- Online, in Washington D.C. and Nationwide - The Just Say No Deal Coalition issues the following response to Governor Ed Rendell’s counter movement HOUND (Hillary-Obama-United-Not-Divided). While we thank the governor for recognizing us as a fluid, viral, viable and ever growing movement— we PUMAs and members of the Just Say No Deal Coalition want to respectfully point out that Governor Rendell and his crew are missing the point.
In HOUND’s credo Governor Rendell states, "PUMA advocated that Hillary Clinton supporters do not vote for Barack Obama just for the sake of party unity…We believe Sen. Clinton supporters should vote for Sen. Obama because, as Hillary herself said so forcefully and poignantly in her great speech a few Saturdays ago the best way to achieve the changes she has fought so hard to bring to America, and on which she based her campaign, is to support Sen. Obama…"
The philosophy on which the Just Say No Deal Coalition was founded is plainly stated as this:
We, as millions of disaffected voters or PUMAs have banded together to form a Coalition of the unwilling. We fervently believe in Country Before Party. If political parties won't uphold core democratic principles, who will? If the voters don't hold the parties accountable, who will?
The answer, "We (PUMAs) will at all costs!"
Governor Rendell went on to state:
"We agree with many of your grievances. For example, we, too, believe that the Democratic Party’s nominating process is unfair and undemocratic. We must change the policy where some votes are more important than others and some areas receive more delegates than their number of voters would justify – it violates the spirit of “one person, one vote." We must eliminate caucuses that are inherently undemocratic and disenfranchise seniors (no absentee voting for those who can’t go to the polls), shift workers and our military. Forcing people to declare their preference in public also violates another cherished principle that undermines our democracy."
PUMAs again appreciate the heartfelt recognition of Just Say No Deal from Governor Rendell and his group, but it is too late. The damage has been done. We will not fall in line. We will not support a Democratic Party nominee that was selected with a flawed voting process. Reform the process and try to win us back in 2012 Governor Rendell.
Finally Governor Rendell states:
"So, we are asking all PUMA members to curb your disappointment, mute your anger and frustration and join HOUND to help change America. While the PUMA may be more swift and athletic, the HOUND is smarter and more perceptive."
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Again Governor Rendell and crew— you have missed the point. Attempting to insult or undermine us by saying that we have less perception or smarts than you do is counterproductive. We are a diverse group of voters representing ALL ages. We come from all ethnic, socio-economic, religious, political and academic backgrounds; we unite to say (once again), "COUNTRY before PARTY!"
We will not support Senator Obama now or on November 4, 2008. Senator Clinton’s vote is her own; our votes are our own and they will not be cast for Senator Obama. The Just Say No Deal Coalition members will still either choose to stay home in protest, write in Senator Clinton’s name or vote for Senator John McCain. Our votes are our voices and Just Say No Deal’s voices are over 2 million strong and growing. And by the way, we say, "H.O.U.N.D. = Heck, Obama's Unqualified, No Deal!"
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