As expected, many supporters of Hillary Clinton were saddened, disheartened, angry, bitter, disappointed, frustrated, and so forth. As Hillary Clinton announced the suspension of her campaign and withdrawal from the race, she said she would be giving her endorsement to the now presumed Democratic nominee Barack Obama.
Tensions between Obama and Clinton supporters were high as a result of the ongoing race between the two of them. Clinton had told her supporters to give Obama their support. When they heard Obama’s name, Clinton’s supporters had yelled out “boos.” There was also the gender and ethnic divide that also hurt both Clinton and Obama. However, former US President Bill Clinton, the husband to Hillary Clinton, has been blamed by critics for stirring up racial tensions.
But, most of Clinton’s supporters will not easily give Obama their support. Obama will have to “earn” their support. Many have said that a surefire way that Obama would get their support is if he chose Clinton as his running-mate. An Obama-Clinton ticket has been defined as a “dream-ticket.” However, not everybody is buying into the hype.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that an Obama-Clinton ticket will not happen. Former US President Jimmy Carter says that it would be a “nightmare ticket” that would be eaten up by the GOP. Presumed GOP nominee John McCain and the RNC had not bothered to attack Clinton and only focused their attacks on Obama. It would look as if the RNC has a stockpile of ammunition to use against Clinton.
In Obama’s case, Clinton’s supporters may vote for him, not vote at all, or vote for McCain. McCain has not hesitated to reach out to the Clinton voters. Many frustrated Clinton supporters said that they will vote for McCain this November.
“I don’t have a choice. There’s no way I want McCain,” said 61 year old Dianne Cooperman. She added: “I can’t take four more years of the last eight.”
60 year old Mary Ellen Courtney said she would support Obama in due time. She said, she needed time to take it easy and get her head clear.
59 year old Carol Reich said she could not vote for Obama. When interviewed, Reich was in tears.
The ages of these people show a consistency, they are in their middle ages and the elderly. Elderly men and women have been a core bloc of Clinton’s support and voting base.
Still, these Clinton supporters are faced with a tough decision. But, the passions and frustrations remain high. However, the ages of these supporters are consistent with poll results that while Obama fares well with the younger voters, Clinton fares well with the older voters.
As the voters get older, Obama’s popularity with them decreases. As the voters get younger, Clinton’s popularity with them decreases. This is an example of the gap in age groups. The feminist movement was even split between Obama and Clinton. The younger feminists supported Obama while the older feminists supported Clinton.
This is a classic clash of the youth and the elderly.
In short, the Clinton supporters could be the ‘true swing’ vote in this election.