peacocks and lilies

Dear Hillary,

It has taken me a few days to sort out my thoughts on the race, after digesting all that has happened between the RBC meeting on May 31^st and the last primaries on June 3^rd. I want to let you know that I cannot vote for Obama this November, or for any Democrat for that matter. The only way that could possibly change would be if you were also on the ticket. Allow me to explain my reasoning.

The way I see it is that the Democratic Party and the Obama campaign have acted in ways that directly conflict with core Democratic values, values such as every vote counting, maximizing voter participation, inclusive policies, and standing strong for women and their issues. I am a Democrat because of these core values, and I find that in rejecting them, the Party has to be rejected by the voters in turn as a consequence. This is a teaching moment too important to pass up, an opportunity to realign the culture for fairness. As such, I will not be voting for any major Party candidates this year, Democrat or Republican.

For twenty years I have been what I (and Ann Richardson) call a “yellow dog Democrat.” Faithfully I have voted Democratic in each of the 10 election cycles I have been old enough to vote in. Even through the darkest days I have continued to support Democrats, because they have so obviously been the Party of fairness, of promoting freedom, and of good governance. The Republicans have demonstrably been the Party of exclusion, of conformity, and deliberate bad governance.

For almost 8 years I have been as disappointed with my Party as I was outraged at Republican rule. Had I even a shred of evidence that Democrats had fought as hard as they could the last 7.5 years, but particularly since gaining the majority in 2006, I might not be in this place. If you—or the world—need specifics points of complaints, please consider the list of Congressional failures below:

Impeachment

Ending the war, or at least ending funding for the war

Warrantless wiretapping

Telcom immunity

And this is just in the last two years.

It is the failure of the entire Party for years, from the debacle of the Kerry campaign to the utter capitulation on responsibility since taking the majority in 2006, which informs my decision to abandon the Party. I maintain the principled stand that the Party’s decision to reject core values and core constituencies this primary season is just cause to do so in light of recent history. A voter, Democrat or otherwise, has no obligation to vote for that which is no longer recognizable or agreeable.

I know you are for Party unity, and I understand your reasons for that. Despite what I am sure will be your pleas tomorrow to the contrary, I cannot follow you, as much as I respect and admire you, unless you are on the ticket as well. Without you at the White House, I have no assurances the Party will restore those core values or that any voice will be present supporting such. It is with sadness that I inform you of my decision.