This convention also represents progress for the Democratic Party, which for years now has been the organ of identity politics. The old Democratic Party emphasized differences and grievances. It was the party that has been quick to see racism and quick to cry foul.
That old party is the party of the Under Convention in Denver -- the convention of Hillary Clinton supporters, who feel betrayed by Obama's nomination. They complain that Obama staffers haven't courted them -- they never call. Some of them were big wheels in the Clinton machine. Others were committed believers. None of them likes being treated as if they are yesterday's news.
The Hillary faithful at this Under Convention either think Obama can't win, or deep down they just want him to lose.
It must gall them to see that in winning, Obamaphiles transcend identity. The Hillary brigade knows that if Obama loses, his supporters will return to the fold of identity politics. They will say that Obama lost because he is black -- yes, even some of the Obama supporters who now scoff at Hillary supporters who believe she lost because of her gender.
I talked to a number of women attending the convention who straddled both worlds. They supported Obama, but identified with the laments of Hillary's femme fatales. They believe that the news coverage was sexist, but they want Obama to win in November.
Some believe that the media have overplayed the Obama-Clinton riff. Only time will tell if they are right. |