Hillary makes the case against McCain and much more, rouses sleepy convention

She rises to every occasion.  From the moment she walked onto the stage, she projected assurance and confidence, then uncorked a speech that not only again made clear her support for Barack Obama, but also made the first effective critique of John McCain at this convention, and, oh by the way, inspired her own supporters, inspired the supporters of her opponent, awed the media, and electrified the convention hall.  This is all the more remarkable because of the limited parameters within which she had to work.  She did it, and then some. 

Up until now, this convention has been long on platitude, bromide, and cliche, and appallingly short on rousing moments.  Hillary changed that in twenty minutes.  The reaction was thunderous.  She emerges from this primary process and this convention with her stature enhanced not only in the USA but also on the world stage.

I have not watched all the speeches.  No sane person would want to.  Of the ones I've heard, however, I've made it a point to note any reference to "Democrat" or "Democratic Party."  For a day and a half of this Democratic convention, I have not heard the word or the phrase even one time.  In Hillary's speech, I counted six such references.  That's one of the main reasons I supported her.  She was campaigning to lead a party to a party victory and establish the groundwork for a generation of progressive governance.  It would have worked, and may yet. 

Comments

[Deborah Sampson]

My initial reaction? "This is the person who should be our candidate!" One of her best ever speeches. One can only hope Obama is half so gracious!

[John Petty]

About half way through her speech, I told another delegate: "Hey, I've got an idea. Let's nominate HER."

[Inga Oyan Longbrake]

Petty! Hey man, how's it going? Okay -- no surprise that you feel Senator Clinton was the only won worth watching so far, but... come on! You really believe the convention has been lacking in content, that it's been "sleepy?" All signs point to this convention having far more energy than those in recent memory - far more people on the floor far earlier in the week. This is a good sign! The party is renewed by what both Clinton and Obama have done. Also, Hillary's was the only speech I haven't been able to hear in full so far (damn committee meetings), but I watched some highlights last night and I was wishing she had said she was a "proud Democrat" and not just a "proud American" and "proud supporter of Barack" -- maybe she did and I missed it. But I agree with you, I'm wanting to hear more proud Democrat comments, even from Hillary. And she's not THAT fabulous a speaker, though from what I've heard, the content was good.

I'd like to lift up Obama's response to his wife's remarks (hers were great, by the way, save a few too many "Sees"). He was so proud of her. He praised her, saying he was lucky man. Any man who's not intimidated by a strong woman and can, in fact, lift her even higher is a feminist in my book.

Which is why I don't completely understand those who are so adamant about how if they can't vote for Hillary, they just can't bring themselves to vote for Barack. Can you explain this to me? I heard one Hillary-supporting woman respond to the question of whether she'd vote Obama now by saying: "I don't know. He hasn't asked me for my vote. Only for my money." What? He hasn't asked you for your vote? I don't understand that. And if you can't move forward until after you've had the opportunity to cast your roll call vote, fine. I sort of get that. Sort of. But then let's move forward. Do we really believe it would be okay to have another Republican in the White House? Bitter feelings towards Barack or not, we cannot afford that.

One more thing: To suggest that MSNBC being on the floor instead of delegates means the Obama camp is getting their priorities out of order seems a little unfair to me. Come on. The Pepsi Center seats tens of thousands, and there are only 5,000 delegates. There is plenty of room for everyone. And media coverage of this event is important, take it from someone who doesn't get to be inside the building. I cannot get enough and am irked when their isn't coverage on tv (major networks have been waiting for major speakers -- I could only watch ted kennedy on public tv, tho I don't have cable...). Don't blame Obama for them being on the floor and somehow shoving delegates off to the side. I know this isn't how conventions worked in the good old days, but as someone who's only known this kind, I at least want to be in on it by being able to watch on tv. (Maybe the whole thing needs a reformation, but that's another conversation.)

So where are you downtown? Are you doing all this blogging from the floor? Or a coffee shop? Are you having fun? I'm going to try to come down tonight and just take in the energy - maybe get me a yard sign. My sister is down there as an employee of the Associated Press, and I am completely jealous of her press pass and access. Any chance I'd be able to find you if I came down? Seems like a good time to have a beer!

[John Petty]

Hi Inger, if you come down, give me a call. If I'm at the convention, I won't be able to hear it ring, but I'll get the message.

Your message is too lengthy to respond to everything, but suffice it to say that I'm a loyal Democrat and I'll be voting for Obama in the fall, despite the fact that the "unity schtick" seems to work only one way.

As for Hillary's speech, it was nice to hear someone speak for the Democratic Party at the Democratic National Convention--finally!

[Hypatia]

"For a day and a half of this Democratic convention, I have not heard the word or the phrase even one time. In Hillary's speech, I counted six such references. That's one of the main reasons I supported her. She was campaigning to lead a party to a party victory and establish the groundwork for a generation of progressive governance."

Sigh. Thank you for noticing this. I waited patiently for Michelle Obama, to take only one example, to say ‘Democrat’ or ‘Democratic Party’ in her speech. Instead, she went out of her way to emphasize that her husband is not a party guy, thus reinforcing the subtext of the Obama campaign that a vote for Obama is a vote for him personally. Clinton always presented herself on the basis of party and policy as well as personality.

Leaving aside the cult of personality trappings, I think this is a bad political move. So far, the GOP has succeeded in turning this election into a referendum on Obama and not the last eight years. As long as they can continue to do that, they have a chance of turning the Presidential race around. And the Obama campaign can do little against this approach, because all along Obama’s two main selling points have been a) his vote against the war in the Illinois state senate and b) his personality and Inspiring Personal Story. (Which is indeed pretty impressive, although I’m already a wee bit tired of hearing about it.)

At this rate, the word 'Democrat'will get a wider airing at the GOP convention than the Democratic one. And their candidate has no problem referring to himself as a Republican and comparing his party favorably to the 'Democrat' one.

Clinton was fantastic.

[lillianjane]

She was resplendent and beautifully partisan.
I hope that you are voting for her on the first ballot. I don't understand why the delegates think they are supposed to just jump in and vote for him. What's the point of nominating someone if there will be no votes for her?
I watched and cried and thought that Bill Clinton was thinking what I and all of her delegates were: this should be her acceptance speech. This is a leader.

[John Petty]

I proudly cast my vote for Hillary this morning. I will vote for Obama in the fall.