If you just watched Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention, it's clear that she gave an unequivocal endorsement to Sen. Barack Obama. She also urged her followers -- some of whom are reluctant to vote for Obama -- to support him in the Nov. 4 election.
And she not only said it, but appeared to show it with her body language in arguably the second most important speech of the week.
She came right out of the gate, telling the convention delegates and the TV viewers at home: "The time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose.''
She also told Democrats, "We are on the same team, and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines.'' That was a direct reference to some Clinton supporters who might decide to stay home on Election Day.
"Barack Obama is my candidate and he must be our president,'' she said.
She also took digs at her Senate friend and colleague, Sen. John McCain.
Clinton called it appropriate that McCain and President George W. Bush would appear at the Republican National Convention next week in Minneapolis-St. Paul -- the Twin Cities.
"These days, they're awfully hard to tell apart,'' she said.
So what did you think of her speech? Does it help Obama? Does it help Clinton in the eyes of the American people? Will it rally the McCain faithful?
Post a comment.
-- John Guerriero
Comments (1)
Hello John,
I think it was a wonderful speech.
In no uncertain terms, Hillary made it clear that Barack Obama is the only candidate left standing who will fight for middle class families, equal pay for equal work, social justice, health care, education, jobs, and restoring America's moral standing in the world. She made a direct appeal to women -- appropriately on the 88th anniversary of the constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote-- applauding Barack for his voting record in support of women and families, and chiding McCain who voted against equal pay and health care for children and for voting with president Bush 95% of the time.
Hillary supporters, at least those interviewed on camera after her speech, said they are ready to follow her lead in campaigning hard to make sure Obama elected. I am not sure why the media is fueling the idea that there is still a big rift in the Democratic Party.
On another note, I would love to know what you thought of Michelle Obama's speech on Monday night.
Twice now, in Ed Mead's column, instead of talking about Michelle's wonderful message calling upon voters to envision America as it SHOULD BE and introducing Michelle's own family story of hard work, community service, and overcoming obstacles to achieve an education and the American Dream, Mead (or whomever is currently writing Ed Matthew's column) has downplayed her speech, saying only that she was upstaged by Ted Kennedy.
Kennedy's speech, to be sure, was a powerful one, given his medical condition, but in no way did it overshadow Michelle Obama's talk about family values and her husband's leadership in making our country live up to its highest ideals.
Posted by Lisa G. | August 27, 2008 8:55 AM
Posted on August 27, 2008 08:55