Pumas, you're worse than cougars
It took a while, but Hillary Clinton finally came around to campaign for Barack Obama. And now, they've taken their show on the road, as The Times reports. The wife of the Man from Hope went to Unity, N.H., today and said, with Obama at her side, "Unity is not only a beautiful place... As we can see, it's a wonderful feeling -- isn't it?" Clinton apparently bore no grudge about Obama's hiring of her former (and unfavored) campaign aide. And Obama, meanwhile, pledged to help Clinton pay off her debts.
Unfortunately some of her female fans haven't quite made it to Unity. In fact, some of them are deriding the whole concept by calling themselves Pumas, to stand for "Party Unity My Ass," and perhaps unintentionally invoking another not-so-complimentary feline term for women. Some insist they'll vote for John McCain, while others plan to abstain, or write in Clinton's name. Rebecca Traister of Salon had the best explanation of their reasoning. (Traister also had a solid explainer of why liberal women were so peeved by the attitude of male Obamaniacs, many of whom, she noted, insisted they would vote McCain if Clinton was the Democratic nominee. In other words, this isn't chicks-holding-grudges, Chris Matthews fans.) On why they're mad at Obama himself:
...for some, there is lingering sting -- about the paucity of women in Obama's top advisory team during the campaign, about the way they feel the Obama campaign stained Clinton's supporters -- and Clinton and her husband too -- as racists, about the patronizing "You're likable enough" comment during a January debate. Perhaps the worst slight, in their eyes, came after Obama had secured the nomination. When he should have been smoothing ruffled feathers, he instead decided to hire Patti Solis Doyle, longtime Hillaryland denizen from whom the senator is now reportedly estranged....
But as Traister notes in conclusion (and in fairer terms than her colleague Walter Shapiro, who calls the Democratic defectors "errant voters" making an "empty threat"):
These angry people have nowhere else to go. So the safe expectation is that they will fall in line without much kicking and screaming. And that, ultimately, is why many of them are kicking and screaming. Yes, they're going to vote for Obama. Of course they'll vote for him. The truth is, they'll probably love voting for him. But after what they feel has been done to them -- the way in which they were written off, marginalized and resented, their hopes mocked and their history-making ambitions dismissed as retrograde identity politicking -- damned if they're going to be nice girls about it.
In other words, if Pumas actually do vote for McCain, they're presumably voting against what attracted them to Clinton in the first place. McCain's dismal record on reproductive rights and other women's issues is well-documented, and I can't resist referencing the not-very-nice epithet he once hurled at his wife. And, of course, with that name, they're expanding the annoying "cougar" meme -- that women doing what they want makes them somehow predatory.
So Puma anger might be well-justified, but sometimes, you just have to vote for the lesser of two evils -- because you can't throw your vote away on a third party.
*Photo courtesy Associated Press.
Well said, they have given a big show!! Hillary supporting Obama? Only in The Muppet Show a thing like that is possible. After the ridiculous primary season and after what O did to Hillary, let's not forget DNC, she just proved that she is better than all of them together!! Anyways, just being there with him does not mean she really supports him!! We know better, we are not some brainless group of stupid people who can simply scream in awe when The One is near!!
Go PUMA !!!
Posted by: Oscar P | October 30, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Mr. Obama speaks with more thought and intelligence than any politician on the national scene since Bill Clinton. Selfish is McCain who tossed aside his ideals to move much farther right in order to win his party's nomination. Arrogant is Mrs. Clinton for assuming well before the primary that she would be the nominee, thus failing to manage her campaign effectively. I have much respect for Hillary but when you can't manage the economy of your own campaign how can you manage that of an entire nation. PUMAS must be reminded that we live in a democracy not an oligarchy and that you are acting as irrational as the 15% who still think Bush is doing a heckuva job!
Posted by: Oregon Ind. | August 25, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Obama has proven to be incredibly selfish, arrogant and stupid. How else can one ignore such a large portion of the democratic base? He has proven he is not worthy of being a President. And, BTW, I'm a white, male Democrat not a female. The MSM which annointed Obama as the Dem candidate is trying to make it appear that only white, older females are diasppointed with the Democratic nominee when in truth it is 50% of the Democratic party.
Posted by: Oregon Dem | August 25, 2008 at 02:38 PM
THE PUMAS ARE TOTALLY JUSTIFIED ...
1. Contrary to what Obamabots say ...
Obama and Hillary were in a dead heat,
when the DNC pressured Hillary into not
only conceding, but campaigning for Obama.
2. Obama is once again in a dead heat, but now
with McCain, even though Obamabots act like
Obama has already won (like they did in the
primaries against Hillary). So, this means that
half of the Democrats, and all the Republicans
(3/4 of America) dIdn't want Obama. Plus, he
didn't even win the popular vote, and refused a
revote in Michigan and Florida.
3. Obama has the thinnest resume in politics, and
he won state legislature and Senator by
disqualifications of his opponents, not by earned
experience, or votes.
4. Obama's one claim to fame is being a community
organizer, where he boasts of registering voters.
Then he took their votes away from them, by
disqualifying his opponents on technicalities, prior
to the election.
5. Obama's mentor of 20 years, was an anti-American
racist ... not to mention other unsavory associations.
6. Obama is simply buying the election, since he's
good at fund raising ... hardly a qualification to be
President of the United States.
7. The media never vetted Obama, and they are
giving him a free ride, plus more than twice the
print and air time as McCain, as they did against
Hillary.
8. 90% of blacks are voting for Obama, because he is
black, while the campaign gained ground by
accusing most opponents of racism.
9. Obamabots were, and are extremely nasty and sarcastic
towards Hillary supporters, as well as McCain supporters.
10. Pumas should be applauded for putting country before party ...
especially a party that did not represent them, and a party
which highjacked the nomination for Obama.
11. Obama added insult to injury, when he didn't even consider
Hillary for V.P. ... nor did he even call her ... even though she
got 18 million votes in the primary.
12. Obama and the DNC are now holding a gun to the heads of
Hillary and Bill Clinton, giving them an ultimatum ... either support
Obama, or kiss your future in the DNC and politics goodbye.
P.S. Michelle Obama subjected her two young children to anti-American racists ... Jeremiah Wright, Farrakahn, Pfleiger, and others
at the black liberation Trinity church in Chicago, for several years. Is this who you want for first lady ... I don't think so !!
Posted by: Gina | August 25, 2008 at 12:35 PM
If you want a bigger government,more of your individual rights taking away from you,lose the war on terror,socialized society,and higher taxes then vote for me. I change my position like the wind. I say the surge won't work, then I say the surge work. When I speak without a prepared speech or teleprompter i sound like a baboon on steroids. It;'s time to get rid of all the liberal democrats in office. They want us to suffer so we depend on the government. They are against drilling for oil because they want the gas prices to rise so we take public funded transportation. Vote them out and let's get some conservatives in office before it's too late.
Posted by: Rayshawn | July 23, 2008 at 03:15 PM
PUMA? LOL! Biggest. Waste. Of. Time. Ever.
See ya PUMA! Have fun at the polls!
Posted by: Barackles | July 21, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Attention PUMAs:
In November, your cult leader will appear in Federal Court. She will not be able to use executive power to circumvent the law; as she will not be VP. She will be found guilty of all charges. She will enter prison.
Later on in, oh I don't know, 2010, McCain will ban abortion in a signing statement, after all, we will need troops for his 100 year occupation.
You must feel so proud of yourselves, you real women you!
Posted by: Miss. Kitty | July 21, 2008 at 04:19 PM
www.womenwithpmsforjohnmccain.com
Posted by: Rebecca Traister | July 02, 2008 at 10:43 PM
As a 57 year old middle class, blue collar man, a long-time Clinton supporter and lifetime Democrat, I find the general tone of this article offensive to me and on behalf of all the women I know, including my wife and four adult daughters. First off, the PUMA PAC and associated groups are not all women, obviously. And the condescending headline/title of this piece, along with other incendiary comments, is about what I've come to expect from Obama supporters. If you think all you have to do is wave the Roe vs Wade flag in front of women to make them fall in line ten paces behind the men waving the Obama heraldry, you truly don't understand anything about the the subject on which you profess to explain with your writing.
Worse than cougers? WTF is that supposed to mean? Vote for Obama and love it? Are you insane?
One of the primary aspects of the anti-Obama movement is that it is composed of lifetime Democrats and Independents, non-Republicans, who are astonished and dismayed that the DNC, manifested in Dean and Pelosi, had repeatedly called on Senator Clinton to stop her campaign before the primary season had ended. This is unprecedented and undeniably WRONG!! So the DNC basically called the primaries closed after Super Tuesday, before all the crapola hit the fan about Obama and his horrific associations, before his string of gaffes and flip-flops, etc. If voters had known THEN what they know NOW, there would be a whole different outcome.
And you know what? There is no "Nominee" until the end of August, at the National Convention. And now we are hearing that the long tradition of nominations and delegate counting will not be conducted this time?? WTF???
If the first ballot does not result in a nominee, the delegates are supposed to be released or awarded to another candidate, are they not? Then on subsequent ballots, a winner emerges. That's what a convention is for. Now we are told there will simply be a coronation, no other nominees are welcome, and protesters will be caged miles away.
So I, with others, will cast my vote for Senator McCain, a man I trust, rather than this know-nothing half-term senator from a dubious background. And I'll love doing it!!
Posted by: Steve in KC | July 02, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Obama is not fit to be President. My thanks to the other posters who have expressed themselves so well.
DNC wants their appointed candidate and they have him. Lets see what they think about him in November.
Ayers, Wright and others with a lot more money are sitting on the sidelines, waiting to be called into service once the votes are counted.
My vote is that they remain on the sidelines along with their Trojan Horse.
McCain 2008
Posted by: Libby | July 01, 2008 at 11:16 PM
It amazes me every time a Hillary supporter is following her lead one of these people call us names like Obamaniacs and accuse us of being "the bad guys"
I've watched this from the beginning and these people are relentless. The tactics they resort to are despicable to say the least.
You can try and spin and twist it any way you want, that word means the same thing to anyone you ask. You have absolutely no respect for Senator Clinton when you dare associate her name with your pack.
And now word is getting around about what you really are a GOP funded group and it's spreading fast. Everyone already knew it now the proof is coming out of the wood work. So cling to McCain's coat tails now, Senator Clinton is out of the mix, let her be before you become her ruin.
1 in 18 million
Posted by: Wendy ~ Dem4life | July 01, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Typical. Don't think someone can actually have an opinion other than your own and accept it as being valid AND different? I'm undecided on writing in Hillary or voting McCain - remember when we were so scared in 04 and 08 that it would be McCain and not Bush? He certainly seemed like a decent man and centrist then.
As for me, I'm getting some PUMA gear at http://www.search4tees.com/search/shirts/hillary%20pumas/1>http://www.search4tees.com or http://www.pumaparty.com>http://www.pumaparty.com and flashing it around town. Mark me down for anyone but Obama. I've seen men flash that same grin too many times before.
PUMA Jenn
Posted by: Jenn | July 01, 2008 at 02:51 PM
This article is way off base on what PUMA is all about. I should know, since I'm coined the term. I'm not female and I'm not a "fan" just a young guy who care about the direction of the Democratic party and the country.
_______________
www.DONEdems.com
Posted by: DJK | June 28, 2008 at 08:58 PM
You Obamaniacs love scare tactics, don't you?
Roe vs. Wade was enacted in 1973, making it 35 years old. 25 of those years were Republican-controlled and it hasn't been overturned to date, nor will it be. The Supreme Court would never overturn it without an overly-complacent Congress, which will be mostly-Democratic. Also, McCain said if Roe vs. Wade was overturned, women would go back to using coat hangers to self-abort, which is dangerous. The only reason he added this was to appeal to evangelicals who he needs to turn out on election day; I truly don't feel he wants to overturn Roe vs. Wade and even if he wanted to, Congress wouldn't permit it.
John McCain has demonstrated he's able to work with Democrats and Republicans and achieve a balance. He wants to solve the global warming crisis (which many conservatives see as an Al Gore-invented term), he's in favor of federal funding of embryonic stem cell research (as opposed to Bush's "war on science"), he voted against the ban on same-sex marriage, and he wants to cut taxes for the middle class.
John McCain is MUCH better than an ultra-liberal (voted against harsher punishment for gang violence, voted twice against the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which would treat unsuccessfully-aborted babies as legal citizens and give them care, not leaving them to die) inexperienced elitist.
PUMA!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jen | June 28, 2008 at 11:48 AM
PUMA also stands for People United Means Action.
Somehow you missed the message that PUMA is giving.
PUMA is one of a group of blogs connected by "No Deal".
What these groups have in common is anger at the media
and the DNC for allowing a sexist and unfair campaign.
If there had been racist remarks made about Obama equivalent to the sexist remarks about Clinton, the country would be in an uproar. When Shirley Chisholm ran for the Presidency in 1972 she noted that she encountered more prejudice for being female than for being Black. Nothing has changed. Also, Obama has been given a free pass, by the press and by the DNC.
He is a Junior Senator who has not even completed one term and does not appear to many of us to have the knowledge nor judgement to be President. Witness his recent flip-flops on issues such as campaign financing.
Women do not vote on only the issue of reproductive rights despite what you appear to think. And when Obama makes the remark that Clinton has "opened the
door for his daughters", we are insulted . . . because we have heard this phrase many many times in the past and always to justify telling women to be "good girls" and bpatient . . . their time will come. Once again a woman does the work and a cute guy gets the job. This Primary campaign has born a closer resemblence to American Idol that to the Office of the Presidency and the only recourse we have to protest the actions or inactions of the DNC and media is to refuse to endorse their selected candidate. This time we are not going to be "behave" and
get in line.
Posted by: mpdamon | June 27, 2008 at 10:26 PM
If HRC were sincere (sort of if I were Marie Antoinette) she would take down her campaign website.
I think Obama can be a great president & I suppose he has to be polite to this delusional crook, but leopards don't change their spots.
The only ideal that woman ever had in her life is her own entitlement.
Posted by: Miri | June 27, 2008 at 09:41 PM
It seems as if no one in the media gets it. I am from Michigan remember us the ones that Obama and the DNC said did not matter. I wanted Hillary, I like McCain, Obama thinks this country has 58 states. Now seriously who on earth do you think I would vote for? Obama didn’t need me in January he certainly doesn’t need me now... and by the way, if you want me I’ll be hanging out with the Puma Pack and this Puma member will voting for McCain.
Posted by: StarDust | June 27, 2008 at 09:28 PM
The criticisms levied at Clinton supporters who reject Obama are grounded in false assumptions and charaterizations. I do not oppose Obama because I am "angry", nor do I resort to "kicking and screaming" to express my opinions. I will not vote for Obama because he lacks the skills and qualifications for the office of the presidency. After 26 years of voting ONLY Democratic, I can no longer support a party that is intolerant and dismissive of diverse perspectives, that views blocks of voters with elitist contempt, and that demands silent obedience from it's members. Commentators that refer to the anti-Obama voters as "buzzkills" reveal that they are addicted and attracted to Obama's brain-numbing feel-good rhetoric, which has distorted any capacity for critical thinking among many of his supporters. Finally, I am not "throwing my vote away". I am harnessing the power of my vote, placing principle before partisanship and integrity before ideology.
Posted by: tarma | June 27, 2008 at 09:20 PM
I am a PUMA and I am a Hillary supporter. I will vote for McCain if the only other choice is Obama, because I still think as I did when Hillary was in the race for President. Obama does not have my trust because of his background and the known people who have shaped his philosophy. In other words he represents more risk to me than McCain. My opinion and I am not alone.
Posted by: Marty1 | June 27, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Gosh Thanks Traister, golly we need you to speak for us! What exactly is Salon, a political mag?, sounds like fashion to me so what do you know?
You know you actually sound like you are describing the age old male justification for rape, 'You'll vote for him, and you'll probably love doing it."
Huh? No actually Im NOT going to vote for him and would not even accept money to vote for him. I certainly would not enjoy throwing my principles down the drain to vote 'for the lesser of two evils' as you put it.
I see McCain as being more of a Moderate than BO and most of us are Centrists, which is why we supported the candidate Hillary Clinton. She actually had a track record for ideas and actions so it was much easier to classify her than an unknown junior Senator who has become known infamously by his association with a radical fringe, his leagues of windup robots, his fatuous smile and bad dancing, while not being known for much else.
No, I am not directed like a puppet to go out and vote for the lesser of two evils, in fact, it is my choice to vote or not to vote, as I choose. If I believe that my vote is meaningful by writing in my candidate Hillary Clinton then I will do so. If I believe that Barack Obama might be elected President I would find that extremely worrisome since I do not believe he is a leader. I believe he is a radical that will do irreparable harm to our country, so in that case a vote for McCain might be what is needed. It is my choice. Unlike the Obama robots, I make up my own mind. Last time I checked we still have the freedom to vote based on our principles.
"Empty threat by Errant Voters"? We'll see.
Posted by: Angry She Puma | June 27, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Why PUMA?
Relatively unknown, Obama presented himself to young voters as a "Clean Politics - Fix the Broken System" candidate. Obama is a very good motivational speaker (associated with David Axelrod) and invited people to come out and have fun. (I was on his email list). He collected alot of votes before people started to catch on, that he was, in fact, a grafter and part of the Broken System.
African Americans where enthusiastic about seeing their ethnicity represented by an intelligent, well educated politician. Exit polls showed they supported him with their votes. However, when a picture came out with him in ethnic apparel and Reverend Wright became visible, instead of claiming that as part of his heritage, the display of the picture was criticized and Reverend Wright's close association denied.
However, he already had gotten the popular votes.
The Democratic Party is higher than the general American population in women and minorities. Only 46% of the Democratic Party is male. However, 64% of the Superdelegates are male. 46% of the Superdelegates are white male. So Reverend Wright and his church had to go under the bus to buy Obama a ticket into the good old boys chapter of the DNC. Obama let his church of 20 years, claiming that he had not really know how Reverend Wright was. So he had his new buddies’ support to discount the Florida and Michigan votes. Attending his new church on Father’s Day, he made a critical speech about absentee fathers to assure his new buddies that he was going to be tough on “them”.
As the club goes, "You are either with us or against us," and then in the name of Party Unity, the Superdelegates voted for Obama. Superdelegate votes per Wikipedia. As follows:
Obama - Female 156, Male 327
Clinton - Female 125, Male 132
Undecided – Female 26, Male 55
The campaign manager that conducted Clinton's early campaign poorly and was rumored to be responsible for the release of Obama's ethnic apparel photo, was subsequently "hired" by the Obama Campaign.
The sexist media campaign carried out against Clinton was believed to be primarily attributed to the GOP, in answer to the question posed to McCain during a strategy meeting, "How do we beat the bitch." The media campaign is partially documented in the U-Tube video "Hillary Clinton Mad as Hell/Bitch"
There are also caucus irregularities and questions about "grassroots" funding sources.
Apparently these types of manipulations can get you the presumptive Democratic Nomination but this is not the kind of leader who can return our nation to productivity and prosperity.
Posted by: Lu4PUMA | June 27, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Sorry but i will not fall in line Robert S does not know what he is talking about The Democrat party is broke As a lifetime dem I will cast a vote for John McCain because the party has used there base and thought nothing of the people they cast aside.
Posted by: BisPUMa | June 27, 2008 at 08:42 PM
I am not throwing my vote away. I for one don't feel that ANY vote is a waste or thrown away no matter what way a person votes. As far as Obama goes, I don't like him, I won't be voting for him EVER. The DNC is my target. The DNC is the party that needs to get with the program. They are losing members and supporters because the of the way they behaved this primary. The DNC is on a downward spiral. They can't have it both ways. Love Obama hate Hillary but expect Hillary and her supporters to jump on the Obama train.
Posted by: Pumaontherocks | June 27, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Yes, the LESSER of two evils.. That's why John McCain has MY vote. Obama is a fraud!
Buy it, display it, vote it!
Posted by: JanetY | June 27, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Uh... my wife is a member of PUMA. She (and I) believes that BO is a more dangerous prospect for this country than McCain--and that's saying a lot. His willingness to militarily strike Pakistan (a nuclear nation), his flip-flops on five issues in the past three weeks, his troublesome (and now, criminal) associates from whom he continually has to "distance" himself, his lack of personal judgment (vis-a-vis Wright and Pfleger and McClurkin), and his lack of knowledge about foreign nations (outside of Kenya) are just horrific in a potential President.
The potential launch of the third world war and the collapse of the economy (which has begun already) are, for us, much more important to prevent than abortion rights are to maintain. There's simply no comparison. NOBAMA.
Posted by: Steven Mac | June 27, 2008 at 07:15 PM