In 2008 I was a Clinton supporter throughout most of the primary season

[Tom Rinaldo]

68. Something aboout Hillary often brings out the pragmatic in me, I admit it.

But I don't always think that the pragmatist in me is right. I prefer to hold it at bay for awhile whenever possible and give room for what I really believe instead. I really love that Bernie does not shy away from his deepest convictions, while at the same time he also keeps an eye fixed on what is possible - and then fights for that as long as possible and only then does he fall back on pragmatic considerations. What I so respect about Bernie is that when push comes to shove he doesn't let the perfect undermine the good, but he also never gives up prematurely on seeking what is truly best. I trust his timing and his sense of what is potentially achievable if we fight with true determination.

He won't undermine the Democrats chances of winning the White House in the fall if he can't be our nominee, but in the meantime he'll fight like hell to become it without compromising his beliefs in that effort.

I think Hillary committed herself decades ago to mastering politics as we know it as the best route available for achieving real influence in this society. She's all in with that strategy now, it's too late for her to fundamentally rethink those underlying assumptions, she's traveled too far down that road and formed too many alliances with the powers that be to get where she is today for her to change that course now. Clinton is extremely competent and I believe that she's compassionate but her compromises have compromised her ability to become the leader we need now.