Gratitude for Hillary

Hillary Clinton gave the speech of her life today and as she endorsed her primary opponent, she cemented her place in history. As importantly, she also shone a path for herself as a national leader for years to come.

She said: "The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States."

I was tough on Hillary earlier in the week. I shared the disappointment of her losing a hard fought and terribly close campaign. I thought we needed her to provide us with a bridge to move past the primary and into the General Election by acknowledging Obama's victory. Instead on election night, she announced would take her time. It doesn't matter now whether that was the right decision.

What is clear, is that she couldn't have given the speech she gave today on Tuesday night. Today, her voice was strong, her mind was certain and her back was straight. She wanted us to know she would be an unequivocal supporter for Obama. But she also wanted to say something else.

Yes, it is true she not so silently admitted, in the beginning she was trying to avoid running as a "woman." She thought she needed to prove she was Commander in Chief material instead. But in the last five months, she changed her message because she realized that people accepted her a a national leader, what they wanted was to connect with someone who understood their daily lives. She is filled with the stories of women along the campaign trail. They saw in her a woman who understands the complexities of life as a mother, a daughter, a wife and a worker all at the same time. The glue in other people's lives. Whether it was about health care, education or knowing a soldier in the war, women needed to tell her their stories. She would nod knowingly because she understood them. And she also understood that all too often a woman's dreams take a back seat to someone else's or they are filtered through a thin film of sexism that men don't see.

Hillary found a bold new public voice during this campaign. For those of us who have know her a long time, it was the Hillary we knew. The compassion, the humor and the grit.

She said: "But I am a woman and, like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious, and I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us. I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of. I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter's future and a mother who wants to leave all children brighter tomorrows."

She didn't talk about being a wife. Yet as she spoke, I couldn't help but think that among the legacies of this campaign is the certain re-branding of the "Clinton" name. It is now Hillary Clinton who is the contemporary political leader. The one whose future in the Senate and place on the national stage is more important than ever. For instance, when Barack Obama's first presidential priority is universal healthcare, it will be because of Hillary that we will understand its possibilities. What was once dubbed derisively as "Hillarycare" will now carry that moniker as a brand of honor.

We have a lot of work to do in the next several months to win back the White House. But today was Hillary's day in the sun.

"So today I'm going to count my blessings and keep on going," she said. "I will do it with a heart filled with gratitude, with a deep and abiding love for our country, and with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead."

Like so many today, my heart is filled with gratitude for Hillary Clinton.

Follow Hilary Rosen on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hilaryr

Comments

[CindyV]

Hilary Rosen: As you can see by some of the comments here today, Obama supporters have not stopped their campaign of Hate against Hillary Clinton. She conceded the race, promised to back Obama and "work her heart out for him," and these people still trash her. I think I'll stay on the sidelines until November.

[sed68]

Calm down Cindy,

There are McTrolls galore out today posing as ungracious Obama supporters. Check out www.barackobama.com to come see how we really feel. We loved Hillary's speech today and wholeheartedly embrace her and her constituency.

[Krikkit]

"These people"

Some of them are Republican plants stirring up trouble. Some of them are first-timers with little understanding of the difference between primary and general election dynamics. Some of them are simple minded. And some of them are far too identified with one candidate over the party. Most of them will follow Obama's lead despite their misgivings about Hillary.

Except for the last sentence, all of the above also applies to Hillary's supporters. Just substitute "Most will follow Hillary's lead when their heartache passes" for the last sentence, and I think you get my drift.

[ghop]

Are you focusing on only negative comments? So many Obama supporters are saying nice things about Hillary here!
We are your fellow Democrats, not "these people".

[Vishous]

I'm an Obama supporter and I was very impressed watching the speech today. The real Obama supporters are overwhelmingly proud of Sen. Clinton today. I used the link on his website to express my sincere appreciation for today's endorsement. Now we can finally focus our attention on defeating McSame.

[partyofone]

CindyV,

HIllary Clinton ran the meanest, most divisive, dishonest Democratic primary campaign I have ever seen. Her Bush-Rove tactics were disgusting. Voters rejected her, and begrudgingly, under pressure from her supporters in Congress, she makes a concession speech that self-servingly pledges her support. She is a fine actress. We have seen her sound very genuine before ("the vast right wing conspiracy","Iraq War vote" "sniper fire in Bosnia") and learned later that she lied. Obama will be constantly confronted with video and text of The Clintons' attacks on him. One speech does not erase her record or make her a hero to me.

[NotMcCain]

That was most definitely the speech of her life--beautifully crafted with so many difficult themes to blend. And perfectly delivered--she has, in my opinion, far surpassed Bill Clinton in both political skills (including discipline and staying on message) and in delivery. She made it look easy today. It isn't.

Hillary--Do you know who wrote that speech (I'm assuming more than one person worked on it)? I'd love to know as the last 3/4s were so very different from her usual stump speech, or what we hear from her team in interviews. Very different from a speech by Bill as well.

She gets the credit for making excellent choices of themes and point of view and a terrific delivery. But I'd love to know who took those ideas and emotions and crafted them so beautifully together in the end product. Does anyone know?

[SanityClaus]

Good question. I also assume that one of the things Barack asked for and was granted on Thursday night was the opportunity to review it and approve it before it was delivered.

[ObserverinVancouver]

I'm an ardent fan of Sen. Obama and have slowly developed strong negative feelings about Sen. Clinton in the last six months, BUT if Sen. Obama asked for speech approval she should have told him to jump in the lake (Michigan for choice). This was her speech, the words were her choice and it would have been unseemly for Sen. Obama to vet them. It is hard to imagine that he would actually have made a condition like that. (Speeches at the convention would be entirely something else. )

[Krikkit]

We were told that the reason she was late arriving at the Hall was that she was putting finishing touches on the speech, fine tuning it. I think that the reason it was her finest speech is probably that this one came from her, not from Penn or her other advisors.

[partyofone]

There are reports that Mark Penn and Mandy Grunwald actually wrote the speech, and that her delay was for hair and makeup and more melodrama. Somehow, that sounds more like the Hillary I know.

[tyrdofwaitin]

Dear Hilary:

You've been one of the few sane and balanced allies of your namesake as she has slogged through the past 16 months.

However, I don't believe that I will ever forgive her (or her husband) the unrelenting attempts to character assasinate Sen Obama. It was unworthy of any leader in the 21st century, man or woman.

I agree that her speech today brought her back to reality and to her center which she had lost along the way; I think she'll ultimately make a good Obama ally, but not on the ticket. In order for a working relationship that close to Obama to work, Hillary would have to acknowledge, at least to herself, the following: that she did not lose this race because of sexism any more than Obama won because of racism. Second, the fact of her loss should have come as a surprise to no one: the experts predicted in February that Obama had an insurmountable lead in the delegate count; as a counter to that reality, Clinton tried to change the rules of the game. How many times has that strategy been played out against the disenfranc­hised----a­nd especially women? If she could acknowledge these errors for what they are, she might be transformed as a politician and as a person. A personal and private apology to Barack might seal the deal.

In the meantime, here's hoping she agitates in the Obama administration for the universal, or better yet, single payor health care we deserve.

[Krikkit]

I think we all need to differentiate between the vocal beliefs of the followers of these two candidates, and the beliefs each of them holds.

Hillary and Barack are friends and colleagues who have already gotten over it. As she and he both said, there's no need to rehash the past. They will work well and hard together, without preconditions or demands, to secure the Presidency for Obama. Why waste time and energy on such stuff? There are more important things to do.

[tyrdofwaitin]

Although I agree their wounds may heal as colleagues, I doubt they will ever be what you and I would consider a friend. A friend doesn't try to castrate a friend.

[PennP]

People who know them better than you or I say they are definitely NOT friends. H may have said they were, but I chalked that up to politics. Besides what has been said by those in the know, there's absolutely no evidence of friendship between them that I have seen.

[metamars]

I listened to her speech. I thought Clinton was very gracious. If she had run her campaign this graciously, who knows?
My only complaint is a minor one. And that is her tone of voice when she said (multiple times) "And that is why we have to help elect Barack Obama our President" sounded awfully like that of a nagging mother. I don't want to read too much into this, but it does suggest to me that she is externalizing her own conflicts in supporting Obama. Well, under the circumstances, it's hard to begrudge her some internal conflict.
While I wouldn't want Clinton as a VP, I think Obama would be well advised to invite her into his cabinet, as the point person in charge of creating a decent national health care program, for starters.
All in all, I give Clinton a 10 out of 10 for this speech. And no, I have never supported Clinton for President, in case anybody is wondering.

[SanityClaus]

It was the facial expression when she delivered these lines that I found telling. Grim. Glancing down at her notes instead of looking up at the crowd. On radio, it probably would have played more authentically.

[Krikkit]

I agree with you wholeheartedly, except I had a different take on those phrases where she sounded like a nagging mother. I suspect she was directing those words specifically at her followers who are petulantly holding out for her bid after she's already conceded it to Barack. Face it, they are acting like recalcitrant children pouting because they didnt' get their way for their momma. So momma has to repeat herself and get a little stern.

I don't know if it will work, but it sounded (all of it) like she hit all the right notes. I've been pretty ticked off at her the past few months, but this gracious speech wipes the slate clean for me and then some. Her performance was admirable and that is putting it mildly.

[Glacial]

Obama's not my first or second choice, but he's by far the best choice now. Screw the Republican trolls pretending to be Hillary 'supporters' (as if voting against everything she stands for in November supports her in any way).

Together, we're putting a Democrat back in the White House!

[Krikkit]

Woo and Hoo!!!

:P

[preatorius]

Hillary was given $20 million and shhe was given thhe governorship of New York. Thankfully, by the time she finishes her term with New York, and screws up their economy, she will be too old to run for president again!

[BubbaC33]

If Obama loses in Nov it will be the fault of supporters just like you. Alienate even more of Ms. CLinton's supporters and more of the traditional base of the Democratic Party. Throw away almost 20 million votes, that's a good strategy for beating McCain.
By the way, she is not the governor of New York, she is a US Senator from New York.

[Vishous]

Don't let folks like that upset you. Most Obama supporters were very proud of Sen. Clinton today. There are still some that are mentally exhausted from this LONG primary process and it was very painful to watch Democrats battling each other with some very harsh tactics. Many folks have been hardened by the process and I truly believe that we can all get together and realize that a McCain presidency and a continuation of Bush policies will be too much for this country to handle. Let's work together to get Sen. Obama elected and take back the White House.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Your comprehension skills need a little work.

[BP]

Sorry, Ms Rosen, you're still a bargaining chip today, one of the "18 million cracks". "OUR strength, OUR energy, OUR..."

I reckon this is not nearly revolting as Tuesday's. And I understand the psychology behind the euphoria from the relief of seeing her progressing from downright disgraceful to just somewhat distasteful. But, sorry, the euphoria is ill founded.

What's more distasteful than Tuesday, though, is that fact she overtly hijacked women and feminism today. The old feminist movement failed. The new one has so far had a very good start. But if she hijacks it, it'd be dead in no time.

Please, modern feminists, don't let her hijack you and your movement. Don't let her define you. You deserve better. You can do better.

[Krikkit]

Nice way to keep the division alive and well. She needed to address her followers. What is wrong with that? Nothing. If you think throwing half of the Democrats under the bus is good politics, then I suggest you take your philosophy to the Republicans, because they lockstep really well. We could use some division in THEIR ranks!

[deminmo]

BP,
How so? I am old enough to remember the "old" feminists,
and what passes for new ones sure haven't made the huge
changes that the originals did, for women.

[davenav]

Today's speech brought more people into his camp than one on Tuesday would have. Why do I keep having to say the obvious? You should be very glad indeed instead of spreading more of the hate which has so defined most of Obama's supporters before today. Now, maybe we can come together but not if this clueless hate talk continues to alienate.

[preatorius]

Ask Hhilary what happened to her $20 million debt!

[GrammyinPA]

You were very tough on Hillary last week, and I was totally disappointed in your column. I guess I don't understand how friendship­s/politics work.

There was NO reason for Senator Clinton to give any other speech than the one she gave last Tuesday night. Remember she WON a primary that very day.

You were her supporter and friend; couldn't you have waited a few days for Hillary to give her concession speech???? I expected more from you.

I am proud of you Senator Clinton and wish you the very best.

[SanityClaus]

No, Ms. Rosen was holding her to the same standard which she would hold any politician, as it is by that standard that she fell short.

Do as Hillary asked and look forward, not back.

[Krikkit]

The problems with Tuesday's speech were many. First, Terry McAuliffe announcing her as "the next president of the United States" was in extremely poor taste, considering that Obama had clinched the nomination by accruing more than enough delegates to show a clear majority. She could have celebrated her victory in South Dakota and still have acknowledged Obama's victory overall. Instead she took a defiant tone that went right smack against the reality that Obama will be our nominee. It shocked and dismayed a lot of us. She needed to give the speech today to show that she isn't seeking to undermine Obama's bid for the White House, that she accepts reality, and that she will do her part. Nothing has been MORE necessary in this bruising campaign than for her to publicly show that she has set aside the competition and acknowledges it's time to get on with defeating McCain.

As for friendship: Friends air their grievances with each other so they can be resolved. To do otherwise undermines trust. Hillary and Barack met last night to cement their friendship, to reassure each other that at the end of the day they are still friends. Both left the meeting smiling we are told. What else matters?

[robertwb]

Great Speech...Did what she needed to do!

[ALIMO]

Great day!

[Arishia]

"I will do it with a heart filled with gratitude, with a deep and dividing love for our country, and with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead."

I believe that was 'deep and abiding', not 'deep and dividing'.

[DragonMama]

yeah, that was a rather Freudian typo (at least I think it was a typo, I listened to the speech with 2 small children in the room - please tell me she didn't slip and say that!).

[jazzman]

Yes there are biases out there towards women but the women who are so disappointed in Hillary's failure to get the nomination should step outside their United States centric view of things and look at what has happened around the world and how many women have made it to the top.

Christina Fernandez de Kirchner - President of Argentina
Michele Bachelet - President of Chile
Angela Merkel - Chancellor of Germany
Indira Gandhi - President of India
Golda Meir - Prime Minister of Israel
Margaret Thatcher - Prime Minister of Great Britain

In addition, a woman came very close to winning the election in France just a year ago. They did not reach the top of small insignificant countries but of great ones. Someday a woman will be President of the US as well. However, what will be truly historic is if a person of color rises to be the President of the United States. There is nothing in our history that points to the possibility of that happening for a long time. Not here or in any other caucasian dominated country in the world. However, we are going to break down that barrier this time. When that happens the world is going to look at us in admiration and our reputation for being the melting pot and greatest democracy of the world is going to be restored.

[jhw22]

I guess in all the rhetoric, we have forgotten that we aren't the only country in the world and that Hillary isn't the only woman. Good points, Jazzman, your post gives even more power to the signifcance of Obama's nomination.

an Obama Momma

[Pupster]

Right now, Christina Kirchner's approval ratings are going downhill fast. She too had a famous husband who preceded her, but does that mean she's the best qualified to lead? Only goes to show that it's not just about getting a woman in the job, it's getting the right woman, the right person in the job. Unfortunately, Hillary has shown in this campaign that she has some serious problems as leader. The infighting of her campaign, the mixed messages, the large scale financial mishandling and many more(I'm trying to avoid listing divisive reasons, though they are there) show that she was not the right person for the job.

She was very gracious today, she gave a good speech, and today is a day for unity. But when people are less emotional in their attachment, and they are able to view her campaign with clear eyes they will understand what many of us already did. Not being mean, just being truthful.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Gandhi, Meir and Thatcher all proved that women can be tough as nails when required. Merkel looks promising, too.

[punkingale]

But when Hillary appeared tough, she was said to be "acting like a man".

[Smartey]

Today Hillary "shone a path for herself as a national leader for years to come".

You're kidding, right?

The only thing she "shone" today was how an inevitable coronation was turned into an inept string of lies, panders, half-truths and disasters. If Hillary "shone" herself as a "national leader" with what came to a merciful end today, think how badly she would have fucked up the democrat shot at the White House.

[nellpost]

Go away.

[MetryJen]

I second that. There is no reason to be ugly about Hillary, today of all days.

[DinOhio]

Aside from taking the White House this fall, I have disagreed with Hillary and the way her campaign was conducted. But I want to give her due props for her speech and endorsement. I didn't detect any insincerity in her endorsement. Hillary can be a powerful ally, to be sure, and I truly hope that Hillary can deal well with the numerous criticisms of Obama that came from her and will most certainly be used by the Republicans. Time will tell on that - but, Hillary needs to bring her troops back into the battle - this time to elect Democrats for the need and sake to do so.

[preatorius]

She was very sincere. Her sincerety was bought and paid for, to the tune of $million!
20 million would make anyone smile graciously!