don't want to count those states...) And the caucuses were not an accurate representation because older WOMEN, those with disabilities, and heck, just those with DAY JOBS could not attend. Let's not forget the Republicans who purposefully crossed lines in the primaries to vote for Obama since they know he's weaker than Hillary in a general election.

So no, Obama does not have the approval of over 50% of the Democrats, not by a long shot. More importantly, I sincerely doubt he has the approval of over 50% of female NARAL supporters, considering Hillary has won women across the board. Which just goes to show you how completely dumb NARAL was in this endorsement.

Fire Keenan.

Retract the endorsement.

HOB,

you're candidate did not want to count those states either until she did well in them and knew she was losing. and actually, she only gets the lead in the popular vote if you give her the vote and don't count the opposition vote for obama (talk about inaccurate representation!). oh wait, i forgot, this is not a democracy in you guys' minds... this is a monarchy, we were supposed to crown hillary because it was her birthright, it was her TURN! my mistake, i'm sorry. and i'm sorry that she was so pompous as to believe she did not need to compete in caucuses because she was inevitable candidate. and mostly, i'm sorry that there are some of us out there who actually have the ability to think for ourselves instead of blindly following our gender.

aim,

ARE YOU STUPID! Hillary did not want to recount the votes - she offered to have the vote OVER!

Do NOT even try to talk politics if you don't know what is going on. I know you all think this is just play and cool and the first time you ever did a campaign - but, believe me "sweetie" this is not a game!

Carmella,

I will be voting for John McCain as well! And, not because I don't like Obama. I DON'T know anything about him. But, I want to make a point to organizations like these and CERTAINLY the Democratic Party - you can't take my yellow dog democratic vote for granted EVER AGAIN!

I am tired of being discriminated against because I am a woman. And, I am not going to take this shit anymore!

Hillary, I am so very sorry that these idiots have done this to you. If you will run for an Independent - I will work my heart out for you and I BELIEVE all of us misplaced women are enough that you would WIN and we would really be able to do the great work that we women have always known how to do.

Linda

alm wrote: "this is a monarchy, we were supposed to crown hillary because it was her birthright, it was her TURN! my mistake, i'm sorry. and i'm sorry that she was so pompous as to believe she did not need to compete in caucuses because she was inevitable candidate."

How ironic that you say that. If you replace Hillary with Obama and "compete in caucuses" with "compete in West Virginia" then maybe you've got something here.

And it was precisely Obama's huge failure in West Virginia that prompted the ill-timed endorsements from Edwards and NARAL, as desperate radical leftists tried to save their favorite savior. But it's backfiring. Edwards is getting a lot of flack and so is NARAL. The tide is turning against Obama now that we know more about him and no amount of pompous, "let's crown Obama" endorsements are going to change our minds.

Hillary or Bust!

I could not agree more! I have already written and called John Edwards as well!

PLEASE pass the word that NO MATTER how much Hillary begs all of us to unite and come together for the "good of the Party" that we remind her everyday by our non-vote for ANY of the democrats what they did to her - so they did to us!

What's 4 more years. Pelosi and Kennedy and Kerry and the rest of them did this to us and they never get anything done anyway.

Linda

I agree that Keenan should be fired. She did not speak for the members of NARAL. The proof is in the overwhelming abundance of passionate comments on the Blog in favor of Hillary Clinton.

If nothing else, I hope Senator Clinton reads all of the comments and takes extra strength from them in order to continue her fight to the presidency. Ironically, this endorsement might be what it takes to mobilize the Clinton supporters who have been beaten down and marginalized by the Democratic Party and the news media. Hopefull it is not too late!!!!!!

I think the position of the NARAL board would have to be to make decisions based on the best political advantage they could manage for women's issues. Even though, there are those who are waiting for a meteor to hit Obama, it is reasonable to assume that that isn't very likely. Therefore, there is political wisdom in supporting the likely candidate who also supports our main issues. If a meteor does happen to hit Obama, no one would blame NARAL for switching. If a meteor doesn't hit him, then there are good political reasons to support him in a timely manner. I'm going to go send more money to NARAL now and suggest that others with calm heads do the same so that the issues important to women continue to be represented even if Senator Clinton becomes a cabinet member or other position instead of president.

to the person who said: RE: aim's comments (i assume you meant me). yes, calling me stupid, you CLEARLY are very concerned with the solidarity of women. come at me with something more substantive than insulting my intelligence and my age, and maybe we could have a conversation like adults.

HOB:

yes, you're absolutely right... not competing in 13 different states (and discounting all the other ones she did not win, not to mention entire segments of the population), is EXACTLY like not competing in west virginia.

FOR REAL--THIS HAPPENED
I was shocked as I watched MSNBC & heard of NARAL's endorsement of Obama....three items NARAL must be aware of at this point, but that your new, younger financial supporters may not be aware of:

1. As he shushed/waved her off (I just saw his hand go up to her), Obama called a professional, female reporter "sweetie" yesterday on camera! I and so many thousands of women have fought for decades to stop men like Obama who have MSC (male superiority complexes) from telling us what to do like puppies, using these types of derogatory terms and gestures to women, and . Of course he called the reporter later to apologize, and could hardly get the words out of his mouth......wonder if politics had anything to do with the phone call......duh.
Yea, NARAL, Obama supports women's rights as long as we stay where he gestures and commands we belong.

2. This morning I hear that Obama is now touting his "faith as a Christian" in the south, even having a advertising on a billboard with something like Faith Hope Courage, and a tv ad about how his faith does influence him in his decision-making......wait a minute.......President...faith...decision-making.....haven't we heard that somewhere before?

3. Finally, weren't the two "suits" nice standing next to each other on the stage at Edward's endorsement. It was a site to see. We all thank you for that NARAL. Now that they tout they have the support of millions of women with your endorsement, they no longer "need" us. The good ole boys club at its finest. There were no women on stage with the "suits" because all the other major women's rights organizations were out beingduped into endorsing Mr. Obama for supporting women's rights, SWEETIE!
Teresa in TX

Alm, I'm ignoring you from now on. You clearly don't have any rational argument to make. You refuse to look at the bigger picture here, which is that when working for women's rights, it's a good idea to support the qualified WOMAN candidate.

All you can do is insult Hillary and call her names rather than responding to the very real concerns of NARAL's now former supporters. How enlightened of you. How pro-woman of you.

I've yet to hear from a rational Obama supporter who understands why most women here are upset. I'm open to hearing from one, but so far, all they can manage to do is be arrogant at best or defensive at worst.

Women deserve better than this, but it's clear from comments like yours, alm, why women are still the second sex, why we have so much sexism in our daily lives, and why we probably won't have a woman president in January. Very, very sad.

I would like to ask all these new Obama supporters, where were you in the last two elections when we needed all the votes we could get to defeat Bush? Now you are excited about Obama and now you want to vote. You are the reason we are in this mess now. Yes, I am damn angry. Obama does not have to go "nasty". He has the whole press doing it for him. When Obama gets 86% good press and Hillary gets 45%. Who is telling you how to vote? I know...the press. When Mrs. Obama was asked if she would vote for Hillary if she won the primary and her response was "I have to think about it," Obama lost my vote. Now NARAL has lost my support. Take me off your mailing list. I will not send another dime.

I agree with the comment earlier that says, "This is not a game, Sweetie." It also is not a revenge match. This is deadly serious. John McCain has pledged to appoint only strictly conservative justices to the Supreme Court in the tradition of Alito. He has also committed to overturning Roe vs. Wade. Any woman who would vote for that in order to teach anybody a lesson, can not claim to be serious about a woman's right to chose what happens to her own body. The next president will likely appoint between two and five justices to the supreme court. If those justices are healthy forty year olds, the country will be changed for our life times and much of the lifetimes of our daughters and granddaughters--at the very least, we're talking about the reproductive years of our daughters and granddaughters. We all need to take a deep breath.

Karela, no matter what, I am not voting for Obama without Hillary on the ticket. No way, no how. If this is what it takes to get young women to wake up, so be it. I am not voting for McCain either. I will vote independent, 3rd party, or write Hillary in. But Obama will never, EVER get my vote without Hillary. Never in a million years. And NARAL will never ever see a dime from me either.

Boston Whaler said:
"Many of us have been deeply wounded as we watched many members of the democratic establishment work actively - some overtly, some covertly - to undermine the first viable female candidate for President of the United States. We have been watching closely. We have seen how she has been treated. We identified her struggles as our own. Every blow they landed on her, has blackened our eye. Every snide comment she has endured has drawn our blood.

These wounds will not heal quickly or in knee-jerk response to the tired old rhetoric about the Supreme Court and reproductive rights."

Thank you Boston Whaler, that is the clearest and best-written summary I've heard or read this whole campaign. That is exactly how I feel. I'm sad that NARAL has joined the bruiser side of the equation when they could easily have not.

This is also why I feel no loyalty to the DNC or Obama if he is the nominee. Elections are about representation of the people. No one is entitled to my vote or my support; they have to earn it. They have to represent my interests, not just tepidly, or with wishy-washy words about involving my 'pastor' in my private decisionmaking, and certainly not by beating up on the person I've chosen to support and perpetuating the kind of sexism (or outright misogyny in some cases) they are supposedly against.

The last few weeks would have been an amazing opportunity for Obama and his supporters to change their rhetoric and reach out to Clinton's supporters (bc really, if he can't do that, how will he reach out to non-Democrats?). But I haven't seen anything like that happening.

I may not be able to do anything to produce an alternative to Obama at this point, but with regard to NARAL specifically, there are other, more effective pro-choice organizations I can support who don't blow off the opinions of most of their membership.

100% records on both sides. 100%. Organizations like NARAL and Planned Parenthood trust both of these candidates equally.

This is a sad tearing at the seams of us. So much misinformation, so much sexism, so much racism, so much.

As someone who sat on the fence for quite some time, this has been a real journey for me. I so wanted the first woman president to be elected. I poured over the votes and the issues. And, increasingly, I watched how the campaigns were run. I wanted a person of color to be President as well.

To upend oh so many years of having folks with very similar experiences of how they walk through the world at the head of power.

So I did a lot of research and engaged people on all sides.

But I paid attention when Planned Parenthood said the "present" votes were part of an agreed upon strategy. This after NOW folks lobbed unfounded attacks - something Marcia Pappas keeps repeating. She was wrong then and is wrong NOW. It is repeated without the important strategic information every day still. A half-truth.

I paid attention when women from the Middle East spoke out about the war. A war Hillary Clinton, who I respect and admire deeply, helped give a start too. What about those women? More than 83,000 Iraqis dead. Where are the women's organizations fighting Clinton on this war vote? T

I watched Barack Obama create a 50-state campaign, build an effective fundraising structure and, yes, manage a huge operation. Its amazing -- talk to field people on both sides.

I paid attention that every Rev. Wright (who was right about a lot) has a Geraldine Ferarro (who has been right a lot over the years as well). That pro-women voters will bring up Wright to slam Obama is as insane as thinking Hillary Clinton should be held accountable for some of the very stupid things GF, Mark Penn, and others have said and done.

I paid attention when many groups endorsed one of 2 or 3 very similar candidates. (NARAL's move is perhaps ill-timed, but several progressive and women's groups beat them to it).

I paid attention to how Bill Clinton got involved and how race was brought up both subtly and not so sublty when it proved advantageous. Can't we do better than that? To how the media has had sexist coverage and misgynist BS once again.

I paid attention when Kim Gandy, President of NOW said, "“To suggest there is a competition between racism and sexism is delightful to people who would see us divided from each other. Until we as a country recognize the intersection of those isms and the terrible damage they do, we will not be as great as we could be as a nation.” A nice improvement on Betty Friedan feminism, though it was disheartening to read comments from a NOW VP in the same article seemingly hinting that sexism was worse than racism.

And I've paid attention to the people on this forum making sure to put Obama's middle name in their posts. To Obama calling a reporter "Sweetie" (Are you kidding me!?)

But all this said, that war vote is very hard to get over. I'm a feminist invested in feminism beyond our walls. You cannot live without your life. She could have been a voice against Bush's rush to war.

And I'm livid that my candidate, the candidate that votes right, loves women, supports GLBT issues, is good on the war and more could never run (Barbara Lee).

But, at this point in the race, I've seen the writing on the wall. This is an Obama-McCain race and we need to get behind the desired result, if not the person running.

That desired result is better health, better civil rights, better constitutional protections, better diplomacy. And those of you who are taking your toys and going home will be hurting us all. Good luck with that. Good luck when McCain tries to fill the federal bench and get Roe V. Wade overturned. Good luck with seeing our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters protected.

The slights and slings on both sides are terrible. The Clinton campaign has not been as good as she is. Clinton has surrounded herself with operatives giving bad advice throughout the campaign and Bill's involvement was a train wreck. I trust her (in spite of some of her tactics and votes) much more than I trust who she has surrounded herself with.

But I would vote for her if she were the candidate. Not because I feel 100% about it, but because I care about women.

Do you care about women?

Do you care enough to work to elect someone with a 100% rating from organizations that have worked to keep women safe and healthy?

Do you care enough about your daughters, the women in Iraq, the poor, those needing better schools, those needing a better economy?

If you still care. And I know I do. We have to care enough to fight McCain and Obama will be our guy. Ask the leadership, ask the numbers.

A vote for McCain harms women. It's time to start uniting.

Obama for President
Clinton for Secretary of State
McCain for retirement

"I cannot afford the luxury of fighting one form of oppression only. I cannot afford to believe that freedom from intolerance is the right of only one particular group. And I cannot afford to choose between the fronts upon which I must battle these forces of discrimination, wherever they appear to destroy me. And when they appear to destroy me, it will not be long before they appear to destroy you." -- Audre Lorde

Hillary or bust. I can respect you and your choice. Sorry you feel bad. If you find out later that you can vote for Obama's pro choice platform only by shutting your eyes and plugging your nose, I would welcome that too. I've had my feelings and thoughts bruised and hurt over the past weeks too. I use a nerf bat on a pillow and it seems to help some. Thinking of you.

HOB,

as much as i appreciate you getting in your last words before "ignoring me from now on," i wish you would at least do me a favor and point out ONE place (aside from admittedly calling her pompous) where i called hillary clinton a name? because among the things that you, HOB, with your "big picture" mentality have leveled at me are:

- that i'm too young
- that i'm ill-informed
- that i'm complacent

and my favorite:

- that i am responsible for sexism, women being second class citizens and the fact that she will not be elected president.

and yet, HOB, i have not called you any number of the many names or insults that i certainly could, but rather offered a divergent point of you, which, you claim to be open to.

i'm not missing the big picture, HOB, you are missing the point. the point is that, yes, (and i promise i say (type?) this with absolutely no sarcasm whatsoever) i do, truly, understand why you are upset. i understand that there are a lot of people (and i have pointed to myself as one) who have waited a very long time to see a woman become president. and regardless of the oh so kind solidarity you and some (not all) of your fellow supporters have shown me today, i do absolutely and passionately believe in equality for women and the advancement of women. i have nothing but the utmost respect for the lengths women have gone (supporters and non-supporters of NARAL alike) to get us where we are today, which is not far enough. i truly mean that, regardless of whether you choose to listen to/believe me or just insult me further. and, as i've said before, if it were MY candidate that i was well-aware was not going to win, i would be terrifically upset.

however, the thing that you seem most deaf to is the fact that NOT EVERYONE BELIEVES HILLARY IS QUALIFIED. and in theory, you're supposed to be entitled to have an opinion (i know everyone on here certainly feels they are entitled to theirs). if i did, i would enthusiastically throw my support behind her. and you can call me stupid, or too young, or some kind of insult to womenkind, but there are lots of people who agree with me (as i would like to point out that neither candidate is winning 100% of any demographic), just as there are lots of people who agree with you. my overriding point is that we're all women (or supporters of women) here, right? why is it that we are jumping on each other?

so, in conclusion, HOB, i will not make any claims of ignoring you, though it is certainly within your rights to ignore me. and i'm more than happy to listen with an open mind to anyone who wishes to disagree with me, but please guys, let's leave the insults at home, okay? i apologize for the ones i've put out there, and if i hurt anyone's feelings (which i would assume is where this is all coming from), i am sorry.

to karela and and now this,

thank you for your maturity and rationality. you have set the bar for all of us.

\RE: aim's comments (i assume you meant me). yes, calling me stupid, you CLEARLY are very concerned with the solidarity of women. come at me with something more substantive than insulting my intelligence and my age, and maybe we could have a conversation like adults.

YES - I was talking to you. And, I did give you something VERY of GREAT substance. Your candidate refused to let Florida and Michigan vote.

You are not worth it.

Women, I suggest we get a poker game together or set a tee time. I am sick of these punks that do not have a clue what we have worked so hard for so many years to give them. They are disrespectful and full of themselves.

My oldest daughter just in the last year has for the first time experienced sexual harassment in the workplace and had a man promoted over her even though she did all the work. It is just starting for her and my other daughter, unfortunately will soon experience it as well.

But, BOTH of my daughters support Hillary and they called into NARAL yesterday. They were on the picket lines and in the marches and at the political meetings with me since they were in their infant seats. Then as they got older they handed out literature and worked on many other volunteer projects including phone banks. They respect me and what we older women have done for them.

I had not been too happy with how they dress - but, that is even coming around as they start to experience personally the reason why all of us have worked and fought so hard for our daughters.

So, Aim - sometimes you just have to have more ears than mouth. I did when I was younger learning from those I worked and walked with; Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, Molly Ivins, and so many other great ones. I respected these women and still do. And, even though it pains me to say they are no longer with us - even if they were - I would NEVER disrespect them. They pioneered the way for me and we have pioneered the way for you.

You just have no idea how hard this will be for you to get this all back to where we now have it. When Hillary welled-up and got emotional right before the New Hampshire primary - I was sitting on the couch with my daughter and with tears in my eyes - I said; "Hillary, just won New Hampshire because the women have her back."

We got it Aim. We understood the hours and days and weeks and years that those tears represented when she said she REALLY knew how important this was. And, part of that comment - I believe is because of young women like you - that just don't get it and think it does not matter if we have a woman as a President right now or not.

But, Aim - I am telling you with every fiber of my being and every ounce of my heart - IT DOES MATTER!

"Tired old rhetoric about the Supreme Court and reproductive rights."

What the heck? I thought we were all blogging on a site that is specifically about that "tired old rhetoric about . . .reproductive rights". I'm old enough to remember desperate young women getting hack abortions on kitchen tables. If you've heard a woman screaming, without benefit of anesthetic, it doesn't seem so "tired", so "old" or so "rhetoric". We all need to remember that the issues we support are bigger than any one person.

Once again, let's just look at the bigger picture here. Those who say we should support the Obama endorsement suggest this is because we must win in the fall.

If you follow that line of argument, then you must look realistically at Obama's chances. He cannot win against McCain. The Republicans will destroy him. If you HAD done your research fully, you would know that Obama's ties to the likes of Rezko show that he is not a supporter of poor people (he was Rezko's lawyer and defended the slumlord, not the people). You would question how Obama came out of nowhere and where his money was coming from. You would have to ask yourself why Obama would have Rev. Wright baptize his children but then disavow his pastor when it was politically expedient to do so.

And then, after looking at all this solid evidence that Obama was a panderer at best, and a corrupt politican at worst, you would realize that there was no chance in hell he was going to be able to beat McCain in a general election, when we have a populace that is much more moderate and even tending towards conservative...a populace that is going to be much less forgiving of Obama once the Republican onslaught begins.

If you truly want to support women's rights, you'd fight for Hillary until the convention is over, because she is the moderate candidate that has the best chance of winning against McCain. Clearly.

I've truly done my homework. Have you?

Thank you NARAL for endorsing Barack Obama. As a 30 something woman and feminist, I have been deeply disheartened by the divisions among women during this Democratic campaign. There seems to be an assumption that all women should support Hillary Clinton, no matter what. My mother, who sacrificed and fought for me so that I could have more in life as a women, did it so I could have a CHOICE in my life. I choose Barack Obama - he will protect the rights of women, unify our nation and reject the old politics of division - something that many Clinton supporters seem unwilling to let go of as evidenced here in their posts. I appreciate that as an organization you stand with the candidate who has won more states, has more votes and delegates. Thank you NARAL.

i'm sorry you completely missed the point of everything i just wrote. i'm sorry that you can't take your own advice and truly listen to what another person is saying just because they disagree with you.

feel free to continue to insult me but if you grant me one thing, please let it be this: please do not invoke the names of such amazing women as molly ivins, barbara jordan and ann richards again. you insult their memory by using them in the same comment where you would tell another woman: you are not worth it. and that is truly offensive.

I did leave out two important points --

I also noticed when Clinton supported the Workplace Religious Freedom Act and when Obama worked with McClurkin. Terrible decisions.

And, to be clear, many young people who respect older feminists want desperately to elect a woman as President, but they, like I, believe both that Obama is a better candidate, but that he is, in fact, more viable.

I want a woman President, but not the folks Clinton has surrounded herself with. I want a woman President in the vein of Barbara Jordan, Molly Ivins, and Ann Richards -- as a Texan, they were all I had for many years.

But many of us, who respect our elders and stand with them more than not, think we need to do better and are desperate to remove the Presidency from a two-family back and forth.

It's patronizing to think or say the young and the pro-Obama don't get it. Maybe some do and some don't, but as much as it does matter that we have a woman President, many of us do not think this is the woman President that we want - especially given concerns about the war vote and the campaign itself.

The war vote really moves a lot of people out of her column. Again, it would be impractical and silly to vote for McCain. She will have me if she somehow pulls this out -- but, and many believe this, she cannot make this happen without superdelegates going against the polls.

And then what would we have -- the privileged and the powerful deciding our candidate instead of the people? A pretty Republican move if you ask me.

And to those folks batting around the Florida and Michigan issue, it's more complicated than this.

There was campaign agreement here. The rules were clear. State parties -- not the DNC -- made a bad call. State leaders made a bad call. This was not Dean, Clinton, or Obama.

Many angry Hillary supporters who say they will vote for McCain (pro-life)... get real ladies, you are making ALL women look bad. Why don't you turn your anger into donations for Hillary and help her with her campaign debt. Put your money where your mouth is. Seems to me that this is less about your support for Hillary and more about you guys looking through "white" colored glasses. And the nerve of Emily's List to have any say when they have endorsed Cynthia McKinney.

"It's patronizing to think or say the young and the pro-Obama don't get it." You're right, it is patronizing, but the fact is, with age comes experience and wisdom and there's no way around that. (Generally speaking, of course.)

I have 20 years on college students. That 20 years has tempered me and gives me more perspective. It just does.

It seems to me that some young women are rebelling by saying "we don't want to be forced to vote for the woman." Well, I say you are shooting yourselves in the foot.

Furthermore, there's apparently something inside of you that can't look at Hillary with clear eyes and see what a smart, amazing woman she is. I'm not sure if it's youthful resentment...as in, you recently left home and are trying to get away from mom or what...but the respect for Hillary just doesn't seem to be there from young women supporting Obama. And I do think that has a lot to do with age, rebellion, and naivete. Or fear.

Sorry. But excuse me for patronizing, you will understand more when you become older and wiser.

Dear Nancy,
I'm extremely disappointed in NARAL. I cast my vote for Hillary yesterday knowing that in doing so I am supporting a strong, capable woman who has proven over and over again that women's issues are important to her. It was either that or vote for a man who calls professional women "sweetie."

So, respectfully, sweetie, you no longer speak for me.
JLR

I WORKED FOR ANN RICHARDS. I traveled with Molly Ivins and Ron Brown and so many others! What are you talking about?

I was AT Ann's funeral. And, who was there??
Hillary - her main speaker and Molly Ivins and Lady Bird right before their deaths.

You think for ONE minute that these strong women would think Obama was experienced enough and would agree with this endorsement??

And, Hillary or US are not stupid about the politics behind the FL vote and the rules and ALL of that nonsense that anyone can get from media reports or anywhere else.

The problem is that Hillary knows like Obama knows - you cannot LEAVE them out - especially when this has gone on so long and given EVERY state an opportunity to finally participate in a primary process. In light of this - Hillary offered to have them vote OVER so FL & MI votes counted 100%. Obama said "NO" because he thought this would give the nomination to Hillary. But, do you think for ONE minute he won't be spending his millions to go into these states and ask for their votes when it benefits him?

I am really saddened to see someone talk about these strong TX women and NOT GET IT!

Since when did being pro-choice become a position that can only be upheld by women? NARAL exists to protect women's rights to make their own choices about life and health.

According to this site, "NARAL Pro-Choice America is committed to advancing our shared values. We are committed to protecting the right to choose and electing candidates who will promote policies to prevent unintended pregnancy. We are going on the offensive, reshaping the terms of the debate, and bridging the false divides that are meant to keep us from progress on reproductive health."

The reaction to this endorsement is a perfect example of a false divide keeping us from progress. Barack Obama is just as committed to pro-choice policies as Hillary Clinton or any other woman. The claim that she should be handed an endorsement because she is a woman is just as sexist as the claim that only a man can be elected President.

Quite frankly, it is destructive to the larger movement to have such an outcry raging over a non-existent issue. It makes us all look childish and foolish.

NARAL made a bold decision to stand behind the future nominee of the Democratic Party who is fully committed to advancing our shared values of protecting choice and preventing unintended pregnancy. This is about choice, not gender.

Thank you, NARAL, for endorsing Sen. Obama. I just donated online, and I am encouraging my friends and family to do the same.

The person who made the statement that NARAL is "largely funded by Hillary supporters" clearly has no basis for that statement.

I am a proud feminist woman, and have been a staunch NARAL contributor for years. I voted for Obama.

I would not, however, have gone ballistic if NARAL had not endorsed my preferred candidate. I think both candidates are strong supporters of choice.

What I find offensive is the notion that I, and NARAL, should choose a candidate based only on gender. That is anti-feminist at its core.

Thank you, NARAL, for looking at the whole of the candidate in making an endorsement. That was the right way to do it. Stay strong.

A few minutes ago I made my first ever donation to NARAL. I did so for its courageous endorsement of Barack Obama.

I am 63 years old and white and am supporting Barack Obama because he inspires me with his message of hope and change. I am sick of partisan politics and polarization.

I have worked hard all of my life for the professional and personal successes I have achieved and, as a woman, I applaud the successes of women who came before me and who have followed me. What I respect about Sen. Obama is that he, more than Sen. Clinton, embraces and embodies the best qualities found in the women I admire and emulate.

Judy

"The person who made the statement that NARAL is "largely funded by Hillary supporters" clearly has no basis for that statement."

It's highly likely, actually, considering that across the board women have voted more for Hillary during the entire primary season. So it stands to reason that most NARAL supporters (who tend to be Democrats and women) are supporters of Hillary. Statistically speaking.

"What I find offensive is the notion that I, and NARAL, should choose a candidate based only on gender. That is anti-feminist at its core."

Umm, actually, it's not. Have you actually studied feminism? Taken a women's studies class? Feminism has not historically been just about gender equity to the point that we become gender blind.

Feminism has been historically pro-affirmative action, and there is absolutely no conflict with feminism in endorsing the female candidate. It is, based on historical feminist thought, the FEMINIST thing to do.

Only when we have parity in our politics (where women are 50% of elected officials and 50% of our presidents) should we become gender-blind and endorse men over women. But that day has not come yet. We still need affirmative action for women, which is precisely why it IS feminist to support Hillary over Obama. If you support Obama over Hillary, you are taking an historically anti-feminist position. Clearly.

(Read some history.)

Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, and Molly Ivins would have never supported this war. The previous poster (And Now This) did not say anything about the endorsement.

I'm glad you were connected to these amazing folks-- you have likely done wok that has benefited me and my family if you were close like that - but the And Now This poster never said people were stupid about Michigan and Florida. It's posted all over the place that this was the fault of Dean and others.

And her point was about not feeling good about voting for Hillary Clinton because of the war vote. A lot of us stugle with that.

As a Texan, I am surprised someone can't see that giving the Bushes keys to anything will result in a wreck -- and some folks think Clinton should have known better like most Texas progressive folks would have. I support Hillary, but like the original poster, I question her on this and I think that is valid.

And Now this,

Thank you for joining the discourse, you are making the points I want to but in a much more eloquent and less insulted way. And while I know you will get attcked for them, please know, for what it is worth, that they are appreciated.

I vented on this website twice yesterday and do not feel a bit better. In fact I feel very sad at how you have possibly done NARAL in. Your "new" supporters may be feeling ecstatic now about your misguided blunder, but I will begin praying right now for all those other women who will not get the support they need until a new women's advocacy group is able to take your place.

As of today Hillary Clinton has the votes of more than half of the voters in the Democratic primary. In early June the polling will end and the politicking will begin. If Hillary doesn't emerge as our nominee in August, I doubt Senator Obama will win in November. (Remember, there are other concerns in this nation than Women's Rights.) Your endorsement at this time is actually distracting Barack Obama from his campaign and has actually energized Senator Clinton's base.

Doesn't it disturb you as women that Barack Obama's website rarely if ever mentions women's issues? Hillary is steadfastly proud of us. Nor have I found (and I've looked)any mention of appreciation or pride concerning the NARAL endorsement on the Obama website. (Wow, I just found a statement buried where few would ever find it. It had "3" whole blog comments, one of which was a poem. Good luck searching folks. While you are searching contemplate a future with this man's attention to our needs. I wonder how he'll treat our issues when he is not preparing to run for office.

As a graduate student I don't have much money, but I've just donated $15 to NARAL because I know you will lose a lot of financial support because of your endorsement of Sen. Obama. The threats and bullying NARAL and Nancy have received are uncalled for, and I can't believe it's coming from other women.

Last year I was proud to have a woman and an African American running for President of the United States. But the nastiness from both sides--Clinton, Obama, and their supporters--has been disheartening, and it almost (almost) makes me long for the days when we had white guys running for President and democrats knew who the REAL enemy was.

Please accept my modest donation, and keep up the good work helping women.

When I use to see Bush meeting with his Saudi Arabian buddies it made me so angry that he would meet with such sexist pigs. But I guess we can only look forward to more meetings like this in the future with either Obama or McCain. For the first time in my life I am thinking about not voting because I am so disgusted.

NARAL's prematurely timed endorsement of Obama (this is a primary, not an election) really brings into question the poor treatment of women in general. Hillary Clinton is the first viable female candidate for president in US history. She is running behind, but it is still not impossible for her to get the nomination. We don't know what will happen between now and the convention. The media has tried to run her out of the compaign by convincing the public that she can't win, but my money is on the Clintons. Senator Clinton and her family are the toughest people going!

For NARAL to pile on and actually kick Hillary Clinton when she is hanging on by her fingernails is beyond comprehension. How can an organization for women show so little respect for a long time pro-choice female supporter. How dare they put pictures of Obama on the NARAL website as "the pro-choice candidate". Hillary is more Pro-Choice than Barak will ever be!

I heard that the New York Chapter of NARAL is defecting and breaking ties with the national NARAL organization. Good for them. I hope they will have the guts to make their own endorsement of Senator Clinton. For once, women need to support qualified women, -- and men can join us! The issue right now is far beyond the nomination -- it's about women doing the right thing. It is time to support qualified women to run the world. It will be a different and better place.

Meeting with them as buddies is the problem, but deciding Obama would be buddies with them is illogical.

NARAL's prematurely timed endorsement of Obama (this is a primary, not an election) really brings into question the poor treatment of women in general. Hillary Clinton is the first viable female candidate for president in US history. She is running behind, but it is still not impossible for her to get the nomination. We don't know what will happen between now and the convention. The media has tried to run her out of the compaign by convincing the public that she can't win, but my money is on the Clintons. Senator Clinton and her family are the toughest people going!

For NARAL to pile on and actually kick Hillary Clinton when she is hanging on by her fingernails is beyond comprehension. How can an organization for women show so little respect for a long time pro-choice female supporter. How dare they put pictures of Obama on the NARAL website as "the pro-choice candidate". Hillary is more Pro-Choice than Barak will ever be!

I heard that the New York Chapter of NARAL is defecting and breaking ties with the national NARAL organization. Good for them. I hope they will have the guts to make their own endorsement of Senator Clinton. For once, women need to support qualified women, -- and men can join us! The issue right now is far beyond the nomination -- it's about women doing the right thing. It is time to support qualified women to run the world. It will be a different and better place.

SHAME ON NARAL....what a disrespectful and unecessary decision to make at this point in the primary campaign.

The "thoughtlessness" is astounding! There are other groups more deserving of my donations and support.

FYI: The NARAL endorsement was highlighted on Obama's website the day the endorsement was made.

Also, there is tremendous anger here. It does not forward our cause or our nation. Those of us who are supporting Obama are not silly, uninformed, young women repeating soundbites. Most of us are the products of feminists who came before us - we are educated, informed and involved. I worked in Democratic politics for a United States Senator during the Clinton administration and witnessed first hand how politics worked. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm and hope faded as I watched our Democratic majorities evaporate under the Clinton administration. By the end of the 90s, we had lost control of the Congress and set up a climate that elected Bush. As someone who has never been given the opportunity to cast a ballot without the name Bush or Clinton, I welcome a new dialogue in this country with new players. Barack Obama has inspired me and many others - don't dismiss us or patronize us. We made this informed choice willingly.

@ Hillary or Bust on May 16, 2008 3:11 PM who wrote: I have waited all my life for a woman to become president. I waited through 8 years of Bush/Cheney for Hillary to run in 2008. I can't tell you how shocked and dismayed I am that Hillary is *this close* to making it, but is getting shafted by a sexist DNC and media.

Whether you admit it or not, you are not all there is but part of an actual larger group -- a nation in fact. And in that context, you do not represent all women, and your needs, wants and perspectives are not those of all women. Similarly, Senator Clinton is not some magic Everywoman. In reality, her candidacy is that of a real and flawed human being, not a generic "Woman" icon or symbol.

HOB also wrote: It is insulting to myself and to all women who have fought for women's rights over the years.

Here you are confusing your own individual self with others and assuming wrongly that you can speak for us. You do not represent all women who have fought for women's rights over the years. You do not represent me for example. I applaud NARAL's decision to endorse and am in no way insulted by it.

Using ourselves and each other as symbolic icons who somehow represent some theoretical point to be made or psychological need to be met ("woman elected president" for example) dehumanizes the actual real women involved. Senator Clinton is a real, flawed and specific human being, as are the other candidates. She is no less real and human than they are.

This election is not a grand mythical battle of cardboard cut-outs representing constructed symbolic meaning to feed our individual psychological needs. It is not.

In actual reality, Senator Clinton has made decisions that she needs to stand responsible for, because she is human just like everyone else. She is not, in actual truth, a two-dimensional generic "WOMAN" icon for some people to pin their own specific hopes and dreams on -- instead, she is a real live three-dimensional complex human being with all that entails. Including the ability to make mistakes and the need to take responsibility for her choices and actions in a mature way.

IMO the reproductive rights movement is seriously undermined if we use ourselves and each other as cardboard cut-outs, two-dimensional representatives of some oversimplified symbolic battle, rather than understanding that all of us women are actual real human beings, with all the complexity and messiness that involves.

And IMO the movement is also seriously undermined if and when any individual woman or particular group of women claims to represent and stand in for "all women" when that is not true in actual reality.

"Those of us who are supporting Obama are not silly, uninformed, young women repeating soundbites."

I'll refrain from calling Obama supporters on their soundbites when they stop repeating hollow soundbites such as:

"Obama will unite the country."
"Hope and change."
"No more politics as usual."

These are all marketing slogans directly from the Obama campaign, not independent reasoning. So if Obama people stop repeating this mindless nonsense, I'll stop calling them on it.

If you want to be inspired, go see Tony Robbins. But we need a president, not a self-help guru.

"I applaud NARAL's decision to endorse and am in no way insulted by it."

You are a fish swimming in a toxic sea of misogyny and you are now so used to it, that you can't even see the sexism around you. You HAVE been insulted by this endorsement. You just can't see it. This does not mean you have not been insulted.

You are now helping to set the cause of women back 50 years by promoting Obama over Clinton.

When women turn on other women, particularly highly qualified presidential candidates, then the Backlash that Susan Faludi predicted so long ago has been successful. NARAL has proven this now. Thanks for showing us that we have NOT come a long way, baby.

And now...LET'S HEAR FROM HILLARY HERSELF. From a speech she made at the 1995 UN World Conference for Women in Beijing:

“It is a violation of human rights when babies are denied food, or drowned, or suffocated, or their spines broken, simply because they are born girls. It is a violation of human rights when woman and girls are sold into the slavery of prostitution. It is a violation of human rights when women are doused with gasoline, set on fire and burned to death because their marriage dowries are deemed too small. It is a violation of human rights when individual women are raped in their own communities and when thousands of women are subjected to rape as a tactic or prize of war. It is a violation of human rights when a leading cause of death worldwide along women ages 14 to 44 is the violence they are subjected to in their own homes. It is a violation of human rights when women are denied the right to plan their own families, and that includes being forced to have abortions or being sterilized against their will."

And WHAT has Obama said for women that even begins to match this? Nothing. How can this woman's repeated support of women's rights be so ignored by this organization? It is a travesty.

Hillary or Bust - you are an angry person. I am sorry being a woman is so difficult for you.

You are setting the movement back. We are not living in the 60s anymore. Life has moved on.

"You are setting the movement back."

*NARAL* just set the movement back, not little ole me.

And yes, I'm damn angry, at NARAL, and I am not apologetic about it. And trust me, 3000 comments on the original endorsement later prove that I'm not the only angry one.

I just have a little time to spare today and felt it was important to speak up for Hillary here today.

kcg wrote:
"You are setting the movement back. We are not living in the 60s anymore. Life has moved on."

I cannot believe you just said that when your candidate has surrounded himself with people who live in the 60s. What do you think Black Liberation Theology is? Talk about going backwards.

HOB, the reality is that women who don't feel the world as you do actually exist as real intelligent human beings whose perceptions are no less valid than your own.

Telling us that if we don't agree with you we must be deluded and redefining our experience in your terms this evades reality and complexity. And maybe most importantly, it evades the obviously pressing need for dialogue between real and equal human beings.

Your feeling of what is going on is not the only valid one. Your experiences are not the only valid ones. Your analysis is not the only valid one. You are erasing my actual existence as a valid human being who should be treated with respect even where we differ and diverge.

I understand that my actual existence and perspective threatens your specific reality in some way, and I see that that your response is to tell me it just doesn't really exist. You tell yourself, and me, that you know better than me what my reality and experience.

But guess what? I exist and not just as a projection of your imagination of what I am. I do exist for real, no matter how much the reality of my experience upsets the carefully constructed theory and desire you are working from and need to stay oriented to.

I exist outside of your theory and your personal experience of the world, and in existing like this I am not deluded -- I am just not YOU. Deny that truth if you have to, but it exists despite your erasure.

I say this to you as I would say similar things to other people in other similar situations. For example, I know that there are people in this society who feel that I can't possibly be sexually attracted to other women -- that my reality and experience is a product of delusion, that they know my truth better than I do and can "fix" my delusion.

I know that they are wrong to erase and re-define my reality that way. I also notice that my actual existence and experience threatens their carefully constructed reality. From their responses to my existence and the truth of my experience, I can see that they would have to deal with a lot of internal difficulty to adjust their comprehension to integrate the actual fact of my existence, humanity and truth. But I know I exist and I know that where I am coming from is real.

I understand that taking in my actual reality would threaten where you're coming from, HOB. I understand that because what you are doing here resonates with what I have seen in other contexts -- people fighting to erase complexities of other actual human beings because taking those complexities seriously would shatter their carefully constructed perception of the world.

It is almost like watching someone fight for their life and its vehemence and closed-ness always confuses me. I don't understand why the actual reality of other women whose experiences don't match yours so difficult for you that you would choose to erase us as having invalid perspectives rather than engage with us for real as equals in a complex world. I don't understand why actual complexity and human-ness and messiness should be a cause for erasure of other women's experiences and perspectives as you are doing.

NARAL staff: I hope this discussion illuminates something for you in your larger dialogue with each other and your members. I trust that you are aware of the various ways that the women's movement has historically and currently marginalized some women because they/we do not fit into a falsely universalized definition of reality and womanhood. I hope you recognize the kind of violence and erasure that that practice entails.

This to me is a movement-related issue/problem, and isn't just about Senator Clinton or this election. I hope and trust you are aware of the struggles that have happened in women's movements and organizations around who is real, who is representative, who can speak with legitimacy as a "woman." Insular self-referential erasing approaches to movement work have done a whole whole lot of damage over the years, as I hope and trust you know.

Michelle, what you just said was as far as I am concerned a lot of new age double talk that ultimately said nothing. (And I'm new age.)

I have every right to say that NARAL's decision is an insult to all women. That is my opinion. I personally believe it is insulting to women. Period. End of story. No need to analyze it beyond that.

My opinion has absolutely nothing to do with all your intellectual rationalizations on whether or not I have the right to speak for all women or not. I wasn't even speaking for all women. I simply stated, I think NARAL's decision is an INSULT to all women. And I still do.

I never said I spoke for all women, by the way. But I do voice the dissent of angry Hillary supporters. And as such, I have every right to call their decision an insult. I think it's an insult. You don't. But just because YOU can't see that, it doesn't mean I don't have a right to say it's an insult.

Well, Ms. Nancy and Ms. Elizabeth, are you getting the point?

You have actually kicked a fellow supporter in the back while she was trying to regroup. Absolutely disgusting to endorse Obama's involvement since 2005 over Hillary's involvement and total support of over 30 years!

The claim that this race is over has been postulated by mass media and shows what is wrong with our political system. And you guys are so shallow as to jump on board the Obama boom wagon. The fact that you accepted the hype demonstrates your ignorance as to the purpose of the superdelegate system and reflects on your credibility to represent women and this organization. And yes Nancy, I have been a political candidate too and I know how hard it is and what it's about, and advancing your cause is certainly not done by alienating your organization by highlighting the poor treatment of women in general. Obama would have gotten our support anyway, if he was the nominee. No, these comments are about your crediblity and ability to represent change for women and you act like you just don't get it. Then we are told to "be nice" when we are making our comments. I am so embarassed for you.

Hillary Clinton is the first viable female candidate for president in US history. She is running behind, but it's not impossible. You should have offered her your support instead of hedging your bets (or whatever excuse you are giving for your premature endorsement. You have made a mockery of everything I've been trying to teach to my 11 year old daughter and a mockery of this organization.

The right thing for you to do is to represent the majority of your members and retract your endorsement, barring that, you should resign. But you'll never print this.

For goodness sake NARAL, Senator Obama was going to support the nomination of conservative Judge John Roberts to the Supreme Court until one of his staffers told him it might be a bad political move because of the anti-choice implications. Read about it here:

http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/27/the_outsiders_insider.php

He's not interested in a woman's right to choose and if you'd done the most cursory research about him you'd know this. What an embarrassment for you. I hope you lose all your support, you're obviously not that interested in women's rights.

HOB,

i know you're ignoring me, but let me just say this. you do have every right to your opinion, and if you had stated it just as you did in this last comment, you probably would have people disagree with you, and there could have been a discourse, but you didn't (up to that last comment). You said we were stupid, worthless, young, and delusional. You refuse to believe there could be a divergent opinion, you say that we're insulted but just can't see it. If you are curious as to why everyone seems to be piling on (and, by the way, I understand that concern if you have it, I was experiencing the same earlier), that is exactly why.

to my fellow supporters,
THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE CONVERSATION!

"You said we were stupid, worthless, young, and delusional."

I said no such thing. Young, yes, but not the other things you wrote. Don't put words into my mouth.

"You refuse to believe there could be a divergent opinion, you say that we're insulted but just can't see it."

I do believe there's a divergent opinion. Where on earth did you get the idea I did not see a divergent opinion?

And yes, you can be insulted without noticing the insult. Everyone around you would see the insult, but you would not. It does not mean the insult did not happen.

As to why you need to nitpick over that comment though...stick to the issues. I have yet to hear an Obama supporter respond to my comments about his integrity (Rezko/Wright) or the other people commenting about his dubious record (Judge John Roberts, see comment above).

HOB, I not only am not "new age" but I myself actually experience new age theories and approaches as ugly and violent.

Your identification of yourself as new age -- you wrote: (And I'm new age) -- makes a lot of sense to me given this conversation. The core of the new age stuff I have come across (which may not be all of it but is what I have seen) is that individuals should construct their own reality and that the individual is basically at the center of a self-referential universe devoted to her or his own individual growth.

This way of understanding the world negates the need to take in and struggle with the existence of other actual human beings in any real, grounded or complex way. Instead, in the new age perspectives I have seen, others are translated into two-dimensional objects, living props, inside of the essentially self-involved self-referential drama of the individual -- the belief is that the larger world basically exists to serve the individual's needs and desires.

New age as I have seen it encourages us to treat each others as objects for our own individual needs and growth rather as complex humans interacting for real. So I can totally see why you would identify as new age yourself. From this interaction, it seems to fit with how you are approaching these other issues.

And, about what you have been saying and your recent effort to re-define what you have been saying: to me your original words to me are very clear and easy to follow. This is what you actually said to me. First, you quoted me when I wrote: "I applaud NARAL's decision to endorse and am in no way insulted by it."

Then you wrote to me in response: You are a fish swimming in a toxic sea of misogyny and you are now so used to it, that you can't even see the sexism around you. You HAVE been insulted by this endorsement. You just can't see it. This does not mean you have not been insulted. You are now helping to set the cause of women back 50 years by promoting Obama over Clinton. When women turn on other women, particularly highly qualified presidential candidates, then the Backlash that Susan Faludi predicted so long ago has been successful. NARAL has proven this now. Thanks for showing us that we have NOT come a long way, baby.

To me this speaks for itself very clearly.

Hi Michelle,

I have been trying to understand your perspective. But I'm sorry, I cannot follow your logic in your writings. I tried.

One thing I've noticed in interacting with Obama supporters online for the last few months is there seems to be an effort to distract and confuse discussions. Your posts seems to fall into that category. They just don't make sense.

No offense. Just my opinion. I really tried to understand you.

"Your identification of yourself as new age -- you wrote: (And I'm new age) -- makes a lot of sense to me given this conversation. The core of the new age stuff I have come across (which may not be all of it but is what I have seen) is that individuals should construct their own reality and that the individual is basically at the center of a self-referential universe devoted to her or his own individual growth."

That does not describe my beliefs whatsoever but speaks more to your continued double speak over whether or not I have a right to my opinion.

Hi, I am a 40 year old white Irish Catholic woman.
I support Barack Obama. I gave birth to a still born baby at 16 years of age that was conceived by rape. I believe in pro-choice. I have also been discriminated against in jobs due to my sex. I work in a male dominated field in the south. I work with racial bigots that are otherwise good men. I support Obama, I am glad NARAL does too, and for the life of me, I do not see the problem. He is Americas answer. He will support us. Shall we impose sexism against him, when we still fight for our rights. Racism is racism, black, white, brown or blue or green or pink. Sexism is sexism, whether male or female or shemale or hermaphrodite or transexual.
Obama is ours, and I, for one am elated. Thank You NARAL.

Elizabeth wrote:
"Obama is ours, and I, for one am elated."

Sounding very cultist. I think some of you may be getting Obama mixed up with Jesus Christ. For many of you, it really is about "faith" and "hope", isn't it?

@alm, I think that HOB does in fact accept that there are divergent opinions -- but the trick is, she denies that they could possibly be valid perspectives on reality. For her there is only one perspective that is truly valid -- her way -- and if we perceive and experience things outside of her way (which she ses that we do), then we just "don't see" what is really happening.

So i think that HOB will acknowledge that we have different experiences and perspectives from her. But to her that divergence shows that we just haven't seen the light like she has. This stance removes the need for a dialogue among equals. It pre-defines us as seeing less clearly than she does because we disagree with her. It's circular, a sort of feedback loop that keeps out threatening complexities.

Actually, Michelle, you are the one who refuses to acknowledge the different perspectives from your own. You refuse to consider that sexism might be so endemic to our society that it could blind a woman from seeing the sexism around her.

You refuse to acknowledge any of the valid criticisms against Obama, you refuse to acknowledge any other opinion except your own and continue to try to discount mine through your intellectualized rationalizations.

How about getting back to Obama: Have you, or have you not done any research on his ties with Rezko? Are you 100% sure he's a man of integrity and worthy of this endorsement?

And finally, can you consider the validity of a feminist viewpoint that says that we need to use affirmative action and support the qualified female candidate over the man when there is one...even if you disagree, can you not see the validity in that ideology?

HOB,

Nope, they aren't going to talk about that. They'll gladly attack Senator Clinton instead, or they'll call you a racist or maybe even a b*tch. A few months ago the gender specific obscenities they used regularly were much much much worse. But, I think the Obama campaign must have put out a memo about that. Don't believe me? Go look at comments on any Hillary youtube.com video. It's depressing how much disrespect the youth have for women.

Anyway, don't waste your time on them. Something is very very wrong when we see NARAL needlessly disrespect Senator Clinton at this time. The timing is just so very wrong.

I appreciate your posts here, HOB.

@HOB: That does not describe my beliefs whatsoever -- I just want to acknowledge that I hear you on this point. You know what describes your beliefs and what doesn't, and you haven't said anything one way or another that says what you mean by new age. You say that what I have come across doesn't fit your beliefs -- so absent any other information, I was incorrect to describe it that way. Clearly I was wrong to make that connection.

@Bess on May 16, 2008 6:24 PM, I hear you that you don't understand my writing and my logics. Thanks for trying, anyway! I think there is a real chasm of -- I don't know what exactly, paradigm? values? priorities? -- between the really die-hard Clinton supporters and those of us who see/experience her very differently than those supporters do. I mean, yes it is possible that some of the "Hillary or ELSE" stuff could just be political operatives trying to cause trouble -- but certainly not all or even possibly most of it. I think some of it is very very real, and reflects real approaches and perspectives and experiences of the people who are coming from this stance. I think that this should not be dismissed out of hand as if it is unreasonable and will just dissipate.

That's why I actually disagree with some of the non-Clinton-supporting people who say that the hard-core Clinton supporters should just somehow magically "get over" how you feel and see things in the name of party unity.

I think that the "get over it already" "time for party unity" approach doesn't adequately take into account a very real chasm of assumption, perception, and priority, and that this chasm needs to be explored openly rather than hidden.

Though back to Bess not getting what I wrote: I should also mention that there are things I have said to various Obama supporters that they have been really confused by, and they would get frustrated like you have been, Bess -- so I don't think it is necessarily all about me supporting Obama or (more to the point) not supporting Senator Clinton. I think that part of it is that I'm kind of a freak in how I perceive the world. Seriously. So that also may be why you can't follow my logics.

Women (and men) have rallied to Hillary because of her position on issues that matter to all of us, including reproductive rights. She is the most inspirational woman of our time. Every time I hear/see her speak, I am just blown away by her superb fluidity on these issues, her brilliance, her incredible toughness & grit, and her radiance. She is exactly the sort of person I want working for me and ALL Americans in the White House.

Over the past few months, I have learned more about Obama that is deeply troubling on so many levels. (See: www.obamaunveiled.com and http://www.commonvoice.com/article.asp?colid=8310) There are so many, many questionable associations, etc. in his background that the MSM completely ignores. Then there are the mean-spirited anti-American rants of Michelle Obama. The more I know, the more I realize that I can never, ever use my precious vote to support such a candidate.

And, that's not even counting his campaign's strategy of labeling everyone racist every time someone says something negative about him. He's set race-relations back light years! My God, if he becomes POTUS, we will spend every waking minute debating whether this thing or that thing that this or that person said is racist-- instead of solving our country's very grave problems. Think about it!!!

Then there's the blatant sexism on the part of his campaign directed at Hillary. This is an insult to all women everywhere. Same with the MSM, who long ago lost their objectivity. This type of attitude increases violence towards women, including rape. This is why I am absolutely flabbergasted that NARAL would endorse Obama. That they would do so in such a manner that it becomes a slap in the face to Hillary is beyond disgraceful.

The DNC has created a monster with their half-baked rules, and now they are trying to cram Obama down our throats before anything else comes out about him. That's why they want Hillary to drop out. And, that's why she shouldn't quit before the convention.

The GOP is well aware of all of the questionable stuff in Obama's background. If he is the nominee, they will release it, and he will lose.

So, Obama supporters, you must realize that Hillary supporters are in a real quandry. It's not about being "sore losers." It's about standing up for what we believe in. We believe that she is the better candidate, and that we truly can win in Nov. if she is the nominee.

It it takes a show of strength by all Hillary supporters who feel as I do, to reject Obama in November, that's what we'll do. We will either write-in Hillary Clinton, vote for McCain, leave the space for President unchecked, or stay home. But, we will NOT vote for Obama!

Thanks, Bess, I appreciate your comments too. I just hope that it's not too late and Democrats can finally come to their senses and nominate the best candidate for president with the best chances of winning: Hillary Clinton. It's just such a shame that NARAL had to kick her when she had just made such a strong showing in WVA.

"Over the past few months, I have learned more about Obama that is deeply troubling on so many levels. (See: www.obamaunveiled.com and http://www.commonvoice.com/article.asp?colid=8310) There are so many, many questionable associations, etc. in his background that the MSM completely ignores. Then there are the mean-spirited anti-American rants of Michelle Obama. The more I know, the more I realize that I can never, ever use my precious vote to support such a candidate."

Same here. I can't possibly vote for him knowing that he built his fame and fortune on the back of a slumlord, and now pretends that he cares about the poor.

"It it takes a show of strength by all Hillary supporters who feel as I do, to reject Obama in November, that's what we'll do. We will either write-in Hillary Clinton, vote for McCain, leave the space for President unchecked, or stay home. But, we will NOT vote for Obama!"

Yes, and I'll put up with four more years of Republicans if that's what it takes for the Democrats to listen to the MAJORITY of women voters who voted for Clinton in the primaries.

@HOB re: Senator Obama -- I'm not going to argue or try to persuade you about Senator Obama. And I'm not going to defend my support for him. That's not why I'm in this particular discussion.

In this discussion, I am coming more from a movement/feminist perspective rather than an electoral one. I am concerned with certain (not all) aspects of the pro-Clinton response to NARAL's decision. In particular, I am deeply distressed by an automatic equation of supporting Senator Clinton and supporting women or women's rights. This is because the dynamics of the "She's a Woman and not supporting her is Anti-Women" approach resonate for me with some other troubling (to me) patterns I have seen in the women's movement in the two decades since I first got involved in it.

I don't know if my focus is actually useful to this discussion. It really might not be. In a way I'm sort of coming out of left field or something with a focus very different from one that places the election at the absolute center. And I don't know how wide-ranging the discussions are inside of NARAL, how much the movement dynamics and history is part of what they want to be looking at right now related to the response to their endorsement. I really don't know. I care about this election, but I have always cared way more about non-electoral-movements than electoral politics.

I feel that there is a part of this discussion that is very much about the movement itself. It isn't all of the discussion, but it is the part I myself am interested in here on this NARAL blog. I feel we are partly seeing a clash of different lived feminisms or something along those lines. I feel that this clash goes way beyond this specific election and has roots in the larger movement for women's rights spanning over a century. For example, one pattern in the larger movement has been the persistent unwillingness of some white feminists to understand that white women can act as oppressors as well as be oppressed -- that oppression is complicated and that having "woman" as the primary category of analysis erases some fo what actually happens.

I wonder if anyone remembers the Democracy Now interview with Gloria Steinem and Melissa Harris-Lacewell after Ms. Steinem had that editorial in the New York Times in January. I find it very interesting. Here's the link for anyone who is interested:

Race and Gender in Presidential Politics: A Debate Between Gloria Steinem and Melissa Harris-Lacewell

"In particular, I am deeply distressed by an automatic equation of supporting Senator Clinton and supporting women or women's rights. This is because the dynamics of the "She's a Woman and not supporting her is Anti-Women" approach resonate for me with some other troubling (to me) patterns I have seen in the women's movement in the two decades since I first got involved in it."

Honestly, if you do not support political affirmative action for women or the concept of EMILY's List (which is to support women candidates) then you should get out of the women's movement.

Because I'm not sure what movement you think you are a part of, but it's not the women's movement. It's perhaps the "I want my rights to an abortion but don't otherwise care about breaking glass ceiling" movement. But saying you are part of the women's movement, when you can't acknowledge the importance of endorsing a Democratic female candidate for president, the first one with a real chance in the history of the country? Please.

I read the chat with Nancy and Elizabeth Shipp and I found it really disingenuous that NARAL decided to endorse Obama at this particular time because "McCain was getting a free ride". What does that mean??? That is not a substantive explanation. NARAL could have gone after McCain and held off on the endorsement just as easily.

Clearly, NARAL had pressure from someone or somewhere to slap down Hillary Clinton. If the PAC board was evenly divided (NARAL says this in the chat) how did it go from evenly divided to unanimous after one conference call. What in the world did Obama or the Democratic party promise? If NARAL thinks the situation is "heartbreaking" to some of the voters and they'll get over it, I think NARAL is totally naive. There will be enough backlash to make a difference. Hillary should stay in the race!!

I am not really surprised at the outrage over the Obama endorsement, but I am disappointed in the angry women who have written to condemn NARAL, nevertheless. I am a 55- year old woman who has been a pro-choice advocate all my life. I am a community organizer by trade and was once (long ago) a Hillary supporter myself. I am profoundly disappointed in her strident,pwer hungry, racist, and sometimes dishonest behavior in this election. Further, I have studied Obama's record at length and believe him to be the true Feminist candidate. No matter how disappointed you feel at Hillary's obvious failure to win the nomination, please don't jeopardize the potential that Obama has to win and to heal not only the Democratic party but this nation. Thank you NARAL for your courage. Stand firm and push us to unity, our only hope against McCain, who is women's worst potential enemy at this juncture.

LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING POST and tell me if I am seeing things - but, it seems like to me that if I have read one I have read one-hundred of these formatted or scripted postings from older women that have always been for choice and used to be for Hillary but for whatever reason - now supporting Obama. I smell a skunk. Does anyone agree with me.

I know that all the people that are writing from their heart and for Hillary - don't have to say they are female and how old they are and the same thing over and over again.

Give me your thoughts after you read the following and then just read through a few postings and see if there is a pattern from these Obama people.

Also, I just got a personal email telling me & giving me a link about Obama paying off associations and the Democratic Party. Anyone else know anything about this?

I like the ideas on here about women galvanizing and not working with either Party. And, I like the idea of Hillary running as an Independent. And, I finally . . . I liked the idea of picketing the NARAL headquarters until they admit their mistake and withdraw their endorsement. Although, I would rather we galvanize and then kick off with a HUGE presense in DC to kick off Hillary's Independent run! Let's show our power in numbers!!

Anyway - here is what I am talking about - below;

Another Obama suppoter (so they say)
"I am not really surprised at the outrage over the Obama endorsement, but I am disappointed in the angry women who have written to condemn NARAL, nevertheless. I am a 55- year old woman who has been a pro-choice advocate all my life.

I am a community organizer by trade and was once (long ago) a Hillary supporter myself. I am profoundly disappointed in her strident,pwer hungry, racist, and sometimes dishonest behavior in this election. Further, I have studied Obama's record at length and believe him to be the true Feminist candidate. No matter how disappointed you feel at Hillary's obvious failure to win the nomination, please don't jeopardize the potential that Obama has to win and to heal not only the Democratic party but this nation. Thank you NARAL for your courage. Stand firm and push us to unity, our only hope against McCain, who is women's worst potential enemy at this juncture."

can anybody not see how this man has split this party? I mean hello. It's funny how she is blamed for all of the splitting, but i've been reading and commenting on blogs since Jan. and the obama people have dominated the blogs just like He has dominated the media and all the washington politics that support him. Hillary supporters are just getting fed up and finally speaking out. I think people forget the power of money.
Before anybody comments and calls another HRC supporter a liar I would urge them to at least check the website below. I mean we are all thinking human beings and information is important and facts are important so just check the site out. It shows all of the special interest contributions that Obama "doesn't" take:

http://opensecrets.org/pres08/indus.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638

another thing to think about:
When He didn't make the senate in 2000 (you know those years when the vote to go to war was made and he wasn't even on the seen) He lacked funds and a man by the name of Robert Blackwell Jr. offered him a hefty sum each month to run in 2004 but only if Obama would pass a bill that would benefit Blackwell's bussiness.
Result:
With support from Obama, other state officials and an Obama aide who went to work part time for Blackwell's firms, the company eventually obtained $320,000 in state grants between 2002 and 2004 to subsidize its table tennis tournaments.
The day after Obama wrote his letter urging awarding of the state funds, Obama's U.S. Senate campaign received a extra $1,000 donation from Blackwell.

In Obama's camp statements for April (evidence below in website) He is seen paying a local dem's office what!!!!!????

http://query.nictusa.com/pres/2008/M4/C00431445/B_PAYEE_C00431445.html

Different type of politics??? How can anybody believe this change crap with FACTS and EVIDENCE. What keeps people from making a smart decision that will benefit them and their family. Is it pride?
This is the same politics of washington, the same politics that he claims not to be but buys their support. These people that support obama are not new. So if we establish that this is the same politics except the difference between the two are: Hillary over exagerated about sniper fire and Obama takes money to help get elected and repays the special interest back with tax payers money. I'd rather pick Hillary besides her Health plan is better.

HOB, I appreciate you being so unfront about where you stand. It is important IMO to have underlying assumptions stated as clearly as possible, which you have done in various ways in this discussion, but particularly clearly in this recent statement (Hillary or Bust on May 16, 2008 7:53 PM):

Honestly, if you do not support political affirmative action for women or the concept of EMILY's List (which is to support women candidates) then you should get out of the women's movement. Because I'm not sure what movement you think you are a part of, but it's not the women's movement. It's perhaps the "I want my rights to an abortion but don't otherwise care about breaking glass ceiling" movement. But saying you are part of the women's movement, when you can't acknowledge the importance of endorsing a Democratic female candidate for president, the first one with a real chance in the history of the country? Please.

I would ask NARAL staff and board to please consider whether the above stance and type of statement is consistent with your understanding of what the "women's movement" is and should be. I don't know what your answer(s) to that question will be, but I feel it might be good for you to get that into open amongst yourselves if you haven't already done so. I also understand that this may be beyond the scope of your discussions and reflections. But then again, maybe it will turn out to be relevant.

Again, HOB, I really appreciate having the assumptions laid out so clearly as you have done here -- in this comment particularly but overall in our discussion s well.

Get over yourself Nancy. You didn't respect the majority of NARAL supporters with your decision to endorse someone who has not proven their commitment to choice. Now that so many long time supporters have vowed to fund other pro-choice organizations you know you made a mistake and just like Obama can't take responsibility for your own actions.

You and NARAL are just vile Obamabots.

I have watched and listened while the Obama supporters and the media have bashed Hillary about as much as i can stand it too. I feel the same way about Obama as I did about Bush the first time he opened his mouth- OMG NO! If Hillary doesn't win the nomination then I really don't give a damn which one wins. Hillary won WV and 83 out of 92 counties in Indiana and I still believe Lake County (Chicago-same thing) did some rigging. And I'm sick of hearing how we are all poor and uneducated because we believe Hillary Clinton should be our next president. She will not back down and neither will I. To hell with NARAL.

Y'know, I'm very disappointed in NARAL's endorsement of Obama. And some of your reasoning provided to the media added insult to injury, as part of the message NARAL officials relayed to the media was that they wanted to "heal the divide between white female activists and African Americans".

First, in case you did NOT know, black people are not monolithic, I know several proud pro-choice black men and women who are supporting Clinton. And to make a grand sweeping ignorant statements like that illustrates why pro-choice organizations like yours remain glaringly not diverse. Second it's not your job, to heal divides, it's your job to support and endorse the most qualified candidate for the job. Clinton has spent her career fighting ardently for women's rights as it pertains to choice, like holding up the appointment of an FDA commissioner in order to force approval of Plan B, speaking at the March for Women's Lives in 2004, and speaking to the importance of Roe V. Wade when we went through the Supreme Court nominations (and these are just but a small few of her accompishments).

You should have endorsed her not because she was a woman, but because she was the strongest of the two for the job. As Nancy and Elizabeth claim in their chat, they work in politics,so do I. I know many organizations may endorse in the primary one candidate because they are better on the organization's issues and then whoever ends up being the presumptive nominee still receives the organization's full support. You couldn't even have done that?

And seriously we're going to use the argument of McCain getting a free ride? You couldn't have waited 3 more weeks until the end of the primary, especially since you waited ALL this time already?
Guess not. Very disappointing.

Well, NARAL, you sold women out for a man. What else is new under patriarchy?

I could see NARAL endorsing Obama if there was no respectable, viable, pro-choice, female candidate. But in this case, you chose this man over a much more qualified, much more experienced, pro-choice woman, who is a proven feminist? A man that is a downright sexist pig? Who calls respectable female reporters "sweetie" and dismisses them? A man who stays ominously silent while vile sexist slurs and comments get hurled at a member of his own party, which is aimed not only at HRC, but at all women across this land? A man who has not proven to be committed to choice and whose idea of female autonomy is for women to discuss their bodies and choices with family (read: men) and their clergy. Excuse me? The clergy?! Gee, would you like to discuss your body and choices with Rev. Jeremiah Wright? This is the candidate you're endorsing?

What is the purpose of NARAL again? Apparently NARAL has forgotten. Here, let me remind you what your initials stand for: National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League. And you thought what? A sexist man would be more experienced and more of an authority on that than a feminist woman and mother? Yeah, ok. Sure. Whatever. All I can say is that NARAL has its priorities seriously mixed up.

In short, NARAL, you sold women out. Stop pretending you represent women. You do nothing of the kind. You just rip off women and give their money to misogynist men. Just business as usual under the patriarchy.

I will be withdrawing my support of NARAL. Not another dime. Not another NARAL sign will be held in my hand at marches. You've made your choice. Now I'll make mine.

You are a disgrace. You have made it even more
impossible for Hillary to "heal" the stupid mistakes the democrats have made by letting Barry O. put on his show. IF McCain gets elected, it will be your fault. I'm glad my friends that sent you money in the past are quick to turn away from your bad judgement in endorsing Barry O. You might have had the common decency to tip off your "sisters" in CA before making such a destructive slap in the face to Hillary.She does not deserve this kind of disrespect. Who are you to talk of respect?
As Ms. Allbright said, "there's a special place in hell for women who will not help other women.
I've never been do ashamed of the Democratic
Party in my life. For the first time in my life,
I may not cast a vote for president. And don't even think about money for any of your candidates. I think I'll go out and buy some more books that will make Hillary money instead. Karen

I just had to comment one more time on the insulting statement by the NARAL "leadership" that we women would get over our "broken hearts." That is almost as demeaning as Obama's calling a television reporter "sweetie." Have we really fought for equality for these many years to have to endure not just the misogynistic media and the ignorance of this unqualified candidate Obama, but the stupidity of women who unfortunately are running the NARAL political operation? What the hell is wrong with you women that you could possibly think the anger reflected in the thousands of comments posted here in the past 2 days are the result of a broken heart? Our hearts are not broken. Our dignity is insulted. Our loyalty has been betrayed. Our sense of morality has been affronted by your stupidity. Maybe you were afraid that your heart would be broken if you did not swoon at the feet of this inexperienced joke of a candidate. Is that why you did something this stupid? Is that why you stabbed Hillary in the back? Is that why you have lost the support of 90% of your base? Well, maybe you should call up your "sweetie" and see if he has a job for you in his campaign because you are not fit to be in the leadership of NARAL. Broken hearts indeed! As so many others have said, SHAME ON YOU!

I entered my comment yesterday afternoon in which I expressed my strong desagreement with NARAL endorsement to Barack Hussein Obama. I addressed it mainly to Nancy Keenan.
I check today to see the comments of the day and I found out that my posting is not there. Are some posting being deleted?

I am afraid this endorsement is a big mistake. The abortion issue is not enough to discourage women from voting for John McCain. Young women are use to the freedom of health care available and do not understand how easily it can be taken away. They simply do not understand that the Supreme Court can reverse its decision. American voters have too many other issues on their minds that is influencing their vote, and right now it is now abortion. Obama will not win in November. He gained his delegate votes by stratigically winning Caucus and small states that will be red in November anyway. Caucus states give a higher percentage of delegates than primary states. For instance, Obama won by 13,000 votes in Idaho and got 13 delegates. Clinton won by 200,000 votes in PA and got 10 delegates. Obama knows he cannot win the big primary states. His supporters were trained on how to influence the caucuses in Iowa, Idaho, Nevada, Texas (which had a primary AND a caucus!)Those of you who have not voted yet please be careful. Obama cannot beat McCain. Obama cannot win the west except for the west coast. Obama cannot win the south. He will not win PA, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Missouri. He will win New England. The Republicans have not gone after Obama yet. They are waiting. They want him to be the nominee. That is why the corporate owned media support him and the Republican pundits who seem so sincere on the corporate media talk shows in talking Obama up and denigrating Clinton. Clinton has the popular vote. The democrats are repeating the 2000 general election fiasco. And, it is all coming from the Karl Rove school of winning elections

"By alm on May 16, 2008 10:25 AM
If it had been so abundantly clear that Obama was going to lose and his opponent was just as strong on black rights as he was, I would of course be upset, but I would also understand."

What is so funny about that is that Obama hasn't even addressed black rights throughout his whole campaign, you, as a black person have no idea what his plans are for you.

Keenan said her endorsement was based on her wanting to "get into the fray," in other words she wanted to be part of the FAD, that is not the way to make a decision on an endorsement. Sure Obama has some pro-choice women supporting him, but the majority of his supporters are Afirican-Americans or the youth (Girls Gone Wild Crowd) who take rights for granted. Do you really believe they will be the ones to contribute and support this organization in the future, I doubt it.

I add my name to the list of women who will not support you or your stance. I will not vote for Obama and offer this site for those of you who feel as disenfranchised as myself. There will definitely be a change in American politics but I am certain it is not the change that Obama is going to like.
http://clintondems.com/wp-login.php?action=register

If we don't see letters of resignation from everyone involved in this perfidious action by Monday, it's time to take action. Does anyone have a list of the members of the Board of Directors? If these traitors to the women's movement are aided and abetted we need to go after every single person sheltering them. I don't think this was just a rogue action, but part of an orchestrated plan by the extremist left. We need to know what roots these individuals may have taken in other women's organizations before it's too late to save them.

I have been deeply moved by the powerful, articulate and eloquent postings that I have been reading on this blog in the last few days. A new, revitalized women's movement is erupting out of the ashes of our fragmented and now extremist democratic party. Our party has become divided by elitism and identity politics and it is time for women to stand together as a unified force. Our power cannot be taken away from us without our compliance and submission. We have watched, Senator Hillary Clinton, who represents all women, be subjected to months of sexist, demeaning treatment by our party and the media. I agree with women suggesting that we move away from the Democratic party as a voting bloc. We need to stop empowering these sadistic, misogynistic men and the women they use. We also need to discontinue our financial support to organizations such as NARAL that betray us.

I am incredibly disappointed with NARAL's endorsement of Barack Obama! Hillary Clinton has long been an ally of women's rights. Barack has voted present on at least 7 women's issues under vote. This is an absolute disgrace! You have successfully stabbed a strong ally and her supporters in the back by jumping on the Obama bandwagon. I will no longer be supportive of this organization in any fashion until this situation has been rectified and there has been an explanation of why NARAL would abandon Mrs. Clinton at this time in the campaign. I will also take it upon myself to detail this betrayal to as many people as I can.

I'm very disappointed to hear that NARAL has cut off one of it's arms. ignoring Clinton the candidate.......Why didn't you wait till the primaries were over and wait till the Democratic Convention.....you never know what the outcome will be as the popular vote is so close!

Thank you Lynn Burns, for your eloquent post. Women do need to band together to "send a message" in this election: to the Dem party, to NARAL, and to all who feel betrayed by the rampant sexist treatment of Sen. Clinton.

We must not support Obama in Nov. He does not deserve the nomination, as "Former NARAL Member on May 17, 2008 10:43 AM" explains above, and he sure as hell would be a sorry president.

One thing we can do is sign petitions to that effect:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pledge-to-vote-against-obama-in-the-general-election

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/148/petition-to-urge-hillary-clinton-to-run-as-an-independate

I think the Dems are making a HUGE mistake by swinging toward Obama. We just must make them understand how we feel!!!

Not only am I thoroughly disgusted by the lack of foresight into NARAL's endorsement of a clearly demeaning man but I am confounded that this organization would jump on the band wagon of Obama hysteria to catch a cheap shot at press and controversy. Are you that desperate?

Have you not done your HOMEWORK to see what Obama's political posturing is about? Do you know that top GOP strategists (including Karl Rove) have already labeled Obama "fatally flawed"?

SEE: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9964.html

You have done nothing for the good of American women with your endorsement and once Obama's ego driven appetite for power is thwarted, NARAL will not only have lost the major donor base but their reputation and respect.

NARAL is an affront to American women of all ages.

It's call synchrodestiny by Deepak Chopra.

If I were in a leadership role at NARAL, I would rescind the endorsement immediately and make an apology to American women and girls because clearly you believe in the male agenda which is...women can't be ANYTHING they want.

I just read NARAL's comment that Hillary supporters will "get over their broken hearts." As if the Obama endorsement wasn't horrific and transparently opportunistic enough, you feel the need to insult your base with such condescension?

One thing we WON'T get over is cutting off NARAL permanently. Not a penny, not an inch of support -- and I"ve supported NARAL for DECADES.

As far as I'm concerned, this organization can either fire the current leadership immediately or cease to exist. The prochoice movement needs leadership with commitment and honesty, not crass opportunism.

I must respond to the staggeringly insensitive comment made by your Naral representative that those of us who support Hillary Clinton "will get over their broken hearts." !!

Please...this is childishly patronizing. My Clinton support is based on the knowledge that she is the better candidate...the one who has worked hard over the years for the issues I believe in. Long and short, I believe in her.

My heart will not be broken (what kind of person thinks political choices are about love?), but my loyalty and respect for Hillary is solid. I will not be an Obama supporter and your endorsement makes no difference at all to me. Your handling of it, however, does. I will never donate any money to Naral again.

Perhaps to sooth my "broken heart" I can send those dollars to Hillary.

I am HORRIFIED at the decision the NARAL leadership made to endorse either of the democratic candidates at this time! I no longer feel that you represent me or so many of your other members of the NARAL organization - so although you can always count on my support for the pro-choice issue, you can no longer count on any FINANCIAL support from me!!!

I also am disappointed with the decision of the NARAL Leadership and find it really shameful.

Please note that the NARAL announcement is not listed on Obama's web site, not to mention where does the leadership of NARAL find choice listed on Sen. Obama's web site issues?

I can find the issue loud and clear for Sen. Clinton.

I agree with the majority who responded to this major blunder! What a message we are sending to the young woman of this Country - Never trust your fellow woman even when they are in an organization designated to woman. SO WHAT WAS THE PAY OFF FOR THIS ENDORSEMENT? WHATEVER IT WAS I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO FIND YOU LOST MORE THAN YOU GAINED.

May all woman pull together and put Hillary Clinton on the Ballot any way we can. I am sure we will find a way.

UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL!!

February 08. "Obama has real gravitas, not poll-tested gravitas, he doesn't have crying fits..." - Obama campaign co-chair

February '08: "You challenge the status quo, and suddenly the claws come out" -Barack Obama to a crowd at Tulane University.

February '08: "Periodically when Sen. Clinton is feeling down she launches attacks" - Barack "Sweetie" Obama.

November '07: "I make a decision to support the choice position because I trust women to make a prayerful decision about this issue."

Naral, you sold out. Pathetic and obvious pandering. Your reputation worsens every day that Kaneen is president.

"I must respond to the staggeringly insensitive comment made by your Naral representative that those of us who support Hillary Clinton "will get over their broken hearts." !!

Please...this is childishly patronizing. My Clinton support is based on the knowledge that she is the better candidate..."

Sorry, but the only really childish thing I hear here is how grown pro-choice sisters are willing to throw away the presidency, supreme court and Pro-choice movement for their blind support of Hillary. This is justified by the the "huge mountain of evidence that Senator Obama is a sexist from a few quotes given above?!? Has everyone lost their mind? Sure, I admit I've supported Senator Obama, but since the records of both candidates are virtually identical on most every issue. He hasn't pandered the masses with the gas tax, 3 am phone calls, and a life time of "win-at-all-costs" campagining with Bill. I don't understand the utter hartred directed toward Obama and NARAL.

I guess identiy politics can be very ugly and we're seeing it right now. I'm all for electing the first women president - just after the race she ran - not Hillary (but I'd vote and work for her if somehow she becomes the nominee so as to end this Bush/McCain Reublican nightmare).

I posted the wrong email address.

HERE IT IS:
hrcrunind@yahoo.com

From an above post:
"Don't let them steal the White House from us."

This is sad. As a woman who is pro-choice all the way, a feminist and a true believer in our world and our country experiencing hope and unity and real change, it saddens me that there are so many of us (women) who feel so offended and hateful towards women who are choosing to support Barack Obama...as if NOT voting for a woman is the ultimate diss to women.

There is such a major difference between the 2 candidates and I find Obama so refreshing and genuine. Clinton, though she has done a lot of good, to me seems like more of the same in a woman's body. I look at the vast array of races and ages and socio-economic backgrounds, etc., etc. that are inspired by and a part of this movement and it is mind-blowing...gives me hope.

I hope that the women who feel so dissed by NARAL and those who are choosing to vote for Obama can overcome their anger and frustration and realize that Obama will be an AMAZING change for the better and that is a good thing. Period.

Your credibility has gone!

Donna Brazille (on ABC Stephanopolus program Sunday a.m.) was STILL touting the NARAL endorsement for Obama, when it was NOT a NARAL endorsement at all. You have fabricated and misrepresented Affiliate members who have been taking the heat.

Brazille is part of the DNC rules comm....of course she does not want her "rules" to be challenged in favor of inclusion of FL and MI VOTERS...the rules are much more important!!! She has been, and continues to be an OBAMA front liner, who has immerded herself in CONFLICT OF INTEREST on CNN, NARAL, and any other door she can squeeze through!

YOU MUST PUT A DISCLAIMER ON YOUR WEB PAGE ON FALSE REPRESENTATION OF ALL OTHER AFFILIATES> A LIE is a LIE, is a LIE!

Sean McM: It's pretty clear in the web chat and an all the materials on NARAL Pro-Choice America's website that the endorsement was made by NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC and NARAL Pro-Choice America, not the affiliate state NARAL groups. Point to a place in NARAL Pro-Choice America's materials where they pretend that the affiliates made the endorsement. They're not trying to misrepresent the decision.

to danielle, who said:

By Danielle on May 17, 2008 11:41 AM
"By alm on May 16, 2008 10:25 AM
If it had been so abundantly clear that Obama was going to lose and his opponent was just as strong on black rights as he was, I would of course be upset, but I would also understand."

"What is so funny about that is that Obama hasn't even addressed black rights throughout his whole campaign, you, as a black person have no idea what his plans are for you."

i am tired of trying to reason with you people, but i do have to clarify your statement. i am neither black nor part of the "girls gone wild" set. believe it or not, not all of his supporters fall into one of these two groups just like every hrc supporter isn't a whiny child like some of the people who have been throwing their irrational vitrol out on this blog.

Just a note from a Barack fan - I just donated to NARAL for the first time BECAUSE they endorsed Barack Obama.

Whoo-hoo! Where were you for all the years before?

You heard that this blog discussion was going on and then you were paid or prompted to me a comment and this was the best you could come up with?

Hi All Hillary Supporters,

I have a suggestion! Either write in Hillary or vote for Cynthia McKinney who is a former congresswoman running in the Green Party for President. Or, vote for McCain and defeat Barry O.

I am furious that you endorsed Obama both in terms of the timing the substance. For the first time we have the chance for a pro-choice woman in the White House and before the process is complete and without consultation you betrayed the trust and insulted the intelligence of your supporters. Beyond the manner in which you acted, I am convinced that this is simply the wrong choice. I believe there is a very good chance that Obama will lose in the election if he ends up being the nominee. Hillary has won every single major state we must carry in the fall. His wins have been in caucus states or states Democrats are not likely to carry in any case. The only major blue state he has won has been Illinois, his home state. This was a bad decision on all counts. I predict NARAL is going to pay a very heavy political price for this action. You certainly have lost my confidence in your judgement and your style. Lewis Brownstein

Sisters!

Our comments are making an impact as we were on CNN today as far as this blog.

WE ARE MAKING our voices heard. We are strong, we are experienced, and we do this with love for our fellow human being and that is what makes this so important.

Hillary in the White House would spread help and love around the WORLD and give us a platform that we have never had before!

I personally want to thank everyone for all the work through the decades and standing up ONCE AGAIN - to go another round!

Today, Governor McCaskill of MO said on the piece on CNN about the comments from us on this blog "we would come around". SHE IS WRONG and her and KS Governor and others are going to regret abandoning a fellow sister for the highest office in the land! We will take care of Hillary now - as she has taken care of us and our causes for soooooo many years - and, then I suggest we turn our efforts toward defeating every woman that fought against Hillary (women) in this race.

Just another sister doing her part to keep this alive and show my mutual support!

Thank you NARAL for supporting Barack Obama in attempt to pull together support for Pro-Choice against John McCain.

I am a 40 year old woman. I consider myself human first, woman second. I want what is best for both my sons and daughters. I feel it is more important to vote according to ALL my core values, not just according to gender.

While I understand the disappointment, I still cannot understand the anger coming from Hillary supporters. She ran hard, but Obama is simply the definite front-runner according to the current rules of the democratic party. I don't see HRC's claim to having more popular vote...her math is pretty sketchy and that makes it a very weak argument. To give her Michigan votes while giving Obama nothing penalizes the person that played by the rules. That doesn't seem to be the values of the democratic party. To continue to drag this race out reduces the time we have to battle against McCain and his promise to install pro-life judges to the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.

We all need to remember that the important thing now is (regardless of the democratic nominee) that we all VOTE PRO-CHOICE and against McCain. VOTING FOR MCCAIN OR STAYING HOME ON ELECTION DAY IS A VOTE TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE!!!

We can no longer be held hostage with the issue of pro-choice. If all of these people for Obama or running NARAL or the Democratic Party REALLY cared about pro-choice and other women's issues - then they would have supported Hillary!

I for one - will not be lured by the rhetoric again! I have worked my entire life and done what I was supposed to do for NARAL, for candidates, for the Democratic Party. Now, I probably will never see a woman for President in my lifetime and I am very very sad.

NARAL How dare you endorse Obama?

I am outraged that you would use such a personal and dear womens issue that you know many of your contributors care deeply about and make it into a divisive issue for womens.

You have lost at least one supporter (and contributor) of your organization no matter how this plays out in the nomination and election.

As a 45 year old professional woman...I will NOT vote for Obama he should have waited 4 more years. Call me bitter, aggresive whatever you want. He is all illusion...SHE is the FIGHTER we need.

I came back to visit the blog where the new women's movement and backlash started. -To the place where the virtual line in the sand was drawn between the real Democratic Party and the neoFascist Left, and where a courageous woman presidential candidate was betrayed. Your act of treason has precipitated a shift in paradigm, and hundreds of thousands of women voters have realized how far wrong things have gone in this country, and are registering as unaffiliated voters. Should the impostor, Barack Obama be named as the Democratic Candidate we will vote for John McCain in the general election.

In the same breath that your organization is faltering, millions of American women are forming a coalition to stop your corrupt platform in its tracks. Sadly enough, there will be no cool, "latte aha" moment for you and the Obama team. Instead, the opportunity to put this country back on track will be lost. In order to defeat the Republican Party, we must first have a real, viable alternative. -The propaganda, the smoke screens, the lies will become more evident as time passes and you will come to see your foolishness. I suggest you read up on other Democratic Party fiascos to brace yourself. You are absolutely wrong that we will jackstep in cadence to the drums of mysogny, sexism, racisim and hatred. Everyone is reading this blog, and the reality that you were a precipitating factor in the exodus of women from the Democratic party will result in your being shunned. Sweetie, you will make a great and deserving scapegoat.

NARAL:

I am ashamed of you.

How could you put your fifteen seconds of shame ahead of the decades Senator Clinton and her supporters have devoted to women's rights? NARAL has been in existence for forty years and where is the largest affiliate? New York.

What is the average age of Obama supporters? How many were born after Roe v Wade? Blogger *Jessica* is 29 y/o and has a Masters in Women’s and Gender studies from Rutgers – a subject that only became possible because of pre-Title IX women. How many women were getting Masters degrees from Rutgers in 1973? And now?

How many Obama supporters (Elizabeth Shipp?) came to reproductive age after Roe v Wade? How many Obama supporters know the significance of Roe v Wade? And how many of them have actively fought for women's reproductive rights vs reaped the benefits of those who fought before them?

How many Obama supporters have known women who, because of a back alley abortions or crude personal attempts with, yes, a hanger, ended up with an infection that rendered them incapable of bearing children or resulted in a hysterectomy or even death?

I have taken care of these women. I have seen the desperation of their choicelessness. I have seen the anguish and guilt in their faces when they realize they will ever be able to give birth. Teenagers and women who did not even have the option of oral contraceptives. These women are real - their pain is real - and what you did to Senator Clinton opened those wounds.

How many Obama supporters have ever given this thought? And how many Clinton supporters got us to the point where Obama supporters take reproductive rights for granted?

President, Nancy Keegan, was once a Montana state legislator. She failed in her 2000 bid for U.S. House of Representative. It is not lost on me that the Montana primary has yet to take place and that Ms. Keegan’s choice to endorse Obama was purely a personal and professional political decision. Party on. I for one see it as nothing but betrayal.

You have every right to endorse whomever you choose – but you did it in a way to directly hurt Senator Clinton and the millions of women who have fought beside her.

What you did was so wrong on many levels and can never be undone. I hope you accomplished whatever it is you were after. You no longer have my support.

Annie Smithe, MD

Why did your thirst for publicity take precedence over your public dismissal of Senator Clinton and all she has stood for and meant to women's rights - reproductive and otherwise? Did it make you smile and giggle that your betrayal would make a splash in the MSM, when millions of Senator Clinton fought to give you that voice? You treated Senator Clinton no differently than the MSM and cheapened every one of our efforts to make reproductive rights available to every woman in America. It is a very sad day indeed when a powerful women's advocacy group spits in the face of the most powerful (female) politician in the United States - a woman who has fought tirelessly and unwaveringly on behalf of women.

ps. I am extremely offended by the *Angry Black Bitch* blog. Why is this word being promoted on your website? Any wonder the MSM feels comfortable using it? Have you no standards?

I support your endorsement. This organization has always been a strong advocate of women's rights and issues - and supporting Obama is consistent with those goals.

Hillary Clinton has also been an advocate of women's issues, but she should not be endorsed just because she is a women. That's as ridiculous as voting for a candidate because they have the same skin color as you.

Obama is clearly the stronger national candidate - the one who has the best chance at the nomination and the Presidency.

Hopefully we'll have another female Presidential candidate in the future - and if she is able to inspire bipartisan and youth support then maybe she will receive this organization's endorsement. But gender should not guarantee ANY organization's endorsement - and neither should race for that matter. I am frankly disgusted with anyone who suggests that women should rally behind Clinton just because she is a woman - that demeans not only the process, but demeans women in general.

I will continue to support this organization and I will continue to support Senator Obama in his run for the Presidency - the important thing is that we have a President who will fight to guarantee equal rights for all citizens, and that has nothing to do with the President's gender - or race.

Thank you for supporting Obama.

I CANNOT believe that you would support a candidate that the MAJORITY of us do not support!

How dare you take and support Obama over Hillary and all she's done for WOMEN everywhere! The fact that NARAL is supported by women, women that largely support Hillary... is endorsing Obama?! Sickening. I will think wisely about continuing to donate money to this organization.

Why should I continue or any of us for that matter, continue giving our hard earned dollars to a group that doesn't really listen nor respect us and our individual voices???

Ms Keegan - what you did was heartless and disrespectful. It is your right to choose - I am one who stood up and protested and raised money so this generation has the right to choose - but the way in which you did was for lack of a better word scummy.

How did it make you feel?

I would like to sit in a room with you and twenty other NARAL supporters who have been on the front lines for decades and look you in the eye. I would like you to honestly tell me why you endorsed Obama and list concrete facts without any reference to Senator Clinton. Your video portrays you to be just another giggling adolescent girl with a crush.

Exactly how many votes did Obama make? How many were "present" votes? What were the political ramifications of his votes? One vote = 100%.

What you did was politically motivated and I would like to know why. Is it because of the Montana primary? That your betrayal of a woman, who has fought since high school for human rights, could be used for your five seconds of fame in a primary that means nothing?

I am tired of these ignorant girls who continue to write that we are supporting Hillary Clinton because she is a woman and then go on to promote Obama with nebulous claims of CHANGE! and personal attacks on a woman they don't even know. It reflects well on your candidate. The more we hear this, the less likely we are to vote for Obama. What is it going to take for you to grasp this?

You had every right to choose.
Did you ask me, a long time supporter, my choice?
Did you personally call Senator Clinton prior to your endorsement?
Why the need to make an endorsement at all?
What did you get out of it?

All that is fine. I don't agree, but that's your right to choose. But coming out the day after her great victory in WV and taking away her press and positivity was inexcusable. Absolutely inexcusable. Choosing Obama over Senator Clinton is one thing. Being intentionally cruel and unkind for personal gain is another. It speaks to who you are as a person and the type of organization you run. I can no longer be part of it. I have spent decades supporting women's rights financially and in the flesh and you have undone all my work with one decision.

Did you honor my opinion or respect my feelings?

I hope NARAL continues to thrive with the support of the Obama voters here who have never heard of you but "look forward to working and donating to your organization to protect women's rights."

Mary Murphy
Chicago, IL

NARAL is a Pro-Choice PAC, and in that capacity the organization has performed and continues to perform quite well. It is not NARAL's purpose, and never was, to promote the broad agenda of misguided misandric feminists who have so blinded themselves to reality that they see virtually every issue as male vs. female. Kudos to NARAL for standing up to an extremist minority and voicing their support for Obama, and shame on anyone who refuses to vote for Obama because he is black or because he is male.

I hope that everybody keeps reproductive rights above the political fray and remembers that in November McCain must be defeated no matter what. We must all support the Democratic nominee regardless of who we put on our primary ballot.

Shame on you JM for lecturing women on who/what NARAL is. Thanks for dropping in to make your candidate look better by insulting his opponent's supporters. While you were lecturing people who have actually worked with NARAL, why didn't you say something about your own candidate and why we should vote for him? I personally don't care what color, gender, ethnicity, race or whatever else category you want to divvy Obama into. He is not Hillary Clinton. Period. Period. Period. Hillary is getting my vote as a write in. Thanks for sharing your uplifting thoughts.

I honestly don't understand why some people are so attached to Hillary Clinton. Is it solely because of her stance on women's rights? Because the rest of her voting record leaves something to be desired.

Vote for whomever you like best - that's the whole point. But it seems counterproductive to fight against another viable candidate who, in all probability, will win the nomination.

To learn more about all of the candidates stances on the issues, you can visit www.ontheissues.org

Oh - and there is something to be said for a message of change and hope. Some may call it naive - but there are a lot of young voters out there who are looking for someone to believe in - someone who inspires. And it's those voters who will decide this election. The young are ready for a change because business as usual just isn't cutting it anymore.

African Americans are standing 92% in support of Obama!Is that showing based on his policies,I think not.African Americans are supporting him because they are proud that a viable black man is running for president.Many bloggers and pundits are asking why 75% of women are voting for Hillary? Logic leads me to believe that we also are convinced of her viability as a female candidate. Hillary has been fighting for womens issues and basic human rights issues for 30 years. She is still in this race, it is not over,why an Obama endorsment? I support womens issues, so why should I not support the WOMAN who shares and understands those issues! I will be casting my ballot for Hillary in November even if I have to write it in, I urge all proud women to do the same.

What in the hell were you thinking? And to whose end did you make your decision? "Certainly we anticipated strong reactions when we announced this decision." It's clear you had no idea what chasm you disrespectfully and unnecessarily widened by inserting yourself into the equation. Your need to bask in the glow of your messiah and unbelievably insensitive (and planned) timing has irreparably damaged your credibility in the eyes of millions of women. Is that what you wanted? If so, congratulations.

Ms Keenan: I hope you got a lifetime supply of Grape Kool-Aid and a fat stack of cash to go with your public sellout. I can accept your love of the chosen one, but why the need to humiliate Senator Clinton the day after her 40 point win in WV? Did it bring you great pleasure, as it has the other Judases, who chose to betray Senator Clinton in the adoring lights of the MSM? Did I miss something? Has your chosen one done more than Senator Clinton to champion and safeguard women's reproductive rights? Has he had blood and entrails hurled at him by Evangelicals? Has he personally counseled women about their choices? Was there a time when Senator Clinton decided to play it safe and just vote *present*? I really and truly cannot believe you've done this. I hope you and your sisters at NARAL are prepared to campaign for your chosen one to make up for all the don't worry they'll see the light votes he lost because of your greedy need for publicity. How could you?

"I will be casting my ballot for Hillary in November even if I have to write it in, I urge all proud women to do the same."

To michelle and other like-minded voters: I understand your anger over this, but please don't throw your vote away. We need a president that will appoint a pro-choice judge to the Supreme Court, and that is most certainly not McCain. I respect the blood, sweat and tears that my feminist forebears have invested in my - OUR - right to choose. I only hope that you don't then sacrifice that right at the altar of indignation. There are other ways to voice our anger, but not supporting the Democratic nominee is the wrong way to do it.

Lisa writes:
"To michelle and other like-minded voters: I understand your anger over this, but please don't throw your vote away. We need a president that will appoint a pro-choice judge to the Supreme Court, and that is most certainly not McCain. I respect the blood, sweat and tears that my feminist forebears have invested in my - OUR - right to choose. I only hope that you don't then sacrifice that right at the altar of indignation. There are other ways to voice our anger, but not supporting the Democratic nominee is the wrong way to do it."

Lisa - it is EXACTLY the right way to do it. What women that claim to be feminist on this blog for Obama do NOT understand - politics is the ultimate power for getting anything done. And, what a woman could do for ALL of us being in the White House - especially one that has spent her entire life (Hillary Clinton) working on behalf of the American people and especially for women and children - then pro-choice issues are going to have to turn into an issue that takes a back seat to the bigger picture. The reason? Because we have just found out how decades of work on ONE issue - as important as it is - means nothing if it can be jeopardized and trounced on by an orgainzation such as this with one stupid and politically (maybe short-term financailly) motivated endorsement.

What did all of our years of loyalty and work with NARAL do for us or HILLARY CLINTON?

No, Lisa - we have to let you, the DNC, and all other Obama supporters know that the female vote can NEVER be taken for granted again.

And, for all of those saying we are just being bitter right now but, when it comes to November there is NO WAY we will NOT vote for Obama because of the choice issue - again . . . a one-issue vote is TAKING OUR POWER away from us.

Hard lesson that has been learned by all of us. For the young women that will especially need the work that we "old women" have done for them in the past that they are now going to have to work hard to save - and, for those of us that have been there from the beginning fighting for choice and all other rights for women to exercise our vote, spend our time and money, working to protect and promote the most powerful female political figure in recent history to where she belongs - in the White House. Our work has JUST BEGUN! We are NOT giving up, we are not going to sit down and shut up, we are not going to do our duty of just smiling and going along as we are told.

I for one am NOW happy that NARAL did this because they have - without intending to do so - energized and mobilized the women's movement to a new level. And, this time - we women know how much we are worth in time, money, and voting power!

It is NOT right to be racist and it is equally NOT right to be sexist and we have alot of work to do. But, we can do it!! And, YES, WE WILL!!

NARAL is absolute evidence that Obama supporters have lost their minds. Publicly endorsing Obama when Hillary Clinton is still actively running for president has to be the lowest blow of all. Richardson may have been Judas but NARAL is Brutus. In case you haven't noticed, only 450K more people out of 33 million voted for him. And what is the average age of female Clinton supporters? And how many of them actively fought to bring about Roe v Wade and have stood firm since? Take a random sampling of your fellow Obama supporters and see if they even know what Roe v Wade stands for. I did. In person. Out of 28 female Obama supporters not a single one knew what I was referring to. Not one. I asked them what pro-choice meant. Three directly mentioned the Bible, nine others said it had to do with religious preference, six said it had to do with the Democratic party. Only 10/28 could spell it out and not the one who had had an abortion. These were women aged 19-23. Then I asked them if they thought abortion could be outlawed. Every single one of them looked at me like I was crazy and said no way. The consensus? They totally cannot do that because it's like freedom of speech. So I asked who got the constitutional right to vote first: Black men or women? They laughed. Every one of them knew who MLK, Jr was and what he stood for but not a single one knew who Susan B Anthony was. Did they know Obama's relevant votes? Nope. The kicker? Not a single one of them knew what NARAL stood for or why they exist.

Change you can believe in?

Nancy Keenan please have the integrity and common decency to spell this out and respond.

2007: 100 percent
2006: 100 percent
2005: 100 percent

How many votes - total? What were the issues - specifically?

And what is most notable? THREE YEARS. You are backing a man with a three year voting history and spitting in the face of a woman with a thirty year track record. A woman who understands what it's like to be pregnant and to not have the choice. You are backing a man who has already missed 40% of the senate votes in his three years and voted *present* 129 times in IL instead of a mother who stood and actually fought for the right to choose.

And the infamous Obama I was just doing what NOW said to do? Read this (1-28-08)and decide for yourself and make sure to watch Lorna Brett's video in support of Obama.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taylor-marsh/obama-present-votes-on-_b_84312.html

MARSH:
The above video comes from Barack Obama's official presidential website. It's meant as proof that his "present" votes on choice were the right thing to do and supported by Illinois NOW. However, the truth is quite different from what Lorna Brett is saying in the video. How do I know? Just today I've been trading emails with Bonnie Grabenhofer, IL NOW State President. She's pushing back hard on the outright misinformation in Obama's YouTube video, because what Brett is saying in it is evidently pure fabrication.

Below is part of the email Grabenhofer has sent out, which I received via email from readers. I have confirmed with Bonnie that she sent it. She's also very adamant about getting the truth out about Obama's "present" votes, which don't pass the smell test any more than Lorna Brett's video that was made on Obama's behalf.

GRABENHOFER EMAIL:
I thought I'd take a moment to try to add some clarity to the anti-choice Present votes in IL.
Lorna Brett was president of CNOW from 1996-1998. She was not president at the time we were lobbying on these bills. Five of those votes occurred in the 92nd General Assembly session in 2001. NOW records indicate that she hasn't been a member since 1999. She was not there when we were lobbying against these bills. She is using her very old affiliation with NOW to try to validate her criticism of Hillary Clinton.

Voting Present on those bills was a strategy that Illinois NOW did not support. We made it clear at the time that we disagreed with the strategy. We wanted legislators to take a stand against the awful anti-choice bills being put forth. Voting Present doesn't provide a platform from which to show leadership and say with conviction that we support a woman's right to choose and these bills are unacceptable.

The Present strategy was devised to give political cover to legislators in conservative districts. Barack Obama did not represent a conservative district; he could have voted No with very little negative consequence in his district.

- Bonnie Grabenhofer
IL NOW State President

Here's NARAL defending Obama.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/06/naral-reaffirms-support-f_n_80107.html

Senator Clinton
"A woman's right to choose ... demands a leader who will stand up and protect it."

“I am disappointed because of the work that I've done for so many years,” she said. “I'm proud to have the support of, you know, many other groups that — share my — views and my commitment to issues. But we're going forward."

So, Ms Keenan, please have the common decency to defend your decision and tell me why I should vote for Obama with a clear and certain conscience. Your failure to do so will prove just how far you have abandoned the fundamental principles and purpose of NARAL. As it stands, Senator and lifelong champion of women's rights Hillary Clinton will get my vote as a write-in.

Thank you for listening. I'll check back for your response...

Doris Miller
Springfield, Illinois

Obama has started wearing a flagpin. Last month, he traipsed around Pennsylvania with anti-abortionist senator Bob Casey and he endorsed an anti-abortionist congressional candidate in Mississippi. He skipped out on the Iran vote and has a long history of ducking out on controversial issues. If that's not enough to make Nancy and my other fellow pro-choice activists reconsider their position on him, please read the article and links to sources I've compiled at thecityedition.com. (or click on my screen name).

This candidate has been a scam by the G.O.P. to deprive Clinton of the nomination since 2004, when they rigged his senate election in Illinois by running an unknown from Maryland against him. The fastest way to undo Roe v. Wade, in other words, is for NARAL to hop on "Change" bandwagon. McCain may not even be the G.O.P. candidate, since Karl Rove will probably try to disqualify him at their convention, which takes place AFTER the democrats. Again, this is all a set-up.

The fate of the pro-choice mesmerized cult followers rests now in the hands of NARAL. You took a stand and you will have to justify it when McCain takes office. You had a 100% sure bet with Senator Clinton: a woman, a mother, a human rights activist, a public servant with a track record lasting decades and presently the most powerful female politician in the US. And what did you do? You publicly humiliated her like the rest of the cult followers and chose to endorse a man who hates his mother's race and has a nebulous voting history. You have been so mesmerized by your cult leader that you have forever destroyed your relationship with a great deal of Clinton supporters who will never baaaaaa-down to him. I hope your fifteen minutes was worth it. My reproductive days are behind me, as is my support of NARAL. I wonder how your big money supporters feel. I am waiting for answers. Especially to Doris Miller's question. You want to play politics? Then stand up and take the heat like Senator Clinton has been for twenty years. You haven't said anything since 5-15. Stand up and take responsibility for your betrayal of a tried and true no doubt about it will fight to the end for women candidate and tell us why your cult leader deserves my vote.

If he is all you say he is, then shout it from the mountaintops, while he parts the sea and feeds the crowd with loaves and fishes and gospelates on the miracles of change!

I will never donate to this organization again. There is NO decent rationale for you supporting Obama over Clinton. No justification for it what so ever. Women have been their own worst enemy and NO we will not support this candidate who rode in on a wave of sexism the likes of which I have not seen in decades. Yet you go ahead and do this instead of supporting a more qualified woman? Well this "older" Obama's aged woman has had her marches, had her children and YOU NARAL can now fight your own battles. This organization is off my donations list for good.

Back stabbing women and from you of all people. There is just NO EXCUSE good enough for this. NONE! Thanks for nothing. And btw, the republicans are NOT going to get rid of Roe v. WADE it's a huge wedge issue for them. It's going nowhere!

To use this third grade reverse psychology to get us to vote Obama now after all that has happened in this campaign season to humiliate women is beyond comprehension.

The timing was perfect too. Could you demoralize us anymore???? Playing politics over and above the interests of women is nothing less than disgusting.

Betrayal will be rewarded with me turning my back on you forever more. I will not forgive or forget this. Ever.

A few responses to the poster that responded to me:

What did all of our years of loyalty and work with NARAL do for us or HILLARY CLINTON?

Kept Roe v. Wade alive. And a vote for McCain or written in for Hillary will undo all of that. By our own hand!

No, Lisa - we have to let you, the DNC, and all other Obama supporters know that the female vote can NEVER be taken for granted again.

I am the female vote, too. And I will always vote to protect a woman's right to choose, because I know the alternative is unacceptable.

What possessed you to do such a thing? This election has been a sham since day one. The MSM and DNC have been in the tank for Obama (even Olberman admitted it on camera) and unrelentlessly venomous toward Senator Clinton. Day after day she gets hammered and where was NARAL then? Where did you defend Senator Clinton when she was being attacked from every angle? A woman who has stood firm and taken hit after hit to safeguard a woman's right to choose. But Obama gets challenged, rightfully, about his Present votes and you're right there at his side. That was January 6th. Senator Clinton supporters are anything but morons. We knew your choice was pro- Obama back then. So why the need to go public? And why in the most reprehensible way possible? I never thought I'd live to see this day. Not with a group like NARAL. The Kennedys, McGovern, Richardson and the previous Klansman are crel enough but NARAL? I can't understand how this could even reach your consciousness. What have you turned your organization into, Ms Keenan? How much money was your sell out worth? I can only hope that it was a "boneheaded mistake" brought on by obamamania instead of a purposeful surgical strike on Senator Clinton. What kind of human being are you?

Dear Ms. Keenan & NARAL,

There are a lot of angry people here. I am here on behalf a group of mature women who can't use a computer. It's unfathomable to us how an organization based on a woman's right to choose could deal such a selfish blow to a woman who has spent her entire life standing up for women.

We cannot understand this - nor will we ever.

I was going to go into detail and lay out our arguments, but it's perfectly clear that your decision was made unilaterally and no defense of it will be forthcoming.

What defense is there?

We find your silence indicative of someone who knows they did the wrong thing and chose to put personal notoriety ahead of the greater good -- someone who doesn't have the moral fiber to stand up and admit to it. What one doesn't say is more telling than what one does.

In the end it is always a woman who has to take down a woman. Men can't do it alone. Senator Clinton has been impervious to men's childish envy and discontent. You haven't destroyed Senator Clinton, externally, but on the inside this has to have hurt her in ways we cannot articulate. Twenty years of the media tormenting her and you did more than any misogynist could do: You her hurt her feminine soul. We cry over this every meeting. We sit and cry and wonder what our struggles were for and for whom.

Our group is fifty-five women strong--not all able-bodied or clear of mind--but none of us will be voting for Mr Obama. We will be writing Senator Clinton in on the ballot. With pride.

Senator Clinton is the champion of and for our generation. Our hopes and dreams rest in her heart. She has done what we did not have the strength or fortitude to do. She has outlasted many men and has gotten further than any woman has before only to be disregarded and cast aside by a supposed woman's advocacy committee.

Senator Clinton is an amazing woman whose worth will not be acknowledged until we are long gone. We want her to know that we love her and appreciate her years of struggle. She represents how one woman can change the world and you represent how one woman can destroy it.

Those of you who write those despicable comments about a woman whose shoes you have not walked in and could never fill need to look at Miss Chelsea Clinton. Watch how she comports herself and you will know what a loving woman and mother Senator Clinton is. Watch the love that passes between them when they look at each other and imagine how Chelsea views your sacred betrayal of her mother. Ask yourself how Chelsea will explain this to Senator Clinton's granddaughter.

You have undone a lifetime of struggle with a selfish decision that no woman of class would have ever thought of - let alone carried out. You are not of the younger generation, Ms Keenan, which makes your betrayal even more loathsome.

In closing, we would like an apology and we would like to hear the answers to the posed questions in this area. Thank you for listening and for providing a forum in which to be heard.

May God have Mercy on your soul.
Gladys Perkins for The Women of Wisdom

Please remove my name from your mailing list as I will no longer be supporting your organization. What a low blow to one of the most ardent supporters of a woman's right to choose! It sure makes me wonder how much the Obama camp coughed up for your endorsement as I know they have done to other organizations. Tell the truth. Why would you people stab her in the back like that? He hasn't done a d____ thing for women yet! He really hasn't done a d___ thing for anybody with his poor voting record up till now! Women should support women, not throw them under the bus like Obama did his grandmother.

how could you.

This is something I never knew was possible. What you did was lustful - in the sense of your greed to be noticed and what? Congratulated? Revenge? Hate? I cannot believe I lived to see this day. What could have possessed you to do this? What? The whole thing, especially the timing is filthy. What have you done, Mes. Keenan, to your organization? What about at the state level? It has to come down to money. Whether it was the MSM, DNC, Exelon or UBS it's still the same - you were bought. Bought by the no old Washington politics aka Chicago politics above the fray candidate. The world has gone mad over an imposter and you with it. What you did defies sanity and drove a wedge completely between supporters. When are you people going to wake up and see this? You did anything but reach out - you divided, perhaps irreparably. There is no just getting over our differences. This is a fundamental issue of respect. What you did wasn't about being for Obama - it was about being against Senator Clinton. The timing proved it. Did you think you were rescuing your savior? When is he going to show some presidential behavior? He claims to be a transcender of race and a uniter and allows his party to be divided by race and allows his opponent to be treated disgustingly by the MSM. Why can't you see this? Why? Why did you do such a thing? How did it make you feel? And now?

you had no reason to do this.
you did it.
you did it for self-promotion.
you did it as to inflict as much damage as possible.
it really doesn't get any lower than what you did.

once i was an obama supporter. no longer. he hasn't once stood up and said enough. he is not who he pretends to be and hides behind his people and his supporters/surrogates say the most cruel things I've ever heard. CNN actually allowed CASTELLANOS to get away with: "It's time to take the family dog to the vet and the other day he said she was a b*tch. obama people sitting right there doing nothing. borgia and brazile sat by and did nothing. real stellar women. kind of like mika sitting next to scarborough like mrs spitzer. i want nothing to do with him anymore. i see now what other people have seen. i don't know how i missed it. i am sorry you have stooped to the rest of his supporters level. you did it for personal fame and money. that is really really pathetic. how can people even take you seriously anymore.

I have READ AND READ AND READ for days now and NOT said a word!

I HAVE HAD ENOUGH from the women that have said hurtful things about Hillary Clinton and the women that support her.

I am watching Iron Jawed Angels right now. I suggest that EVERY WOMAN do the same! It is so funny how much history REALLY does repeat itself and how women continue to be our own worse enemies!

It does not matter if this is Elizabeth Dole running or Kay Bailey Hutchinson or Hillary Clinton. GET A CLUE all of your women that claim to be feminists!

And, give the woman (Hillary Clinton) some credit for fighting the fight for ALL OF US. She is human. She gets tired. She makes mistakes. She is not perfect.

But, all of YOU - that sit on the sidelines and do nothing more than BITCH - SHAME ON YOU!

And, for the men on here that have nothing better to do than make their ugly remarks. You do NOT have a dog in this fight!

The wisest writing and the most heart-felt writing that I have seen on here was written by an elderly lady that is with a women's group that she was writing on behalf of. Her name is Gladys Perkins and I have copied her writing below.

I read that writing to my own mother this morning that does not use the internet either. We cried together.

PLEASE read the following and give respect to our elderly women that have been so shook up by all of this because they have worked so hard, prayed so faithfully, and put so much on the line from a very early age so that we women could have more rights.

I fully expect to see something written by HEATHER and a couple of others including LEO that seem to not have anything better to do. But, I ask the rest of you that can be objective to PLEASE have an open-heart and sharpen your mind as to what this all REALLY means for our country – NOT JUST FOR WOMEN – to continue to have men run every aspect of our lives. And, when politics is ruled by men – then everything is ruled by men. I love my father and my brothers and my grandsons and want EQUAL rights for them as much as I do for all races and everyone. This is what strong women in office will be sure to do.

STAND STRONG – WOMEN or at the very least – quit being our own worst enemy!

I am copying what Gladys Perkins wrote yesterday. Gladys – I love you and your group and I for one want to thank all of you for your heart and soul!

By Gladys Perkins on May 23, 2008 9:56 AM
Dear Ms. Keenan & NARAL,

There are a lot of angry people here. I am here on behalf a group of mature women who can't use a computer. It's unfathomable to us how an organization based on a woman's right to choose could deal such a selfish blow to a woman who has spent her entire life standing up for women.
We cannot understand this - nor will we ever.
I was going to go into detail and lay out our arguments, but it's perfectly clear that your decision was made unilaterally and no defense of it will be forthcoming.

What defense is there?

We find your silence indicative of someone who knows they did the wrong thing and chose to put personal notoriety ahead of the greater good -- someone who doesn't have the moral fiber to stand up and admit to it. What one doesn't say is more telling than what one does.

In the end it is always a woman who has to take down a woman. Men can't do it alone. Senator Clinton has been impervious to men's childish envy and discontent. You haven't destroyed Senator Clinton, externally, but on the inside this has to have hurt her in ways we cannot articulate. Twenty years of the media tormenting her and you did more than any misogynist could do: You her hurt her feminine soul. We cry over this every meeting. We sit and cry and wonder what our struggles were for and for whom.

Our group is fifty-five women strong--not all able-bodied or clear of mind--but none of us will be voting for Mr Obama. We will be writing Senator Clinton in on the ballot. With pride.
Senator Clinton is the champion of and for our generation. Our hopes and dreams rest in her heart. She has done what we did not have the strength or fortitude to do. She has outlasted many men and has gotten further than any woman has before only to be disregarded and cast aside by a supposed woman's advocacy committee.

Senator Clinton is an amazing woman whose worth will not be acknowledged until we are long gone. We want her to know that we love her and appreciate her years of struggle. She represents how one woman can change the world and you represent how one woman can destroy it.

Those of you who write those despicable comments about a woman whose shoes you have not walked in and could never fill need to look at Miss Chelsea Clinton. Watch how she comports herself and you will know what a loving woman and mother Senator Clinton is. Watch the love that passes between them when they look at each other and imagine how Chelsea views your sacred betrayal of her mother. Ask yourself how Chelsea will explain this to Senator Clinton's granddaughter.
You have undone a lifetime of struggle with a selfish decision that no woman of class would have ever thought of - let alone carried out.

You are not of the younger generation, Ms Keenan, which makes your betrayal even more loathsome.

In closing, we would like an apology and we would like to hear the answers to the posed questions in this area. Thank you for listening and for providing a forum in which to be heard.

May God have Mercy on your soul.
Gladys Perkins for The Women of Wisdom

Heather wrote;
"We have got to move forward focused on our shared hopes, not focused on our disagreements, or believing the stereotypes about each other. It is a sad day when feminists cannot work together because they are too focused on hate and their own sense of betrayal. This type of myopic view won't just hurt women and children in our country, it will hurt women and children all over the world."

So, WHY ARE YOU NOT SUPPORTING HILLARY CLINTON??

I certainly am not going to vote for Sen McCain just because Ms Keenan et al made a silly mistake, a mistake that will dearly cost her and her organization. However, I will not support her or her organization, either. Look down at that gaping hole in your foot, Nancy! Right where you shot yourself. I voted for Sen Clinton. I will vote for Sen Obama if I have to, and I suspect Sen Clinton, if God forbid she loses, would have us support the Democratic Party regardless. Sen Clinton stil has more style and panache than the rest of you name-calling "ladies." Let's not knee jerk! No more name-calling and swearing to vote for the enemy just because one in our ranks betrayed us. It's time to move on...we still have work to do! We still must support Hillary Clinton! Nancy cannot deny us that!

There's not much that hasn't been said. Shame on you. What I found reprehensible was your timing. It was in no way accidental. I hope you got what you were after because you have irreparably polarized Senator Clinton supporters. Eventually the effect of the Kool-Aid will wear off and you will see the error of your ways. My guess is that a woman who could betray an impeccable defender of women's rights would have no problem sleeping at night. Party on. I switched from Obama to Clinton when I saw Obama the supposed uniter stand by and do nothing to stop the Hillary bashing by the pro-Obama MSM. His actions speak louder than his empty rhetoric.