L A Times: "A Few PUMAs On The Loose"

Meghan Daum's story in the 30 August issue of the L A Times is well worth a read. Here's a taster from Daum's (none too flattering) column:

That's right, cable TV viewers, talk-radio listeners and blog readers of America: Just when you thought Clinton's most ardent supporters had finally worked their way through the stages of grief and were ready to get behind the nominee, along comes evidence that they're not just angry feminists moping because they won't see a female president in their lifetimes, they're self-sabotaging lunatics!

I mean, did you see them? There they were, foaming at the mouth and cropping up in more of the coverage than many actual convention speakers.

She continues with examples of die-hard Hillary supporters, including Elizabeth Joyce and Cristi Adkins, on Hardball, The Daily Show, and Larry King. Thankfully, she notes (finally someone in the MSM does!) that although PUMA's numbers seem plentiful, there are actually few of them: it's simply that they are a noisy few. I'm not saying that all PUMAs are kooky, or loud, or loud and kooky. Some do remain dignified in their anger and frustration and try to effect change using the system (cf. Will Bowers' current plan); unfortunately, the kookier PUMAs' noise drowns out the sensible PUMAs' efforts.

One other thing: I've never heard so many wisecracks about repealing the nineteenth amendment as I have this week. Something about female hysteria not mixing with politics keeps coming up. I wonder why.

The Democratic Convention: Two Things

1) Here's a nifty little drinking game. Sorry I'm posting it so late in the game (you can make up for it by doubling up on your units tomorrow).

2) If you've missed Andrew Sullivan's commentary on the Democratic Convention, you've missed a treat. Head on over to his joint and enjoy yourselves. And happy first anniversary, Andrew. It's paper, you know.

And the Democratic Party Nominates. . .

I know this news arrives as a complete shock, but there you go.

Congratulations, Senator.

* Apparently, he's not the "official" nominee until the conclusion of his acceptance speech, but I'll take a wild guess that not much will change things between now and then.

On Hillary's Speech (wow!)

BAM! Out of the park.

Senator Clinton's oration was, in turns, inspirational and combative. This was, truly, a presidential speech, and I can't help but wonder if, had she delivered something like this a bit earlier in the year, the presumptive nominee might be different. This was, far and away, the best speech she's ever given.

I agree, for the most part, with the The National Review's Jim Geraghty's summation. Yet while some viewers might find the Harriet Tubman reference a bit over the top, as Geraghty claims, many will embrace it. "Keep going" indeed.

Ah, well.

Her address to the PUMAs (and surely it was that) was most interesting; so interesting that I will return to it a bit later.

"A bit later": Aw, heck. Nevermind. I'll refer you to these OpEds:
Cenk Uygar's "Hillary's Best Line: 'Were You In It For Me'?"
I agree entirely. This was her best line. Well, this and the crack about how appropriate that the Republican Convention will be help in the Twin Cities, Bush and McCain being so similar and all.

Nora Ephron's "Hillary the Adominsher," which is a less approving look at the Senator's speech, but is a critique of the speech within the context of the Clinton campaign overall.

Yes, it's a HuffPo morning.

Added: The online Hillary Clinton meetup group tied to the CAACR ignores its heroine's admonitory speech: rather celebrate Senator Clinton's successes, it's become something of a clearinghouse for potential smears. Foci now include: the Berg lawsuit, Obama's Certificate of Live Birth (it's a "fake" you know), calls to make a smear video go viral, articles that cast aspersions at Michelle Obama. and a return to William Ayers. This is their right, of course, but as I've written before, it adds to the impression that it isn't so much "pro-Hillary" as it is "anti-Obama."

Hillary Clinton to Release Delegates on Wednesday

From a Mike Allen "Politico Playbook" email update:

AP's Devlin Barrett: 'Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, hoping to unite the Democratic Party and cement her future in it, will gather her hard-won primary delegates Wednesday at a reception where she is expected to formally release them to Barack Obama. The New York senator has invited her pledged delegates to a reception at the Colorado Convention Center, not far from the main Democratic National Convention arena.'

So, there it is.

No doubt about it: the Democratic party has a dramatic (even melodramatic) week ahead. There will be tears before bedtime, as they say.

Senator Clinton has also encouraged her supporters to "rally around" Obama, and she took a dig at the new McCain advert that plays on PUMA anger:

Clinton mocked a Republican advertisement using some of her criticisms of Obama during the nominating duel.

"I am Hillary Clinton and I do not approve that message," she said, earning a standing ovation from a New York crowd waving blue signs saying "Hillary Made History."

Whether the Hillary die-hards heed her suggestions. . .we shall see.