Kerry in Providence, RI. I'm unimpressed with Hillary supporters who were RUDE.

[beachmom]

Sorry, but there was no reason for the rudeness. And Kerry, as we all know, ADVOCATES for Obama, and does not bash Hillary ever, unlike a lot of her surrogates. I just can't wait until these primaries are over; this is beyond ridiculous:

http://www.projo.com/news/content/POLITICAL_SCENE_3_03-03-08_AU96UJ4_v18.2a4e4a3.html

Political Scene: Kerry makes surprise stop at the Follies

PROVIDENCE — Guests at the Providence Newspaper Guild’s 35th annual Follies Friday got more celebrity star power than usual out of the night’s much-anticipated mystery guest.

Instead of the local political flavor-of-the-month that tends to grace the stage at the Venus De Milo, the audience got two big surprises.

First there was former first daughter Chelsea Clinton, who worked the room during cocktail hour, greeting guests and posing for photos at the end of a day of campaigning for her mother, Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Then when the lights dimmed and the show began, the crowd seemed even more surprised to see Sen. John Kerry and his trademark helmet of hair bound onto the stage.

The Massachusetts senator and presidential near-miss cracked wise about Rhode Island politics, Buddy Cianci’s ability “to cross state lines” again, and his own recent trip to Pakistan, noting that instead of being swift boated, politicians there get “swift goated.”

But his well-received shtick turned serious as the topic moved to tomorrow’s presidential primary, and Kerry trotted out what seemed like a stump speech for his preferred candidate, Barack Obama.

Within minutes, Hillary Clinton supporters in the crowd of 1,500 decided Kerry had gone on a little too long, and isolated boos and chants of “HILL-A-RY” started to well up around the room.

Their chorus soon grew loud enough to drown out Kerry and the senator wasted no time thanking the audience and ducking offstage.

I believe "a**holes" is an appropriate word for these people.

[MBS]

1. appropriate word in my opinion, too

As I've done my little bit of canvassing etc for Obama, one thing has really struck me : how much I like his SUPPORTERS , too. (Two watershed events for me: (1) the good behavior at the Boston rally, Feb 4, of both the crowd waiting hours to get in, and of the volunteers working that crowd.(2) the Prairie View A & M (Texas) students who marched 7 miles to cast their early votes in the TX primary. I wasn't there, obviously, but I saw the video, and I wanted to hug each and every one of them).

[karynnj]

2. That is pretty rude

It was gutsy for Kerry to appear at a non-political event that was for the newspaper guild - likely even more pro-HRC - than RI. He got a chance to make part of a pitch after being well received himself before he spoke on Obama's behalf. It does say this followed a cocktail hour - and it sounds like a few rude people started isolated{/b] chants that others joined in. I wonder how the HRC people would have reacted had Chelsea been treated similarly - after all she was there for political reasons as well.

It does suggest the sense of entitlement that HRC engenders in her supporters.

[Democrafty]

3. Sorry, but that's the kind of rudeness and arrogance

I associate with Republicans and Bush supporters!

[Luftmensch067]

4. Exactly what I was thinking, Democrafty

I have this feeling, the same one I had about Republican voters in 2004, that HRC supporters of that type (not the ones like my dad, who have thought it through and decided she's the candidate for them on rational grounds) are feeling disaffected and angry about their lives and their choice is to go for the anti-intellectual candidate.

Somehow, they see this as a slap in the face of some nebulous "liberal" entity which is oppressing them. HRC has been courting this group assiduously with her fear cards and her mockery and her "strong authority" tone. Her speeches and her ads have the same threatening tone as the GOP speeches in 2004, even if her platform is liberal. And to that group who want to lash out at reason and maturity and common sense, to throw a tantrum because they're feeling like no one is listening to them, that's just what they want to hear. They're voting for fear, ignorance and anger and they don't care which Party gives it to them.

Edited to add that I think this kind of HRC supporter is the exact mirror of a lot of Obama supporters. They see the mess we're in and respond to the hope and involvement Obama is offering them, a chance to take an active role in making positive change. These HRC supporters I'm talking about react to the mess we're in by responding to the fear and anger and hatred HRC is offering them, a chance to take a passive role and shut down any hope of positive engagement. They want to yell and complain, but not to have to think or act.

[ginnyinWI]

5. they've forgotten who the real enemy is

Hillary's going all out smearing Obama and her followers catch the tone and imitated it. To boo JK, who has always had the Democratic Party's interests at heart! What a different breed these people are! One thing I like about Obama's campaign is the lack of personal attacks on the Clintons--and they could certainly find some if they chose to! Like JK they are sticking to the issues, while the Clinton camp is field-testing attack material for the RNC's General campaign.

[sandnsea]

6. I read a blog on this and this is overblown

I read that it was scattered taunting in the audience, not enough to drown him out. I also read that it's because this is supposed to be an event separate of the primaries, fun only. I don't know, obviously, but from what I read yesterday this report is extreme.

[karynnj]

7. Thanks for this comment - it's really good to hear

There were a few clues - like the strange reference to Kerry's hair. In a crowd that did not come for a partisan event, this would be expected.

[politicasista]

8. I was going to start a thread asking about how the primaries were...

treating everyone here, but saw this and thought I would comment because I have been holding back so much.

Anyway, I have cut back surfing in GDP and posting in vitriolic and non-vitriolic primary threads because I don't want anyone to think I am bashing or defending HRC (which I was semi-slammed for doing just that here).

Anyway, remember the post/thread about my conversation with my political blogging (HRC supporter) friend about Kerry (not being strong), Obama/Clinton primary season?

Well, anyway, things sort of took a wrong turn a couple of months ago at the site I hang out at when I brought up BC/HRC being "polarizing", HRC's response to the infamous botched joke possibly losing everything that progressive Dems have worked hard for if she was on the ticket. It was shouted down by "Kerry isn't running anymore," bashing the Obamas, and his campaign for getting the race card game and other "dirty tactics," and so on. I don't know if it's envy or what. :shrug:

Not surprising I was accused of being apart of the "Anti-Clinton" brigade, when I have NEVER said anything bad about or have bashed HRC to promote other candidates. I felt like not only was I treated like a freeper in GDP, but singled out, when others said things far worse, but nevertheless, I tried to send her some pms, but they went unanswered.

It's almost like no one hears me anymore. So much for trying to support my candidate. I have just think it's easy to just be quiet and keep your words to yourself from now on, which I why I haven't been posting much.

I guess it's better that way anyway. :(

[beachmom]

11. If they resort to name calling or insults, then it looks like they have no

answer to your points.

Now that Hillary has endorsed McCain over Obama .... well, that is a good grenade to throw at them. She has now proven that she does not care about our party, and only herself. Because there is still a better than good chance Obama gets the nomination, and hey -- the GOP doesn't even need anything new to think of to attack him. Just steal her playbook. Pretty depressing day for Democrats.

The Field predicts Hillary wins Ohio and Rhode Island (+12 delegates) and Obama wins Vermont (+5 delegates). He hasn't made his prediction about TX yet, but it'll be close. Hillary might do well tomorrow in terms of "winning" the states, but the delegate count will tell a far different story. She'll only net 10, and that's only if Obama doesn't win the delegate count in TX, for which he will do well in the caucus.

Edit: read the details here:

http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/

[politicasista]

14. Your thoughts make sense

and I agree with your first paragraph. That Field article is interesting also.

[TayTay]

9. They were nice to him

Even through the "swift-goating" joke. (groan.)

Then they asserted their right to free speech and their Prez preference.

Ah, did we ever tell you politics was a blood sport up here? Fear not, they were disapproving one thing, not everything.

[beachmom]

10. Well, still rude, in my view. Yeah, I know, he's a big boy, no big deal.

But from a suburban mother, I found that a total turn off. The only way it would be appropriate is if he started shouting, "Hillary is living in a FAIRY TALE if she thinks she's going to get the nomination!!!" -- that would deserve a boo. But "I support Obama, because ..." doesn't deserve boos. JMO.

[TayTay]

13. I think the good Senator knew what the reaction would be

before he accepted the invitation to appear. I think he went in knowing he would take some guff from people and possibly have a little verbal reaction. But, he did so anyway because someone had to "show the flag" for Obama. (Non-political events don't exist during contested primaries.)

Why accecpt this gig? I don't know. Maybe my friends sig says why: "A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are for."

[Luftmensch067]

15. I really love that quote!

"A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are for."

If that doesn't describe JK, I don't know what does!

[karynnj]

16. Same here - that is an absolutely wonderful quote and it does work extremely well to

describe Kerry as you say. I'm glad to hear Tay Tay's comment - they were nice to him when it was about him. It sounds like it might be the type of event where it came down to whether he could make some points while they were still with him. It's an interesting idea - appearing at an Obama set up rally, he would speak to Obama supporters who like him enough to be there and Kerry supporters, who likely have already heard his argument for Obama. In this crowd, you likely had people for each candidate and a few uncommiteds. Who knows, he may have gotten a few people to at least consider Obama.

[MBS]

17. I love your friend's sig quote! n/t

[wisteria]

12. I didn't like the way the Hillary supporters acted when I first read this,

but when I thought about Senator Kerry on stage talking up his guy and cracking jokes in front of Clinton supporters, I kind of laughed at the entire scene. At least he knew when to exit the stage.

[TayTay]

18. Another view of this event from the Brown Daily Herald

http://www.browndailyherald.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=ddcd677d-ae3d-4306-a0da-fe405a161ed0

Sounds like it was a fun roast.

[karynnj]

19. It really does and his McCain and Romney jokes were funny

This does put the other account in context.

[Democrafty]

20. Thanks, this actually clears things up a bit! n/t