Hillary's Women Already Have Power

DENVER, Colorado -- Is there a score higher than an A+? I have heard about a hundred speeches by Sen. Hillary Clinton. Tuesday night's speech in Denver was a clarion call filled with power and grace.

Hillary's job at the Democratic National Convention was a big one. She had to make a strong and compelling case to any of her recalcitrant supporters for the election of Sen. Barack Obama.

She had to express her deep appreciation for all those who supported her in this campaign but not too much appreciation so that people would think she was trying to keep them to herself.

And finally she had to describe the stakes in this election and the choices we face, particularly for American families. But she had do it in a way that was not threatening to Obama but rather would be seen as amplifying his message.

And she had to do it all in 23 minutes (including applause). For weeks, people will make comments about what she should have or shouldn't have said.

But Tuesday night she was strong and compassionate, comforting and combative, deeply intelligent and extremely charming. She did everything she needed to achieve for a united party and a dignified conclusion to her campaign for her supporters. I think she gave the speech of her life.

Clinton's journey broke barriers on several levels. Yet it also gave us some real insights about the road ahead. We cannot try to replicate how men got ahead in politics, but must be open and heartfelt about the special qualities that we as women bring to public office.

Yes, it is true, she not so silently admitted, that in the beginning she was trying to avoid running as a "woman." She thought she needed to prove she was commander-in-chief material. But instead in the last and more successful months of her campaign, her message evolved.

She realized that what people wanted was to connect with someone who understood their daily lives. 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.

From the waitress in the diner to the schoolteacher to the executive on Wall Street, women feel the daily slights that are often invisible to others. Many of Clinton's supporters needed real and immediate help from the government, but so many more are just grateful to be noticed.

Her campaign was for every woman who has spoken up in a meeting and was greeted with silence, only to have a man say the same thing and be praised. It was for the mothers who are taking care of their children and their parents and their home and have no time to take care of themselves.

And yes folks, it resonated for all the women who have seen the younger guy come along and get the promotion, even though she has worked in the company loyally for years.

Because she connected with women on this level, she has forever changed women's role in politics. So, after Hillary is done having to be the Democratic Party's therapist, what are we left with?

Where do women really stand now in the Democratic Party, in politics and in the governance fabric of our country?

First, some statistics:

• In 1985, two Republican women served in the U.S. Senate, including the first woman elected to the Senate without having filled an unexpired term, Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas. No Democratic woman had yet been elected to the Senate in her own right. In 2008, 16 women serve in the U.S. Senate (11 Democrats and five Republicans).
• In 1985, 23 women (12 Democrats and 11 Republicans) served in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2008, 71 women (51 Democrats and 20 Republicans) serve in the House.

And most important of all, Rep. Nancy Pelosi is speaker of the House. Clinton goes back to the Senate to join her 15 colleagues with more to come.

That is a lot of power.

We have moved to the next step. That means that we no longer count firsts, we count what counts -- which is wins. Hillary Clinton's candidacy is important not only as a milestone. It is important as a beacon of expectation, not just hope. The expectation that comes with knowing that we are not waiting in line, we are in the race.

For more Huffington Post coverage of the Democratic National Convention, visit our Politics @ the DNC page, our Democratic Convention Big News Page, and our HuffPost bloggers' Twitter feed, live from Denver.

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

Comments

[cyndeewi]

My whole attitude about Hillary changed. She was awesome! She deserves all the kudos that we can give her. She has become a very powerful woman.

[BeCivil]

Well, maybe if women didn't have such a "thing" for TALL guys, Dennis Kucinich would be our nominee!

Short men unite! Boycott the election!!!!

[grevillea]

"Is there a score higher than an A+?" Gee, let me pose a question: Is objectivity dead in journalism?!

[gotalife]

Nice work on CNN.

The Clintons are great people and should be honored.

[kee]

Hillary Rosen is absolutely, positively awesome!

[DemocratfromMidwest]

Hillary's film (intro) and speech were terrific! That has been the highlight of the convention, the rest has been disappointing. I thought it would be more exciting and celebratory. Hilary - your blog is great!!!

[TRYKER]

If that was her best ever, its all down-hill from here.
I went to google and read the transcript expecting to be impressed and went away with my head shaking. Its was as generic a speech as any.

It looked like "Barach Obama" was just inserted a few places without much preparation and certainly no adoration or admiration or convincing emphasis.
Her hackneyed phrases and obligatory references to "those suffering few" and always the admonition "to those that WANTED to do HARD work" as though the jobless were malingerers and deserved her pointy finger wagging...all was disappointing and elitist and tired.

We have a charismatic leader coming up strong and a chance of a lifetime to get a leader who WANTS to WORK WITH US. This doesn't happen but rarely, we must rally and elect him.

[vippy]

Anyone can prepare a good speech, however, I want to see it in action. Have we not learned,
all the speeches in the past and look where we are today. Maybe Obama will, maybe he won't,
again we have much hope but in the end the little people's votes get knocked out by big money,
look at Senator Ted Stevens. I am sure big money is financing him and he will win again.
Makes no sense at all.

[mattheweste]

Oh brother.

Does anyone really buy this idea that Democrat primary voters are going to vote for McCain? And since when did Clinton become a champion of women's rights? Instead of pretending to yourselves that it matters how many women are in congress --- God knows Pelosi should have cured anyone of the silly prejudice that women make better politicians --- how about asking how many people in Congress are not millionaires? THAT is where the real lack of representation lies not in silly gender complaints.

How about asking how many people in Congress lack health care? How many are in prison? or homeless? Or unemployed? How many are about to lose their house?

How about asking how many people in Congress represent America in real terms -- in terms of their POLICIES? How many support universal socialized medicine? How many want an end to the war in Iraq?

The real division is the division caused by the crazy prejudices of these old feminists and their crazy gender "issues" which make no sense achieve nothing and take up time with their silly demands. Time that ought to be spent on the very real class warfare that Congress represents. There are very real HUGE and important differences between Congress and the people they "represent" but gender has nothing to do with it.

[apcalc]

I'm angrier than I have ever been before.

Yes, the unqualified man was promoted over the qualified woman. AGAIN . And the DNC was complicit.

Want to know what the PUMA movement is about? Start right there. Want to know why they won't "get over it"? Start right there.

Hillary Rosen - you are living on another planet if you think we have made progress - this whole presidential campaign shows, indeed, we have not.

Want to know why the number of registered Democrats went down in July? Because alot of the women who carried this Democratic party for years have become Independent.

[MadOzbo]

I am sorry you feel so hurt and angry. It's okay.
Hillary Clinton would have made a remarkable president, just as she made a remarkable candidate.
But, in a contest between two people, only one can win.

Sometimes, it's not the person we wanted, sometimes it's not the right person, but thankfully, in the United States, it still is, in the end, the most numerous of all our voices.
Your feelings as an American are valid. Hillary ran a good (albeit expensive) race. She lost.

Please, look past it. As Mrs. Clinton herself asked, "Did you do it just for me?" Although we both know part of the answer is "YES!", a greater part of the answer needs to be "No." Please. Join us. We're here when you're ready. We are ALL Americans. This is our moment. This is our Time.

[lihubryh]

Very nice MadOzbo! People need to know it's okay to feel what they feel, and then, when they've worked it through, we are still here. We are all Americans

[mattheweste]

If the feminists are leaving the Democratic party for the Republicans I say good riddance. They belong with party of prejudice and deceitful propaganda. Feminists are deeply conservative in many ways. It's a natural partnership.

[TRYKER]

Sounds like a United Women's Party wouldn't be a bad idea.
Why not band together and get it going? Elect women everywhere you can find them. The Party could give rise to real change in this country, and certainly better representation in Washington. Women leaders woulc come out of the woodwork once they knew there was a real forum for them.
We need women in the budget office, they'd know a rip off when they saw it...stretching household budgets gives a great grounding.

Back in the days when we had Indian tribes, one tribe elected only men to serve, BUT only women were allowed to vote. If we did that now, they would have to cater to women's needs...oh lord, they'd just die.
Rather than fight in THEIR arena, build your own arena and call the rules yourself.

[cluesearch]

Could ya climb on off the cross? Somebody else needs the wood.

[zanngra]

Dear Angrier than ever,
If you believe through your words and actions that you are standing up for women, you are wrong! It has backfired. The next time a woman runs, this will go through people's minds. I'd like to support the woman candidate, but what if she doesn't win. Some women will stomp their feet, say the election wasn't fair, try to deomonize the winner..it is not worth the risk. So, as a woman, I say thanks for nothing.

[Comedian1968]

Dear Hillary,

I quite agree with your assessment of this stellar, historic speech. This having been said, Hillary has to keep it up.

That was a groundbreaking speech, but so much building is left to be done. A major rift maintains, and so much shouting across the gap leads to confusion. Of course Obama has to keep reaching across - on women's issues, to Latinos, for working class concerns - but Hillary is the voice they hear clearest. She has to keep repeating her message so that it doesn't seem like a singular moment - it seems like a campaign for change.

She can do it, and to the extent that her political brand has been tarnished, this would redeem her. It would, in her words last night, make it seem like this election is "not about her," but about her causes. She has to go out and fight for those causes in the streets of Scranton, the parks of Cleveland, the battlegrounds that still demand her voice.

[wutzhappn]

Uh, hate to break it you, but Hillary isn't the nominee, Obama is. The ball is in HIS court now. He's the one who needs to do all the things you list here. Hillary has done more than her share to endorse Obama, and I imagine she will continue to do so. But if women, Latinos and the working class hear Hillary's voice the clearest, then Democrats were damn fools for not choosing her as the candidate.

[cheshirecat831]

Hillary has shown herself to be a class act. I hope Obama will give her an important cabinet post if she wants it because she certainly deserves it. I have been very very critical of her campaign tactics but I am now very impressed with her professionalism and her ability to do the right thing. Her speech was one of the best she has given I believe. I gush, but she certainly showed grace under pressure.

[long333]

"And yes folks, it resonated for all the women who have seen the younger guy come along and get the promotion, even though she has worked in the company loyally for years."

I have heard Rush Limbaugh say the exact same thing word for word as a reason Hillary supporters shouldn't vote for Obama (The younger charismatic inexperienced guy)

Which side is the author on? Supporting Obama or Hillary holdouts?

[CalliDem]

Thanks so much for your post. Too bad the other people here at the ObamaPost don't recognize and honor her effort.

[NorVaGal]

CalliDem: Obviouslyly you are still so bitter that you are unwilling to notice or acknowledge that many Obama supporters here at HuffPo ARE honoring her efforts.

I gave my first donation to her debt relief last night after her remarkable speech. I think the speech itself and her delivery of it were awesome. Her actions today only reinforced her graciousness. I am deeply grateful to Hillary and Bill for bringing our party back together. Peace.

[VitaBrevis]

I have to post again to say I do know how to spell but my last post was difficult to type due to the tears rolling down my face.

All Barack Americans ( this is deliberate...black, white and hafl and half) who have suffered so much discrimination and crapola all these years I salute you and share in your joy at this time in history.

[VitaBrevis]

If I could change one thing about this...forever more in the American Dictionary that the word class is accompanied by the press phoot of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

6:50 P.M. EST
What she has just did to suspend the rules and go forward with motion is just the most generous, amazing thing that this woman could do....She will always be my hero and she showed America tonight and in her speech last night what makes a great human being....

History shall be remember her for the life she has led with kindness and adoration. This is an historic time for our country. We should all be proud, no matter which party we are with.

Obama can now go forward and let's all hope that this is the best candidate for our party and he is the next POTUS.

[peorgietirebiter]

I agreed with you wholeheartedly until I a few moments ago: that's when I read an the story in the New York Times reporting Ms. Clinton's comments to her delegates as she released them today.
“I am here to release you as my delegates," she then went on to say she wasn't telling them what to do and added ,"You’ve come here from so many different places having made this journey and feeling in your heart what is right for you to do."
I don't imagine they came all that to vote for Obama so she in essence gave them permission to make an empty gesture that does nothing to advance the causes she spoke of so passionately last night.
Perhaps you have a different take.