Voices from the "rift": JP Pomnichowski

by: Jay Stevens

Wed Sep 03, 2008 at 14:57:02 PM MST

Every night after the convention, I was approached by a reporter asking for a reaction or comment of the night's speaker or convention happenings. After Hillary Clinton's speech, I was asked by a reporter if I'm a Clinton or Obama pledged delegate. Clinton, I replied. How did I feel about the night's speech? he asked. Proud, I said. Clinton hit all the right notes and said everything she needed to say; it was perfect. She strongly and enthusiastically endorsed Obama, and there was no tone of "it should have been me" anytime in her speech. She was gracious and committed to supporting Obama in the November election. The reporter asked if I was bitter that Hillary wasn't the nominee, or the VP choice. No, I said. Clinton was my choice in the primary election, but she didn't win that election. And that election's over. In the upcoming election, there are two candidates, and Obama is my choice of those two candidates. I don't think there's room for bitterness now; it's counterproductive. Too much to do to dwell on what might have been. And besides, Clinton is strong and serves well in the US Senate. I'm excited to see how she'll serve next.

Nicely put. A sentiment that was shared my most Clinton delegates I met. Let's hope that Clinton supporters keep up the pressure after the election's over. There are a lot of good issues those folks battled for -- among them a strong health insurance plan than Obama's. There's no use pretending the primary wasn't a close race.

But then, Obama doesn't seem to be the type of politician who ignores input. Isn't that refreshing?

What the h*ll. Let's give JP two hundred bucks, shall we?

More links: JP's blog, VoteSmart profile, and campaign website. Also check out the quick blurb I wrote about this race way back when.