An ongoing series on voter dissatisfaction.

guest post by Texas Darlin’

My blog received a wave of comments and emails from “Hillary Democrats” over Memorial Day weekend, mostly in response to guest posts by two readers who separately contacted me and wanted to share their thoughts about their growing dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party: sumuchtusay and deppdogg.

What the party elite and “superdelegates” must realize — before it’s too late — is that this disenfranchisement with the Democratic Party is not an isolated occurrence among a tiny minority of bloggers. These are everyday Democrats, most of whom are just casual visitors to political websites. They are mostly women, although many men have written too, and they have been the foundation of the party for decades. Many of them were Reagan Democrats re-captured by Bill Clinton. Almost all consider themselves “lifelong Dems.”

Anyone who’s paying attention will understand that we’re witnessing an extraordinary movement, one which could lead to the creation of a structured third party or a significant population of former Democrats registered as “independent.” It is already underway. Visit any political website and you’ll find similar comments.

With that introduction — this post continues the presentation of contributions from readers, a series which will be ongoing so long as people send me their thoughts.

From the people:

I too will not be voting for Obama if he is the nominee. The democrats haven’t learned their lesson yet. You cannot win a general election unless you can appeal to main stream Americans. Donna Brazile seems to think that Obama can win with the Black vote,college kids, and far left liberals. I will be laughing in November when all the pundits and party leaders will be scratching their heads wondering what happened!! One thing I know for sure is that they will blame Hillary for Obama’s loss instead of themselves.– Elizabeth L Elizabeth: you said a mouthful, you are absolutely correct, they will blame Hillary for Obama’s loss. I have voted for a Democrat since reaching majority (more years ago than I care to admit) and now feel like I am wandering on some bleak and nightmarish planet ruled by the pajama people. I cannot vote for McCain, I will vote for down ticket Dems, but never, never will I vote for the golden child. Count me in for that third party option. — Phylise My husband and I have been life long democrats who have voted in every election since we were old enough to vote. I am 66, my husband is 67. We will not be voting for Obama and have already changed our registration to unaffiliated. We sent our cut up democrat registration cards to Howard Dean in protest of the way they have been treating the voters of FL and MI and also for the way they have allowed Hillary to be treated by the DNC, the Obama campaign, and the MSM without saying a word in her defense. We will be voting for McCain in November if Obama is the democratic nominee and that includes if he “decides” to pick Hillary as his VP. We will not vote for Obama under any circumstance. Obama is untrustworthy, unprepared, arrogant, and a product of the corrupt Chicago political machine. We are Americans first, party loyalists last. – Nana This is agonizing for me. I have always voted Dem (except for Weld over John Silber, who voted for Reagan — who needs a “Democrat” who supported Reagan? Speaking of which…My daughter is worried about the Supreme Court. I informed her that it is thanks to Dem wimps and k***sses that we ended up with Thomas in the SC. And what have the Dems done since we voted them in in 2006? I’m ready for a third party and I won’t vote for O. — boomerg’ma I won’t vote for Obama. I won’t vote for McCain unless my state is in play in November. I hope to be voting third party (but certainly not for Libertarian impeacher Bob Barr.) — Slim I , too, have reregistered as an Independent. I have never voted for a Republican in my 47 years. But if Obama is the nominee I not only will be voting for McCain, but I will actually work for his campaign. I feel so strongly about not allowing Obama get to be president. I see and feel and smell disaster if he becomes president. I am in literal shock and disbelief at what the Democratic party has done, not only to Hillary and Bill, but to themselves and to a large part of their constituency. It sort of feels like being betrayed by your best friend….you don’t really believe it at first….then you feel so stupid for believing anything they ever said to you or that you were friends with someone who disregarded you so. I don’t think I have ever felt as passionate about seeing Hillary Clinton in the White House. She is one of the most brilliant and aweing candidates we have seen in a long long time. For the democratic party not to see that, defies logic. I actually hope that Senator Clinton decideds to start a third party. Wow would that be one for the history books!!!! — Ray

In a comment to this post at my blog, Anna Shane makes an excellent point:

It seems like a movement, and grass roots, of long time voting and contributing Dems who’ve forgiven our party and the candidates that didn’t have it in them to win, but who won’t put up with nominating a loser over a proven winner….They dismiss her and install him at their own risk, we won’t be willing to back this hack party if they waste our money and insist on giving us damaged goods. But, they know, the point is, do they care, do they still want us in the party?

To be continued…

TM NOTE: The picture that was first used for this series, which debuted on Memorial Day, was mistakenly not uploaded. That was my error. It has now replaced the original shot submitted by Texas Darlin’, and will appear on all subsequent postings of “Democratic Storm Warnings.”

The first in an ongoing series on voter dissatisfaction.

guest post by Patsy

Let me introduce myself. I am 29 year old female serving in the United States
Army. I am black. I am proud. And I am a supporter of Senator Hillary Rodham
Clinton.

We have seen daily how Senator Clinton moves forward to speak for our loved
ones, our families and our friends, despite the constant call for her to step
down. She has gone forward despite the obstacles in her path and she has continued
to fight. To attempt to destroy the reputation, the name of the former First
Lady and Senator by falsely portraying her supporters as racist is one of the
worst mistakes of the 2008 election process. To use the the history and the
struggles in the black community to destroy another person’s political career
is the worst form of politics imaginable.

The media is slowly destroying the black community with their words. MSNBC
should fire Keith Olbermann and let him return to being a radio sportscaster.
They are ripping the Democratic Party apart and they are dividing this nation.
Any sane, reasonable and coherent person can see that the cries of “racism”
are their attempts to get Senator Clinton to leave this race. By any means necessary.
Therefore any sane, reasonable and coherent person watching this debacle is going to resent what is happening, because anyone can see that Senator Clinton is being railroaded.

African Americans are not in any way stupid. If we believed that there was
this level of racial discourse as these pundits make it out to be we would
be marching on Washington D.C. But now we can only watch in horror as the
media destroys our history. The only ones who are “outraged” are those
who have no idea of true racial hatred.

How many black civil rights leaders have you seen in the media, on NBC, MSNBC,
and CNN, that have stated that the former President and First Lady are racists?
None. But we should believe analysts such as David Gergen, commentators such
as Keith Olbermann and reporter Andrea Mitchell who get on television and tell
you so? On 27 April, “Meet the Press” NBC reporter Andrea Mitchell
boldly stated that racism was a “real factor” in the Obama vote
on the ground in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Apparently because many voters are
racist they have a “willingness to believe totally erroneous things about
Senator Obama,” like he didn’t put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of
Allegiance. So my next question is, where is the evidence for the “I vote
for Senator Clinton and I am racist who clings to my gun and bible”
scientific poll to determine who is racist or who is not? So the next time the Obama campaign gives you talking points make sure
you understand what you’re reading and saying before you open your mouth and
say it.

For those of you who don’t know, there is a movement happening behind the scenes
and it’s one that is moving fast and one that is strong. It was born from watching
this historic election with our nation having its first viable female contender
for the position of Commander in Chief take hit after hit, day after day, while
she attempts to fight for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party, when the
party in question will not stand up and fight for her.

It was born from watching the little girls with big dreams, and those that
are already living the American dream. It came from the mothers who can barely
make ends meet and do without just so their families can barely get by. It’s
from the blue collar workers who just lost their jobs. It was born from the
heroes and sheroes deploying to the same place year after year with
no end in sight. It came from the ones who want to give up, but find a way to
keep on going. It started from the ones who have been constantly knocked down,
but keep getting back on their feet. It came from those moving forward that
never look back.

We all have a dream of change. A change that will put our nation back on the
right path. Where putting the safety of our country is the first and foremost
priority. Where people would stand up and fight for what they believe in. Where
cries of racism is not the way nor the means to achieve a goal. Where the media
reports news instead of their biased opinion. Where it’s OK to vote on who
is best to lead our country based on a candidate’s experience.

The 2008 primary and general election is historic for many reasons. It’s the
chance of having either the first female or black president. But the most important
aspect and notable accomplishment for me will be the official date, the official
time, the exact moment the Democratic Party died for me.

The party I thought I knew ceased to exist the moment, the minute and the second
they allowed the first most qualified female presidential candidate in our nation’s
history to be attacked, destroyed, and ripped apart, which reached a tipping
point this weekend. As of 24 May 2008 0930hrs, I no longer belong to the Democratic
Party. I will no longer be affiliated with any group or group(s), person or
person(s), that would allow a party member to be falsely accused of allegations
that bears no relevance or has no relationship to the situation at hand. I will
not be part of a party that utilizes character assassination to achieve a goal.
I will not quietly sit by and watch the destruction of my chosen candidate.
I will not support, vote, or show any loyalty to those who sit quietly aside
and allow this to be played out in the court of public opinion. The Party I
once knew I know no longer. Today I turn my back on the Democratic
Party, because by allowing the falsehoods against Hillary Clinton to be embellished
as they have the Democratic Party has turned its back on me.