08/27/2008
Hillary Clinton Nails it at the DNC
I was headed out onto the Convention floor this evening right before Hillary Clinton's speech but they shut the floor about ten seconds before I got out there because of the crowds. This was my perspective, at least for the beginning of the speech. Clinton's speech was thoughtful, gracious, impressive, and funny. And I was equally impressed by Governor Brian Schweitzer from Montana, who preceded her.
Watch Clinton's speech, AFTER THE JUMP...
And here's Schweitzer, in two parts.
Posted 2:02 AM EST by Andy Towle in Democratic National Convention, Democratic Party, Denver, Hillary Clinton, News | Permalink
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RB, you really are something.
Posted by: Nick | Aug 27, 2008 10:57:28 AM
Zeke, always good to see posting. Hope all is well. You have said many times that if I am presented with a good argument that I would keep an open mind. Well my brother, this is a perfect example. I will openly reverse course and support Hillary in the future. Trust me, the words I am having to eat are tough! I have been brutal on her but she deserves the shot. Certainly given our current choices!
Take care.
Posted by: RB | Aug 27, 2008 10:59:52 AM
RB, I have read your comments, and I've read your lies, saying that Obama and McCain both want your family to have nothing. That's a lie. I've challenged you on it a few times, and you've kept repeating it.
Posted by: MAJeff | Aug 27, 2008 11:02:47 AM
Exactly right, DC-20008, (Conn Ave- reprezent!), it was a home run with the bases loaded.
I certainly was very proud of her, and very proud of my party.
She showed exactly why the Democratic party would be solidly united behind her candidacy for President if Mr. Obama simply didn't exist. She is truly a stateswoman, and undoubtedly deserves top billing in our party's brainstorming for candidates in future elections. She's a hero.
I loved on MSNBC when Pat Buchanan was railing on and on about how divided the convention floor was, obviously, because of all the posters and cheers of support for Hillary. Rachel quickly, simply pointed out that maybe, Pat, there's just a whole lot of respect for Hillary Clinton among Obama supporters. That's, you know, deductive reasoning? Thanks for adding some basic reality to the conversation, Rach!
And thanks, Hill! Now let's do this thing--Yes, we can!
Bill, you're up!
Posted by: JeffRob | Aug 27, 2008 11:03:09 AM
I'll vote for Obama because Hillary convinced me it is the right thing to do - not because Obama convinced me it was the best thing to do.
Posted by: AERES | Aug 27, 2008 11:04:52 AM
Majeff,
I do not believe Obama wants gay marriage anymore than McCain! Those were my words. I still do not believe that Obama believes in gay marriage. Civil unions, domestic partner, yes, but marriage NO. Obama does not believe in gay marriage.
The man "gave a good speach in 2002"...WOW! NOT READY!
Posted by: RB | Aug 27, 2008 11:06:14 AM
Brian: She did what she "had" to do. But, at NO POINT did she say Obama was ready to be president. At NO POINT did she speak to his ability to be the "one".
This is exactly what I was expecting the misled to say. Those talking points were ripped right out of the McCain camp’s playbook. I always like to see how FOX would spin this, so I watched the pundit’s right after her speech. Low and behold, your remarks fall right in line. Why don't you come out of the closet already and admit you're a Republican.
As for those who have a new found admiration for Hillary; I'm glad that you can see what 18 million of us already knew. At this point, the election is Obama's to lose. I'll certainly being towing the line this November, if anything to ensure McCain doesn't have the option to appoint three more Supreme Court justices.
That being said, if Obama loses don't come crying that it's all Hillary's fault. She's done her part to unify the party and no doubt will continue to stump for him through the fall. You’ll have no one to blame but yourself. This is not to say that I’m hopeful for failure, because I’m not. Let’s face it; he’s got a lot ground to makeup. His slippage in the poles and his pick for VP (who doesn’t bring anything to the table as far as votes are concerned) is the first of what I’m certain will be many missteps. The next one will be the rock concert atmosphere of his acceptance speech tomorrow night. $100 bet this will turn off the very voters he needs to be reaching out to. Preaching to the choir in a display of pomp and circumstance doesn’t win anyone over, even if Bruce Springsteen is the opening act.
Posted by: Keith | Aug 27, 2008 11:06:46 AM
No, RB, you said he would give you nothing, like McCain. McCain doesn't even think you should kids. You'd rather starve than get 5 out of 6 courses of a meal.
Posted by: MAJeff | Aug 27, 2008 11:09:35 AM
Excellent speech, terrific delivery. If this is what Hillary is all about, if these are themes that she would have hammered again and again on the campaign trail, leaving the petty personal attacks and exaggerated anecdotes behind, tonight's speech may have been her acceptance speech.
I hope she puts her words into action and deeds and campaigns hard for Obama because everything she said is true. There's a long way to go beyond the Denver hoopla. And those Hillary supporters who are true Democrats have no more excuses for not rejoining the party. If they are Democrats in their soul, they will support Obama. If they are nothing more than members of a Hillary Clinton personality cult, they will not. I commend Hillary and await Bill's address. I can only hope he follows his wife's example. No way, no how, no McCain!
Posted by: Bob R | Aug 27, 2008 11:25:09 AM
To RB:
This isn't Student Council elections! If you are prepared to lose Supreme Court cases on gay rights, women's rights, environment, etc. vote for McCain. But think of how you will feel the day these ugly decisions come in, that we are stuck with for a long time, if not forever.
And the notion that you can see ahead 4 years and know that Hillary will be in the clear to simply win the nomination and/or the Presidency is naive at best.
It's beyond being thickheaded. It's worrisome and destructive to gay rights, women's rights, the environment, and our relationships with the rest of the world.
Posted by: brad | Aug 27, 2008 11:29:57 AM
Well I am not hungry yet Majeff! And no, Obama doesn't provide 5 courses....he doesn't even supply 2! I disagree with him on so many levels that there is no common ground!
Posted by: RB | Aug 27, 2008 11:32:10 AM
Hilarious. No common ground with Obama, but you'd vote for Hillary whose policy positions are damn near the same.
Posted by: MAJeff | Aug 27, 2008 11:49:27 AM
The best sex I ever had was with a married Republican, that's why I went to that Ron Paul rally in late 2007, and why I'm supporting McCain now.
Posted by: RB | Aug 27, 2008 11:49:53 AM
I hope everyone who is now a 1st time voter does vote. I also would love to cast a vote for Gov. Schweitzer as Pres. He was the most animated and clear politician I can recall hearing. Now let's go make a difference in November for everyone and ourselves.
~Dave
Posted by: Dave O. | Aug 27, 2008 11:51:04 AM
KEITH
did you copy and paste that from noquarter?
or are you trolling over here?
either way, I could never support McCain because of all the things he stands against in my life. My life doesn't measure up to his politics and I can't stand for that.
I'd love for Hil to be the candidate, but she isn't.
And voting for McCain would just be voting for someone who treats me like George Bush did. I can't take another 4 years of that.
Posted by: Nick | Aug 27, 2008 12:24:17 PM
Hillary nailed it and put the final nail in the coffin of the sellout PUMA faux movement for good. They never were a power and they'll never be one.
She also proved her haters in both parties are the ones with the problem, as Bill Maher oft says regarding the rabid hate she inspires. Your problem with Hillary is just that - your problem.
Her speech was hurried but amazing. She is amazing and Barack Obama will be an amazing President.
Posted by: Marco | Aug 27, 2008 12:34:07 PM
I just love Hillary.
Loved that speech. She nailed and the haters can all kiss my ass.
Posted by: Tralfaz | Aug 27, 2008 12:54:41 PM
of course she was going to give a great speech and endorsement...I don't understand why people thought she wouldn't. She knows what she needs to do...she is a great politician.
I believe there are still a lot of PUMA's out there who did not do it 'because of her' but also for the fact that they truly believe the DNC has been high jacked by Pelosi. They are speaking out against Pelosi, the sexism that plagued Hill throughout the primaries, Howie Dean telling delegates when to vote, and of course for Hillary and a list of other things...I don't know how much more Hillary can do to change their minds.
Even after last night's speech, I can almost guarantee Hillary will still somehow be blamed if Obama loses.
I do believe her speech will guarantee her a successful Presidential run in the future and as a Hillary supporter that's all that matters to me.
Obama '08
Posted by: daveynyc | Aug 27, 2008 1:36:04 PM
First: I apologize to Brian; it was RB that I was quoting.
Second: Nick I don't recall questioning your loyalty or anything else for that matter.
Third: As for trolling, nah, I just went over to ‘No Quarter’ after reading these comments to check it out. I was in a hurry so I just copied and pasted my original post into my comment over there. If I'm guilty of anything, it was for plagiarizing myself.
So take a chill pill, you'll feel much better.
Posted by: Keith | Aug 27, 2008 1:50:47 PM
Forget the mainstream pundits reactions [almost universally ecstatic even after many of them concocted the Hate Hillary plague], an ultimate measure of her success last night is to be found in the graceful way so many here are willing dining on crow. I'm impressed, and, thus, more hopeful.
Even dear Zeke, though he failed to note that she [yes, once AGAIN before a non exclusively LGBT audience] didn't just say "gay" but managed more importantly to combine it with the word "rights"—a lesson even his hero still needs to learn. We'll find out Thursday night.
Permit me to elaborate a bit on the best passage of Hillary's speech:
"This is the story of America. Of women and men [including those gay like Barbara Gittings and Frank Kameny and Audre Lorde and Leonard Matlovich] who defy the odds and never give up. How do we give this country back to them?
By following the example of a brave New Yorker, a woman who risked her life to shepherd slaves along the Underground Railroad. And on that path to freedom, Harriett Tubman had one piece of advice.
If you hear the dogs, keep going. [Even if they are ruthless Republicans like John McCain who are still exploiting antigay hatred to stay in power.]
If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. [Even if those torches are lit with lies and the pages torn from the Bible that teach love which multi-million dollar-funded "religious" fascists refuse to follow.]
If they're shouting after you, keep going. [Even if they're "gay Republicans" urging you to deny the bigotry still boiling in that Party and yo join them in selling their souls for Massa's pat on the head and priviliege over pride. Even this morning they're defending indications that the Repug platform once again calls for amending us out of the US Constitution.]
Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going."
Posted by: Michael Bedwell | Aug 27, 2008 2:09:29 PM
I think it was a well placed speech. It would be hypocritical if she went on and spoused praises to Obama.
She went back to the Democrats' principles and values, which as she pointed out, is larger than anyone's ambitions.
Posted by: Landis | Aug 27, 2008 2:24:02 PM
The sad thing, DanMac, is that if you were to talk to a Log-Cabin Republican, they would tell you they will vote for McCain because he is for the issues that matter most to them: strong national defense, border security, lower taxes, less government, etc.
Not that any of those things aren't valid issues for voters to consider. But, when you're being hauled way to one of those camps they've been maintaining out there in the Nevada desert because you're gay, or when you've been evicted from your apartment because your born-again landlord has a "conscience issue" with you and your lover, or when your born-again employer decides that he/she has a "conscience issue" with you being gay and terminates you, then I think voting Republican is tantamount to committing suicide.
Because another four years of Republican rule in the White House is exactly what America will get--national suicide. And for a gay or lesbian to vote for McCain--well, then you will get what you deserve.
Posted by: mike | Aug 27, 2008 3:16:19 PM
MICHAEL, I publicly aknowledged my new re-found respect for Hillary and gave her unqualified praise. What more do you want from me brother?
DAVENYC, I honestly didn't think I would ever see the day that you would make a comment that ended with Obama 08. We've had words in the past but it's great that we are united on the same team now. In fact it's awsome to be united again so completely with so many of my favorite people here with whom this primary caused strife. It will be an honor and a priviledge to work side by side with MICHAEL BEDWELL, DAVENYC and NIC again.
RB my friend, I love ya, but I think you're dead wrong on Obama and on McCain.
Obama/Biden 08
DEFEAT AMENDMENT 2 IN FLORIDA!!!!
DEFEAT PROP. 8 IN CALIFORNIA!!!
DEFEAT PROP. 102 IN ARIZONA!!!
Posted by: Zeke | Aug 27, 2008 3:29:12 PM
She was fucking awesome. Gave me chills, got me excited, and the tone and her deliverance was basically perfect the entire way through.
The possibility that Hillary Clinton would be president of the United States for the next chapter of my life was the ONE reason I felt I didn't need to leave this country for another, the one reason I felt things could change. Something about her determination, her intelligence, her realism, her presence just captured me and made me think I would be proud to call her my leader and I could believe she would fix this country after growing up under a fucking idiot president I have absolutely zero respect for and who took our country down the gutter. Now that that dream has been crushed; settling for anything else isn't easy. It's downright sad.
The stupid queens on this site who have been blasting her for months need to realize Clinton supporters are not the maniacal crazies they like to demonize them as. They are people who might have similar feelings to mine, who threw their hopes behind her and who aren't going to be convinced they should vote for the man who killed their dream with bitchy digs that don't reach out to Clinton supporters but instead just insult them and the candidate they have spent months following and years watching. Honestly, I probably would have liked Obama a lot more had I not gotten sooo much shitty attitude from Hillary bashers.
Despite all of this...the speech she gave last night made me feel like I can vote for Obama this fall; even though I wish nothing more that her name could be on the ballot as the Democratic candidate. She put such gravity into the situation, which in my eyes up until now, has been more like a mess of the media hyping up candidate drama, and the supporters badmouthing eachother. Obama supporters; you owe her your thanks for her help in making your candidate stronger and in giving an absolutely riveting speech urging the sea of people who love her to back him in her call to help him get elected. She is the only person in the world who could have accomplished that; and for me, she did last night with flying colors. She's an amazing individual, remains one of the veeery few politicians I feel deserves my attention and respect, and I can't wait to see what's in store for her in the future.
Posted by: Donovan | Aug 27, 2008 3:35:31 PM
DaveyNYC
:-)
Bless my gay ass.
Thank you for being willing to support Obama at least as far as not wanting mccain to win and continue the bush fiasco.
IF Obama looses, hopefully not, last night's speech by Clinton moved me to thinking that I would gladly support her in 2012 (though we can not deal with 4 more yrs of bush jr via mcsame)
Obama and Michele have already said that this run is the only one. That the stress and danger is too much to put the kids through again if for some reason he looses. If he does, hopefully not, then if Clinton campaigns like her speech last night she will find me being a huge supporter of hers in 2012.
-------------------------------------
RB
By your logic, Clinton said mccain was by far even more not ready to lead. The exact words weren't uttered about Obama but 8 times she did say that Obama was/ is better than mcshame. Thus logically by your standards mcshame is completlly and utterly not ready to lead or be president. If you respect her as you claim then shouldn't you NOT vote for mcshame?
-----------------------------
Michael Bedwell, yeah the Hariet Tubman quote was moving. Each time I go back to her speech from last night I come away more impressed than before.
She raised the bar big time for bill to reach, but I don't have any doubts that the big dog will deliver. If nothing else Bill is one of the most charming, disarming, and greatest speakers of his generation. I am so looking foreword to tonight.
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Aug 27, 2008 4:25:11 PM