Melissa Harris-Lacewell

Marc, 

I took last week off from all political news.  Today I woke up ready to catch up on the election.  I almost gagged from all the “unity” talk.  Did Barack and Hillary seriously show up in Unity to announce their unity?  Has the Obama camp completely lost their minds?

One of the reasons I support Obama is my sense that he takes Americans seriously.  Sure, he is a politician and vulnerable to sometimes behaving like one, but overall his campaign treats voters like we can reason, like we can handle tough truths and as though we are grown ups.  Now those two are hugging in Unity while wearing matching tie and pant-suit like senior prom? Come on.

Obviously Obama must encourage Clinton supporters to back his campaign. But let’s do it with substance, not silly symbols. Let him talk about the policy points of agreement that distinguish them both from McCain.  Don’t let him act like HRC was just a “tough competitor” rather than an arrogant autocrat prepared to damage the party to secure her own win. 

There is no unity without truth and reconciliation.  I have not forgotten that Clinton and her campaign surrogates played dirty, racial politics for months after it was impossible for her secure the nomination. I am pissed that my hard-earned dollars, which I contributed to “Obama for America” will now likely go to pay off HRC’s multi-million dollar debt: debt that she incurred fighting a nasty primary battle that it was impossiblefor her to win.  I have not forgotten that she suggested McCain was a better Commander-in-Chief than Barack.  While I have not forgotten, I am willing to forgive. But I need her to do a little apologizing, coming clean, and truth telling. That may not be possible, but can we at least refuse to grovel in the meantime?

Thank goodness I am getting more news from foreign press. While the Americans are stuck on the sugary flypaper of the “Unity Rally” the Brits are reporting on a much more honest Clinton.  This morning’s Telegraph is reporting that Bill Clinton refuses to play nice and is demanding that Obama kiss-his-a**.  That sounds a little more like the Clinton’s I have come to know over the past six months!

So what do you think Marc? Will the Clintons be an asset to Obama’s campaign and help substantively unify the party? Should I just forgive and forget? 

Melissa

Marc Lamont Hill

Melissa,

As much as I enjoy a good Obama-bash, I have to disagree with you on this one. Given your penchant for calling me idealistic and naïve about therealpolitik of presidential campaigns, I’m surprised that you’re tripping about UnityFest 2008.

I agree that, ideally, their joint message should center around policyconvergences rather than empty symbolism. The reality, however, is that the Democratic primary was never really about policy disputes in the first place. In truth, Clinton and Obama are political twins who have no major differences regarding “universal” (snicker) health care, No Child Left Behind (which they both passively endorse), Housing (although Clinton’s plan was more robust), or bringing down oil prices (yeah, right). In essence, to paraphrase Henry Kissinger, their primary battle was so bitter because there was so little at stake. Given this reality, their reconciliation work has less to do with policy and more to do with personality. In order to deliver the Clintonites to the Obamaphiles, the two rivals must tour the country engaging in the same superficial symbolism that shaped their primary battles.

Don’t get me wrong, some of Hillary’s remarks were over-the-top and downright dangerous to the party. Still, were her tactics any more vicious than what took place between Johnson and Kennedy? Was her “commander-in-chief”remark any more treacherous than George H.W. Bush’s infamous “voodoo economics”snipe at Ronald Reagan? Not really. In both cases, their constituencies quickly forgot about the internecine beefs and refocused their competitive energy across the aisle.

As long as Hillary continues to advocate for Barack –and Bill Clinton goes into hibernation– all will be forgiven amongst much of her base. Is this true unity or reconciliation? No, but it just may make for a winning campaign.

Marc