The Anti-Pumas

NY Daily News

Democratic State Committeewoman Trudy Mason is pushing back against the "angry Hillary supporters" storyline that seems to have taken on a life of its own.

Mason, who counts herself as one of the most loyal of "Hillary women," is passing out buttons that read: "Hillary Supports Obama, So Do I!!"

She said the buttons are a spin-off of some pins handmade by Gloria Steinem for a joint Clinton-Obama women's event that was held following his landing the nomination.

"We're distributing them to key Hillary people because this is the way we feel," Mason said. "It's not like it's 'Rah-rah, Obama.' No. But he is our candidate, and we've got to support him. There are many, many of us. Enough with this PUMA stuff."

Mason, who is not a delegate but is on the Rules Committee, said she wasn't disappointed that Obama didn't pick Clinton to be his running mate - an issue that divided Clinton supporters.

"We had a lot of discussions about that," Mason said. "It was an even split. A lot felt she would add to the ticket, and that it was the least that should be done for her."

"But I think her voice is just so much stronger with her not being on the ticket. She goes back (to the Senate), and she can push health care, she can push so many things. That's what's important."