Obama Makes the Right Move on the Hillary Roll Call

Bravo Barack! You made the right move when you agreed to a roll call vote for Hillary Clinton at the Democratic Convention in Denver. I say this as a former Hillary Campaign chair in Vermont. Certainly, the motive behind this joint decision was to bring Hillary supporters like me into the fold and bring the democrats together in Denver. I didn't need that signal to come on board. I had already pinned my Obama button on my lapel. What I did need was the assurance that Hillary Clinton will have a chapter in the history books. Her campaign began with the opening line, "make history," It will now be the concluding sentence as well.

Twenty-one women have run for the nomination of their party for President of the United States. Few of us could recite more than one, or possibly two names. None were serious contenders for the job, not even to themselves. But each one, starting with Victoria Woodhull in 1872, knew that by putting her name forward, she would be making it more possible for a woman to be elected some day. That some day is not here yet, but it is somewhat closer because Shirley Chisholm who ran for the Democratic nomination in 1972 received 151.25 delegate votes. Those votes are recorded; part of the record of women's gradual ascent to political power.

We know that Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine was the first woman to be nominated at any convention, by a Vermont Republican, Senator George Aiken in 1964. That too, is on the record.

We know that Carol Moseley Braun ran for the democratic nomination, but withdrew before the convention.

That is why it is important for Hillary's votes to be counted at the convention. She is the first woman to have garnered some 18 million votes that almost broke the marble ceiling. Most significantly, she is the first woman to win a single state primary.

Our daughters and granddaughters have to be able to turn the pages of history and find these figures. The question is no longer, "How many votes will she get?" Neither is it whether she will take anything away from Obama. There are no hidden agendas here, as some had promoted and others had feared.

By giving Hillary Clinton her place in history, Obama has demonstrated that his key character trait -- generosity of spirit -- is not only admirable -- it works. Op-ed writer Maureen Dowd ridiculed him for letting Hillary steal the convention "like taking candy from a baby."

As usual, she missed the point. Obama is man enough to acknowledge her achievement and share the limelight, before he takes his rightful place on center stage. Yes, it was a strategic decision to bring us together but I like to think it was also the right decision not only for the Democratic Party, but for his young daughters and ours.

Madeleine M. Kunin is the first woman to have been elected Governor of Vermont. She's the former Ambassador to Switzerland, and was on the three-person team that chose Al Gore to be President Clinton's VP. Kunin is the author of Pearls, Politics, and Power: How Women Can Win and Lead from Chelsea Green. For more information, visit chelseagreen.com.

Comments

[DoTheMath]

I hope the roll call turns out well, but I must say that it bothers me, as a 49-year-old woman, to read, "But each one, starting with Victoria Woodhull in 1872, knew that by putting her name forward, she would be making it more possible for a woman to be elected some day. That some day is not here yet, but it is somewhat closer. . ."

I have no doubt that the "some day" when it is possible for a woman to be elected president has been here for a while. Anyone who can look back at the past several months and conclude that gender is the reason Hillary Clinton was not elected president is not paying attention or is seriously distracted by her gender. I'm convinced that gender greatly benefited Clinton. I know many women who were inclined to vote for her because they liked the idea of electing a woman but later changed their minds because they were so turned off by this specific woman. These are very educated women. I can imagine that the issues and events that changed their minds might not have had the same effect on some other women with the same first impulse.

If I've misunderstood the author's statement, I apologize. I just don't see why women in general need to concede anything because one specific woman didn't become president despite a truckload of baggage, a flamboyant disregard for accuracy, and a campaign that has already become legendary for its mismanagement.

[mesut]

As a 48 year old woman I agree.

[LeftRight]

I don't know that it HELPED her, but it certainly didn't HURT her. In fact, the ONLY reason that people like myself did NOT vote for her is because we found Obama, a man who INSPIRED us. I would have voted for Hillary because I RESPECT her, but she doesn't INSPIRE me.

[gigi09]

Great article...I agree! Obama 08

[KNadine]

As a mother of 3 girls, I will use Senator Hillary Clinton as a history lesson for them. The lesson - If you want to be taken seriously, then DO NOT act like this woman

[Hekerui]

Don't stand up for yourself and what you believe - for woman's rights, children's rights and healthcare?
What about telling them not to become like Paris Hilton?

[LeftRight]

Admit when you are in a challenge and step aside when it becomes obvious to EVERYONE, including your supporters, that you've failed!

[MorpheusXNYC]

No, no, no. Yes, do THOSE things, (JUST LIKE BARACK OBAMA HAS ALWAYS DONE AS WELL), but DON'T be a conniving liar, making up whale tales about dodging sniper fire, don't race bait "hard working, White working Americans", don't pretend to be pro-guns and do a beer and a shot for Joe Six pack, don't hypocritically wag your finger shouting ""shame-on-you" at your opponent for exposing something you ACTUALLY did, don't make fun of our opponent with "the sky will open, a light will come down", don't accuse your opponent about looking the other way on a bad trade deal when they never did and YOU actually did, don't be a political coward and vote to authorize a war that sends thousands to die for a lie and then NOT apologize for it, don't continue to run long after you can't win in order to sabotage the other candidate's victory, don't invoke assassination of your opponent as a possible path to the nomination for you - the loser of the primaries...

I could go on, but I think you get the point. Make sure you teach your daughter THOSE things as well and maybe she CAN become president.

Because she'll have a moral character worthy of the office..

[KNadine]

As a mother of 3 girls, I will use Senator Hillary Clinton as a history lesson for them. The lesson - If you want to be taken seriously, then DO NOT act like this woman.

[Johnnn]

I just can't understand the irrational hatred of Hillary Clinton. She is a politician just like all the others. Hillary is a fine example for all daughters to follow. I don't know what you're waiting for.
A saint like Mother teresa maybe.

[LeftRight]

Not in the last few weeks of the campaign. She was negative, nasty, lying, wrong, and mean. And since then she STILL hasn't admitted that she lost!! Not really. I'm not saying that I don't respect her for her accomplishments, but I don't hate her, and I think that she needs to tell her supporters, "Look, we lost, let's all ensure that we do everything in our power to defeat the Republicans and restore America!"

[MorpheusXNYC]

lol.. I'm hoping that was sarcasm..

[zell]

I think this is a great post, also. Obama could not have done anything else but agree for Hillary to speak. He is all about bringing the Democratic party together. I disagree that Maureen ridiculed Obama. It may seem like Maureen is ridiculing Obama; however, I believe that she is one of his most ardent supporters. Her articles are geared towards making Obama stronger.

[J.S. McDougall - Huffpost Blogger]

Great post. It is a shame to see that we're so embittered to politicians that our first assumption about any gracious act (such as this) is that it is somehow swindled, mischievous, contrived, or ill-begotten.

[Johnnn]

Maureen Dowd is living proof that you don't have to be a man to be a misogynist.

[anon004]

And that you don't have to have anything of value to say to be an NY Times columnist.