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Clinton triumphs with unity speech at Obama's convention (Roundup)
By Pat Reber Aug 27, 2008, 4:18 GMT
U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton speaks at the 2008 Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado USA, 26 August 2008. The Democratic National Convention runs 25-28 August 2008 where it is expected that Illinois Senator Barack Obama will be nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate. EPA/SHAWN THEW
Denver, Colorado - Hillary Clinton made a triumphant appeal for party unity Tuesday night at the Democratic convention, declaring that electing her one-time rival Barack Obama president was a 'fight for the future.'
'My friends, it is time to take back the country we love,' the New York senator said. 'Barack Obama is my candidate. And he must be our president.'
Her 23-minute speech was interrupted loudly and often with deafening roars, cementing her star status in the party and importance to the Democrats' push to reclaim the White House after eight years.
While Clinton has been out on the campaign trail for Obama since June, when she conceded her historic bid to the African-American senator from Illinois, much weighed on her convention speech.
She had to convince her diehard supporters and 18 million primary voters to release their bitterness and overcome lingering resentment that has prompted many to say they will not vote for Obama.
And she had to avoid stealing the show from Obama, who will deliver his acceptance speech Thursday night before a throng of 75,000 at Denver's Invesco stadium.
Clinton laid out the case against the presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, saying that his party's leadership had squandered 'the promise of our country' and made the government 'an instrument ... of private plunder.'
She said she had run for the Democratic nomination 'to stand up for all those who have been invisible to their government for eight long years' under US President George W Bush.
'Those are the reasons I ran for president. Those are the reasons I support Barack Obama. And those are the reasons you should too,' she said.
In a salute to her supporters, who brought her more than 40 per cent of the 4,400 delegates gathered at Denver's Pepsi Center for the four-day convention, she recalled dramatic moments from the primary season.
She spoke of a cancer-afflicted mother of two autistic children who had painted Hillary's name on her shaven head 'and asked me to fight for health care.'
The convention hall erupted in laughter when she tipped her hat to the 'sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits' who had stood by her during the gruelling year-long bid for the nomination.
'You never gave in. You never gave up. And together we made history,' she said.
Then she urged them to ask themselves the question: 'Were you in this campaign just for me?' Or were they in it for the cause of affordable health care and people struggling against 'jobs lost, houses gone, falling wages, rising prices?'
'We need to elect Barack Obama because we need a president who understands that America can't compete in a global economy by padding the pockets of energy speculators while ignoring the workers whose jobs have been shipped overseas,' she said.
She was confident that as president, Obama would 'end the war in Iraq responsibly and bring our troops home and begin to repair our alliances around the world.'
It was not clear if her speech had convinced all of her delegates in Denver, whom she reminded on Monday that it was 'Barack Obama's convention as it should be.'
Clinton is expected to meet with her delegates Wednesday afternoon and ask them to support Obama in the evening's state-by-state roll call vote that could be cut short under party rules if there is a unanimous acclimation for Obama.
Former president Bill Clinton, Hillary's husband, will also speak Wednesday night.
Earlier speeches Tuesday evening were devoted to women's issues and the economy, which ranks three times higher than any other issue among voters, according to recent polling.
State governors took the stage from closely contested states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Iowa, hoping to convince the electorate of Obama's ability to turn around a sluggish economy and ease the pain of soaring petrol prices.
Though Clinton was the highlighted speaker of the night, the former first lady did not deliver the so-called keynote speech for Tuesday. That was given by former Virginia governor Mark Warner, who is now locked in a hard battle for election to the US Senate.
In 2004, Obama rose to national promise when the party gave him the 'keynote' role to boost his chances of winning a US Senate seat in Illinois.
Warner chided McCain for espousing Bush's 'outdated' policies and called for bipartisan action to put the US economy back on track, mirroring some of the messages from Obama's own rousing speech at the 2004 Democratic convention.
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Not interested in US elections. It is all 'arranged' anyways. Nothing in the US is as it seems. It is all for show. Their is no real democracy in the United States. So I am NOT interested.
'Not interested in US elections. It is all 'arranged' anyways. Nothing in the US is as it seems. It is all for show. Their is no real democracy in the United States. So I am NOT interested.'
Thanks for taking the time to insist that you are not interested. I am not interested that you are not interested. I am not interested because you are not interesting.
Angry Clinton Supporters Start Rallying for McCain Online
By Sarah Lai Stirland
They're mad as hell, and Hillary Clinton's supporters aren't going to take it anymore.
Some Clintonites are so mad about Barack Obama's Tuesday victory that they've launched a web site to build support to launch a lobbying group to support Republican John McCain.
'We're going to run campaign ads to defeat Obama,' says Ed Hale, a 63-year-old rancher and a Clinton supporter from Wellington, Texas. 'We have doctors, lawyers, CPAs, the blue bloods, and then we have rednecks like me. It's a very diversified organization.'
The apparent peeling off of a portion of Clinton's supporters from the Democratic party illustrates the difficult task party officials now face in rallying the troops behind Obama. Open dissent within party ranks provides Republicans with openings to exploit.
Hale launched the 'Hillary Clinton Supporters for John McCain' group....
hcsfjm.com
It just depends who you talk to whether or not the party will be united.
I think Hillary's speech was excellent, and I would hope her supporters would get behind her once more. Voting for her and now mad because she didn't get elected just because she is a woman is not a good reason to abandon the party. Her time could yet come in the years ahead!
'Her time could yet come in the years ahead!'
like in 2012 after McCain's first term.
..word around the campfire is that she never mentioned the McCain ad using her earlier comments, and basically never endorsed Obama.
Pure Clintontonian reprisal.
Then, in a speech earlier this week, Bill, at some kind of forum, asked if a person should vote for someone who agrees with you on everything and can't do anything, or a person who agrees with you on half, but can do something!
The Washington Post says Michele Obama was 'lobotomized'...
jesus!
The 'Post' like you is a washed up group of idiots who cannot find a job at a real paper. You are just washed up!
Depends on which rag you read, whether you are a Democrat or Repub on how you view this speech. If Hillary had kissed and washed McCain's feet, she would still not get any credit from SP. It's so easy for the armchair quarterbacks to scrutinize every word in every sentence and then proclaim what it all meant!
Lies, lies, and more lies! Just wait and see what happens next. Hillary is just dying to join with McCain, and she's even willing to play second fiddle for the next four years. Better to become a republican, than to let the bums controlling the DNC take it all away. Hillary would be a better choice for McCain than Romney the mormon, or Lieberman the Jew.
And that don't make me wrong to say it. The fact that my main man McCain has always been a rino, don't mean he hasn't changed. McCain-Clinton would be a great vote getting ticket, and we could win. Better to change to win, than not win. And that don't make me wrong to say it.
Only in your dreams!
..you'd benefit from reading the Washinton Post or...well...almost anything at all.
Only a few months left for the final countdown.Only one strategy available for the republicans , failing to make a strong appearance based on their program ,they center their campaign on the alleged weaknesses of their democratic opponent .Kinda shows they have nothing positive in storage and can only rely on convincing the voters that the other side doesn't add up to the task .What a display of weakness that is when the only thing you cn do is smear your opponent,it says more than enough about their own weaknesses wouldn't you think ?
Democracy is supposed to supply a choice between two or preferably more options about the things you want to offer to your population for the next 4 years .That would include measures to improve health care,education and addressing all the financial woes of big part of the population,wouldn't you think ?One would expect candidates to address these topics .So why waging a campaign then based on smearing your opponent .I guess that is one of the reasons why one of above posters mentioned the bankrupcy of US democracy .He certainly is right in pointing out it's poor performance and effects on the population .Why not start with discussing the measures proposed by the candidates then ,first step to giving democracy a real meaning .Failing to do so will soon divide the amzeican population into two entrenched camps ,insulting ech other,smearing and forgetting in the process it is all about governance .SP4 is the perfect example of this paranoia and blindness to facts,sorry to say.
'Kinda shows they have nothing positive in storage and can only rely on convincing the voters that the other side doesn't add up to the task'
Tonny, you do not get it. You need to think inside other people's minds. The positive message of Republicans is: Bringing christian values everywhere no matter what the cost. To the person that believes people are not saved unless they believe in jesus, that positive message is a HUGE message and is very motivating. There are about 100 million such people and they believe they have a very positive and valid message.
Once you believe in jesus (the way you are suppose to) you too will think with a positive message.
The American Republic returns on September 11, 2008, Revised
A Letter to The United States Congress and to The American People
Americans have lost their way by choice and coercion propagated by those that wish to have it all. Americans that have plenty are not bothered by the confusion and rape of the land and its people. The Americans that outnumber the wealthy are the ones that suffer in America. The idea of a Republic of America was an original perfect form of government. The ones that made the choice to write on paper their ideas for a perfect form of government were themselves imperfect. The document called the Constitution is a promise on paper and in spirit to Americans to protect and to serve Americans, our Nation with truth. That has not happened, thus the discord and confusion within our nation to Americans.
Our Nation, our Homeland has been sold, raped, and ravaged by many outsiders and insider traitors, which have allowed our eagle our National symbol to be locked in a cage with little sustenance. Our Star our symbol of truth has been buried in the sand with the trash of other nations.
This is not acceptable, and will be resolved.
Our current Congress has forsaken our nation by giving little and taking so much for themselves and their financial supporters. Congress has allowed Capitalist Businesses from within and out to take over our Nation and rule by the power of selfish money and lies.
Our Great and once powerful Military are ruled by those that give false and deceptive orders coupled by untruthful commands. They, the soldiers of our fortunes are engaged in ambiguous battle campaigns fighting under and for False Flag counter intelligence fueled by deceptive propaganda rhetoric. Human lives on all sides are dying for the few that have lost their way thru choice.
Our President, our leader of our Nation has with his advisors and financial empire brokers reinforced the ultimate crime to humanity by lying to himself, his family and his country. Our business leaders have lied to our Nation and prostituted our ingenuity to others for unnatural profit.
There are too many Americans that have some or little or none, and that Ladies and Gentlemen is not acceptable. Congress and others have failed to provide even the basics for our Nation to thrive. Too many selfish secrets, many which are known amongst a few, are tearing our Nation and Planet apart. By allowing those that know what lies behind the looking glass, to control the masses at will is an affront to GOD.
There is too much advertised hatred and racial prejudice fed by ignorance and choice. Religions have taken front seat to freedom and truth, thus confusing those that wish to know the truth, by self-choice.
On September 11, 2008, in Los Angeles, California, United States of America, we Americans can and will make a choice to free our Eagle from its cage of captors, allowing it to be stronger and fly higher than ever before, and unearth and restore our Star to its rightful brilliance from the sand of trash of other Nations, and take back our country from those that have stolen it from us all. Annuit Copetis.
We have learned from the past, and we have learned from the present, now we will make a choice to either continue with America as is, or Change America to a True Republic that truly represents the sincere interests of its people and other Nations. It is not an impossible task to overcome; all it takes is an honest choice and the will to sacrifice.
We are a Legion of many, who will live a life of peace, and have respect for all living things, while having considerations for those who are different, and look for ways to truly accommodate those who are slow in understanding.
We support the poor, helpless, and defenseless people. We support the freedom of Women, we support the sane treatment of animals and the environment, and we support the freedom of religion and expression. We do not support ignorance, period.
We are a growing nation of people that encourage all Americans to become part of the New American Republic!
CHANGE FOR AMERICA FOR AMERICANS!
NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM
Judah Ben-Hur, Sui Juris
Ambassador
The American Republic
Diplomatic Mission: North America
A Sovereign Republic
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NobamaAug 27th, 2008 - 06:20:28
Clinton Supporters Say Speech Didn't Heal Divisions
By Eli Saslow
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 27, 2008; Page A01
DENVER, Aug. 26 -- Hillary Rodham Clinton's most loyal delegates came to the Pepsi Center on Tuesday night looking for direction. They listened, rapt, to a 20-minute speech that many proclaimed the best she had ever delivered, hoping her words could somehow unwind a year of tension in the Democratic Party. But when Clinton stepped off the stage and the standing ovation faded into silence, many of her supporters were left with a sobering realization: Even a tremendous speech couldn't erase their frustrations.
There was Jerry Straughan, a professor from California, who listened from his seat in the rafters and shook his head at what he considered the speech's predictability. 'It's a tactic,' he said. 'Who knows what she really thinks? With all the missteps that have taken place, this is the only thing she could do. So, yes, I'm still bitter.' [...]
But Clinton's performance fell far short of the panacea the Democratic Party had desperately hoped for, delegates said. Some worried that, after Clinton's public withdrawal, more voters might defect for Republican John McCain or simply stay home.
'I'm not going to vote for Obama. I'm not going to vote for McCain, either,' said Blanche Darley, 65, a Texas delegate for Clinton. Darley wore a button saying 'Obamination Scares the Hell Out of Me.'
'We love her, but it's our vote if we don't trust him or don't like him,' said Darley, who was a superdelegate for Bill Clinton in the 1990s...
Clinton said Tuesday night that it is Obama's convention. But many of her supporters came here exclusively to honor her. One group traveled from New York and built an impromptu museum commemorating Clinton's historic campaign. Another lighted thousands of candles in a park to symbolize her widespread support.
On Tuesday morning, hundreds of loyalists formed a 200-yard parade and marched through downtown. They shouted into loudspeakers and beat drums, creating a cacophony that echoed across the blocks. As they began marching, some of the supporters chanted, 'We want a roll call.' Many of them wore their opinions on T-shirts: Country Over Party. Damn, We Wish You Were President. Still Making History. Democrats Left Behind.
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At the front of the parade route, one banner summarized their message: Hillary. Who Else?
'A lot of people came here just because they wanted to celebrate Hillary,' said Elizabeth Fiechter, a New York City lawyer who helped organize the parade. 'We get criticism because there's this idea that the election should move on and just leave her behind. We're not going down that quietly.'
The week of festivities for Clinton delegates and supporters started Monday with a meet-and-greet, where some supporters learned that they differ from one another more than they originally thought. The most recent Washington Post-ABC News poll showed that only 42 percent of Clinton voters classify themselves as 'solidly behind' Obama, and that 20 percent plan to vote for McCain. But in Denver, Clinton supporters sometimes classified themselves as belonging to one of two categories: the sad and the angry.
'It just makes me upset because Hillary would have been the perfect woman to do this job,' said Katherine Vincent, from Colorado. 'I'm a Democrat first, but it's just difficult to get over.'
'I hate Obama so much that I'm going to devote as much time to McCain as I did to Hillary,' said Adita Blanco, a Democrat from Edward, Okla., who has never voted for a Republican. 'Obama has nothing. He has no experience. The Democratic Party doesn't care about us. You couldn't treat [Clinton] any worse.'
Perhaps the best example of the persistent divide in the Democratic Party came after Clinton's speech Tuesday night. The lights went down in the Pepsi Center, and some influential Democrats left downtown for good. They planned to head for the airport and fly home, long before Obama accepts the nomination in a speech at Invesco Field on Thursday night.
Clinton will hold a private meeting with her top financial advisers Wednesday, and many donors plan to leave immediately afterward. Terence R. McAuliffe, Clinton's campaign chairman and the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, also plans to leave before Obama's speech. Many of the women from 18 Million Voices, Fiechter's pro-Clinton group, booked tickets for Wednesday and Thursday because 'we really are taking a position of being indifferent to Obama,' Fiechter said.
Clinton's delegates inside the Pepsi Center had no choice but to stick around, at least until the end of Wednesday's roll call.
'I wish I could leave,' said Straughan, the professor from California. 'To be honest, that would make this whole thing a lot easier.'
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/26/AR200808260392 1_2.html?sid=ST2008082603982&s_pos=
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