Hillary Clinton Nails It.

[Skinner]

Today's concession/endorsement speech was, quite simply, the best speech I have ever seen Senator Clinton give. It was better than any speech I remember from her husband. And it even rivals many speeches I've heard from Senator Obama. Absolutely SPOT ON. She knew what she needed to do, and she nailed it.

What a perfect ending to the most exciting and historic presidential primary contest of our time. I have said many times that I like and admire both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. I would have been happy with either of them as our nominee. I feel very fortunate that I was able to experience this historic primary season. But as a loyal Democrat, I was very concerned and disappointed by the bitterness between the two campaigns -- and the animosity between their supporters here on Democratic Underground. Hillary Clinton has, singlehandedly, provided us the opportunity to put the ugliness of the primaries behind us, and move forward TOGETHER to the tough General Election fight ahead. I could not possibly be more thrilled.

She did Senator Obama a huge favor today. And, without knowing it, she also did a huge favor for the administrators (and members) of Democratic discussion forums, of which I am one. I no longer dread the process of coming together to support our presidential nominee. Hillary Clinton has opened the door. She has given her supporters strong encouragement to support Senator Obama. And in so doing she has made it easy for Obama supporters to welcome them into the fold.

Here on Democratic Underground, we still have a few days until the primary infighting officially comes to an end. But for the first time, I am optimistic that most DU members will come together and unify without my having to force you to do so. No doubt, there will be a small number of disgruntled partisans on both sides of the former Obama-Clinton divide who can't let it go. But Hillary Clinton has made clear that the rest of the Democratic party is moving forward, with or without you. So, too, is Democratic Underground.

It's days like this that make me proud to be a Democrat. Barack Obama will be our next president. Hillary Clinton has shown us the way forward. Let's go.

[Yael]

1. She was incredible

:patriot:

[phrigndumass]

2. It was an awesome speech

Every Obama supporter should check it out. :thumbsup:

[janx]

3. SKINNER!

:toast: :party: :kick:

This is going to be a BLAST! :rofl:

[tavalon]

223. Yep, now comes the fun part!!

Of course, it will be exceedingly brief as they have a poor candidate and it will be like shooting fish in a barrel, but still, I'm going to savor the whole two weeks it will take to end McSame's Presidential aspirations.

[paulkienitz]

292. do NOT get overconfident.

the GOP has a long track record of reversing strong summer leads by Dem candidates... and polls are still awfully close to 50-50. Lots of people will still vote only for a Republican, lots of people will think Obama's too far left, lots of people will let race be a factor.

[yardwork]

294. So true! The Republicans are always up to dirty tricks and they'l steal it if they can.

We need to combine enthusiasm and a public show of confidence with rigorous behind-the-scenes attention to strategy. Obama can do that - he's proven it. And Hillary Clinton is tough as nails - I'm so glad that she's on board. This is going to be a GREAT campaign!

:thumbsup:

[KAZ]

4. She nailed it! Truly historic!

[KingFlorez]

5. Yes, she did

I was really impressed.

[Yael]

6. In case anyone missed it -- LINK:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x144266

:applause:

Hillary at her absolute, positive best.

[ZinZen]

133. Hillary was in fantastic form.

K&R

[Lil Missy]

256. Incredible speech!!!

The one you linked seemed to stop abruptly. I wish I could have seen the whole speech. :-(

Now, let's go whoop McSame's ass!

And Christ, it shouldn't be difficult. My dog could win an election or a debate with him.

[calimary]

277. Her email about that event included a transcript.

A wonderful read!

Really inspiring, and rather presidential, if you ask me.

She was brilliant, strong, gutsy, and hit EVERY note perfectly. Electrifying! Uplifting! Went out with class, making history all the way. A towering speech - one of the best ever, so says this Obama supporter!

:patriot:

Both our people are TONS better and easier and more inspiring to listen to than smarmy, wormy, nasal-voiced mcsame. Dear Lord - THAT for four years? I don't think so!

[Blue-Jay]

7. "the Democratic party is moving forward, with or without you."

QFT

[polmaven]

146. OK, for all of us oldies (but goodies)...

QFT? :shrug:

[Blue-Jay]

166. "Quoted For Truth"

In other words "I agree with this statement."

[polmaven]

181. Thanks...

It isn't easy keeping up with text speak! :hi:

[yourguide]

8. I agree with you except on one point.

How is supporting the democratic nominee doing him a huge favor? As a life long dem and a party elder shouldn't she be supportive of him regardless? Shouldnt she endorse him? Shouldn't she encourage her supporters to vote for the dem nominee?

Otherwise, it was indeed a magnificent speech, she did very well for herself, if we had seen more of that Hillary Clinton back in February and March I am quite confident she would be the nominee.

[MonkeyFunk]

29. So if she had endorsed Obama in February, she would've won?

What a strange notion.

[yourguide]

33. Meaning such a strong and positive speech.

Take out the Obama portion of the speech, that's not what I am talking about. It was one of her best speeches and many here agree, supporters on both sides.

[MonkeyFunk]

39. She's made strong, positive speeches at every stop on this campaign...

you guys weren't listening, though. You were filtering everything through a partisan lens.

She's always been optimistic and uplifting. But it was a political race - she was running against your guy, and some of you thought that was unforgivable.

[yourguide]

49. Chill out...

I just offered you support and heaped praise on your candidate and you still have to find something to complain about.

We can agree to disagree, I don't think she's been optimistic and uplifting. I will refrain from saying how I think she's behaved as it's a moot point.

Regardless, the race is over, I and many others commend her on a fantastic speech today. Maybe you could allow me to do so without creating some sort of drummed up conflict?

[Nedsdag]

54. Don't get your panties in a bunch.

I agree with you. She gave a great speech today. Let's just keep it that way, OK?

[MonkeyFunk]

73. Geez, who lit your tampon?

:eyes:

[Nedsdag]

86. Nice try!

I was trying to be nice; however, if you're going to act that way.....well....

[LonelyLRLiberal]

150. Isn't that remark a bit sexist? nt

[polmaven]

185. That is a rather

....no....extremenly sexist remark, MF.....

[tyedyeto]

228. I reported it 5 hours ago but, apparently, the PTB don't think it is n/t

[MonkeyFunk]

261. Did you see the eye rolling smiley?

and what I responded to?

It was a sarcastic response to getting my panties in a bunch.

[Zhade]

162. Lying through her teeth about Tuzla and NAFTA was uplifting?

If you guys think people will forget what she did, you're wrong.

[LiberalAndProud]

224. You're right.

Every time I heard her speak, I could forgive every perceived gaffe or slight. I say again, she is a remarkable woman. I am so glad she's one of ours.

[Patchuli]

You missed the point of the post

and the thread. If Hillary had acted more like a stateswoman, not lied, not played kitchen sink and scorched earth politics, perhaps she would have won the nomination. In the end, the one who maintained dignity and didn't sink to Bill and Hillary's dirty fighting, won. Skinner's point was that now that Obama has won, it's time for this snarky crap to end and Dems to unite. We need to win in November. Please join us.

[yourguide]

241. Self delete

responded to wrong post. xoxox.

[tavalon]

225. They did teach reading comprehension in your school, didn't they?

Try again.

[Poll_Blind]

204. I read it like you did at first but I think he used the word "favor" in the first sentence because..

...he intended to use it in the second sentence. When you're writing sometimes, you want to make a multifaceted point and tie the two sentences (or points) together with a common word to show it. I think this was the case more than anything. "Great thing" might be a better choice over "favor" but he's a young guy with a wife, a new child, the yappiest breed of dog in the world and a bunch of other distractions so it probably wasn't intentional.

  Also, we read the first sentence first and the second sentence second when, while editing, he might have created (what wound up being) the first sentence after the second sentence.

:)

PB

[tavalon]

222. Her supporters were saying they wouldn't vote or worse, would vote McCain if she wasn't the nominee

The favor she did to the party was asking her supporters to join with her in giving their full support to Barack Obama.

As far as the final statement you made, you are absolutely correct. I think the DLC created the HRC we saw in the last six months and once again, they ruined a perfectly good candidate. I wish we could throw the DLC out of our party. Yeah, we're a big tent party, but I don't want it to be big enough to include those incompetent turncoats who call themselves the DLC. For the newbies, DLC stands for Democratic Leadership Committee. I'm quite sure they are a committee and a poorly run one at that, but they are neither of the other two words. They are, imho, wolves in sheep's clothing, working to destroy the Democratic party from the inside. Senators Clinton, Kerry and even former VP Gore were members in good standing but I'm not sure they understood that these people do not share their ideals. Gore gets it now - he knows they are enemy. I don't know whether the other two do yet.

[yourguide]

243. I disagree again

I understand the post completely. She did no "favor" by endorsing Obama, either for Obama or the party, doing a favor would require doing something you wouldnt otherwise do. Again, as a party elder and the 2nd place winner she should indeed support the nominee. I liken it more to duty.

[tavalon]

248. In the weeks preceding, she hadn't been behaving much like a party elder

but I'm willing to give her kudos for finally doing the right thing. Even if it is duty, I think she deserves appreciation and respect for living up to that duty with dignity and more gravitas and respect than she has been giving lately. I think one gains more with honey than with vinegar.

[musicblind]

9. Thank you Skinner! Great post! Though I want to ask... How do you feel about Hillary as VP???

If you can't comment due to your position I understand. But I do wonder. I am personally hoping for the "dream ticket" because I think it will guarantee a win for us in Nov. Just wondered your thoughts since you too are a fan of both of these wonderful politicians.

[Warren Stupidity]

10. Yup. nt.

[Zynx]

11. Well said, Skinner.

[PeaceNikki]

12. I mean no disrespect, Skinner.

I agree with ALMOST everything you said. But, in my opinion, her greatest speech was not today. Today was great, but her greatest speech was in China in 1995.

http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/Hillary-Clinton

[ProSense]

13. The speech was good, and it's time to move on. I disagree with this:

She did Senator Obama a huge favor today.

She was compelled to endorse Obama today.

This speech was mostly a congratulatory wrap on her campaign.

[Blue-Jay]

22. Incorrect.

She wasn't compelled to do shit. She could have said "Thank you, I love you all, but I'm out."

She didn't HAVE to give such a glowing endorsement of Sen Obama's campaign, but she did it anyway. It was the best thing to do for the betterment of the Democratic Party, but in no way was she "compelled" to be so gracious and supportive.

[ProSense]

You are mistaken

Her donors and backers and party leaders demanded that she endorsed, glowing or not. She could have done as you said, but then GD-P, the Internet, and the media would be reporting a different story now wouldn't they?

[Blue-Jay]

36. You don't think that she wouldn't have given her endorsement

without those "demands" (an unsupported allegation) from her donors and party leaders? I guess I'll just have to politely disagree. No worries.

[ruggerson]

187. Try GD-Psych

there's a couch in there. Use it.

[ProSense]

200. How about you get over yourself?

Self-righteous ass!

[ruggerson]

203. Come a little closer

open your mouth, I have some chewable, fast acting lithium for you that will make it all better.

[ProSense]

205. Did writing that make you feel better?

You're attempts at insults are pathetic. Here: My opinion.

If you don't like it, tough.

[ruggerson]

208. You couldn't have taken just a one day holiday from

your incessant Hillary/Democrat bashing?

Repeat after me.

The enemy's name is Sidney.

This is the enemy:



The enemy's name is Sidney.

[ProSense]

209. You're confused, there is nothing incessant or bashing about saying

Hillary was compelled to endorse Obama. Look at the reaction to that statement. Get a grip and grow the fuck up!

[ruggerson]

214. Calling anger management

spillage in aisle 3.

[ProSense]

216. Are you really that desperate? Silliness. n/t

[ruggerson]

218. want a cookie while we're waiting

for the men in the white coats?

[ProSense]

220. Clever

Not really.

[beezlebum]

271. oh, ha ha, teh funnay-

rather than disagreeing and presenting your case, you repeatedly called someone "crazy" in funny ways, like saying try gd psych, and here's some chewable lithium, and here's a cookie for the men in the white coats.

i'm in stitches- not only have you attempted to belittle someone (who has a perfectly rational point you are simply incapable of debating) by repeatedly calling them "crazy," but you've managed to pick scabs for those who have truly suffered with mental illness by using facets of their suffering as a way to belittle said someone.

congratulations on teh clevar.

comedy gold i tells ya.

:crazy:

[ruggerson]

289. have you read every single exchange

between me and this person in the last year? If not, then you don't have the full insight to comment on an exchange in one thread. I once spent half an hour of my life (along with about three other people) arguing with her about the results of a caucus vote, wherein she claimed numbers which were totally unsubstantiated by the facts. WHen I, and others, showed her the vote totals which conflicted with her spin, instead of saying "my mistake" or "ok, I see it now", she stuck to her original story, flailed around, gave us links which had nothing to do with the discussion and generally behaved in a bizarre fashion, divorced from reality. This kind of behaviour, along with incessant CLinton bashing, oftentimes also divorced from sanity, has been her modus operandi. I LONG AGO gave up trying to have a rational dialogue with her. Hence, your comment is based on only a snippet of a much larger, ongoing discussion that you haven't seen.

[beezlebum]

291. "divorced from sanity"

there you go again.

i have read plenty of your posts, and i have read plenty of ProSense's posts, and if i had to say either was divorced from anything, it is you, from reality, comprehension, and the ability to resist flaming.

[ruggerson]

293. If you point out

to someone that 1 + 1 = 2 and they insist, stubbornly, over long periods of time, replete with bizarre, unrelated links, that it equals 3, then, yes, that is divorced from sanity.

Read many other poster's reactions to her, some in this very thread. They call her "obsessed," an "idiot", the list goes on and on.

And you just betrayed yourself as being motivated by partisanship, not as you claimed by mental health references, so see ya!

[beezlebum]

309. apologies

i try to make it a point not to personally attack other posters. i have in the past, but it try to avoid it.

i was actually motivated by the mental health issues and not partisanship. a very dear immediate relative suffers from mental illness- it is a constant struggle, and when it is in my face day in day out, it tends to rub the nerves.

i am not offended necessarily, and saying, "you're crazy/nuts/insane" doesn't bother me per se- i've said it before myself meaning no harm whatsoever (a-hem...mccrazy...yep, i've said it). but when the issue is pushed, while i try to not be oversensitive, i tend to get rattled.

even more so when mental illness is used to dismiss someone, to tell someone their point is irrelevant, they are not wanted here, their discussion is useless, we're not interested in what they have to say- if someone was actually mentally ill, would they be barred from discussion?

not to be the DU police, but perhaps if you find that a poster is so irritating, and so impossible to hold a discussion with, you should utilize your ignore function rather than extrapolating and insulting and isolating people who actually deal with such issues. just a suggestion.

[Joe Chi Minh]

281. But wasn't that the Republican candidate Hillary said would be better than Obama?

Is that your idea of unifying the party? Thing is most Democrats (and democrats) don't believe in uniting with the Republicans is such a good idea really.

Some on here are even suggesting quite strongly that if certain criteria aren't met, McCain will have a fee run to the Oval Office. Imo, only fraud and thuggery could get McCain or any other Republican in the White House from now on. Obama doesn't need Democratic crypto-Republican support, and won't get it and in any case. Boo. Hoo.

[laugle]

217. Right now

a "Million Women March" is being organized for the convention. "Hillary supporters for McCain" web sites are due next week. the RW press is already involved and gearing up to keep us divided. Is this how you want it to end up?

Your constant vitriol is not helpful!

Hillary is class act, and has taken the first step towards recociliation/unity, but it's just the first step................it will be a long journey...............

[ProSense]

219. "Million Women March" is being organized for the convention. "Hillary supporters for Mccain"

Maybe they can protest Iraq while they're at it.

[laugle]

226. We are a

bit smarter than that! 100 years, give me a break. Obama must deal with Iran first. As you know, withdrawal will be complicated and not quick. I'm not going to defend McCain, suffice to say, he will not be defined by this war, and people know that. He has set himself up to declare "victory" and high tale it out of there. With 70% or more against it and the bank broken, he would have to be a magician to stay.....

Politics 101--never take any votes for granted and never underestimate your opponent!

[beezlebum]

284. he will not be defined by this war??

mccain: iraq, iraq, iraq; POW who wrote torture into his bill; ALL war all the time.
the definition of mccain is warmonger, mathematically, mccain is war to the 100th power.

he's got nothing else.

all he has are a few wedge issues, like, abortion, maybe? and i only give him that because my aunt told me she will only vote republican because republicans are anti-abortion- the end.

economy? he unabashedly admitted to not having a clue.

to reiterate:
he's got nothing but war/fear/terra.

i don't take for granted hillary's voters, but i quote:
"The Democratic Party is moving forward, with or without you."
obama is going to win. mccain is going to lose. period.
that said, we will still work hard for obama, but again, mccain is going to go down to the purgatorial pits of irrelevancy in november. we'll look back and forget who it was obama was up against.

[Leopolds Ghost]

306. There's already going to be an anti-war protest, altrhough CNN said NOBODY is protesting Iraq.

They "lamented" this fact on their RFK/1968 retrospective Friday.

[Mad_Dem_X]

313. "Hillary Supporters For McCain"

Are you kidding me? WTF? Do they think McCain will work harder for them than Obama will? That our right to choose will be protected under McCain? I mean, Jesus Christ, what is wrong with people?

How can Dems honestly vote for a Repuke over a Dem candidate? Think about our country, our future. :grr:

[yourguide]

30. With all due respect.

If the shoe was on the other foot, I would have expected Obama to strongly endorse Senator Clinton and I would not have considered it him doing her a favor.

They have both earned the support of the other and this party. No favors either way.

[Blue-Jay]

35. It's no "favor". It was the right thing to do.

She's a Democrat, and she showed support for the Democratic nominee.

[yourguide]

37. That was my point.

Thank you! :*

[Blue-Jay]

43. OK. I guess we agree.

:thumbsup:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

46. why was she compelled? did someone hold a gun to her head.

she was compelled to end her campaign. not compelled to give obama a glowing endorsement

[LibraLiz1973]

94. Lioness, you could talk sense to some people all day.

But they would never understand a damn word.

[ProSense]

108. Don't try to be insulting because you don't understand or know the basis of the comment.

She was compelled.

[onenote]

115. I'm curious: did Ted Kennedy burn all of his bridges in 1980 when he was lukewarm towards Carter?

I don't think so.

All the inside baseball about what her backers said or did is nothing but speculation. She could've ignored them. How would it have played out over the long haul? Probably not well, but as the Teddy example shows, it wouldn't necessarily have made her a pariah.

[Blue-Jay]

169. The power of Hershey COMPELS you!

The power of Hershey COMPELS you!

[Gman]

76. She didn't have to do a damn thing

and could've left Obama to fend for himself as he loses 40 states.

[ProSense]

83. You're right, she didn't have to endorse Obama.

Lucky him.

[yourguide]

87. Still bitter I see.

Try taking the lead of your candidate. She was quite gracious today.

[Gman]

131. If you think it's bitter to point out that Obama will lose 40 states

without Hillary, then you are part of a persistent problem within the Obama campaign.

[Zhade]

164. I'd like to point out that you have absolutely no way of actually knowing that, of course.

You can't see the future (or read the polls showing he'll win, apparently).

Be careful about being too gleeful about your hope for his "impending" loss.

[Fly by night]

165. Riiiight .... (not). Link me up to that analysis, wud ya'?

Or should I say "beam me up"?

[Gman]

183. You know, it's not a river in Egypt.

the two are not spelled the same either.

[Zhade]

190. Again, you have no way to be certain of your prediction.

Any reasonable person can admit that fact.

[Fly by night]

230. I'm still waiting ....

Seriously, guy, join us here in the reality-based world.

The Rethugligan brand is so soiled -- and McLame will prove to be as inept and volatile a campaigner as he was a husband to his "c..." of a first wife (his word, not mine) -- that once this battle is (finally) joined, it could be a blue tsunami. IF all of us work like you have a clue.

But I'll happily read any "link" you provide.

Unless it's the sausage protruding from both your ears.

Post on, post turtle.

[aquart]

298. No. The Democrat will win.

Gas is $4 a gallon and the Republicans are doing nothing about it. They are going down in flames.

[Raineyb]

114. True

But she would have been a pariah and it would seriously hinder any other ambitions she has. And rightfully so.

Regards

[Patchuli]

142. Yes, she did

unless she wants to burn more bridges for future runs.

So what crystal ball told you Obama will "lose 40 states?"

[Gman]

188. The one that has 19 million Clinton supporters

that are not happy with Obama, his surrogates, his inexperience and the fact that Obama has more baggage than a transatlantic flight.

Anticipated response: Oh.. you shouldn't count Florida's votes because they broke the rules.

:banghead:

It's really hopeless for 08. Fortunately we'll take another 30 seats in the House and maybe if we're on a roll 6-7 seats in the Senate.

[Patchuli]

193. Never anticipate a response

from those you don't know. If those 19 million Clinton supporters give a damn about their country, they will vote for the progressive candidate, not the neo-con candidate who will give them (and the rest of U.S.) more of the same shitpie we've been force-fed for the last 8 years.

Personally, I'd like to think those supporters have a bit more commonsense than that. I do not like Hillary but I would have voted for her (Bosnia lies and all) in the GE if she had won.

As for Florida and Michigan, when they were warned about holding early primaries, they should have listened. I too (in California with our HUGE electoral vote count) was tired of New Hampshire and Iowa deciding things for the rest of us but the bottom line is, FL and MI screwed up. I'm sorry for the voters but it's not like they were not warned.

[Gman]

194. Exactly what I anticipated

I forgot to include the obligatory "if they give a damn about their country". Sorry.

:banghead:

[Patchuli]

211. Sour grapes anticipated from you

and you didn't disappoint. Apparently Billary is more important than party or country. I hope you see reason before November...

[aquart]

296. Not true.

There was never a question in my mind that she would be as gracious a loser as she was a winner.

And she is not, and never has been, a fool. A "wonk" is what she was called when she brought up all the legislation that needs to go forward once we have a strong Democratic majority. She knows what the WORK is. The federal government has been dismantled, privatized, and pillaged from top to bottom. None of that can be fixed under McCain. None of it.

Politics makes strange bedfellows. Democracy is the process of working with people with whom you differ, even bitterly despise, to achieve a common good. Totalitarianism is that happy mindless state in which all agree and cheer and shout simple slogans. Hillary supporters are not like that. We cope well with complex sentences and complex issues.

We have a common good to achieve. Hillary knows it. We have to know it. And it has to be done thru Democratic process which our opponents in this campaign have signaled some discomfort with.

It ain't going to be easy. WE know that. They're going to find out.

But we can't ever forget what the work is. Or that we must be willing to deal with the devil to achieve it.

In a democracy, we have what is called the peaceful transition of power. That is a great gift to be treasured and protected. We have a candidate. We have to win this election. We all agree on that.

[TwilightGardener]

78. I agree. Jesus, the woman is gracious and appropriate ONCE, and suddenly

she's heroic. She surpassed very low expectations of behavior. But, whatever.

[Kaleko]

127. Seconded. High praise for the speech she should have given months ago

instead of threatening an entire nation with her "nuclear option."

A gracious nod in her direction is in order. Not jubilation for FINALLY doing the right thing.

[Vattel]

155. very gracious of you n/t

[Kaleko]

175. You're welcome.

:hi:

[polmaven]

178. Months ago?

MONTHS ago? Just why is that? Because she had aboslutely no business challanging him in the first place?

[Kaleko]

215. I'd have to check for the exact date when the math showed

that Obama had an insurmountable delegate lead. Some say Feb.19 - others figure it was some time in March. DU's phrigndumass has posted very detailed calculations.

But hey, bygones! Let's do what Hillary herself said today: don't look backwards, we gotta move on.

[Catchawave]

290. So much for DUnity :( n/t

[aquart]

300. And yet, here you are, failing even my low expectations of the Obama campaign.

Vicious in victory, the hallmark of the Obama campaign.

[MichiganVote]

84. Yeah, she and Dr. Dean called you in person to tell you that did they?

Sure, you know all great anonymous internet poster and we're compelled to believe your....er....opinion.

[ProSense]

90. No it was

all over the friggin news.

What the hell? She lost. She was compelled to endorse. She could have been a pathetic and self-fish sore loser, with her backers and party leaders breathing down her neck, and not endorse him. She could have said "I'm out," and continue to contribute to division and people's disappointment for and dislike of her.

She didn't have to endorse, but she did the right thing.

[MichiganVote]

91. Oh of course..the media. Another invalid source of ...er..opinion.

[ProSense]

95. No, it wasn't the media. It was people in her corner on TV voicing displeasure

Want to challenge a comment, know what the hell you're talking about.

[MichiganVote]

99. Well that makes sense. Upset people voicing their upset as opinions of what they are upset about.

Yup. That clinches it. All opinion, all the time.

Good job. proSENSE.

[terrya]

88. That's not the speech I heard.

When she said "Yes, we can!", I KNEW she was enthusiastically endorsing Senator Obama.

I didn't hear anything resembling coercion or being compelled to endorse Obama.

[Hansel]

137. Me either.

I thought it was a great speech. I especially liked the part where she told her supporters not to waste one second looking back. It's time to move forward and make some of the things she's been fighting for happen.

It was a gracious and classy speech and, as an Obama supporter, I appreciated it. I also didn't hear anything resembling coercion or her being compelled.

Also, the response from the crowd when she endorsed Obama was an encouraging and emotional moment for me. I was surprised by their response and the flood of emotion in my own reaction.

Can we move on now? "Yes We Can!" Anyone still complaining about her or him will just have to catch the next bus.

[northzax]

191. yes, I agree

that speech was targeted at the same voters mccain has said he will target. That was, as someone else said, her saying 'the future is ours, but through the vision of Obama. And we are all going to help him achieve it' that was more than a concession, more than a endorsement, it was a call to action for anyone who supported her to enthusiastically support obama. If she had given a speech this good in January, it would be a different story. This is what is bittersweet about it for me, if she he shown this side, this eloquence, this passion, for herself? Wow. Oh well. The playoffs are over, time to back the winner in the finals.

[LibraLiz1973]

92. Wrong.

You can try and see it thru whatever lens you want, yet the truth remains.
She did him a HUGE favor- and anyone naive or spiteful enough not to see that
has no political savvy.

Sure, she was compelled to endorse him today.
But she could have done it in a different way that was not as important as what she actually DID do.

I'd suggest you re-watch the speech. It wasn't just a congratulatory wrap on her campaign.
It helped our party, and Obama, a great deal.

A shame that Hillary hatred leaves some people blind and dumb.

[ProSense]

96. No

You are wrong

[LibraLiz1973]

117. And you are an idiot

[ProSense]

120. Bitter? n/t

[Straight Shooter]

154. Never fails.

Leave it to you to p*ss on Skinner's positive thread. Hillary Clinton is a better person than you.

[ProSense]

173. Because "You are an idiot" is an appropriate response?

Leave it to you to chime in with an idiotic comment.

[Straight Shooter]

272. To your post, yes.

And to many of your other posts. Grow a thicker skin, you'll need it for the GE.

[ProSense]

273. Let me try the response that's acceptable here:

"You're an idiot."

[Straight Shooter]

275. Knock yourself out with your prosaic responses. n/t

[pnwmom]

93. Wrong. She wasn't compelled to do anything. And she could have given him

a lukewarm endorsement -- but she CHOSE to give him her FULL support.

[ProSense]

98. And you are

wrong too

[Blue-Jay]

171. Twice in a row, you've linked to an "edit post".

You just won the internet!

[ProSense]

176. Your comments are sad. n/t

[Blue-Jay]

180. So, I should feel duly chastened now?

I'm a sad panda.

[uppityperson]

196. What does not being able to edit a post have to do with showing someone they're wrong?

Maybe I am missing something.

[rodeodance]

280. right on

[mopinko]

105. she was compelled by the idea that she could still be a member of the party

that was what compelled her. she could have said, adios, you're on your own. but she would have made herself persona non-grata, especially after the way things ended.
so, thank you hillary for taking the high road before is was too late. take a nice vacation, then come back and get your ass out there on the campaign trail.
yes we can.

[jgraz]

116. The "favor" was not the endorsement. It was the words she chose and her performance.

I agree she was compelled to endorse today. But I was anticipating a perfunctory concession. Instead we got a well-crafted, convincingly delivered speech complete with powerful pro-Democrat code words (Supreme Court) and an unexpected adoption of Obama's campaign slogan.

That was truly above-and-beyond the call. This was far better than we could have hoped for.

[ProSense]

119. I get the point, but glowing or not, it was not a favor.

After the tone of the campaign and the non-concession on Tuesday, a perfunctory concession would have done little to heal the divisions. In fact, despite the glowing words, there it's going to take a lot to heal the wounds that are still raw. Go to some of the blogs supporting Hillary, or even her campaign blog, it's nasty.

[aquart]

312. And you prefer "All hail Obama!"?

Well, of course you do.

And you actually believe that the Hillary supporters should be sucking up to you instead of the other way around. LOL!

[mzmolly]

147. I tivo'd it and missed the very end,

but I still agree, it was a very thoughtful, well delivered speech. I've not doubted that she'll be a "helluva" advocate for Barack Obama and thus, the nation.

[DeepBlueC]

157. Not every losing candidate does this

Ronald Reagan, Ted Kennedy are two that come to mind. In fact Kennedy's snub of Jimmy Carter was theater that happened right on the convention floor.

[ProSense]

177. If I had known

this comment was going to be so popular, I'd have started a thread.

What Reagan and Kennedy did, has nothing to do with what Hillary had to do and the events of the past couple of weeks.

[springhill]

229. Well we all know that...........

Because she always has different standards to live up to than everyone else. It's the Clinton rules.

[Jim Sagle]

259. What Reagan and Kennedy did, has EVERYTHING to do with what Hillary "had" to do

and the events of the past few weeks, and you damn well know it.

Why? Because it highlights your hypocrisy, and you damn well know that too.

And BTW, she didn't "have" to do one damn constructive thing. Kennedy and Reagan opted not to, and it didn't hurt them one bit.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

269. BULLSHIT! didn't you listen? She spoke Obama's name 14 times in 28 minutes that's once evryother min

[ProSense]

274. Um.

Bullshit response. What does how many times she spoke his name have to do with my response?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

283. Of Course You Do. You're Obsessed With Hating Her. This Must All Be Hard For You To Swallow.

Not surprised at all that you had to try and shit on it and all. Must be hard for you to see so many people applauding her when you have nothing but empty and irrational vitriol towards her. But nothing you can say, nothing you can try and cut and paste together this time, can take away the fact that she gave an amazing speech yesterday, came through in a huge way for the Democratic party, and totally kicked ass. It should be so easy for most to applaud that and feel good about the sense of forward looking positive energy that came out of yesterday. But unfortunately some are too weak or immature to let their irrational hatred go, even at a time like that. But they're largely irrelevant now. The party is gonna come together with or without you, and most of us feel damn good right now. Pity you don't, but who really cares.

:hi:

[ProSense]

285. "Pity you don't, but who really cares." Obviously, you do.

Why is so important for Hillary supporters to swarm upon a statement that she was compelled to endorse Obama and try to spin it as hate and obsession?

Yes, I'm critical of Hillary's campaign. I'm critical of the bogus claim that people like Diane Feinstein continue to make. Hillary's tactics were abhorrent. How many people do you believe look forward to another campaign employing the tactics Hillary used?

The so-called hate (actually legitimate criticism you continue to mis-characterize) were the words of Democratic leaders, pundits, the media, and even Hillary's own surrogates. Deny it all you want to, her campaign was divisive. Her strategy failed, and her campaign ran out of money. I don't have to pretend Hillary's campaign was something to be proud of.

Obama ran a great campaign and won. I'm pretty happy about that. Hillary is still a Senator. That's cool too.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

286. You're Obsessed.

And no, I really don't care. I think it makes you look realllllllllly silly. :hi:

[ProSense]

287. OK, but I still think you're paying too much attention to me. n/t

[Zuiderelle]

302. Nice. It's clear from this subthread that the animosity will continue from some.

She did him a HUGE FAVOR. Accept it even a fraction as graciously as Obama is and move on.

[grantcart]

14. k and r

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

15. 8

[tigereye]

16. nicely said!

Thank you Skinner!


:yourock:

[helderheid]

17. You've done one hell of a job, Skinner. You and all the mods. Here's to you guys/gals:

:toast:

[slinkerwink]

18. Thank you, skinner! SHUT THIS FORUM DOWN! No more GD: Primary!!!!!

[Trajan]

19. I am VERY pleased by this expression, David ....

It defines my position for the last 18 months ....

I have been a proud Democrat, knowing our candidates were SO strong, I would be glad to support whichever one emerged in the end ... One now has, and he has my full support ....

My only complaint is that this speech should have been made a few days ago, but that is a minor complaint: It was a superb speech, and said EXACTLY what needed to be said ....

It has been a great week to be a Democrat .....

Now, to paraphrase a great DUer: 'LET'S GO GET THOSE GOP BASTARDS!'

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. My dear Skinner!

She did nail it...

And so did you!

I have never been prouder to be a Democrat, or a member of this amazing board, DU...

K&R

:patriot:

[papau]

21. well said

[EFerrari]

23. We'll be fine. And that is a relief. n/t

[jgraz]

24. She did what I thought was impossible. She really turned it around today.

[Zhade]

167. If you're impressed, it must have been great. Sorry I missed it!

Of course, that does not erase all the lies she told - but if she works at becoming a more honest person, kudos to her.

[polmaven]

192. I'm sorry I missed it too...

get this...I was at tour State Convention today. The hall, of course, had the obligatory 2 large screens to internally "televise" the speakers on the stage.

There were TV sets in the hallways just outside the convention hall, which doubled as monitors of what was happening inside.

When the speech about to come on, there was nothing happening on the stage, and some delegates turned the station to CNN. Hall security came by and changed the station, telling everyone to go back in the hall, because the speech would be broadcast in there.

Of course, that didn't happen, and by the time we were able to get back in front of the TVs and get security to change the station it was too late!

Many of us were really "disappointed"...At least that is the word that will go back to the state chair.....and let our state committee members know it.

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!

[tandot]

25. I am more than happy to move forward and, to start the process, clean out my ignore list

:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:

[rocktivity]

26. I wish for her sake that it truly HAD been a "perfect" ending

that is, that her speech had been the result of doing the politically correct thing rather than the result of her being unable to say anything else. But it's an ending nonetheless--so let's roll!

:headbang:
rocknation

[TahitiNut]

27. Clearly, it was one of her best speeches, if not the best.

She's not a gifted orator ... not a Barbara Jordan or Mario Cuomo or Barack Obama. That said, she did well. I don't see it as a "huge favor," however. It seems to me (a mere independent) that a member of a political party has a contract - an agreement - to accept the results of the primaries and wholeheartedly support the winner exactly to the degree one would expect that support themselves. Doing one's duty - fulfilling one's promises - is not, in my book, a "favor." It's something one does out of integrity. In a real sense, it's self-serving to one's own character. We should never expect less of politicians, imho.

[cynatnite]

28. I've never been prouder, Skinner n/t

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

34. Indeed a good speech; wish she had given this on Tuesday night

but I'm glad it happened today and we can move ahead and kick McBush's ass in November!

Barack and Roll!

[blogslut]

31. She did great

Now, let's kick some GOP butt!

[kentuck]

32. Yep!

She did indeed. :-)

[Auntie Bush]

38. Thanks Skinner! Now take the God Damn P off this forum!

[indimuse]

40. !

indimuse (1000+ posts) Sat Jun-07-08 04:21 PM
Response to Original message
26. !
It was one of the best speeches I've ever heard and one of the best she has given EVER! Stunning!
K&R

[Tatiana]

41. "Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward."

I loved that line.

[DFW]

262. That was my favorite, too

And it can't be easy for her to stop thinking of what might have been,
so she's probably doing her level best to follow her own advice.

[Kahuna]

42. True that. She did a great job. nt

[thoughtcrime1984]

44. Wow, I didn't imagine that she would give such a strong endorsement, well done Hillary!!

Although I do not believe that her as VP is the way to go, I would no longer recoil at the thought, and would expect that she gets a plum job in the Obama administration. Perhaps Gen. Clark will be heavily considered for VP. In any event, today's speech will go a long ways towards healing the Democratic Party, and I look forward to working with great Democrats to get Sen. Obama in the WH, and also to win downticket races. I am actually fired up after listening to Hillary speak, damn!

[ruggerson]

45. Indeed she did

n/t

[EFerrari]

47. Just one more thing:

Skinner,

You say you were concerned and disappointed by the bitterness between the two campaigns. You were probably in the good company of most posters to this forum.

But, consider that for the first time, we needed to deal with issues of both gender and race in a contest that in all likelihood would select the next president of the United States. The context becomes a whole electorate trying to learn how to talk about two difficult, even painful, subjects while the stakes could not be higher.

And, all of that is happening in the context of this illegal war, of knowing our government tortures, that people are losing their homes and that they have to choose between gassing up and buying their medications.

It may be that it's only under that kind of unreal pressure that we're forced to move forward. But surely, being under that kind of pressure shows up in our discourse.

If I were you, I'd be very proud of this forum because somehow, despite all of that baggage, no matter outbreaks of ugly, whatever came down the pike, we managed to keep talking anyway and so lay the groundwork for what we need to do next. Thanks and cheers.

[TahitiNut]

51. Say it, sister!

You and I have and will bump heads ... but we share values and a sense of justice. :hug:

[EFerrari]

53. Oh, man -- and I put my helmet away. What was I thinking!

:)

:hug:

[rocktivity]

58. And don't forget that we managed to have TWO successful DU donor drives, too!

:bounce:
rocknation

[Zhade]

168. Wish I could recommend this post!

NT!

[suston96]

48. You know it was good...even Fox Cable is repeating it in its entirety at 5:00 PCT? nt

[Cha]

50. Yes, that was so gracious of hilary to

do us all a favor that Obama earned.

[butterfly77]

52. Like Hillary said about Obama ...

"all he had is a speech" which this was. I know "UNITY" I just had to get that in before you close GD:P
I continue to have a problem with the petitioning for VP.

[ClayZ]

55. Bravo, Hillary!

K and R

[highplainsdem]

56. She was brilliant - just perfect! Brava, Hillary! We should all be proud of her.

Now, time to take back the White House and make some long-overdue changes.

Yes, we can!

[Shoelace]

57. it was a great speech and YES WE CAN!

win in November and bring forth a better nation for our people. Great post Skinner. :loveya:

[loyalsister]

59. It was an awesome speech!

It was hard to give and she did it well!

Who said? -----

I still burn, for example, with the thought of my one loss in politics.....
It was a race in which everything that could go wrong did go wrong, in which my own mistakes were compounded by tragedy and farce.......
And so, less then halfway through the campaign, I knew in my bones that I was going to lose. Each morning from that point forward I awoke with a vague sense of dread realizing that I would have to spend the day smiling and shaking hands and pretending everything was going according to plan.....
I'm not suggesting that politicians are unique in suffering such disappointments. It's just unlike most people, who have the luxury of licking their wounds privately, the politician's loss is in public display. There's the cheerful concession speech you have to make to a half empty ballroom, the brave face you put on as you comfort staff and supporters, the thank you calls to those who helped, and the awkward requests for further help in retiring debt. You perform these tasks as best you can, and yet- no matter how convincingly you attribute the loss to bad timing, or bad luck, or lack of money- it's impossible not to feel at some level as if you have been personally repudiated by the entire community, that you don't quite have what it takes, and that everywhere you go the word "loser" is flashing through people's minds. They're the sorts of feelings that most people haven't experienced since high school, when the girl you'd been pining over dismissed you with a joke in fron tof her friends, or you missed a pair of free throws with the big game on the line-- the kinds of feelings that most adults wisely organize their lives to avoid.

[TBF]

60. After reading this OP I decided I should just give the speech a chance.

I've never been a fan of Hillary's, and found many things to criticize during the campaign. Today all I can say is that she did a tremendous job, and I'm proud she's a democrat. I may even like her a little bit, but I don't want to get too excited. ;)

I am really ready to move on now. I encourage Obama to find a nice spot for Hillary in his administration (if that's what she'd like), and if there's anyone who hasn't watched the speech I encourage you to give Hillary a chance. She really came through for Barack and for the party today.

[Swamp Rat]

61. k&r

[think4yourself]

62. Absolutely brilliant speech!

She hit it out of the park. I was saying "Right on!" throughout the speech. My wife and kids were totally confused 'cause I'm a huge Obama fan. It was an inspiring day and I've never been more proud of our Party.

Let's do this.

Peace to all here.



:toast:

[progetto]

63. Thank you Hillary.

She gave an excellent speech and I'm now confident she's going to work to get Obama elected. We have unity!

[KoKo]

64. Snips I've heard...on media...she was gracious, enthusiastic about Obama and

addressed all her young supporters to encourage them to pick themselves up and keep fighting for Democrats.

I look forward to watching the You Tube of the whole speech someone has just posted...before the media hack up and distort her words.

Thanks!

[ericgtr]

65. This Obama supporter thanks her.. Well done Hillary!

I hope this step in the right direction begins bringing us together again.

K&R :kick:

[northzax]

66. the one thing I disagree with on this thread

is the idea senator Clinton would take a job (below vp) in an obama administration. She belongs in the senate, and can do good things there for twenty years, why take a lesser job? Imagine a female teddy Kennedy, this is the role I see for her.

[Dr Fate]

68. If so, I'd love to see Obama & Clinton make that point together...

something like "I will be working closely with Hillary Clinton in the Senate on xxxxx issues that she has been fighting for..."

[TBF]

69. I edited my response slightly if that helps. Obviously if Hillary would like to stay in the Senate

that's great. If she desires some other role I hope that will be considered as well. That's all I meant. Peace.

[Dr Fate]

67. I've already pledged my support for the nominee as well as the Clintons. Thanx Old Boss Man. n/t

n/t

[scarface2004]

70. she did what she had to do

we need to kill the vampire...and it s going to take everything we ve got to do it!

[rebel with a cause]

121. I'll agree with that.

I've got the hammer. Have you got the wooden stake? ;)

[Olney Blue]

124. I have some elephant garlic- I'll bring that!

[rebel with a cause]

125. String it together and

we'll wear it around our necks.

[petwlkr]

71. well said and...

...I would like to take my hat off here and now to Hillary Clinton and the gracious, passionate concession speech she gave today. I was once again reminded of the person who I so staunchly defended for all those years. If we had seen more of that during her campaign and less of the vicious, divisive rhetoric that was being crafted by Penn, Wolfson, Ickes, & McAuliffe on her behalf this whole thing might have had a completely different ending. But as she so aptly pointed out today, "Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from going forward. Life is too short, time is too precious and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been."

[gateley]

182. Hi, petwlkr --

If I haven't welcomed you already, welcome to DU! :hi:

I have a soft spot in my heart for Seattleites. :)

[hfojvt]

72. You started out more positive about Hillary than many of us here

I am glad she gave a good speech, but I think many of us would have been more positive (on both sides) if she had given this speech on March 6th instead of after three months of slash and burn prevarications and negativity and stirring up strife and hoping the RWNM would take down our presumptive nominee with her help so she could step in.

[ellisonz]

138. I'm just going to second this comment.

She did the bare minimum after the scorching of the earth of the last few months. I'm still not impressed by her and will support any future primary challenger to her NY Senate seat. What would impress me is not a speech, but a commitment to raise $10 million for the DNC before paying herself back for needlessly prolonging the primary context. She's still got to pay some penance.

[Zhade]

170. Worth remembering that this speech would have been even better without her prior lies.

NT!

[springhill]

236. List her lies, and I'll list Obama's............

They both lied about certain things, so if you want to have a contest, have at it.

[Zhade]

238. Tuzla - video evidence of no sniper fire. NAFTA - government records prove she SUPPORTED it.

Northern Ireland - people actually involved in the peace process stated unequivocally that she had nothing to do with it.

Obama's alleged lies? NO EVIDENCE. You lose.

Like she did.

[springhill]

234. go away please..................

[mrs_p]

74. she rocked!

:headbang:

[ksdemo]

75. As a former caucus captain for Hillary, a person who was nearly her delegate let me say YES WE CAN!!

She was great. She was wonderful. She made me remember very vividly why I supported her so vigorously.

Obama 08!

Yes we can!!

[Window]

77. I'll drink to that! K/R.

:toast:

[Divine Discontent]

79. I watched it live.

She was VERY good. In saying that, she still needs to do some things about how she's handling the convention. For her general inability to give a speech without shouting at times, this was arguably the best speech she has given - and it was in concession to the victory Obama has won, and for that she is to be commended! Thank You Hillary.

[terrya]

80. I'm still on cloud nine over that speech. Thank you, Skinner.

I supported her and this is bittersweet for me.

But this IS the best speech I've ever heard her give. She did an enormous favor to our nominee and to the Democratic Party today. Brilliant.

Recommended.

[Eric J in MN]

81. You could make this section for McCain and Obama....

...with General Discussion for everything else.

[gateley]

186. What about good old General Discussion Politics?

That's what it used to be. :shrug:

[Eric J in MN]

231. That would be fine, too.

I just thought that since the presidential race will be such a huge topic, it should arguably have its own section.

[McCamy Taylor]

82. She did a good job.

Portraying her extended campaign as an endeavor to inspire women with the message that they can succeed in politics, too as opposed to concern about Obama's electability was a stroke of genius.

[MichiganVote]

85. Here! Here! Let the Moderator purge begin! Go Obama and Go Clinton!

[yourguide]

97. Are we purging moderators?

What happened? :rofl:

[MichiganVote]

100. No silly. They're going to order pizza and beer on Wed. and pass around the six shooters

for the assholes who have been driving them frickin' crazy for the last five months.

[yourguide]

101. I know, it was a joke...

heh heh.

[NC_Nurse]

89. Yes she did! I am so much more optimistic now about us coming together.

Thank you, Hillary!!! :toast:


:woohoo:

[wildflowergardener]

102. speech

Clearly not everyone is ready to give up the anger, but I thought she gave a good speech and think it will go a long way towards unifying us, even if it will not please everyone.

Meg

[Shine]

103. YES!!!! I'm with you all the way, Skinner.

I am proud of Hillary, both as a woman, and as a Democrat> :applause:

Onward and upward!

Here's to taking the White House back! :toast:

[Runcible Spoon]

104. ....

:puke:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

139. If You're Going To Vomit On The Board Owner You Might As Well Send At Least Five Bucks His Way

~

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

152. Lay Off The Sauce And Ya Won't Vomit So Much.

Just a little friendly advice! :hi:

[terrya]

161. My, what a scintillating bit of polticial wisdom.

Tummy upset, buddy? Awwwwwwwwwww.

[Catherina]

106. "It was better than any speech I remember from her husband"?

Of course it was you silly goose. She was sincere, a quality Bill has never had. She's shoulders above him and I hope, as a woman, that she dumps him and finds her own happiness being the strong woman she showed us she is today.

She nailed it indeed.

Unlike you, I did NOT admire her, not ever, but now, well now I do admire something in her I never saw before and that's PASSIONATE FIRE. I couldn't be more thrilled about the rest either. These Primaries turned out better than I could have imagined even with my very wild imagination.

I only ask ONE FAVOR of you as the administrator of this site. ZERO TOLERANCE for trolls and disgruntled people associated with certain sites that have consistently been working against our candidate.

Today I'm very proud to be a Democrat.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

151. ...

:eyes:

[aquart]

299. IOW, let the purge begin?

Democratic process remains an effort for some.

[ccharles000]

107. I agree.

She was wonderful. McCain is going down.

[marions ghost]

109. Relief

that we CAN finally get on with it, is all I feel.

I welcome working with Hillary supporters but I don't easily forget HRC's scorched earth campaign. Where there once was admiration for her, there's none now. Hillary had no choice but to concede. She was going to be run out on a rail if she didn't. She made a good exit speech, I give her that. There was a bit too much emphasis on the glass ceiling --when she herself was anointed and NOT expected to lose. But those words gave lip service to the challenges faced by women candidates anyway. I sincerely wish that the first serious woman candidate for president had not taken the low road and I think she got her just desserts for doing that.

So while in sympathy with those who are still repulsed by Hillary's dirty campaign, and in need of a little time to shift gears after such a needlessly bloody battle, I do agree with the call for unity now.

[OzarkDem]

110. Thanks, Skinner

and may I say, you did the best job of any Dem Forum/Blog in navigating these troubled waters. I'm proud of you for not going the route of some by pushing Clinton supporters out of the forum.

[katerinasmommy]

111. I came on here expecting to see some measure of semi harmony

And instead you folks can't let it go. Attacking Hillary Clinton is not helpful. Attacking Barack Obama is not helpful. What WOULD be helpful is attacking a man that thinks so little of women that he would call his wife a c**t in public.

If you ain't gonna do that give it a rest!

[BzaDem]

112. K & R!

[barack the house]

113. Yes, she has in one speech erased the hardened feelings and reinsteated new hope. We are on the move

[Rhiannon12866]

118. An amazing speech. K&R.

:applause::patriot:

[pipi_k]

122. Well there's some here who think it should have been done sooner,

and some who think she's only doing what's expected, and everyone in between.

I'm just grateful she did it. Period.

Because there were quite a few Obama supporters who expressed serious doubts about her level of Class...would she, or wouldn't she....if she did, what would the soundbyte be like....halfhearted concession? Sour grapes? Forced smiles through gritted teeth?

No, she looked genuine....sounded genuine

and surprised even me, who had hoped she would indeed be big enough to lose with Class

And I'm sitting here sort of snickering thinking of all the months gone by where the Republicans must have been laughing behind their hands at the disunity and infighting...thinking it would be a cakewalk to the White House come November.

With Hillary's full support, I imagine...and truly hope...that John McCain and the Repubs in general are all pissing in those US flags they've wrapped themselves in for the past seven years.

Hillary just made their jobs a whole lot harder until November. I hope she's going to be a huge force to be reckoned with, should they get any funny ideas about doing the same kind of "swiftboating" of Obama that they pulled on Kerry.

[matcom]

123. yeah, it was good. But she was 45 minutes late

and NO phone call

:rofl:

[springhill]

237. Oh brother.........

Like politicians have never been late. Sheesh, is there nothing you won't criticize?

[cbayer]

126. Bittersweet day.

Thank you for all the work you have done during this primary. It has been fascinating, frustrating and exhilarating. Most of the OP's today give me great hope in the future of DU.

[TexasObserver]

128. She nailed it!

[frickaline]

129. Hurray for unity :)

:grouphug:

[femrap]

130. She is a class act.

I would like to see her as Majority Leader of the Senate....just so I don't have to listen to Reid's whiny voice. Oh...but then everyone would be upset having to listen to her laugh. My bad.

[WilliamPitt]

132. OK.

Cool.

Wasn't just me.

[bigwillq]

134. She was indeed outstanding.

A terrific speech. I was proud. Of her, and to be a Democrat.
She did all she could, at least in that speech, to help unite the party, and to call on her supporters to back Obama.

After she takes a much-needed break, it will be interesting to see what her involvement in the Obama campaign will be.


Let's GO DEMS.
Let's Go Obama.

[SeaLyons]

135. Thank you.

Hillary is indeed a remarkable and historic presence within the Democratic party and for America. She will work her heart out for Obama and we will definitely win the White House.

You can love her or hate her, but you MUST RESPECT her as a human being and political giant. She opened the door for this party to come together enthusiastically and I know we will.

What an absolutely thrilling and well deserved time for America.

[graywarrior]

136. We're damn lucky to have both Clinton and Obama on our side.

[Juan_de_la_Dem]

140. Completely Agree

[Jersey Devil]

141. Skinner, during the speech, did you catch the looks between Bill & Chelsea

To me, it was like they were saying to each other, without words as maybe only a parent and child can do, "Holy shit, she was better than anything any of us have ever done before". I agree, it was terrific.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

143. K&R! Well Said Skinner & Bravo Senator Clinton

Our country is waiting for us to take it back. Now is the time.

[emilyg]

144. She is wonderful.

[zippy890]

145. with grace and smarts

loved her "Yes We Can"

big toast to Hillz

:toast:

[Danger Mouse]

148. She did the right thing.

[lisa58]

149. I'm looking forward to seeing it...

....it will be on cspan in a few minutes - I'll check back later.

[aaronbees]

153. It was a good, stirring speech

Together now, this is our time to right the wrongs and move this nation forward.

[rasputin1952]

156. It was an excellent speech...and now, let us turn our power to

the destruction of the neo-con GOP...destroying the damn thing once and for all.

McCain needs to be placed into a footnote of history, and the bush legacy tossed into the trashbin; now is the time for us to take back out nation, for all of it's citizens.

on edit: poor spelling...:blush:

[terrya]

160. If you posted this on its own, I'd recommend it, ras.

A President McCain is unacceptable. It is simply not an option.

[rasputin1952]

174. Thank you Terry... I think it is the the thought process of all of DU

though. This is gonna be a blowout....:D

[terrya]

179. I think we'll know fairly early Election night.

I'll buy the drinks in the Mods Forum. :-)

[Vattel]

158. given the relentless smearing

she endured during the primary campaign, it was an amazing performance

[Zhade]

172. Telling the truth about her proven lies and race-baiting wasn't smearing her.

Sorry, you don't get to revise historical fact just because she gave a good speech.

[Vattel]

201. even the NY Post

withdrew it's stupid interpretation of the RFK assassination remark. It's nice to see them being more rational than many Obama supporters. "Historical fact." What a joke.

[Zhade]

240. I'm not talking about AssassinGate. I'm talking about TUZLA, NAFTA, NORTHERN IRELAND...

These lies on her part ARE historical fact. You can deny it all you want, it doesn't change the fact that evidence proves her words on those issue to be lies.

Thankfully, she'll never see the inside of the White House again, unless it's on a tour.

[Vattel]

245. so you agree with me

that she was smeared with respect to the RFK remarks. Great, that's a start.

[Vattel]

246. by the way

I never claimed that everything she said during the campaign was true. I don't believe that. I also don't believe that everything Obama has said during the campaign was true. What I claimed was that she was relentlessly smeared.

[springhill]

239. You are lying about her race baiting..........

and continue to advance the media driven inferences concerning this. Get a clue.

[Zhade]

242. You WISH I were lying, but all the AA leaders out there who are pissed know what I know.

Keep denying it, reality doesn't give a fuck about your willful blindness.

[rox63]

159. It was an excellent speech

and she strongly endorsed Obama. I was expecting a lukewarm endorsement, but I was was wrong. She was very gracious, and I believe this speech will help open the minds of even her most ardent supporters to get behind our nominee.

[Jazzgirl]

163. Skinner, you are so right.

She gave an excellent speech and I am so proud of her. I am a woman brought up in the 60's but I liked Obama's message better. It was a difficult decision to make but I think the best has been selected.

[liberaldem4ever]

184. Great post K&R

:kick:

[tbyg52]

189. Hooray! We have met the good guys, and they is us! nt

[shaniqua6392]

195. I never doubted for a minute that she would do this for Obama.

She is a good Democrat and an inspiration. I don't care what anyone says to the contrary either. I am really proud of her. She will help him win the Presidency. She will bring her supporters to his side to insure that we win. Maybe then people who hate her so much and constantly spew venomous crap will see her for what she really is. She is one of us. I hope he chooses her to be his VP.

[tavalon]

197. Wow, Skinner, have you been moonlighting as Senator Clinton's

concession speech writer? She sounded so much like you, gracious and poised, dignified and wise beyond her (your) years.

I once idolized Senator Clinton but came to almost despise her during this campaign. This speech is really helping my amnesia along. You see, I want to remember the Hillary Rodham Clinton of before and forget much of the person who appeared in these last few months. This was a healing speech and if she backs it up with action, we will be fine. The woman who gave that speech is the woman I remember from before. Heck, if it weren't for the fact that her husband was once President and now seems just a tad egocentric, I wouldn't mind a bit if Obama picked her as his running mate. I would just hate to see former President Clinton "topping from the bottom".

May I take your last sentence as my new sig line?

[grannylib]

198. She did indeed. I was so impressed; I was in tears at several

points during the speech.
I'm fired up and ready to go!

[Baby Snooks]

199. She had a choice?

It was a wonderful speech. But it was a speech. She had a choice?

[tavalon]

202. She had a thousand ways she could have gone with her concession speech

She didn't have a choice about conceding but she certainly had a choice in the way she did it. She has taken a number of low roads recently but today, she took the high road. I'm very proud of her, that in the most painful time for her, she held her head high and held out her hand to her supporters and asked them to join with her in supporting Barack Obama.

[Jack Rabbit]

206. Senator Clinton got us fired up and ready to go

It was worth waiting a few days for the concession speech.

[MadMaddie]

207. Her speeche far exceeded my expectations....this is the

Hillary that I have been looking for. I believe she wrote her own speech and kicked her handlers to the side.

Obama will win with her endorsement...and now we can focus on McSame...oh I am so excited.

[HughMoran]

210. Sounds like I missed an excellent speech

I've never seen such optimism and positive discussion of Hillary here.

I'm feeling more optimistic myself after seeing all the positive posts today!

[JoePhilly]

212. Agree

[pinto]

213. Coming in late, just watched it. She really hit the Democratic high points,

across the board, while noting the historic measure of this primary in that we had a woman and an African-American as our two front runners for a Presidential nomination. I loved that framing, as well as the forward looking viewpoint of her speech.

"We cannot let this opportunity slip away. We have come too far and accomplished so much."

Well said Senator Clinton.

:kick:

[laugle]

221. Thank you for your

kind words. I know it's been rough for all of you and us. I've been a member now 3 1/2 yrs and appreciate the hard work you have all done to make this a sucessful/remarkable forum.

[springhill]

227. Thanks for that. There are some who even after that speech.....

have only insults to hurl at her. I'm glad you can see that she is not unlike any other candidate who has run for public office, she's flawed, as is everyone else, but a good person.

[Mme. Defarge]

232. A boffo performance! n/t

[Mme. Defarge]

233. A boffo performance! n/t

[Colobo]

235. It was brilliant. Without any doubts.

[ray of light]

244. SHE was incredible. But I question the policies here at DU and other sites that

allowed BOTH candidates to get beaten up daily with LIES, SMEARS, and inuendos.

I freely admit that I am disappointed in the way DU has operated for the primaries. Nothing like allowing our livingroom to become the battle ground.

I hope DU finds a better way to handle the next primary.

edited to add: Additionally, nobody needed to go to Free Republic or Drugde or Fox to find reasons to not vote for HRC, Obama, Edwards, Dodd, Kerry, Kucinich, etc...you have your own firing squad right here at DU ready to take out any Dem.

[myrna minx]

247. That was a superb speech.

:applause: Hillary.

[mhoran]

249. I know it must be very, very hard...

...for Senator Clinton and her supporters right now. You yield nothing to Senator Obama's supporters (of which I am one) in the energy and passion you put forward on behalf of your candidate.

I've tried to keep my posts dignified and respectful over the course of the primary. If I've fallen short of that objective at times, my apologies.

The challenge now rests with me and my fellow Obama supporters. It is our responsibility to replicate the grace with which both Senators have managed these last days.

Please join us in building a new American politic, to go forward in righting the course of our nation which has been driven so terribly awry by the current administration.

Senator Obama has made history. Senator Clinton has made history.

Together, we have the opportunity to continue making history in the years ahead.

[girl_interrupted]

251. Hillary was eloquent

Amazing speech, one of the best I have ever heard. Should make all Democrats proud.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

253. It's pretty simple really

You move forward or you fall back behind. To stay ahead of it you must also think ahead. It may be tough to do that and at the same time stay in step with time in place. So, there are those that must just burst from time to time.

Or for some too much is never enough. Isn't that just too bad.
Just like the sixties, if you were not a red neck ,you must have been a hippie, what a rush.

What a rush.

And so it ends ,forward ho.

[Kittycat]

250. Best HRC EVER!

It wasn't just the endorsement that did it for me (although that 6min stretch had me jumping out of my seat) - but it was the entire message. She, by far, exceeded any expectation of what I was thinking she would deliver today. From where she's been, to her goals for the future - she laid it all out there in a way that just said, HEY YOU - Listen up! And really put common sense and inspiration behind each carefully chosen and well delivered word.

I really must admit that I wish I saw more of that Hillary throughout the Campaign. I can't help it... I like the soaring rhetoric and inspirational speeches, the kind of talk that says get of your ass and do something for the people around you and yourself. And by the way, I can't do it alone.

In close, her endorsement, IMO, went far beyond what I think anyone expected to hear (despite ABCs whining). She left no doubt in my mind that she fully intends on working to bring this party together, along with Obama, to see that they are able to begin making the changes that we all desperately need.

[happygoluckytoyou]

252. a zoolander moment

i was afraid the dems would have to live through that Zoolander moment when he walks onto the stage to accept the award he LOST.

thank you hillary..... mostly for showing the democowards how to fight for the POTUS.....

if gore or kerry had borrowed your balls, they would have fought for the office and W would be tanking another of daddy's businesses...

[bluedawg12]

254. Well said! n/t

[info being]

255. If she had spoken like that these past few months...

...she'd be the nominee. Strange.

[meowomon]

257. She was awesome today!

Classy.

[rainlillie]

258. Too bad she didn't give this speech on Tuesday..

The damage has already been done, due to her divisive campaign. Hilary supporters should love their country more than they hate Obama, and do the right thing come November.

[badgerpup]

260. Give her full marks for courage and grace...

Letting go of something that she wanted and fought for so fiercely...and NOT as a 'sore loser'. :applause:

[underpants]

263. What, you've given up on Kucinich already?

:bounce:

Haven't seen the whole speech yet but the part about the guy voting for his wife really hit home.

[Skinner]

264. My wife and I both teared up when she told that story.

What a great moment.

[lojasmo]

265. I think it was writen by Obama.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

270. oy oy oy

[janetblond]

266. I am sorry I don't share your enthusiasm ...

Whenever I hear the word "SPEECH", the only thing ringing in my ears is Hillary Clinton saying ...
"Senator McCain has years of experience, I have years of experience, Senator Obama has a speech".
These damaging words are being used in GOP ads.

I did not forget ...
Unforgiveable!

[rainlillie]

288. janetblond...

I totally agree with you. So, I guess all Bush has to do is give a good speech and all is forgiven. The damage has been done, and now she's trying to clean up the mess that she's made, for appearances IMO.

[LanternWaste]

315. We each get to make the choice

Democratic unity can more easily begin with us. Or not.

We each have the opportunity to make our choice to help and heal, or not...

[NJmaverick]

267. I will judge her speech on its impact. If the Hillary strays return to the fold

then it was a great speech. If they do not, the speech was meaningless.

[Zuiderelle]

303. The "Hillary strays?"

Congratulations on your ability to condescend to millions of perfect strangers.

[tomp]

268. and what sort of back room deal was made...

...to get her to make that speech?

I haven't heard the speech because i don't really care what she has to say. i don't believe anything she says. but we will see eventually what price we will all have to pay for her power complex.

[tavalon]

279. Until proven otherwise, I wish to believe that she acted from her higher self

This woman earned my admiration many times in the past, and yes, these last few months have greatly strained that admiration, but I want to begin the forgetting.

[tomp]

301. forget at your and our peril.

you saw what you saw this primary because that is what she had to to do arrive where she is right now, playing you and many naive democrats for fools. and obama is playing along with her. shame.

[johan helge]

276. I haven't heard that speech,

but I've heard an earlier Hillary speech,
and she's the best I've seen.

From now on: Barack Obama for President, 100 %!

[polichick]

278. Senator Clinton acted from her highest self, as we'll all have to do if we want to...

...turn this country around ~ and "heal this world."

[rosesaylavee]

282. I agree with you - It was an impressive speech

I am very grateful that she chose to support Obama in this manner. And you weren't the only one dreading how this was going to play out here.

Thanks for your calm and reasoned leadership on this board! I will try to stay at that same level of reason and calmness with you in the coming months.

[aquart]

295. What's the exact deadline on my bitterness?

Clearly, I'm going to need guidelines.

[sellitman]

304. I hope this helps you.

[aquart]

311. What a snide, condescending response.

How clever you think you are.

[DeepModem Mom]

297. A HEARTY THANK-YOU! K&R!

[shayes51]

305. Beautiful speech.

Beautiful person.

[AuntPatsy]

307. Thank you Skinner, some obviously need to be reminded just why

this site exists and for whom.

[Catchawave]

308. Back to page 1 for you Skinner !

:kick:

[YvonneCa]

310. I still...

...love all our Democrats. :) And I agree, Hillary's speech was GREAT... as I knew it would be.

I am ready for unity...of the party and the country. It is time.:patriot:

[LanternWaste]

314. My best wishes to the soon-to-be Pres. Obama

One great thing about this year's primaries was that my vote in the TX primaries actually carried weight for the first time. Until this year, we'd already locked in a candidate by the time TX got around to holding its primaries.

So this season, I finally had the opportunity to get fully engaged in the system, and get my hands dirty in the caucus.


My best wishes to the soon-to-be Pres. Obama-- he's got a shit-pile of a mess to clean up...