Clinton Bundler: Democratic Nomination Is Still Up For Grabs

Ricki Lieberman is one Hillraiser (the designation for those who raised over $100,000 for Hillary Clinton) who’s not ready to give up the fight. Responding to Jason Horowitz’s story in this week’s Observer – in which Jason detailed the “Electability Watch” newsletter that she’s been sending out every night since the Democratic primaries ended – Lieberman has written in to make it clear that her efforts are aimed at one goal: securing the Democratic nomination in two weeks for Hillary Clinton, who formally conceded the race on June 7.  Lieberman’s full email follows:

Jason Horowitz is correct in saying that coordinating the Electability Watch (EW) takes time.  Supporters of Senator Clinton across the country give time each week to "do the EW" - communicate thoughtfully with Super Delegates (SDs) to remind them that their only job in Denver is to select the electable candidate to bring Democrats back to the White House.  Regardless of previous commitments, SDs only count at the Convention where they have the responsibility to act in the best interests of the party and the country.

EWers provide updates to hundreds of SDs about electability, noting that Senator Clinton finished the primaries with 18 million votes, more than any other candidate ever, was leading in blue and swing states needed to clinch the Electoral College, and leading in polls against McCain.  We remind SDs that the more voters learned about Obama, the more they voted for Hillary, and that Obama is now virtually tied in the polls with McCain, not "sealing the deal".

The Democratic Party has no nominee.  Its presumptive nominee was selected, not elected, and Mile High Stadium notwithstanding, delegates go to Denver to select the Democratic candidate who can win in November.  We ask the Democratic Party to stop delegate intimidation and replacement, and to hold an open convention with a traditional nominating and roll call process such as was afforded Ted Kennedy in 1980 and even Howard Dean in 2004.  If that happens, we are confident that Senator Clinton will be the nominee and the President of the United States.  We are deeply fearful that to nominate Obama is to elect McCain.

Ricki Lieberman