Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi? Why Clinton supporters must compromise

By Alex Shahparnia | Ashahparnia@gmail.com
August 27, 2008

DENVER- "Whether you voted for me, or you voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose,"..."We are on the same team, and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines. This is a fight for the future. And it's a fight we must win together." - Hillary Clinton

Unity. Party Unity. Two words Democrats have been struggling to incorporate within their agenda for the presidential duel. Last night at the D.N.C, Hillary Clinton walked upon the stage with what would hopefully correct this mishap.

But halfway through Hillary's speech I became puzzled.
Why was her thesis about unity in the first place? Weren't conventions already a tool to gather people who share a common interest?

Ah... it was because a portion of Clinton supporters still found it difficult to support the presumptive presidential candidate, Barack Obama.

Now in order to gather my thoughts about this issue, I had to imagine how it would feel to be one of the steadfast Clinton supporters. Heres my simple vision.

Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi?

I walk into a restaurant that serves Chinese food, simply because its my favorite food. When I am greeted by the waiter, I request my beverage: a Diet Coke.
"I'm sorry sir, but we carry Diet Pepsi, is that alright with you?"
Now heres where I am faced with two obvious decisions.
1. I can compromise and accept that Diet Pepsi is the closest beverage to Diet Coke. After all I need to watch my sugar.
OR
2. I can grow stubborn and decide to order a Root Beer, filled with sugar and undeniably further from my interest of watching my glucose levels.

Being such a devoted fan of Diet Coke, I decide that Diet Pepsi is not the soda I wanted and opt to drink a Root Beer instead.
Make much sense? Not to me.

Clinton supporters, I know it is difficult to be deprived of your presidential hopeful, but is it so difficult to compromise with what option you have left? Is John McCain, a republican, so much closer to Clinton's platform than Barack Obama?

If Democrats are looking to win their bid for the White House, I think it is about time they throw these petty differences away and COMPROMISE. If Clinton supporters cannot throw their support and vote behind Barack Obama, I purely believe any resentment is truly personal and selfish. Your primary support should be to the party you are so passionate about, because it is this certain party that you believe will protect and govern the American population correctly and fairly.

Compromise. It may be different, but it is not difficult.