Growing Backlash From Women in the Democratic Party

In reference to my previous post, Dems to Women: “Sit down, shut up, and get with the program,” I’ve exchanged a couple of comments with a reader identifying herself as Jill, who rightfully expressed reservations about the threats a group calling itself Clinton Supporters Count, Too, has made regarding the general election.

My original information on this story came from Ben Smith’s blog at Politico. And as I explained to Jill, I wasn’t convinced the group was seriously threatening to actively work against Obama if he becomes the nominee.

I’ve since found more detailed information on Clinton Supporters Count, Too, as reported by Rick Klein at ABC’s Political Punch. Here are a couple of paragraphs from Klein’s post:

"We {Clinton Supporters Count, Too} have a plan to campaign against the Democratic nominee," the group said in a press release Thursday. "We have the (wo)manpower and the money to make our threat real. And there are millions of supporters who will back us up in the swing states. If you don’t listen to our voice now, you will hear from us later."

Ruccia tells ABC News that she believes "millions" of women share her group's views, though they have only begun to make contact with like-minded women. They're disgusted, she said, that Democratic Party leaders haven't more aggressively denounced sexist media comments and coverage in the campaign, and are angry at the drumbeat for Clinton to get out of the race.

As I explained to Jill, I disagree with the group’s plan to actively oppose the Democratic nominee; however, I consider the stand the group is taking against the horrendous onslaught of sexist and misogynist abuse leveled at Hillary Clinton throughout the Demcratic primary a wake-up call for Democratic party leaders.

It’s way past time to speak out loudly and firmly against the ill treatment Clinton and her followers have received from Democrats, the media, and Obama supporters.

For example, how many times during this campaign have the good old boys ganged up on Clinton to try to force her out of the race? Most recently, the week following her win in Indiana, the drumbeat became intense. Keep in mind, folks, Indiana was Clinton’s fourth win out of the last five state primaries: she’d previously won Ohio, Texas, and Pennyslvania; Obama had won North Carolina. Clinton followed up by thumping Obama by 42 percentage points in West Virginia.

A respected second-term U.S. Senator from New York, Hillary Clinton is arguably the better candidate in the Democratic race. It shouldn’t be asking too much from the media and Demcratic party leaders to offer Clinton fair treatment and a level playing field until a nominee has been officially declared.