Durbin's right in his call for unity

This is in response to the May 30 article detailing Sen. Dick Durbin's comments on the responsibility of the Clintons to unite the Democratic Party in the 2008 presidential election.

I am a very strong Barack Obama supporter, but I appreciate much of the policy initiative that Sen. Hillary Clinton has suggested, and I agree with Sen. Durbin's comments.

This primary season has been truly remarkable as both parties have experienced an unusually high increase in voter registration numbers and witnessed high turnouts on the various primary and caucus dates throughout the nation.

For Democrats, this primary was not a choice between the lesser of two evils, but rather a choice between two effective, inspiring, and worthy leaders.

I am reminded of the 2006 contest for the representative seat of Illinois' 6th Congressional District -- the first election I was eligible to vote in.

That year, Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth defeated Christine Cegelis for the Democratic nomination.

This race was arguably a showdown between traditional and progressive Democrats that was unresolved when the defeated candidate failed to unite her supporters behind the party's nominee. Evidence of this comes from the general election, in which Duckworth lost to Republican Peter Roskam.

I fear a similar result is to be expected in the 2008 presidential election.

Ballots have been cast, votes have been counted, and it looks as if John McCain will face off against Obama in November.

While McCain faces his own Republican struggles to gain the support of the religious right, Democrats stand no chance if they remain a party divided.

Sen. Clinton needs to support Obama with the same vigor she uses to attack him, and must absolutely "roll up her sleeves."

This is crucial to the success of the Democratic Party, and to the future of this nation.

Jenna Silver

Elmhurst