The sport of politics. The politics of sport.

All this talk of “Hillary’s” voters and “Obama’s” voters threatening to abandon the Democratic ticket in November if “their” gal or guy doesn’t get the nomination makes me wonder, yet again, if the Democratic Party is EVER going to be ready for political prime time.

I’ll admit that, as an Obama supporter and Hillary skeptic, I’ve had moments where I’ve pointed my finger at the tube – after hearing about yet another desperate ploy by the Clintons to undercut Obama so they can grab the nomination they feel Hillary is ENTITLED to – and said out loud “which is why I could NEVER vote for someone like YOU!”

But would I actually go over to a Republican presidential candidate who wants to keep us in Iraq indefinitely and who drags with him all of the trappings of a party steeped in right-wing logic and religious fundamentalist delusion? I might not like Hillary Clinton or her methods for trying to impose herself on America, but I’m NOT STUPID.

Threatening NOT to vote for a Democrat in November when the fate of our nation depends on having a president and a congressional majority that are willing to behave progressively is CHILDISH. It is an attitude grown men and women, the voters of America, have no business adopting. It is irresponsible, just the way the reckless words and actions of teenagers are often irresponsible. And it only makes Democrats look like fools determined to squander their own chances for victory.

The Democrats have made an absolute mess of their primaries in Florida and Michigan, with state leaders warning that the party could lose those states come November if their delegates aren’t seated at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer.

Hillary Clinton has pressed ahead with what increasingly seems to be a grand exercise in futility: winning the Democratic nomination. Barack Obama, who was sailing along on a pink cloud of swelling, multiracial support since Iowa, had to contend with a “pastor eruption” related to the subject Dems seem to be the most in denial about – the cultural mindset of black separatism – and all of the perceptual consequences that come with it.

These candidates are imperfect human beings who have taken on the arduous task of convincing tens of millions of people to trust them ENOUGH to allow them to take on the mantle of the presidency. Surely, ANYTHING will be better than what Americans chose to go with over the past eight years.

Yet some Democratic voters are apparently more than happy to turn the country over to an aging (albeit relatively decent), out-of-touch Republican war hero and Bush yesman (does anyone still have illusions about McCain’s “independence”?) – just because they don’t like the way the campaign game is played when both Democratic contenders are actually … well, CONTENDERS.

We’ve had a seat at the most exciting political show in most of our lifetimes. Here’s my message to Democratic voters: Don’t confuse the excitement of the show with the actual mission at hand. If you are thinking like grownups, you will make the right decision for the NATION when you step into that booth in November – not a decision based on pouty resentments toward the guy, or gal, who beat your guy or gal.

Yours Truly,
A.F. Cook