July 17, 2008 - 7:18pm
Hillraiser Turner considers the McCain option
By Max Pizarro
Category: PresidentTags: Michael Kempner, Mark Alexander, John Graham, Hillary Clinton, Caren Turner, Barack Obama
Lifelong Democrat Caren Turner doesn’t plan to vote for Democrats out of a sense of nostalgia. In fact, she’s not sure she’s going to vote Democratic in the coming presidential election.
Turner, a Hillraiser who worked as part of the powerhouse New Jersey fundraising arm called the Group, was among those Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) holdouts who yesterday took part in a feel-out session with a surrogate of Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ).
Of the group formerly known as "The Group," Michael Kempner last month indicated his absolute adherence to the Obama campaign, as did the Rev. Reginald Jackson; John Graham and others last week sat down with Mark Alexander, senior policy advisor to Obama.
When it comes to presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-Il.), Graham and others are getting there, and they plan a unity bash for State Party Chairman Joseph Cryan next Thursday.
But Turner’s not even close yet, and there were a number of factors in the primary that led her to this point.
"I believe the DNC (Democratic National Committee) is broken," said the New Jersey native whose lobbying firm, Turner GPA, is based in Tenafly.
"The apportionment system is broken, the caucus system is broken, and the way Florida and Michigan were handled was appalling," she added. "The bottom line is that as the owner of a lobbying business, I am appalled by the inefficiency of a system that should have been winner take all."
In addition to the process flaws, Turner saw rampant misogyny on the trail, which neither Obama nor the party condemned, in her opinion. Among the guilty party, as Turner sees it, stands MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews, who suggested the only reason Clinton is a U.S. Senator is because "her husband messed around."
"This is a Yale Law graduate," objected Turner, a member of Together4us, the Hillraiser website founded by businesswoman Lynn Forester de Rothschild.
"I’m not proud of the way the party has handled itself," Turner said. "I’m not proud. I am going to look carefully at the Republican platform."
In Westchester, New York on Wednesday, two dozen Hillraisers chatted with Carly Fiorina, a former Hewlett-Packard Co. chief executive and McCain diehard.
"We’re reviewing strategic alliances with other groups that are like-minded, and we’re advocating that Hillary be shown respect by being nominated at the convention in a roll call vote - and we’d like her debt paid down," Turner said.
Clinton on the ticket with Obama might get Turner to a place where she is more comfortable, she admitted, in addition to commitments by the DNC to more forcefully recruit candidates who are women.
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October 6, 2008
"I am not supporting him, because he is not supporting the BCRO," Yudin said. "I simply said to him, and I stand by this, if elected officials feel they cannot support the BCRO, I cannot guarantee my support. He is a sitting assemblyman for 25 years, he has taken the position that he cannot give to the BCRO and I find that wrong, and I have warned him that is a position of mine."........
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Syndicate
Goodbye
If you are a registered Democrat and can vote for McCain over Obama after the past 30 years of Republicanism, then you are either a selfish idiot or a whiny little titty baby.
Yes, there was sexism that hurt Clinton. But there was racism that hurt Obama.
Both of them -- a woman and a black man -- beat a half dozen white men to the end of the race.
They are both extraordinary candidates. But if a Democrat can't see that Obama is a better vote for a Democrat than McCain, then there is no point in that person being a Democrat anymore.
Just go away, and leave the rest of us who really care about the party and our platform and not just our own victories to try to make this a better country.
ego
This egomaniac and her "group" should deal with Hillary getting beat and get lost. You're out. Go away. This is just another whiny lobbyist looking for a politician to get them rich off the taxpayer.
Clintonites are ... hungry for power?
Why I am not surprised here? Clintonites would like that "Hillary be shown respect by being nominated at the convention in a roll call vote - and we’d like her debt paid down." I am weird, but I cannot feel sorry for this multimillionaire, who must pay off her own $20 million debt. She can afford it, trust me on that. Why would Hillary be nominated for VP spot? Did she just lose primaries? I thought that what primaries were all about.
I love it!
Obama needs to earn Hillary backers support and so far his staffers are too arrogrant too!
Divided Loyalties - Traitors in our midst
Our country and constitution are under siege by agents of a foreign government. We all know who. It's not Iran, Iraq, or Afghanistan.
It's Israel.
How do we identify bumblebees? - by their stripes.
Look beyond the rhetoric in these articles for the stripes of Jews for Israel.
this is Berlin 1931. And we wonder what made those Germans so mad?
Read between the lines -
This is New Jersey - She's a Jew or owned by Jews for Israel. End of discussion.
This isn't about American politics, but Israeli politics. The author wants McCain or Hillary to advance the war on Islam.
this is Berlin 1931.
I checked my papers
I was born in NJ, but I don't see anything that says "Property of Israel" on my birth certificate or the bottoms of my feet, so I think it's safe to say that Georgann has a screw loose. End of discussion.
And speaking of loose screws and missing marbles, why does the media continue to hype up a tiny bunch of sore losers as if they're some sort of movement?
Obamas Anti semetic followers
Typical of Brennen aka Formerly Anonymous and Georgeann Marks to play the anti semitic and the marxist card. Everyone in the Clinton Camp knows that Obama has not got what it takes to revive the economy and produce energy/ save American Jobs. The P.U.M.A wing of the Dem party and their money will be a big factor in this years election
NOTE TO EDITOR
New Flash - McCain is a Republican, not a Democrat as listed in the article. Nice shot, though.
ps to GOODBYE: Platform? Democrats have a platform? "Change" is not a platform.
TRUE BLUE
Every one seems to have gotten off the topic and venture into territory that does nothing to advance the discussion at hand. As for Ms. Turner, I would say, get off your high horse and really look at what is best for this country and the individuals living in it. I know that as a lobbyist and resident of Tenafly you are not affected much by the $4+ per gallon gas prices, or the $5 a gallon for milk, or even the fact that is already predicted by the experts that heating fuel will go up around the 20-30% range. But if you are a true democrat as you say you are, you would not consider voting for an individual who, by his own words, does not know much about the economy. A man whose chief economic adviser until resently (former Sen. Graham) thinks that the economic woes facing the average american is all a figment of our imagination.
The party is by no way perfect but the core principles that it stands for do not change. AND NEITHER DO TRUE BLUE MEMBERS!!!!!
shrug
she can vote for whoever she wants. we all have an agenda. but mostly, YAWN.
shrug
she can vote for whoever she wants. we all have an agenda. but mostly, YAWN.
Waiving Goodbye to Decency & Logic
Looks like the anti-semitic wing of the Democrat party (in the person, here, of Georgann Marks, above) has crawling out from under a rock, thus further jarring and poisoning the political discourse this year. (Comments at 07/18/08 7:31 am & 07/18/08 7:34 am)
What disgusting comments you posted! Can't you get the fact that vigorously expressing differences is very much a part of the process, but that openly expressing anti-semitic comments is not?
And as for FormerlyAnonymous, you simply leave me speechless!
Consider the lack of logic in your post!
First, you viciously attack Caren Turner by saying in YOUR words, "you are either a selfish idiot or a whiny little titty baby." YOUR words!
What was THAT?
Your personal contribution to the "Misogyny Hall Of Quotations"?
Then you said the following:
"Yes, there was sexism that hurt Clinton. But there was racism that hurt Obama.
Both of them -- a woman and a black man -- beat a half dozen white men to the end of the race.
So . . . according to you, the sexism and the racism hurt them, which explains why they finished #1 & #2 and beat out "a half dozen white men"? Huh . . .?
Sorry, but I just don't get your logic.
by Trochilus
We Welcome You Caren Turner!
Caren Turner, this is especially for you: The Republicans are happy to welcome you into our Party! Come join and let's change the Republican Party however it needs to be changed. We need and welcome all new blood especially in our leadership and are surely more amenable to change than the sexists Dem's. You have been treated shabbily and inexcusably. Welcome to the Republicans! It will take some work and some time, but we can do this! Now's the time to start!
@ coqui
"The party is by no way perfect but the core principles that it stands for do not change. AND NEITHER DO TRUE BLUE MEMBERS!!!!!"
way to support a screwed up system...
why not stand up and say something is wrong... we need to fix it... you can still support your ideals, but in a better light...
i personally put triangle shaped wheels on my car, and i suggest you do the same...
The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets. - Will Rogers
fixing the party
Dear Coqui and Carolyn Early:
We are working to fix the party. To date, despite having top Party officials (from around the nation)agree and advocate for change, our efforts have fallen on deaf ears at the new DNC. Heads nod and no action. This is the problem.
In contrast, our efforts to get concessions from the Rs, to have our voices heard and get things, real things, accomplished, are welcomed, (Thank you Carolyn Early), seriously considered and acted upon at the highest levels. e.g. McCain agreeing to put more women in the Cabinet than any other President in history.
This is about correcting wrongs and injustices. This is about making the commitment to change, really change so that the election process works in a fair manner (one person, one vote and everyone who is registered gets to vote, getting rid of apportionment and caucuses), and women are in corporate board rooms, US Congress and receiving federal Government contracts in proportion to the populaton.
If you differ with those positions, or care to throw personal insults...that's fine.
If you think that is too "high minded" and the system is fine as is, I respectfully disagree.
This is about correcting injustices in our system.
C
H.C. has attorneys working hard on her side...
and so should WE.
What happened to: "we have a plethora of qualified candidates"; as Democrats "our cup runeth over"; or my favorite "no matter who wins, we'll work hard to elect a Democratic President"?
I'll tell you what happened. Their authoritarian instincts have overwhelmed their better judgment. HC did not loose the nomination because of the DNC, sexism, racism, facism or any other "ism". She lost because she put all her eggs in the 50 plus 1 strategy that served her so well right up to her concession. The country did not want, nay, the country could not afford another run at Red State vs. Blue State; while we all marched to the steady drumbeat of empire building.
As for Tenafly, suffice it to say that was never going to be a bastion of Obama support though I do see some Obama yard signs; not far from the town center where the Star of David flys above the American flag. Perhaps Trochilus can opine on whether or not that is illegal?
Now I know some of you are going to go ape shit all over me for saying so but let me tell you ALL something. I can trace my lineage in this country back to the second generation after the Mayflower. I fought, my father fought, my uncle fought, my grandfather faught, and my relatives are fighting for this country. Israel is my neighbor both figuratively and physically. As a Christian I am taught, I am demanded to love my neighbor as I love myself. Support for Israel is my birth right. I respect and cherish that fact. Having said that, I am NOT an authoritarian follower ("Conservatives Without Conscience", by John Dean) and we can ill afford to allow a President who is desperate to reassert his role as party leader, or anyone else for that matter, who would seek to exploit our differences.
My deepest fear is that this will be OUR October surprise. And that is why I'm putting this, my reputation, my kids namesake out there so that WE can talk out it, think about it and hopefully come to some kind of resolution on this issue before the Repugnuts do it for US.
Best regards to all, even C.