Open Thread

May 20th, 2008 10:58 AM

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: will unhappy female Clinton supporters back Obama?

If many of Mrs. Clinton’s legions of female supporters believe she was undone even in part by gender discrimination, how eagerly will they embrace Senator Barack Obama, the man who beat her? “Women felt this was their time, and this has been stolen from them,” said Marilu Sochor, 48, a real estate agent in Columbus, Ohio, and a Clinton supporter. “Sexism has played a really big role in the race.”...Cynthia Ruccia, 55, a sales director for Mary Kay cosmetics in Columbus, Ohio, is organizing a group, Clinton Supporters Count Too, of mostly women in swing states who plan to campaign against Mr. Obama in November. “We, the most loyal constituency, are being told to sit down, shut up and get to the back of the bus,” she said.

How serious might this be for Obama? Are there enough disenchanted female Hillary supporters to make a difference in key states? Or, will these folks put aside their differences for the good of their Party?