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Brent Batten: Hillary Clinton supports Obama
Associated Press
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., addresses the delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008.
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DENVER — There is no doubt supporters of Barack Obama now love Sen. Hillary Clinton. That was evident Tuesday, as Clinton took the stage to a boisterous, extended reception.
It was impossible to discern a Clinton voter from an Obama voter inside the Pepsi Center. They all roared when her face appeared on the arena's monitors at 8:37 p.m. They stood in unison and waved white “Hillary” placards five minutes later when she took the stage. Then came the words Democrats needed to hear. “I am honored to be here tonight ... a proud supporter of Barack Obama.”
The crowd responded heartily to that and all the other applause lines peppered throughout her 23-minute speech.
“The time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose. We are on the same team.”
She allowed a few minutes to look back on her own campaign, recalling poignant and funny moments from the 18-month run that left her just short of her party's nomination.
She thanked her supporters. “You never gave in, you never gave up. And together we made history.”
Then she went back to the message Democratic leaders know is critical to winning in November, Clinton's support for Obama. “I ran to stand up for all those who have been invisible to their government for eight long years. Those are the reasons I ran for president. Those are the reasons I support Barack Obama. And those are the reasons you should too.”
And when she signed off with, “We are Americans. We are not big on quitting. But remember, before we can keep going, we have to get going by electing Barack Obama president. We don't have a moment to lose or a vote to spare,” they cheered one more time.
Heading into Wednesday's nomination vote, Obama supporters have embraced Clinton. The next question will be, have the Clinton supporters embraced Obama?
• • •
The first day of the Democratic National Convention was overwhelmingly upbeat.
Focusing on unity has a way of doing that.
But the quest for a happy face, rooted in the at-times bitter primary battle between nominee Obama and Clinton, was put on hold Tuesday as the tone shifted toward the negative.
Speaker after speaker used their time at the podium to criticize President George W. Bush, seeking to link him to Republican nominee John McCain.
Bashing Bush is one topic all the conventioneers can get behind.
McCain has assumed a close second at the Democrats' favorite whipping boy.
Assailing McCain for not pushing hard enough for renewable energy, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas said, “McCain does believe in some renewables. He wants to renew the failed Bush agenda for another four years.”
The tack of linking McCain to unpopular Republican figures ran through the preliminary speeches leading to Sen. Hillary Clinton's crucial speech.
“John McCain has also renewed the Bush-Rove style of politics, built on bringing down your opponents instead of lifting America up,” Sebelius said.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell had the best laugh line of the evening. Contrasting McCain's image as a maverick with his voting record siding with Bush the majority of the time, he said, “That's not a maverick, that's a side kick.”
On a roll, Rendell continued, “They're asking for four more years. How about four more months?” The audience joined in the chant, “Four more months, 4 more months...”
Delegates on the floor were equipped with placards emphasizing the theme of the evening: “McCain The Same”
While Clinton's speech was clearly the most important of the evening, the title of keynote speaker was held by Mark Warner, former governor of Virginia and current candidate for U.S. Senate.
It is a role filled by Barack Obama in 2004.
Warner, not unaware of that fact, delivered a speech shifting away from the relentless criticism. Bush and McCain did not escape unmentioned, but the bulk of Warner's address was spent talking about a hopeful future with Barack Obama as president. “America has never been afraid of the future, and we shouldn't start now,” he said. Quoting Virginian Thomas Jefferson, he said, “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”
• • •
In an attempt to quell the chaos that was the convention floor Monday, some delegates were picked to serve as volunteer “whips.” Visible in fluorescent vests the whips' job was to keep the aisles, which were packed to a standstill Monday, clear.
As Warner wrapped up his speech, they were generally successful. The real challenge, maintaining order through the Clinton speech, still lied ahead.
E-mail Brent Batten at bebatten@naplesnews.com
Comments
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I love the "invisible" part of her speech.
So very true, and meaningful to those Dems who really strive to maintain a better quality of life in the U.S.
Obama will win this race!
It is time for a CHANGE!
I just loved Mrs. Obama's speech, and her kids, and Senator KENNEDY was inspiring!
#1 Posted by beetlejuice on August 27, 2008 at 1:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It might be helpful if the public accepted politics for what it is, theatre...drama in high places.
Find a dreamer with high aspirations to receive the torch when there is no real solution immediately at hand. A neophyte wishing to take on a monumental task to satisfy something that rests in their phyche will be happy to dash into the unknown.
All those minority mayors, city councilmen and women, etc. that took on the impossible jobs with the hope of making a name for themselves and proving something to mainstream America, found that they were not prepared nor sufficiently connected to the source of power to succeed at saving the inner cities. There is a lot of intrigue to add as well.
Anyone with a political reputation and a future in leadership within mainstream politics knows when to turn down what only has the appearance of being a great opportunity. Some know when to "sit this one out".
Hillary is right to do what she did tonight so profoundly well. Now, Obama must take on the mantle and deliver the party platform and he had better do a good job. Be careful what you wish for. Bidon is taking his last lap and could easily be sacrificed. It wouldn't surprise me if others had turned down the VP offer. The new up and coming stars can wait their turn as Obama should have known to do.
Hillary should keep her distance to see if he can accomplish what he claims he can. Obama has shown that he does not need nor value her advice. Everyone benefits if he succeeds. If he can't, Hillary lives to fight another day. Obama supporters will fall by the wayside in disgrace leaving the job of saving the Nation in the nick of time to others better prepared and rested. All Obama has to do is find out how to get elected ....if he can. African-Americans can't get him to the finish line alone no matter how well they can dance, Roland Martin.
Michell was mesmerized during Hillary's speach as if she suddenly understood the reality of what was happening for the first time. Some won't drink the kool-aid and won't support a candidate just because he is African-Anglo believing it will erase America's horrid history and set all things right at last. Those looking for skill sets and a realistic perspective will not toss their vote into the darkness for a candidate they don't believe in. It won't have anything to do with race .....for some.
The real foundation has not been laid for America's first President of African decent. I cringed when I listened to the uninformed masses speaking in broken fragmented sentences attempting to explain why they support Obama. That would take too much effort and better forms of public education. I wonder how long it will take our detractors to find the Hollywood investors to present the new version of "Birth of a Nation, Reconstruction Revisited".
"Pride goeth before a fall", someone said.
#2 Posted by citizenk on August 27, 2008 at 3:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hang on Hang on, the drama isnt over yet, we still Bill "Train Wreck" Clinton speaking tonight. He has been railroading his wifes campaign into the ground since day one. This is gonna be good....
#3 Posted by trehuger on August 27, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
looproad-you wil never get a straight answer out of a liberal.We can only hope the socialists lose in November!!
#4 Posted by waldini202 on August 27, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Beetlejuice-
What change are you hoping for….Socialism?
I thought Michelle Obama’s speech was not sincere. It seemed more like a “make-over” speech.
#5 Posted by NaplesOutlaw on August 27, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We all know that the reason why Obama got elected was because of the color of his skin. If that is not racism, then what is?
It certainly wasn’t because of his 143 days of experience as a US Senator http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/?p=707
His policies are almost exactly identical to Hillary’s, yet 90% of the black vote went to him.
Does racism exist in the US today? Yes- in the black community.
#6 Posted by NaplesOutlaw on August 27, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The comments are too funny. It had to be difficult for Hillary to make this speech. I think if she had been the VEEP choice there would be no stopping this ticket. I am resigned to consider Obama may win. He is not the candidate of my choice. When he picked the old school dude: Biden, I was disappointed because I feel this shows his ties to the old school entrenched Democratic party...not change.
Frankly, I am not fond of anyone running in this race.
I did find it interesting watching some interviews with some adamant Hillary supporters who stated they WILL vote for McCain and feel that his election will assure a win for Hillary in 2012.
Call me in January. Yes, I will vote. But until it is over, I am avoiding most TV news and switching channels when the "conventions" aka spectacles are over. Yes, I think this is an important election. We do need change, but I don't believe anyone now running will or can make the significant changes we need. Joe Biden and his ilk will steer Obama who will be more of a figurehead. At least Hillary and Obama had Chicago politics in common. Imagine a country run like the City of Chicago! gives me heartburn, but Chicago IS a city that works (functions).
Aggggh! enough. To those of you who believe Obama will be the future, good luck. If he wins, I will do something too many didn't do with Bush. Many did not respect the person who served us as President. But too many of those folks then denigrated the entire office of the Presidency. I didn't like other Presidents either, but I still respected the Office of the President. We need to keep this in mind and no matter who gets elected try to work together to solve the issues we face as a country.
#7 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on August 27, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's amazing how this discourse degenerates into misspelled blatherings and third-grade name-calling when the right-wingers pound their keyboards and try to communicate. Check out looproad's ridiculous contribution. My Lord, how public education has failed some of us!
#8 Posted by Zoey on August 27, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Brent...did you miss Hillary saying "...if Barack doesn't win in 2008, we will in 2012."?
Hmmm, sounds like a backhand to me.
#9 Posted by babbas on August 27, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CutthroatLiberal: LOL, I agree that if the fiasco with Lewinski had happened in a European country no one would have made it a big thing. In England it would have been a scandal, too, however.
Peace be with us all.
#10 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on August 27, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Some of you are missing the point regarding why Bill Clinton’s adulterous affair caused such concern for the nation.
If a man cannot be true and faithful to his wife, how can he be expected to be true and faithful to his country? He betrayed his wife for a few moments of pleasure. What price $$$ will it take for him to betray his country?
The man has no self control, and can’t be trusted.
#11 Posted by NaplesOutlaw on August 27, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you really believe that CRAP? give me a break!!!
#12 Posted by Spec on August 27, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What I can't believe is that he couldn't get a better looking chic to have an affair with.
#13 Posted by Spec on August 27, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And then, you have to consider the President of France. No control, either but adored by so many with his new lovely wife with whom HE had an affair...but Après tout c'est la France!
We are stuck with our Puritan heritage. Not that I liked what he did. What I didn't like was not coming clean when the issue came up. Many men have been where he went before. MANY men. (not me, but some of my friends did their best to get me involved...)
It is all history and will be an interesting footnote, but not the scandal too many wanted it to be. The key with any administration is to look back after 10 or 20 years to see how good, bad or neutral it was. It took time to see all the good Kennedy did. How teflon Reagan had a strong positive influence despite his foibles. Even Nixon had some good with a lot of the bad. Carter's years were pretty ho hum, but Clinton accomplished a great deal. Partisan eyes are like distorted glasses or ones with blinders on the side: the view is distorted or limited. We all have our own POV and form of distortion, but treating others as they were archetypical enemies is foolish.
#14 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on August 27, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I cant believe I'm writing this but BTV, I'd have to agree with you on this, actually all of it wow. I need a drink
#15 Posted by trehuger on August 27, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
trehuger: I am honestly humbled by your comment. I do hope very much that our country can become more united. If that means Obama is our President, so be it. I am a middle of the road person. We just need to look at the big picture and find ways to work together, no matter who is elected.
CutthroatLiberal: one of the most "interesting" fellows who helped found our country, Ben Franklin, had a pretty wild reputation.
May I join you in a toast to problem solving?
#16 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on August 27, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All national polls show Obama's 8 point lead over McCain has disappeared. The race is dead even. Obama's pick of Joe Biden, a 35 year U.S. Senator did nothing to help him. Lets see if Romney helps McCain.
#17 Posted by nightranger on August 27, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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