Louisville Metro Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh sure took a lot of heat from the blogs yesterday for her comments during an interview with WHAS-11’s Joe Arnold.
From WHAS-11:
Metro Council member Tina Ward-Pugh says she’s not convinced that Obama has what it takes to be president… Ward-Pugh says she wonders what the nine weeks between now and the convention will reveal about Obama.
Today I sat down with Ward-Pugh to clarify her comments on Obama and also explain exactly how or can the Democratic Party will reunite. Look for more on this and the healing KY Democrats in next week’s LEO.
“It was taken out of context,” Ward-Pugh told me in an interview today at City Hall. She says her comments were mischaracterized by bloggers and that in the same interview she congratulated Sen. Obama and will not be supporting Sen. McCain. “I don’t think my comments that he has to earn my vote were controversial.”
Describing herself as an “ardent feminist”, Ward-Pugh immediately began sending e-mails to organize supporters when Hillary announced her historic bid a year ago. For Ward-Pugh, Hillary is an icon, a woman who has shattered glass ceiling after ceiling, who she has admired sinc 1992 when the councilwoman purchased a “I’m for Hillary’s Husband” button. It is hard
Still, 30% of Clinton supporters in a CBS News/New York Times poll have said they’re either voting for Sen. John McCain or staying home this November. Ward-Pugh wanted to make it clear, she isn’t among them.
“I’m not one of those 30 percent,” she said.
It makes sense considering Obama won 21/24 precincts with 58.8% overall in the Ward-Pugh’s district, according to results from the Board of Elections.
She feels it is unfair for the media to press supporters to walk away from Hillary before she officially concedes. But that seems like sour grapes considering a farewell letter written by Sen. Clinton and sent to her supporters reads clearly:
“On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party’s nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.”
Ward-Pugh is hopeful that Clinton’s Saturday speech will officially instruct her supporters in the best direction for the party.
“Listen to what Hillary Clinton has to say,” Ward-Pugh tells supporters. (pb)