MOMocrats™

Welcome to the new MOMocrats! (Edwards may be out, but we're not going anywhere!)

As you have undoubtedly heard by now, yesterday our candidate, John Edwards, suspended his bid for the presidency. Yesterday was a dark day for the MOMocrats.

Today we had planned to do a "No Hillary Day" in advance of Super Tuesday explaining why some of us were not going to be casting ballots for Hillary Clinton in the primary. Last year we did a "NObama" day so it only made sense that we give Hillary equal "consideration."

With our candidate now out of the race, some of us are left wondering, "W(ho)TF do we vote for now?!" So today we will attempt to put thoughts and feelings "on paper" as it were, to explain either why we couldn't or didn't want to vote for Hillary in the primaries. We may have to vote for her come November and we'll do it in order to beat a Republican, but until then, we're going to workshop the hell out of these candidates and hold them accountable to John Edwards' high standards. We invite you to participate with us, and if you have strong opinions about Hillary or Barack, by all means, share them. It's going to be an interesting year.

Please scroll down.

And the awards goes to...

Hey, there's America Ferreira!  And Stevie Wonder!  And Lauren Holly! And, wait, is that Jason Alexander? It is!

Is this the People's Choice Awards or a Presidential debate?

Going the Easy Route.

I had another post composed on the subject of who to vote for; but, because my heart was rather wrecked after yesterday's announcement made by Senator Edwards to depart from the campaign for PotUS, I have to console it first.  And it's telling me, my heart, that is, to go with my intuition (and it's louder than usual in its demands). 

My intuition tells me that Mr. Edwards, who has yet to voice his preference for who ought to be the nominee for the Democratic party, has already made his choice.  I believe he's holding out on the telling for the very reason the media mentioned after his announcement to quit his campaign; that is, he would be the king-maker in his choice. 

I think he wants to give each of the candidates time to work harder, to be more transparent in their communication of their true concerns for the people of this country and not just its aristocrats.  I'm sure that he has stepped aside because he has chosen a specific candidate, whom he felt he was pulling votes away from, due to the media's obvious choice to blindly, blithely ignore his existence (something I'm staggered by, but I digress) -- that is, until he dropped out yesterday; suddenly, he's Mr. Everywhere-you-look.  (Now.  Why not when he took a very surprising second-place in the Iowa primaries?  Why not then, news media?  ???)  If Mr. Edwards had been given his equal, deserved share of the spotlight by the news channels of our nation - but, sadly, that was not the case, and we are here, today, and he has made a very wise, sober, difficult choice in taking himself out of the running.  He recognized the inflated importance of removing himself in order to provide enough support, in the form of the balance of delegates, for the candidate more like himself.  Someone who has made populism a platform, rather than obligations to those who helm the Corporate Maws. 

I'm certain that Mr. Edwards plans to, at some point, endorse Barack Obama.  Simply because of his politics (note my pretense at ignorance over what people are saying is *really* splitting the vote).  Hillary Clinton has been too cozy with the corporations too long, a thing made obvious in her voting record in the Senate.  Those votes ring loud and clear - she is no populist.  A thing I believe Mr. Obama is desirous of being, although his message is much more muddy than I would like.  It's his message that I plan to begin following closely as the primary elections continue, because I think it's what Mr. Edwards is doing. 

You see, I'm still an Edwards voter, in the end.  A thing my heart is convinced of.  I'm trying to listen to it - it's had its share of bruising, given Mr. Edwards' announcement.  I have to be steadfast and strong even as I apply bandages and whisper soothing words into its tender, little ventricles. 

Would you expect any less from a mom?

*

p.s. Reading Digby's latest, my heart is feeling more and more convinced of the above.  I'm lifting a paraphrased (by Digby) piece of his speech and including it here, because it makes my heart thump hard to consider Obama's seeming very real concern for the issues at hand:

"(...) Insurers need to cover mental health the same way they do physical health. Because depression can be as debilitating an illness as a broken arm, and probably more. It will save us money in the long run, because all types of services come into play when you deal with homelessness - police, EMT, the judicial system, our jails, etc. Another thing you're seeing is more homeless families on the street, because the government has gotten out of the affordable housing business. We need an affordable housing trust fund so that people of modest means can find a place to live in their communities."

I am definitely on board with that kind of thinking.  Keep it up, O, keep it up.

Who will move mountains?

WTF?  WTF is right - who the Frick does a Edwards supporter vote for?  I convinced myself and a few others, that there is so much at stake this election cycle that we have to go past the hype and look at issues, track record and well, go with the one who can make us better - better citizens, neighbors, parents and heck -a better country.  Since my guy is out and none of the momocrats are running themselves, we're forced to figure out who we'd back next. 

As part of my day job, I spent this morning at a meeting of 300 local non profit leaders, elected officials, local foundations and school leaders who were having a discussion about how we as a community could come together around a strategy to make sure all the kids in Silicon Valley could succeed. Together many in the group have already worked together to ensure that Santa Clara county is the first in the country to provide health care for all children that need it.  Today there are 26 other counties following our lead.  Today's task was to create an action plan on how to put a Children's Agenda into action. 

I say all this because I walked away from the meeting clear that charisma and hype can only take someone so far before skill and true ability to lead and make something happen is really needed.  The Children's Health Initiative happened because people were dedicated, had resources and could rally the troops - agencies, people, systems behind this idea that change had to happen for our kids to succeed. These folks moved mountains.  Both Hillary and Barack have said much about how change is essential.  Yes, we all agree, but who will be the one who can motivate agencies, systems and everyday people to do the heavy lifting??  Who will be the one to convince America that poverty is NOT acceptable? or that ALL kids need healthcare?

Will it be Barack and his extraordinary speechifying?  Or will it be Hillary who has toiled in the trenches for decades making change?    Hillary for one hasn't inspired me to do much.  I guess it might be I know loads of people with fancy degrees and great ideas who can't accomplish jack!  (Case in point - most Internet start-ups) It is easy to dismiss Barack for his rock-star ness - but maybe we all do need a little inspiration and speechifying to move mountains together?

I'd love your thoughts on which candidate inspires you to action. 

My problem with Hillary Clinton: It's personal.

My absentee ballot, sent in weeks ago.

I'm trying to formulate my thoughts about why couldn't/can't support Hillary Clinton and I'm realizing that my reasons trascend the political and are, of course, extremely personal and, at the end of the day, probably say more about me than her. (Edited to add: Hillary supporters remember that phrase: my reasons...say more about me than her.)

It all comes down to two things: cheating and character.

If you have never had a cheating affect you directly then you probably won't understand.

MOMocrat Guest Blogger Donna Schwartz Mills ponders "experience"

It’s been an interesting election year; the most interesting since I cast my first Presidential vote back in 1976. Back then, deciding who to vote for in the California primary was a no-brainer. I didn’t have to give it a lot of thought, because by the time we held our election in June, the Democratic candidate had already been anointed.

As we all know, 2008 is a whole different ballgame, because California’s primary is being held on February 5, and so many other states have joined us (including that other major population center in the East) that it’s being called Super Tuesday.

This year, I’ve had to think about it, and it hasn’t been easy - because for the first time since I was a kid, the Democratic party fielded SEVERAL good, qualified candidates.

I can’t tell you how many times over the last six months I made a decision, only to flip flop to someone else. I liked Hillary… but I didn’t like the way she managed to forget her own positions on the war or some of the political moves she’s made lately. I liked Obama… but did he really have the experience? I liked John Edwards… but really, if experience was what I was looking for, he didn’t have much of that either.

Make it work

It goes without saying that we need a Democrat in the White House next year.  But with Edwards dropping off and Super Tuesday next week I haven't necessarily decided on which one.

Edwards spoke my language.  He consistently kept to his message of alleviating poverty and suffering, of helping those who need it most.  To me that embodies true leadership, being willing to make sacrifices to raise people up and do the right thing.  Clinton and Obama address these issues but not with the same passion or determination, Obama is much more obscure and pander-y and Clinton, you have more focus but not as much passion. And neither of you talk specifically about homelessness. You should. 

When Edwards withdrew his candidacy today he did so on the premise that each of them agreed to carry his mission forward, to alleviate poverty and suffering.  And I'll be watching tonight to see if that changes the dialogue from the pattern of sniping and backbiting (which is unbelievably boring) to the already much touted change with added substance and focus. Change with strategy and passion for alleviating poverty.  And then and only then will I decide which box to check on Tuesday, which cheering section to stand in. 

You've got to earn it, kids, because you are not my first choice and this isn't my first time at the prom. And there are thousands and thousands of thinking Edwards supporters who feel exactly like me, regardless of what the pollsters predict.

Now show us what you've got.

The Feminist Vote: Why Hillary Rodham Clinton Won't Get Mine

I have a confession to make:  I am already tired of this election. 

I am feeling frustrated and scared, in equal parts.  It feels like there's more riding on this year's election than ever before (does it feel like that every year, or do I just have selective election amnesia?) and yet, I feel more disconnect between politicians and the people they claim to be fighting for than ever before.  As a mom, I've got more than enough to worry about in my daily life - my kids' education, health care, gas prices, the environment and this endless war... I don't have the time or the inclination to mess around when it comes to politics. 

I made up my mind months ago that John Edwards was the best person for the job of leading this country - period.  But with  the candidate that I truly believed in with my brain and my heart out of the race for President, I have had to ask myself the question "who is the best person to lead this country?" all over again.  With the champion of universal health care, education reform, nuclear non-proliferation, the environment and the nation's poor out of the running, I find myself turning towards the candidate who, I think, shares John Edwards' hunger for change, and deep belief in the innate decency of the American people.  That candidate is not Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"This is the Cause of My Life"

I think the reason we were sold on John Edwards is eloquently expressed in his speech today. Who's up for the challenge of making his cause OUR cause?

Enquiring minds want to know: What's going to happen to MOMocrats?

Twice in the last hour Google has alerted me to two posts asking the very same question: what's going to happen to us?

The short answer? Nothing. We're staying right here. But you're going to have to to tune in tomorrow to see what direction the MOMocrats blog is going in next. Trust me, it's going to be good.

We've been preparing for the inevitability of John Edwards not becoming president for some time now, and some might say since the beginning when we banded together to support an underdog. When we started back in September, our mission was clear:

This site is dedicated to putting a Democrat in the White House in January 2009, and effectuating real change in our nation.  We are a group of moms who have come together to support the candidate we think will make a positive change in our nation and has the best chance to win the general election. 

That candidate is John Edwards.

We respect the other candidates, and appreciate their service to our country.  After agonizing over the choices for months, we feel that John Edwards is the best person for the job.  In the coming weeks and months, we'll share with you the specific reasons why, and give you some food for thought. Eat up...you'lll need your strength to get you through this election this year.

We're supporting Edwards because, like most moms, we're tired.  We're not tired from staying up all night with a colicky baby, or from pacing the floor waiting for our teens to come home.

We're tired of sending our sons and daughters off to fight a war for the benefit of oil billionaires' profits.  Tired of lagging behind the rest of the world in education, and paying more and more for "public" education that teaches only to a test and leaves the individual needs of students behind.  Tired of a broken healthcare system that leaves millions of families and individuals uninsured.  Tired of politicians pretending that global warming doesn't exist, leaving the problem to our children to solve.  Tired of being paid less than men for the same work, then being expected to come home to the "second shift" of parenting, housework, and homework.  Tired of the widening gap between rich and poor that leaves millions of single mothers struggling to make ends meet. 

We're tired, but optimistic.  John Edwards gives us hope. Hope that we can help the country we love become a better place for our children and their children.  Hope that we can make a difference and leave the world a better place, because we know our children are worth it.

We hope you'll join us, and vote for John Edwards.  If you don't, you're grounded.

Despite today's events our mission remains unchanged: we are dedicated to putting a Democratic in the White House this year. Since the best person for the job has just suspended his race, we now turn to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Listen up you two, you're officially on notice: You're going to have to earn our votes. As MOMocrat Stephanie warns, ignore us at your peril.

We hope you join us tomorrow to see what changes MOMocrats has in store. We also hope you'll stay with us throughout the campaign as we bring you political commentary, opinions, raves and, yes, rants as only a bunch of over-thinking, under-rested, media-junkie-moms can. We're just getting started.