Drumbeats from Francis Holland inform us that a group calling itself the Committee to Unite the Democratic Party seeks our signatures for an online petition asking Hillary Clinton to concede defeat and support the Democratic ticket led by Barack Obama. The online petition is a letter to Sen. Clinton and the DNC that reads as follows:
Villagers, if you think it is time for the Democratic Party to bring the bickering to an end, then you are encouraged to take a moment to sign the petition now. View the signatures of others that agree with the principle of this online petition. What say u?
The signatories to this statement urge that Sen. Clinton concede defeat in her quest for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination and support the Democratic ticket. Wherefore:Sincerely,
- The Democratic Party base has spoken. The delegate count shows that Sen. Clinton cannot win the nomination on the strength of earned delegates, based on the will of the voters.
- Sen. Clinton's political attacks upon Sen. Barack Obama have increasingly appealed to and sought to increase resentment against others based on the color of their skin.
- This divisiveness is regrettable because, via the presidential candidacy of Sen. Obama, the vast majority of African Americans stand united with millions of white Americans and Americans of all colors, genders, ethnicities and religious backgrounds, erasing divisions to implement a program of Democratic change. Together, we're making history!
- It appears that Sen. Clinton is about to shatter this historic unity. Don't let her do it!
- We therefore call on Sen. Clinton to face the reality of the earned delegates count, concede defeat, and thereby contribute to healing a wound which is opening and continues to widen. It's time for healing.
- Sen. Clinton must wholeheartedly support the winner of the nomination, who has earned the most delegates, and devote herself honestly and enthusiastically to defeating Republican electoral hopes in 2008, not attacking Democratic politicians and Democratic constituencies. Tell Sen. Clinton to stop her divisive tactics!
- Should the Democratic Party leadership nullify the people's votes by giving Sen. Clinton the nomination, despite the popular will as represented by earned delegates, we would then call upon African American voters and all Democratic Party constituencies and supporters to withhold their support from a Sen. Clinton candidacy in November. We have survived eight years under President Bush and, if compelled to do so, we will survive four years under a President McCain. However, we cannot and will NOT survive the nullification of our most hard-won right ... our votes. We're not going to take this lying down!
The Undersigned
Villagers, if you think it is time for the Democratic Party to bring the bickering to an end, then you are encouraged to take a moment to sign the petition now. View the signatures of others that agree with the principle of this online petition. What say u?
