Another inclusive post from one of those wacky guys and gals in Obamaville
It's always good to get an early a.m. giggle by reading a lambasting of the Democratic Party old school written by one of the sunshine and light post partisan Obama-ities. This one written by Veronica Corningstone on her TalkingPointsMemo.com blog actually has some comments that are truly on point. It might have drawn me in a little more if it hadn't begun by calling both the first female Vice Presidential nominee and Senator Clinton "old white lady".
If you read this blog more than ocassionally, you know that I support Senator Clinton, voted for her in the California primary and have donated her a pittance. I also refer to the supporters of Senator Obama in a joshing, less than reverential way; however, I have never and would never refer to Senator Obama, Mrs. Obama or any of the party elders or Obama staff in the totally disrespectful way in which Ms. Corningstone characterized former President Jimmy Carter, Senator Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro. Can you imagine the outcry - which would be totally correct - if I referred to Senator Obama and Senator Edward Kennedy in terms equivalent to old white lady.
While I realize that Ms. Corningstone does not speak for the Obama campaign, her tone is widespread amongst those who post in support of Senator Obama. Are these the verbal tactics that will be used to bring the country together in a bi-partisan post election ObamaWorld? Will older Republican leaders who disagree with the Obama-ites be publicly referred to as "ossified" and from "the Stone Age"?
The issues that Ms. Corningstone addresses (super delegates and the seating of the Michigan and Florida delegations) are important. She makes many reasoned and informed statements. I, myself, have called for HRC to release her super delegates and to ask for second primaries in both Michigan and Florida. Still, it's hard to even read Ms. C's post when it begins with a personal attack on a female party elder whom I believe both Senator Obama and Senator Kennedy would treat with respect. I'm not Ms. Ferraro's biggest fan, I did vote for the Mondale/Ferraro ticket. Whatever Ms. Corningstone may feel about Ms. Ferraro and the way in which she became the VP nominee, I can tell you it was an incredible feeling at the time to vote for a woman on a national ticket. One wonders if Ms. C would have the same harsh words for the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm who spoke of how she felt the burden of sexism as keenly as she felt the burden of racism? I guess we could now add the burden of ageism to those Ms. Chisholm would carry. And, hate to let you in on this, Ms. C but Senator Obama will reward some of his supporters with positions in his administration should he be elected.
But wait Ms. Corningstone might write, I am disagreeing with Ms. Ferraro's views not her sex or her age. If you are disagreeing with her views, Ms. C, then take those on without the venom of calling her out as an "old white lady". You speak derisively of party elders who seem to say to you, "Let the grown-ups handle this." How is your attitude toward them any different from the disrespect you feel they show you? I have never - and I do not speak here for all Clinton supporters, only myself - asked for a free pass for Senator Clinton because she is a woman or because she has many years of service to the Democratic Party. I have asked that she be treated with respect. I have asked the same for myself. You shouldn't be told that you are too young to sit at the big folks table and I shouldn't be told that I need to retire to the rest home.
Still, Ms. Corningstone, you will be happy to know that you have gotten your wish, I - and many like me - are stepping aside. I do not belong in this party where there is knowledge of the past but no respect for it, where the old are not told, "Thanks for your efforts on our behalf" but rather "Get out of the way." I'll be sitting this one out. In response you will probably think "Don't let the door hit you in your wrinkled white ass" but consider this before getting too merry about my departure: the 2000 Presidential election was decided by 537 voters in a state where 50% of the voters are over age 50.
Obama supporter here -- just want to register that pretty often I have heard from Hillary supporters that I am too young (in my 30s!) to know any better, and that must be why I support Obama. I've read this in condescending and sometimes incensed posts from Hillary supporters, more subtly in columns from professional writers who favor Hillary (including a hint of it in Gloria Steinem's NYT op-ed, which certainly went out of its way to tell me what I was thinking), and directly in person while canvassing, or discussing the race with (older) coworkers and acquaintances.
Having noted this -- that the offenses are flying in both directions -- I hope you will reconsider your rejection of all things Obama. It isn't, actually, his fault.
As an added note... maybe the young are just not very good at understanding they'll probably get older, too. When voters currently over 50 were themselves under 20, was their approach to the political establishment of the 60s and 70s one of sincere "Thanks for your efforts on our behalf," or more like "Get out of the way"?
Don't trust anyone over 30, Observer.
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Thank you for the comments - kind of conciliatory and kind of antagonizing; I like that.
First, I don't care what age you are, you have the right to vote for whomever you choose; no one should make you feel otherwise (unless it's David Duke or the like). I think my son is an Obama man.
Second, I am sure there is condescension and downright rudeness or both sides. I have probably been condescending a bit but I try to do it with humor and I would never, never say the sorts of things that are in the post I referenced in my post.
Third, of course, when you are young you think you will never be old and you say things like "don't trust anyone over 30" and "hope I die before I get old"; one of the greatest protest songs ever, Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" says something along the lines of "get out of the way if you can't lend a hand" and I sang it then and I sing now (it's on my iPod).
Fourth, no matter how full of myself I was at twenty, I would never have spoken to people twice my age the way I have been spoken to by many twenty year olds and no matter how much I disagreed with an older politician, I would have addressed him/her with respect; which reminds me, totally out of nowhere, why don't we ever hear about Senator Hubert Humphrey anymore? He was an awesome man. We are all standing on the shoulders of others and we should not forget that no matter who we support.
Fifth, I am really, really trying to find a way to support Senator Obama should he be the nominee but I just can't see this transformational politics his supporters talk about when many of them (just as many Hil supporters, but hey we're supposed to be old and crochety) are so mean spirited toward those in their own party.
Again, thank you for your comments; a little back and forth is good.
Power to the people. Don't bogart that joint. Up against the wall. Make love, not war. Peace.
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The insults might be flying from both sides but there is no questions that the biggest lefty blogs are pro-Obama and the MSM has nothing but loathing for HRC, so, it's not like it's anywhere near even.
This is not a question of which is worse, racism or sexism? Structurally, it's a draw (and cumulative, things suck more for AA women). But no question that in discourse, sexism (and now ageism) is still acceptable while racism is not.
But, Observer, I think you're right. A lot of us, "older" women (where's the limit? I'm 38, am I an old woman already just because I support HRC?) are now pretty, let me say, un-freakin'-happy with what's been thrown at HRC and indirectly at us.
And on this topic, I think the Democratic party, the DNC or Obama himself have not been front and center, stating clearly that sexism has no place in a democratic primary (and please, can we be spared the "the Clintons are paying the race card"... if the Clintons know one thing, it's how to campaign and they know there is nothing to gain for them by racist dogwhistle.
So, the "pox on both their houses" (something Obama likes to invoke) is neither here no there... not that you had made that point.
Anyway, I just discovered your blog via the great Avedon... you're now on my reader!
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Thanks for your comments and for adding me to your reader.
I'll be 54 in July so let me tell you 38 is the prime of life - as I recall - but 54 has its merits as well.
As I struggle to find a way to support Senator Obama should he be the nominee I do think that a head on addressing of the issues of ageism and sexism is needed. I do agree with you that being an AA woman has challenges I cannot imagine - if you add onto those the burdens of poverty and age, I don't know where you find the strength to get out of bed in the morning. People who deal with these issues - and I am not speaking of myself as I am blessed in many, many ways - should be championed.
For me one of the overwhelming issues as I get older is poverty - which I find to be the true dividing line in our society. I wonder more and more if there is any political party that can successfully address that issue given the path of all out consumerism the nation has taken. In that regard, I do agree "a pox on both their houses".
I agree with you about the great Avedon as well - I was struck by being included on her blog in a way that was so open to my views.
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Look, I'm sure Obama dogwhistling the right on Social Security in Iowa had nothing at all to do with his youthful base; that would, after all, not exemplify the casual poetry for which the Obama campaign is famed. Nice post.
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Thank you for your comments and the links. I am discovering so many blogs/websites of which I was unaware that reading is taking up an ever larger portion of my day but the increased knowledge of all the opinions that are out there is invigorating.
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