P.U.M.A. Passion

On Monday, I wrote about a group called P.U.M.A.PAC.  It's a political action committee (People United Means Action) started by a Massachusetts homemaker named Darragh Murphy. 

Apparently the group is a lightning rod, of sorts, because I've received a lot of comments and emails about the group, which officially formed in early June.

The ciriticisms of her group, and others that are essentially against Obama's nomination, is that they are really run by Republicans trying to fool Democrats.  And that they are creating the perception of an intraparty divide.  Some have called them racists or worse.

Critics also point to the fact that Murphy donated to John McCain during the 2000 election. 

click image to see Murphy's donation to McCain2000 

So what's the truth?

I spoke with Murphy on the phone as she gets ready for a Saturday demonstration on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.  She says she and five other people are taping a documentary on their efforts and that a clip should be online this weekend.

First, she admits to the McCain donation.  She says the donation was to help defeat George H.W. Bush in the primary.  She says she voted for Al Gore in the general election and was "devastated when Bush stole the election".

This time around she was Hillary Clinton volunteer.  And as the primary season ended she says that she "sensed that the obama/clinton divide was more than the difference between two candidates"  and that "obama followers seem like a cult...especially online."

So she says she began what she calls a counter-movement.  She believes the Democratic leadership has lost touch as it "talks about a candidate (Obama) in religious terms".

She says her group believes Obama will not win in November and that "this is not a movie or a television show.  people will not vote for Obama in November".

Her group just released its fundraising numbers for June and it pulled in $22,840.   

  PUMAPAC Finance Report.  Click here to link to pdf report at fec.gov

She says the largest donation was $1000.  And she says she will use the money to buy some advertising and to fund the documentary.

The group will be in Denver during the week of the convention.  And this weekend, as Murphy is in D.C., supporters are gathering in small groups all over the country.

Why Saturday?  One of the PUMAPAC readers sent me this video to explain:

Now for the detractors.  Christina Baker is a working wife and mother who wrote me the following email, in response to my request for information at PUMAPAC's website:

I am ashamed of you Tom, what are you doing gallivanting  around PUMA blogs trying to further this faux divide? Why don't you start spreading the truth?  My blog has become a beacon of Anti-PUMAs, REAL Democrats, and we have been spreading the truth for weeks now. Why don't you listen to our side of the story? We have TONS of information on what a corrupt "coalition" PUMApac is, along with their umbrella site "just say no deal."

She invited me to take a look at her blog yestodemocracy.com and phone her for more information and so I did.  Baker says her "perception of the coalition is that it started with foul intentions. It is hostile toward any Democrats".

Baker cannot understand how Murphy could claim to be a real Democrat and then vote for McCain, especially in light of Clinton's public support of Barack Obama.  She says it's disingenuous to support McCain, a candidate who "doesn't support womens' rights or the rights of gays and lesbians".

She says she started her blogsite after watching an interview with Murphy on FoxNews.  She says the entire "Democrats against Obama" effort smacks of the "Swift Boating" of John kerry in 2004.  She recently posted an article to support her theory.

One of Baker's readers emailed me this:

If you look through their site you can see how this group has harassed several members of the DNC, delegates and super delegates as well as the leaders of the Democratic party. They have made sure to pick certain dates to call Senator Obama's office in order to tie up his phone lines. Every day they have what Darragh Murphy calls a "Call To Action" or a "Daily Growl" you can see them at this URL  http://pumapacusa.org/growls/growls.html   

So I am left with this...  As I wrote months ago, politically interested people are passionate.  And they go to great lengths to share that passion.

That said, fire away...I am ready for the emails and comments after this one...

Thanks for reading.  TA

Comments

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[rob cypher]

man you guys were SO wrong....LOL

No Democrat, progressive, liberal or moral person could support John McCain and four more years of neocon killing for profits.

I've read PUMA blogs. Most of the posters do not sound like real people with real opinions. There is very little reason, little passion that rings true, and lots of vitriol and unsupported wild accusations.

Their best friends are Fox News and Ann Coulter, and they're certain Obama is so dangerous to the country they are going to elect McCain to save us all from Obama.

Does that sound like Democrats? They aren't real.

[Cosmeta]

Hi,

I have always considered myself an independent thinker; and for this reason I do not like labels nor do I like to be boxed-in. Life is never a simple matter of black or white or either/or. We have choices. When we register to vote, for example, we are required to list a party affiliation. Yet not all of us are diehard political fans, and many of us, no matter what party we assign ourselves to, will often switch party lines to vote. We vote for a candidate and not always for the party. Such is my case, because I am a registered republican and in this year's election cycle wholeheartedly support Hillary Rodham Clinton to be our next president and still do.

Anyway, in early June after seeing a YouTube video on one of the major cable news networks, I searched out and then eventually joined the puma pac blog being very displeased at the outcome of the primaries and the outrageous acts of the DNC and Mr O to disenfranchise so many of our voices.

So from about June 8th and then again on June 22nd when I made a contribution I was a member of the above mentioned blog. But on August 8th of this year, (just a few short days ago) the owner of that site had chosen to censor out my username and has prevented me from logging in. Her reason: My posts were too negative, she said to me in our telephone conversation; and I had blatantly attacked one of their members. Decension or challenging any thought is apparently not to be tolerated, I was told; when in truth, just the opposite had occurred, I was attacked by another. In so doing, within the shortened span of two months that blog has become the very essence of what I proports to reject. I have found that in life, this will often happen when and where egos run high and a kind of hierarchy begins to form; the leadership not knowing how to handle their new found sense of power.

And so, I end this post saying to the owner of PP, you may have censored me from your blog, but you certainly will not and cannot censor my hand from writing to other blogs, as I am doing here. Sometimes in life, the more we work against something from not happening, the more it happens.

In closing: to all the puma members to whom I have had the honor or blogging with... this one's FOR YOU! Because you have the right to know what happened and why I am no longer visible there. So I want it to be known... I did not desert you and will always remember you and the impact you have had on my life. May God bless each and everyone, including your dear leader.

HILLARY IN '08
There can be no other!

[Gina]

THE PUMAS ARE TOTALLY JUSTIFIED ...

1. Contrary to what Obamabots say ...
Obama and Hillary were in a dead heat,
when the DNC pressured Hillary into not
only conceding, but campaigning for Obama.
2. Obama is once again in a dead heat, but now
with McCain, even though Obamabots act like
Obama has already won (like they did in the
primaries against Hillary). So, this means that
half of the Democrats, and all the Republicans
(3/4 of America) dIdn't want Obama. Plus, he
didn't even win the popular vote, and refused a
revote in Michigan and Florida.
3. Obama has the thinnest resume in politics, and
he won state legislature and Senator by
disqualifications of his opponents, not by earned
experience, or votes.
4. Obama's one claim to fame is being a community
organizer, where he boasts of registering voters.
Then he took their votes away from them, by
disqualifying his opponents on technicalities, prior
to the election.
5. Obama's mentor of 20 years, was an anti-American
racist ... not to mention other unsavory associations.
6. Obama is simply buying the election, since he's
good at fund raising ... hardly a qualification to be
President of the United States.
7. The media never vetted Obama, and they are
giving him a free ride, plus more than twice the
print and air time as McCain, as they did against
Hillary.
8. 90% of blacks are voting for Obama, because he is
black, while the campaign gained ground by
accusing most opponents of racism.
9. Obamabots were, and are extremely nasty and sarcastic
towards Hillary supporters, as well as McCain supporters.
10. Pumas should be applauded for putting country before party ...
especially a party that did not represent them, and a party
which highjacked the nomination for Obama.

[Xkrat]

From RolstonFan: "They care less about their party......" Ergo the name P.U.M.A = Party Unity My A$$!!! El Stupido!!!

[1950democrat]

Since there are 9 million Hillary supporters in the nation who refuse to vote for Obama, and 2.3 million of them are involved in such online projects as "The Denver Group", JustSayNoDeal, clintondems.com, etc etc (over 200 websites/groups) ... it's a little hard to believe any generalization about ALL of the 9 million, or even all of the 2.3 million.

Actually the only generalization that fits all of us is ... we will NOT vote for Obama in November.

So whatever you want to call us ... better take the action that WILL get our vote for a Dem: nominate Hillary on August 25.

[RolstonFan]

Pumas are a bunch of sore losers, who as much as they try and deny it are a bunch of man-hating, racist, gossip queens. They care less about their party, their beliefs and values, than just getting their own way. They can't believe that there are other qualified (and great) candidates other than their "chosen one". They make claims like Obama is linked to dubious characters...yeah...and Hillary has no skeletons in her closet! I have read many entries at the PumaPac blog, and it sounds like a bunch of whiny , middle aged women, who are now getting into fights with each other over hurt feelings! Like I want them picking the next POTUS!

[Texas Hill Country]

http://texashillblog.wordpress.com/2008/07/19/a-brief-history-and-personal-declaration-of-pumahood/

[Eric, Californian]

I'm a proud PUMA member and I will not vote Obambi this November. I care about this country too much!

I'd like to bring up the racist issue.

I find it interesting that so many people who supported Obama are calling Hillary supporters racists.

Is it possible the Obama suppporters are the racists and to allieviate their own guilt they vote for Obama?

My own neighbor tells me that he voted for Obama because on those rare occassions when he is out on the town on any given Saturday night and a cop pulls up, he thanks god he is not a black man.

Huh? Yes you heard that right. He voted for Obama to fix his own sense of guilt.

By the way, I have never been called a racist but if anyone ever accuses me of being a racist, I will not argue it. I have nothing to hide. If you see that my actions and words are congruent to being a racist, then so be it.

The fact is, Obama is not ready for the White House. He will not win the general election without us.

It is a fatal flaw to punish the 18 million voters who voted for Hillary by making us wrong for not falling in line (stop dividing the party), demeaning us (they'll get over it), throwing nasty remarks our way (you people are ANGRY, BITTER), using manipulation tactics ("the more you throw mud at him, the more I'll donate to his campaign"), the emotional blackmail (women's rights, gas prices, the war in Iraq)

This is called "caveman" activity where who ever has the sharpest knives and drives the point into the right place first wins.

None of the above is going to get the party united.

The DNC really messed up. They chose to get their hands dirty and the PUMA movement standing up to it.

Now, for those of you who don't like it, that's too bad. Its happening anyway no matter how much arrows you want to launch in our direction.

go ahead with the shaming, manipulating, conning, sarcasms, race baiting, emotional blackmailing.

But do so at the expense of getting a democrat into the White House.

[Xkrat]

To Dara, I am also an xDem for Hillary and a PUMA. It is not my intent to come here and promote McCain as an alternative. My personal journey to McCain came after the TX primary &(secret caucus that Barky stole).

I made my final decision after researching McCain's life story between the TX "2 step" and the infamous DNC delegate convention for Fl and MI.

The stories you've heard about McCain as a POW only scratch the surface as McCain himself is relucntant to openly discuss them. Please read bios on him and excerpts from his book "Faith of My Fathers" before you slam the door lock on Mccain. You'd be suprised! View this link to peak you curiosity(http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2008/7/11/john-mccains-home-while-he-was-a-pow-in-vietnam.html).

They're working on a possible documentary, after viewing those photos my interest was raised--what did he really go thru? I'm a grown man pretty harden by my own dire upbringing but these pictures made even me tear up.

[Antony Lopez]

Thank you for finally reporting what needs to be heard by the American People.

~Hispanics for PUMA!

[Independent that supports Hillary]

I don't know why everyone assumes Hillary didn't have independents and republicans that voted for her during the primaries. What do you say about some republicans who are going to vote for Obama in this election. Are you going to tell them they are not welcome to vote for Obama because they are not a democrat? Shouldn't you be questioning them saying they are not true Republicans then? Not everyone votes on party, do you agree with 100% of the Democratic party, or it's presumptive nominee? We aren't picking somone to be our american idol winner, we are picking the next leader of our country. I honestly don't feel comfortable picking a man who thinks we have 57 plus maybe 1 or 2 more states. I don't care how tired you are that is a basic fact that I would never forget.

I've been an independent who has always voted for a democrat. Now honestly I can't say if McCain won his primaries in 2000 if I would have still voted for Gore. Kerry, I wasn't thrilled with as I am more of a moderate view and do not agree with a liberal agenda. I can see why reagan democrats would be looking at the GOP nominee to vote for. A liberal agenda is easy to pass in places like Vermont, S.F., CA, Seattle, etc. I guess Obama realized this as well and that is why he is now moving to the center even though his votes (where he didn't vote present) show him as far left as you can get. I was a Fl. voter in 2000 and honestly I am still upset knowing that my vote may not have counted. The DNC looked me in my eyes, sent letters out saying they would make sure something like this never happened again. That all voices who voted would be heard. Then I skip forward to 2008 and I guess what the DNC meant to say was they only care when it happens in a general election setting. The DNC is taking my vote for granted expecting me to get over it and fall in line. Well we all know what happens when you ASSume something. PUMA is very real and is growing in numbers. We wouldn't be seeing groups in response to it pop up on the internet or from the Gov. in PA. We wouldn't see PUMA mentioned in articles and tv stations and you wouldn't be here posting on the site if we were not real voters who supported Hillary and will not support Obama in November. We are real people who voted for Hillary and have come from different backgrounds and together we will do what is right for democracy and speak up for a cause that is worth fighting for.

[Dara]

also want to add another thing,Obama supporters keep complaining about race what about sexism? I have received plenty of commenst like "get back in the kitchen, go back to watching sex in the city and shut up" etc so Obama supporters are just as bad and personally I have yet to see any racist remarks on any of the Hillary sites and boards this is a distraction tactic from the Oborg.
As for the naive commenst "well Hillary supports him why dont you?" are you serious? Her political career is at stake she does not have the option to go against him if she wants to remain in the party and keep her career,wake up people.she is being strong armed

[Dara]

In refrence to Christina Baker's comment that there is no real divide in the party, she is delusional.Her comments that writing and calling the DNc and superdelegates is"harassment" is more proof of why we are so mad.Why shou;ldn't Hillary supporters have a right to stand up for the candidate we support and believe in,why should we have to tollerate being called racists because we don't buy all the hype?I am rightly angry as a life long democrat to be furious with my partys behavior,,,we have become no better than the crooked republicans,,,they have rigged this election only they made the wrong choice.this divide is very very real.I have no intention on voting McCain either,I think that is a stupid choice personally.No one will ever know how many were disgruntled Hillary supporters by doing that,if we want to make an impact we should be voting 3rd party,that would be more obvious.

[Bigtime]

I have been a Democrat for 32 years and will cast a vote against a candidate and for a Republican for the first time in my life, I will vote against Obama. After the atrocity on May 31st I changed party affiliation to independent. I am almost as sickened by the spineless Democratic Congress and Senate with there easy passage of FISA, impeachment is off the table, Telecom immunity, Iraq funding, etc. . It seems the Democrats have let the war drag on so they could have an election topic because the DNC/RBC selected an unqualified empty suit and has nothing to inspire followers but "hope" and "change".

[eriezindian]

I am a 40 yr Democrat and have been proud of it until this year. I will not vote for BO, I am a proud PUMA and will vote for John McCain. HRC was and still is the best candidate.....if she isn't nominated, McCain is the best alternative. BO's campaign was crude, vulgar and misogynistic. He is not qualified to be POTUS. I am not nor have I ever been a Republican. I will ot get over it........no Obama. PUMA!!!!

[terri]

as a democrat,I can not and will not vote for obama. as a member of puma I can assure you I am not a republican, and I will vote for john mccain. Obama is not a true citizen of the united states, he is from kenya and is a citizen there. This man lies all the time he has no experience and we certainly don't need another inexperienced george w. bush running this country. we see where that has gotten us. The media can pretend that we are republicans but they are so wrong. Hillary's name needs to be on the ballot at the convention. and if she is not we have lost a chance to turn this country around.

[J.C. JONES]

Lifelong GAY Democrat here and just to let you know - I won't be voting for Obama in the fall either! Voting for McCain would be voting against my own well being as Republicans Hate Gays - so I will simply write Hillary's name in on my ballot! Just because we are against Obmama does not mean we are republicans - we are against Obama because of the misrepresentation and the lies both he and his campaign spread and attacked Hillary with! Hillary Clinton has built a reputation as one who goes against the Washington grain and is a REBEL IN HER OWN RIGHT - For Barack Obama or anyone to Claim she is "more of the same old politics" is simply inaccurate and untrue - Hillary fought for Gay Rights before most would even suggest we were human beings! Screw Obama, his campaign, and the Democrats! - we are busy working on 2012! I will not vote democratic again until Hillary Clinton is on the ballot!

[TXVoter]

I am a 38 yr Democrat & PUMA. Let me make perfectly clear, I have only been blogging on AOL, but read and belong to many sites, No Quarter, PumaPac.com, River Daughter and so on. I am also from Illinois, but live in Texas. In answer to a question from Bruce55555, Obama has done nothing for Chicago, zero, zip, zilch. I started researching him back in 2000 after hearing him speak at the Convention. I am very familiar with the Chicago political machine having grown up with it, unions, Exelon, and the Maytag workers of Galesburg, Illinois and so on. I grew up reading the Chicago Trib and Sun-Times. The more I dug into Obama, the more I realized he was a dirty politician, along with his associates. Obama wasn't suppose to run, the present Gov Blago of IL was, but, he is soon to be a probable impeachment, esopecially with his dealings with Rezko. Let me tell you, all these people are involved with each other and campaign financing. As for the reason I will not vote for Obama, he does not stand for what I believe in. I am a Clinton supporter, but will not vote for someone that does not have my best interests and the way his strong arms came in and took over the Texas caucus. As for women's issues, I doubt any of Roe v Wade will be changed. Women's issues will not be fixed until there is a woman president. I too have been called a racist, b*tch, white ho, and some other cute names, alot of them in allah's name. I have been told I would be under sahria law and must obey, I will be subjected to blood in the streets and white oppression. Here is what I say, if Hillary Clinton is not the Dem. nominee, I will vote for John McCain, and will help in any way to get John McCain elected. "I OWN MY VOTE AND IT IS A VOTE OF PROTEST AGAINST THE DNC & A DIRTY POLITICIAN.

[don tufts]

stacy et al,please tell me why i should vote for barky when as a state senator in chicago he turned his back onhis low income constituants who were living in deplorable housing owned by rezko so he would not offend a powerful patron.how while serving in the ill. stste senate he sponsorsed and pushed through the bill that changed the makeup of the hospital facilities board from 15 memebers to 9 thus enabaling rezko to control the board as he had 5 of the 9 members in his pocket.how as a young man in hawaii he had as a mentor in his own words in his book his uncle frank or frank the poet ,who was frank marshall davis member of the communist party USA and one of the leading advocates of the black liberation thought.how a man that took his name off the ballot in mich. due to his polling deserved not only the delegates for the undeclared [when there were others in the same catagory]but received delegates that were stolen from hillary.i wont go on as there are many more reasons epecially his vote on fisa ,however you will call this span,i call this free speech,you may call me racist however i dont care that he is black,brown,white poka dot or candy stripe it doesnt matter what matters is i dont beleive he is fit to hold the office.I OWN MY VOTE,PARTY BEFORE COUNTRY and yes go PUMA macain o8 hillary 2012.

[Xkrat]

For one, Obama raises so much money because he's an exciting speaker and there is a market out there for Bush hatred and he's tapped into that. He's an exciting speaker in front big crowds but answering questions and do interviews he's terrible.

For two, I'm hearing McBush, McBush---PUMAs don't care for Bush at all, but we prefer even Bush over Obama so McBush won't work on us. Now if you kept calling McCain--McBama--now that might make me squirm!

Furthermore, I think I'll start calling his messiahship Obamcarter cause that's what dems are asking us to vote for.