PUMA founder: Obama is Democrats' Bush
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/04/obamadisembarking.jpg caption="PUMA members still won't vote for Obama."]
(CNN) - When Will Bower, an ardent Hillary Clinton supporter and lifelong Democrat, founded PUMA, Party Unity My A**, his mission was to express frustration in the Democratic Party. Fast forward six months to Election Day, and he is proud to say he's cast his ballot for the candidate he "trusts" most: John McCain.
"I see Barack Obama as essentially being the Democratic George Bush," Bower said. "It's a reactionary movement. People like John McCain and Hillary Clinton represent mores stability and sensibility to me."
Bower started the PUMA movement in the days leading up to the suspension of Clinton's presidential campaign in early June.
The initiative was not to rally support for McCain but to unite those who don't want Obama as president.
The group is predominantly composed of female Clinton supporters, Bower told CNN in early June, but he has also helped launch the Just Say No Deal, a nationwide coalition that he estimated has 2 million voters who are also vowing to "say no" to the Illinois senator.
The 36-year-old Washington resident has never voted for a Republican in his 18 years of qualifying to vote but said he feels that Obama does not represent the voice of the Democratic Party but the "leadership" of the Democratic National Committee.
"I didn't want to validate corruption or reward the campaign for what I thought was a fraudulent victory," Bower said. "What I am left with is a matter of trust. I have very little trust for Barack Obama. Even though John McCain and I might have differences on various issues, I trust him.
"[McCain is] a bipartisan leader, and I think that's the kind of leadership we need right now," Bower added.
Only during Clinton's convention speech in Denver, Colorado, did Bower consider not voting for McCain, but at no point was he swayed toward Obama.
He credits the Arizona senator's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate in helping to decide his vote.
"I think [Sarah Palin] is essentially as qualified as Barack Obama," Bower said. "The benefit of Palin is that she is only second on the ticket, as opposed to first. I feel that Barack Obama is no more qualified than Sarah Palin."
As for the other members of PUMA, Bower says the majority will be casting votes for McCain, just as he did.
"There are plenty of PUMAs who are still not ready to go the extra step [and vote McCain], but they are not ready to vote for Obama, either."
Those voters, he says, will either abstain from voting, vote third-party or write in Clinton's name.
Only a small percentage of members have shifted toward supporting Obama, but if those members pull the lever for the Democratic nominee, they are "no longer a PUMA," Bower said.
What a bunch of sore Losers, and I capitalize Losers again, are these adults or childeren we are dealing with Puma is for LOSERS!!!!!!!
let's see if i can understand this moron's thinking....uhhhh...god, it's hard to think like a moron! he seems to be saying, "i trust the candidate i KNOW will screw me rather than the candidate whom i don't know if he'll screw me or not; but don't trust him because he's not hillary clinton"?????!!!! why does ANYONE give this idiot a forum? i mean, really. what relevance does he have in this election? NONE. his 15 minutes of fame that andy warhol mentions are GONE! later, loser!
FU*! Will Bower !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you can't beat em join em.......GO OBAMA!!!!
This is a very interesting article and I appreciate you bringing light to this group. I have heard several people discuss this exact issue, but none of us were aware of PUMA. Thank you for bringing to light a group that has come about during this election process. Very unique story, whether you are a Dem or Rep.
i am from Scotland and i want obama to win. Not because he would be the first black president but because he is actually the better choice.
Another idiot trying to make a name for himself.
Unable to be anything else but a sidekick
There is a Pity Party scheduled for Mr. Bower this evening in Chicago's Grant Park 🙂
"I think [Sarah Palin] is essentially as qualified as Barack Obama," Bower said. "The benefit of Palin is that she is only second on the ticket, as opposed to first. I feel that Barack Obama is no more qualified than Sarah Palin."
This guy is a moron...
This whiner should grow up.
PUMA = Republican front.
Looks like a racist bigot's last stand.
This helps the country how? How can you justify going from Hillary Clinton to John McCain? Seriously........
This is a typical example of what's wrong. Your vote for McCain is a spiteful vote because you don't like Obama...don't give me that "He is bi-partisan" nonesense.
how we can be united? are you nuts? You really think things are going to change, becuase obama is running on that platform? Do me a favor and check all the other leaders who claimed that platform through the last hundred years, and list their accomplishments that equated to change... will be a short list ...
Amen Patricia!!
Will Bower needs to hold his breath until people start caring for his cause.
are you serious? a folksy redneck is going to be more prepared than a learned academic?? somebody lacks some common sense
Patricia, one quick question....Who's united? There's NO WAY I'll be supportive of a President Osama!
"Obama is Democrats Bush": THAT is what we've been trying to tell you!!!