An Open Letter to Hillary Clinton (first published June 3, 2008)

Dear Hillary,

I hope you don’t mind if I use your first name. I feel I’ve gotten to know you during this primary campaign. I’ve observed your performances in the debates with admiration. I’ve been amazed by your calm, composed demeanor as you handled a disrespecful and misogynistic media. I’ve marveled at your graceful treatment of a far less qualified opponent who has treated you and your supporters with shocking disdain. In short, I have developed a deep level of respect and admiration for you. You are a remarkable and accomplished woman, and you would be a great President for our country. I simply can’t give up on my dream of a Hillary Clinton presidency.

This morning the corporate media is filled with obituaries for your campaign. They have been writing you off since New Hampshire, and now they think they really smell blood in the water. They can’t wait to declare your campaign dead and rally around the weaker candidate. Their goal all along has been to get the foolish DNC to pick a sacrifical lamb who will go down to ignominious defeat to the Republicans once again. And it appears that the Democratic “leadership” is poised to let it happen.

Everywhere on the internet, I’m hearing that it’s just a matter of time. You won’t concede tonight but you may make some kind of peace offering to Obama in hopes of being his VP. I’ve heard that some of your top staffers are saying that it may be over by Thursday. I hope this isn’t true.

I’m just stunned by what is happening. I am one of the 17 million Americans who voted for you in a primary. Yet the DNC and your opponent treat us as if we don’t exist. They have even given your opponent delegates that he did not earn, including four delegates that were pledged to you! As one of the women who was thrown out of the RBC meeting on Saturday said, “they’ve given me two winners in forty years!” Something is very wrong here.

Hillary, I know that you have been through the fires of hell in the past few months. As one of your supporters, I have been enraged at the way you have been treated by your opponent, by the media, and yes, by the DNC and elected Democratic “leaders.” I must tell you that no matter what you say or do, even you can never convince me to vote for Barack Obama. It just isn’t going to happen. He isn’t qualified to be President, even in a time of peace and prosperity.

I hope and pray that you will not accept the vice presidency either. We need you to be in a position where you can make a difference. As VP, you would only be expected to train and clean up after a less qualified, younger man. The problems we faced as a nation require a strong leader, someone who will fight for democratic values and for the right of every American to have health care, a decent quality of life, and most of all the right to have our votes counted.

I am asking you as one of your millions of supporters not to give up now. We have watched you in awe as you fought back against almost insurmountable odds to win primary after primary since March 5. You are the one with the momentum right now. You are the one the voters want. You are the one who can defeat John McCain in November. Hillary, we need you. Your country needs you.

Just one more thing. I want you to know that over the past few months I have learned to trust you, to trust your judgement and your ability to make the right choices. Whatever you decide to do, I will continue to support you. If you stay in the fight for the nomination, I will be there for you. If you go back to the Senate, I will support your efforts in any way I can. Thank you for everything you have done for me–as a woman, as an American. Back in New Hampshire, you said you were finding your voice. In watching you in this campaign, I have found a deep well of inner strength and conviction in myself, and I will hold onto it no matter what.

I know you have probably seen this video before, but please watch it again, for the millions who have voted for you. America needs Hillary:

Sincerely yours, Boston Boomer