Hillary's Redemption

Hillary Clinton last night delivered one of the best political speeches I have ever heard. She touched all of the right notes that were necessary to put to rest (finally) the incessant bellowing of the chattering classes inside the corporate media about how "disunited" the Democrats are after the bloody primary process. Howard Dean called all the talk about irreparable fissures inside the Democratic Party "Republican talking points"; I agree.

During the primary fight with Barack Obama, when Hillary "triangulated" against him (in classic Clinton fashion) with the line about John McCain and herself having "experience" and Obama having "only a speech," I fired off a blog denouncing this tactic. Lo and behold, now McCain is using that same line in his own attempt at "triangulating" against the Democrats and sow dissension within the ranks of his rivals. Last night, in my eyes, Hillary redeemed herself by bringing her supporters along and lining them up, without equivocating, behind the candidacy of Barack Obama. It was a marvelous speech, inspiring and uplifting. Hillary showed what a master politician she truly is.

Republicans and their mouthpieces at Fox News and in the rest of the corporate media wasted hours of air time "analyzing" how "divided" the Democrats are and how Hillary's supporters were going to peel off and vote for McCain in November. The aim of all this banter and blather was to fill dead air during the hours of convention coverage but also to spread division and create wedges between the groups that traditionally comprise a very diverse and fractious political party. It is clear from the coverage of the primaries and of the convention so far that the corporate media want the Republican gravy train to continue for another four years, and if they can help it along so much the better. All the talk of bitter divisions welling up in the hearts of Hillary supporters to the point of swinging them over to the McCain column was just another wedge strategy right out of the Karl Rove handbook. When CNN uses a panel consisting of David Gergen, Amy Holmes, and Mort Zuckerman, and even MSNBC gives Pat Buchanan too much frame time, it doesn't look like a "liberal" media to me. Well, Hillary's speech last night should put these types of obtuse speculation to rest.

(We'll see next week how the corporate media handle the Republicans' Nuremberg rally in Minnesota.)

What's more, Hillary had nothing to gain politically by stirring up the white heat of her supporters against Obama. In fact, her speech was politically savvy and very smart. If Obama loses in November it won't be because of a divided Democratic Party and Hillary can count on Obama's support in 2012. She showed herself to be a team player when it really mattered and this will put her in good stead in any future bid to become the first woman president.

If the 2004 election can be used as an example, we witnessed armies of right-wing Christian fundamentalists come out of the woodwork at the last minute in several key states -- most notably Ohio -- catapulting George W. Bush to victory. In 2008, I fear that armies of racists and Birchers of all stripes are going to come out of the same woodwork at the last minute to try to block the first African-American president. Obama is going to need all the help he can get, especially from the Clinton wing of the party, if he is to be successful in November. The Obama people should be very pleased with Clinton's speech last night -- it really could not have been better.

Hillary Clinton deserves high praise for beginning the process of unifying the party for what is sure to be a tough election fight. She has spoken eloquently about the "glass ceiling" that has kept women down, but Obama too faces a different kind of "ceiling." We are about to find out just how racist this country truly is.

Comments

[Rule Of Law]

"Hillary Clinton last night delivered one of the best political speeches..."

Well, duh--she's is, after all and above all else, a politician.

Did anyone really expect her to stand there and ask her "18 million" voters (she wishes!) to vote for McCain and flush her chances in 2012 down the John Crapper?

Hil is a lot of things, but stupid ain't one of' em. Arrogant, self centered, power mad, and a chameleon of epic proportion--but not stupid, and not now, or hopefully ever again, a candidate for President.

[Alkelly340]

Joe, this was a truly good speech, i especially liked when she used the "twin cities" comment to highlight Bush and McCain as the bed buddies that they are. It is clear to me that if you were a hillary supporter before, there is absolutely no reason to not vote for Obama now. Unfourtunatly for those who still switch to McCain it is painfully obvious there not voting on issues but rather some desire to seek revenge or just complete uneducated voting, the kind of people that the right can pull the strings over. Im sure we will see Rove on Fox again here real soon mentioning that hillary did a good job but "not enough to really persuade her old supporters." and its just more of this "undetailed" talk that doesnt really touch on the issues, such as when she used the personal stories of who she met along the way, just as michelle did, but didnt speak enough of policy. This will be just another empty attack point as well.

[johnie2xs]

Bubba, Joey, Bubba. As good as Hillary's speech was it still comes down to Bill. His speech tonight needs to be even more pointed than hers. If he makes the speech too much about the past, and his Presidency, the whole thing falls apart. I hope to God he can seal the deal.

[BardEric]

Can you say SIGNED SEALED , DELIVERED?

[JoeyP]

A united Democratic Party is a good thing -- now we must take it right to McCain -- we (the bloggers) played a big role in neutralizing Corsi's hit piece, let's keep it up -- as for comments about "liberal" as if that is "bad" -- where have you been the past 8 years man? Mars?

[Truthosaurus]

From one of the posts above in this thread: "Hil is a lot of things, but stupid ain't one of' em. Arrogant, self centered, power mad, and a chameleon of epic proportion--but not stupid, and not now, or hopefully ever again, a candidate for President." Way to build party unity bloggers and commenters;) Care to make it three losses in a row?

[timm0]

Your point about the fascist media is important. Their march from "news" entities into "entertainment" and "profitable" tabloid, uh, journalism (?) via corporate establishments started when ray-gun flushed the Fairness Doctrine. It is a massive tumor on the republic which needs to be addressed.

They pit a couple professional "conservative" hitmen across from a hapless "Democratic Party Strategist" and then pretend to be "fair" as the neocons are allowed to dominate 75% of the air time with their propaganda.

News should be boring. Broadcasting news isn't compatible with a ratings war. The FCC needs to re-define what "News" is. The Congress needs to then provide for non-profit status for entities that are truly news organizations. Press credentials should be denied to infotainment entities like faux news - and no entity that isn't technically a news organization can legally use the word "news" anywhere in their title or description.

There's probably more or better ideas, but something has to be done after Obama is sworn in.

[mamadude50]

Oh, baloney. Her speech was just an attempt to further her own (future) agenda, not Barack's. She barely did what she had to do. Behind that cheeful demeanor, she's ready to gouge Barack's eyeballs out with a spoon. She and those harridans who voted for her need to admit that she LOST.

[blaqntelligence]

She know she lost.....


The very fact that she stood on that stage and asked "Did you do this for me...?" and endorsed Obama sends the message that we must stop this foolishness and get Obama elected or we are looking at another 4 years of republican regime. It's time for a Regime Change right here at home.
We Obama supporters have been in a froth because of behaviors we didn't like from the Clinton supporters.
She did exactly as countless here needed, from both sides.
Now do we Obama supporters step up to the plate and meet them halfway? Or do we continue to swing at Clinton and her supporters because we're still angry?
Isn't that what we've been so indignant about?
If Obama could put faith in Hillary to do the right thing.....And he suffered the most from her attacks...Then the least we can do is follow his example........
I'm willing....How about you?

[Johnnn]

Mr Palermo, you can suspect that it's about racism but these racists you refer to wouldn't have a leg to stand on if Colin Powell was the candidate. Barack Obama is no Colin Powell. There are the age, experience and politically liberal problems Obama has to address. However, I am please to hear you loved Hillary's speech and see her to be a masterful politicain because she is that and more. I love her!

[LeftRight]

Okay, you're coming out here to a LIBERAL website, and you're complaining that the LIBERAL candidate for President is too LIBERAL??????????? Nice try Karl!

[Johnnn]

I like this liberal website because I like to argue, but why does the Democratic candidate for President have to be a liberal? Unless you like losing in November.

[darlingdem]

This is only the beginning of Hillary's redemption. For many Obama supporters, here are some things that still need to happen:

Hillary needs to proclaim, with conviction, that Obama is ready to be President...and ready to be Commander In Chief. She should even remind voters that her own husband was younger than Obama when he took office.

Hillary needs to come right out and urge her supporters to VOTE FOR OBAMA...and to do everything they can to see that he is elected. (Donating time & money, convincing their family and friends, etc.)

Hillary needs to go further in warning her supporters about the perils of a McBush presidency...including the probable demise of a woman's right to choose.

Hillary needs to denounce loudly and publicly her criticisms of Obama that are being used in McCain's commercials.

Hillary needs to take responsibility for her own campaign...and quit trying to blame her loss on sexism, media coverage, etc. Great leaders know that the buck stops with them.

Until these things happen, some of us remain unconvinced that she is doing everything she can to support Obama...and put her country ahead of her burning desire to be the first woman President.

[Johnnn]

If Hillary was on the ticket she would take care of all your points. She did what she needed to do. The fact remains that Obama really isn't ready to be President. But he seems to be a nice guy.

[darlingdem]

I beg to differ, Johnnn.

Obama outsmarted and outperformed Hillary during the primary. He was more effective at managing his campaign, and that's why he's the nominee.

For proof, read Politico's (sorry, Huff Post) insightful six-part series on the primary race. (To search the stories, enter Roger Simon, story date 8/ 25 and "Improbable" as a keyword.) It reveals how differently these two operated...and includes numerous interviews with campaign insiders.

Even though Obama's only 47, that doesn't mean that he's not a great leader and doesn't have what it takes to be President. JFK, Bill Clinton and, I believe, Teddy Roosevelt were all younger than Obama when they took office. Besides...look at someone like Dick Cheney. He had a great deal of experience...and look what a disaster he turned out to be as Bush's Co-President.

[LeftRight]

The fact of the matter is that Obama is VERY ready to be President. Of course, since you're a republican you obviously can't tell that!

[RGray]

Hillary Clinton's speech tonight was exemplary. But I agree with Freesia2. Perhaps if she had given it as her concession speech, she would be the nominee for vice president. She showed grace and heart tonight that would have justified vetting and the risk of message confusion with her selection.

Mr. Creamer, you are absolutely correct that in your conclusion that we are just about to find out how truly racist this country is. Karl Rove's assessment that Michelle Obama did not express enough love for this country in her speech on Monday night belies his desire to be a modern day slavemaster, as if she needs his validation and approval to be an American. In that vein, Hillary Clinton's reference to Harriet Tubman really piqued my interest. Because while I believe in my heart that she and Bill Clinton blew dog whistles during the primary campaign to raise the spector of bigotry to their benefit, I believe that tonight Hillary Clinton moved away from that and finally picked up the mantle in the fight against racism as well as gender discrimination. I was truly moved by what I believe to be her genuine pledge and encouragement to keep going.

Thank you, Senator Clinton.

[Freesia2]

Your last words gave me a chill Mr. Palermo. We are indeed going to find out what we don't want to know. Or we may be pleasantly surprised. Either way there's nothing to do, nothing I personally want to do more, than to do what Hillary spoke of tonight with Harriet Tubman's words - "Keep going".

I grew up in Appalachia, and while tonight's speech was wonderful and I wrote and applauded her, I don't forget how she approached that region. I know how bad the racism can be, and I personally bore a brunt for standing up to it once. I will never feel easy or totally forgiving to the Clinton's playing on that in order to win a primary.

But moving along (and because there's nothing to be gained by hashing it out again - it attracts PUMAs and adds to division that we don't have time for now) I am grateful for how well she spoke tonight. I am grateful to everyone who is going to bat for Obama.

I'm starting to truly understand that phrase he uses. "The fierce urgency of now". It's now. It feels urgent. And more than a little scary.

But he can do it. If we'll all help him. I think Hillary tried to do that tonight.

[dughup]

Hillary did deliver and not only was it a great political speech she was very spot on with her humor about the "Twin Cities" and Bush look alike Mc Cain. I don't think she was focused on 2012 as much as she was uniting people with her laser attention to the dream we have about an American transendance. Great stuff.

[Haslowex]

Besides, there wouldn't be much left of the US to run for in 2012 if Obama doesn't get in this November.

[blaqntelligence]

AMEN to that!!!

[JXB]

Hillary did well tonight, very well. But she did not redeem herself from her prior tactic, employed during the primary and in front of the television media so that it can now be used in the general, of explicitly suggesting that the nominee of the opposing party was more qualified than her Democratic opponent. That was a "me before party" move.

[JoeyP]

It was truly an amazing speech! I saw her in 2000 speak at Cornell in Ithaca NY when she was running for the Senate for the first time and she was terrific then -- but tonight she really hit it out of the park!

[Danigirl65]

Well said. Excellent speech and I guess we will see just what America is truly made of in November. I pray to God, we've come as far as I've hoped.

[blaqntelligence]

We have come a mighty long ways and still have miles to go before we sleep.

The idea of a Black president was unthinkable just 40 short years ago......

The idea that a Black future First Lady has to make the case that she is a "true" American will be unthinkable 40 years from now......
We're getting there......