Clinton delivers for Obama
posted at 7:15 am on August 27, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Speculation ran wild about whether Hillary Clinton would give Barack Obama her full-throated support in her Democratic convention speech last night. Barack Obama himself reportedly previewed the speech and approved it, but even he must have wondered whether she’d stick to the script, or stick it to him. In the end, though, Hillary did the expected — she proved herself a party stalwart and threw her support behind Obama in a well-written, enthusiastic speech.
Republicans, of course, will not like the speech itself, as it’s filled with the policy proposals that turned the Democratic primaries into a populist panderfest. However, it fit into the themes of the evening — more on that in a minute — and it had explicit mentions of support for Obama in the beginning, middle, and end. Hillary did not stint on specific support:
I — I am so honored to be here tonight. No, I — I’m here tonight as a proud mother, as a proud Democrat — as a proud senator from New York — a proud American — and a proud supporter of Barack Obama.
My friends, it is time to take back the country we love. And whether you voted for me or you voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose. …
Barack Obama is my candidate, and he must be our president. …
And when Barack Obama is in the White House, he’ll revitalize our economy, defend the working people of America, and meet the global challenges of our time.
Democrats know how to do this. As I recall, we did it before, with President Clinton and the Democrats. And if we do our part, we’ll do it again with President Obama and the Democrats.
Hillary did not follow the Reagan 1976 template, where Reagan talked about the movement and the nation and not about Gerald Ford, nor the similar Kennedy 1980 template. She asked for unity and support for the party nominee, with perhaps minimal praise; she doesn’t say in the speech why Obama would make a good president, but just that Democrats need to unite in support of him.
Will it be effective? Time will tell, but I believe this speech will go at least a significant way towards convincing her supporters to remain in the tent. It may take a few days for that to become apparent, but I’d expect a slow drift of Hillary dead-enders to return to Barack Obama. This reaction from a Clinton delegate may not be unique:
In the end, this woman will not vote for John McCain. She might stay home, but that’s doubtful, given her level of political involvement. But this problem has never really been about delegates to the convention; rather, it’s been about the 18 million Hillary voters who found themselves angered by the results of the primary. I’d expect most of them to follow her lead, but figure about 15-20% who will either vote McCain or stay home in the end.
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Last night was all about Hillary,as if she
was still in campaign mode,there wasn’t much
said about Hopey and changey!
And tonite,the Der Slickster speaks,is some-
body really going to let Bill get near the
microphone!!!!Hehe.
canopfor on August 27, 2008 at 7:20 AM
It must have been a hypnotic speech to get them to forget about all their very serious issues with Obama. Well done Hillary!
TheBigOldDog on August 27, 2008 at 7:22 AM
Doesn’t seem like a speech with much excitement behind it. Kinda cookie-cutter. This actually ‘inspired’ people?
…snore.
flyawaybird on August 27, 2008 at 7:23 AM
With the 24/7/365 news cycle does anyone really pay attention to speeches anymore. I mean the speeches themselves are written by other people. The canidate or speaker has very little say in it besides signing off on it. This isn’t orator of the roman times. this is packaged smut that hits all the poll tested buzz words. Delivery and passion are about the only things that are unknown. I for one just do not listen to speeches anymore.
unseen on August 27, 2008 at 7:25 AM
She came out in her orange pantsuit and seemed to say what the Obama people wanted to hear. But like the Great Pumpkin, she won’t be there for them by Halloween.
Mr. D on August 27, 2008 at 7:28 AM
Her refusal to say why Obama would make a good president was conspicuous – and its absence gutted the speech of any real impact. It was a pretty weak endorsement and the ads McCain is running showing Hillary denouncing Obama as being too inexperienced are more powerful than her tepid endorsement of her party’s nominee.
forest on August 27, 2008 at 7:34 AM
I don’t know that the speech is going to “convince” her supporters of anything. Democrats love to dive into text to find “hidden meaning.” That’s why every Republican attack on Obama is racist “code,” and why the Bill of Rights’ penumbra has an inalienable right to an abortion contained within it.
So let’s talk “code.” (1) Hillary’s speech was introed by a video, in which she repeatedly talks about “18 million cracks in the glass ceiling” and casts her campaign as a historical leap forward for women’s rights. That reminds everyone in the room that she got more votes than Obama.
(2) Toward the end, Hillary said “and Barack will have a great partner in Michelle Obama… and Americans are fortune he’ll have Joe Biden at his side…” She’s invoking the “dual President” image she and Bill expressly created in 1992. Didn’t work too well for them, and Michelle has higher negatives than Hillary did in 1992. So why mention Michelle first?
(3) I think a lot of her supporters will say that Hillary was very “brave” for asking for her supporters to go for Obama, but they’ll see it for what it was — something she was forced to do as a party loyalist. That she didn’t enthusiastically support Obama, coupled with Obama’s perceived mistreatment of her and coupled with Bill’s continued anger at Obama, will be read as “code” by Hillary’s voters not to jump on the bandwagon.
Operation Chaos, baby!
Outlander on August 27, 2008 at 7:38 AM
his resume is just so……. Ummmm… EMPTY..
And full of krooks, slumlords, unrepentant terrorists, and Racist bigots.
LMAO
Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 7:38 AM
Just remember when the debates occur (end September – early October) anything happening at either convention will be forgotten. It’s sort of funny when some one speaks (I’m thinking Hillary) at their biased convention and some biased reporter (I’m thinking Keith) follows with “Uph! That’s it! It’s over! He’s won!” silliness.
Marcus on August 27, 2008 at 7:39 AM
Maybe because she can’t come up with a reason, and the undeniable truth lies right here:
Would you take someone straight out of Harvard and make them the CEO of your company?
Buy Danish on August 27, 2008 at 7:40 AM
The Traveling Pantsuit line was cute, but other than that, I heard how she inspired this and that. What I did not hear was how Obama has done this, and this is his position etc., and that was what was needed.
Like them or hate them, you don’t try to sweep the Clintons out the back door. Did Ted Kennedy get the nomination? Not Once but Twice? Elected twice to the office of POTUS? No, he didn’t. Yes, we face different challenges today than we did in the 90’s, but Bill Clinton is a big draw and he has a tremendous following. He has the ability to speak to the common voice.
Ed, I think you are discounting the level of resentment by Clinton supporters. Michelle Malkin points out the snobbery of the Obama campaign and this to me is a prime example.
Pam on August 27, 2008 at 7:40 AM
Pretty much Hilary’s speech was just toeing the party line, being a good little Democrat, thats all.
Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 7:41 AM
The biggest psychological jab to the Obama campaign came from Mrs. Clinton’s reference to “President Clinton”, without any initial reference to her husband or Bill, although she did say she was refering to her husband in the next sentence or so. I believe she was letting people know in her own way who should really getting the nomination. The camera panned to Mrs. Obama’s face and it seemed that she did not like that comment, as she had more of a grimace than a smile on her face.
bloggless on August 27, 2008 at 7:44 AM
I can’t believe you were all duped into believing she would do otherwise.
tomas on August 27, 2008 at 7:48 AM
I really expected more from her, however….
I’m not a woman, and maybe Democrat women after they saw Hilary giving a primetime speech like this and doing better than she usually does(not as shrill with the voice etc., maybe they are wondering why she isn’t the President and how come that Obama is there.. )
Some of them will vote for McCain for sure, some will vote for McCain out of spite some will stay home, most that voted in the primaries for Clinton will vote for Obama
(remember not as may people vote in the primaries than in the General so, it’s a lot smaller pool that we are talking about that have this “conflict” going on within themselves)
Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 7:50 AM
Hillary couldn’t list the reasons why Obama would make a good president because if she did, she could technically be called a liar as she wouldn’t have believed what she was saying anyway.
She’ll play the “good cop” while Bill plays the “bad cop” – they’re not through yet. As Dick Morris has said all along, a Barack Obama Presidency would not be of benefit to Hillary. She needs John McCain to win in order for her to make her run in 2012.
The Democrat’s catch phrase for the past several years has been “failed policies” or “failed this” or “failed that”. When they mention these so called Bush or Republican “failed policies” they never stop and give specifics. Sort of like they never really tell us what change we are in for.
iamsaved on August 27, 2008 at 7:51 AM
I thought Michelle Obama looked pissed through the entire speech. Every time the camera panned to her..she was frowning.
She didnt look nice at all.
becki51758 on August 27, 2008 at 7:53 AM
Especially if Hillary doesn’t denounce those ads forcefully. If she really wanted those ads to go away, she would be opening a can of whoop-a$$ on the McCain campaign. She hasn’t done that though, has she?
smellthecoffee on August 27, 2008 at 7:55 AM
Whoa, what? I just watched the video…what? Is HRC a rock star or what. I don’t know about these freaks, but I have a life and don’t have time to live through these puppet figures. Lady get a life!
jbh45 on August 27, 2008 at 7:56 AM
Thankfully – hopefully – that 15-20% could be the difference that swings the election.
Professor Blather on August 27, 2008 at 7:58 AM
Wow – that will go down as one of the all-time Machiavellian moves in convention politics.
HRC’s performance opened up the question of whether-or-not she would have been a better VP candidate than JB. She drove home the point that she could have brought both her ‘votes’ and her ’support’ to the BO campaign.
And it now looks like BO blew the so called ‘first’ important decision of a future president – who will be his VP. History will record that at best JB was his second best choice – which will make him look weak and afraid.
For at least one more night – HRC beat BO.
luckyz on August 27, 2008 at 7:59 AM
Don’t you know propaganda my boy?
As you can see, they and the MSM are running a propaganda campaign against the United States..
17. Propaganda to the home front must diminish the impact of frustration.
GOEBBELS’ PRINCIPLES OF PROPAGANDA
During all the BS in the Clinton years what did we have to distract us?
OJ Simpson and a bunch of other stupid stuff
Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 8:03 AM
Basic Math: The Democrats have about half the votes nationwide, Hillary has half of THOSE votes… or a quarter of the votes nationwide. 20% of THAT is 5%… and a 3% margin is called a landslide.
I don’t think McCain is going to get ONE percent, much less 20 of Hillary’s supporters, but even that ONE percent would beat the margin of Victory the last few years, wouldn’t it?
Mr Michael on August 27, 2008 at 8:10 AM
On First light radio pogram this morning,
out of 10 callers,only 2 are supporting Obama,
the other 8 for McCain!
canopfor on August 27, 2008 at 8:11 AM
I listen to PUMA types for a couple of hours a day. There is nothing Hillary can say that will get these people to pull the lever for Obama – nothing. I’m not sure there is anything Obama can even say or do at this point either. It’s not just bruised feeling either. They have real issues from Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers to his arrogance and lack of experience. McCain is still an acceptable alternative for them and until he says or does something significant to change that, they won’t be swinging back to Obama.
TheBigOldDog on August 27, 2008 at 8:11 AM
Hey did anybody else catch how Hillary threw Michelle Obama under the bus with her “proud American” statement? She said that wide eyed and with a grin.
Like Legolas’ arrow to a troll.
TheHat on August 27, 2008 at 8:14 AM
Now the spin is that Barry can win without the PUMAs. Perhaps we should send care packages of simp-le math books to his staff. He either has a lot of dead bodies ready to “Barack the Vote” or thinks he is gonna pull 100% of the non-decided.
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 8:15 AM
I didn’t hear the speech, but apparently it was her best ever. If this is true, it puts pressure on Obama Thursday night to out do her. I’m hoping his speech will be so over the top, so out of the mainstream he loses 4 points in the polls.
SouthernGent on August 27, 2008 at 8:17 AM
Not so simple, those are primary votes NOT National Election Votes.. BIG Difference.. Not that may people vote in the Primaries.
If they didn’t pull the lever for her once already in the primaries, they have less ties to her.. ( psychologically, get it)
Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 8:19 AM
I’m sorry but Hillary voters are going to be convinced now more than ever that Hillary was the better candidate.
Her speech had all the liberal talking points, was succinct, and a pro-Hillary video to boot. It all makes for lamenting and would even make an Obama supporter have second thoughts.
jencab on August 27, 2008 at 8:21 AM
These few words from John @ powerline, sum it up for me…
Hillary Clinton’s speech tonight prompted just two thoughts.
First, her ignorance of economics is cosmic. Thank God this woman will never be President.
Second, her speech was a vivid reminder of why she lost. She was intensely annoying. You could just about hear the sound of television sets clicking off all across America. Good night, Hillary.
Keemo on August 27, 2008 at 8:25 AM
At the risk of being racist, the only reason Hlllary whipped up on Obama during the last 4 months of primary was the right Reverand Wright… and a little bit of Bill Ayers tossed in.
Those same voters will not easily forget the hate-filled, racist rhetoric of Barry’s audacious mentor… and the perfidious follow up lies by him highlighting his abject lack of judgment.
And, somewhere along the line, I trust, there will be more video to remind everyone.
Reverse racism has always been a major pain in the ass for the growth of America… until this year… hopefully… ;-)
Shivas Irons on August 27, 2008 at 8:35 AM
Well……….
this could be interesting.. the latino vote..
I didn’t think about the latino vote….
hillary did have a large Latino Voting Block(lots of them i would imagine do not like Obama period, could be racial things, and McCain you know how he reaches out to Latino’s… could be interesting.. )
Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 8:37 AM
A few things: I was looking forward to this speech. I wouldn’t vote for a Clinton, but I do have a certain respect for Hillary. She is ruthless, aggressive, dominating, and I actually like that. I wanted her to win the nomination – I will always have a little old-school feminism inside of me.
Her speech was not a powerful oratory, and I cringed at the color of her pantsuit. I did appreciate the token support, the subtle reminders of all she’s accomplished, the nod to the women’s sufferage movement. I’m glad I stayed up to watch it, even if I’m tired this morning.
I would never vote for a woman just because she’s a woman. Still, it’s a little sad that by now more women haven’t been in the running, there are plenty of smart and capable women out there. I really do hope that Hillary did crack that ceiling, and that in the future I have someone other than a Clinton to be proud of.
Anna on August 27, 2008 at 8:40 AM
Didn’t you know? It’s ALWAYS about Hillary.
http://thepajamapundit.com/
thePajamaPundit on August 27, 2008 at 8:41 AM
George W. Bush 62,040,610
John F’n Kerry 59,028,444
Hilary 18,000,000
While it way be significant for a primary, the national election pool is much larger and the turnout this year will be much more.
Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 8:43 AM
Geraldine Ferraro ran as Vice-President
She debated Vice President George H.W Bush
Her and Mondale got Stomped.
Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 8:48 AM
Someone at another site suggested, take a transcript of the speech, and switch out Obama’s name with anyone else’s. It reads pretty much the same. There’s nothing actually identifying Obama, it’s a generic endorsement of the party nominee.
Quisp on August 27, 2008 at 8:49 AM
Correct, that said, however, the majority of Her Majesty’s 18 million swung Donk last cycle I’d wager ie they were the ones that almost won it for Jean Francois Keri-Heinz thus Barry not getting say even 25% of them means he needs to have a really good slugging % with the undecideds and peel away a bunch of RiNOs.
I simply don’t see that happening. McCain does not need the votes so much as he needs them to sit out the cycle, and sitting out the cycle is even better for the GOP because it will take the wind out of donk Legislative and Gubenatorial sails as well in many cases.
PUMAs ATTACK!
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 8:49 AM
I am waaaay to young to remember that, having been not quite 2 years old. Nobody in my family liked Mondale or Ferraro, so she’s not a figure I ever looked too.
Anna on August 27, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Don’t forget who Hillary is, a lying, devious woman who let her husband cheat on her consistently, all for her own ambition. Why would a supporter of that have any problem switching to another democrat, he doesn’t have the cheating spouse and he’s also another minority. I think they’ll switch alliance and vote pretty easily.
4shoes on August 27, 2008 at 8:58 AM
too.to.Anna on August 27, 2008 at 8:59 AM
I didn’t make it through the whole speech, but I did notice she seemed to take credit for a lot, like the fact that there are women astronauts now (which made me think of diapers, but I digress).
Buy Danish on August 27, 2008 at 9:05 AM
Well Hillary’s great speech last night didn’t change my opinion. She’s still my girl and I still support her. I suppose now I’ll have to wait until 2012 unless McCain picks her as VP which is not too likely.
I will vote McCain. As a Hillary supporter if I vote McCain it takes two other Hillary supporters voting for Obama to cancel out my vote. I don’t see Obama convincing the Clinton voters to support him. Most will sit it out or go for McCain. Consider John McCain the caretaker president until Hillary wins in 2012.
kanda on August 27, 2008 at 9:06 AM
Good enough for me….this is all gravy, people
Waterboy on August 27, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Not being a Clinton supporter myself (in fact her speech last night just reminded me how much I loather her), I’m curious -
What did you think of her “No Way, No How, No McCain” line that’s being touted today as the best thing since sliced bread?
It struck me as being exactly the wrong way to convince PUMAs to support Obama, since many of them actually do like McCain, even though they much prefer their girl Hillary.
Wouldn’t it have been better to find something convincingly positive to say about Obama?
Buy Danish on August 27, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Arrgh. how much I [loathe] her…
Buy Danish on August 27, 2008 at 9:27 AM
True dat, Playa…
But, but, but…didn’t you mean Axelrod’s principles of propaganda???
Don’t worry, I always mix those two nutty guys up myself…
RocketmanBob on August 27, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Wonder what Michelle Obama thinks of that line?
Vashta.Nerada on August 27, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Hillary’s comment struck me just right. It was code to her delegates at the convention. Translate it to ” No Way, No How, NObama”. I don’t like McCain myself. Great guy and all but way too liberal for me. I’ll vote for McCain because I dislike Obama more. The lesser of two evils theory. Then in 2012 when Hillary wins….
kanda on August 27, 2008 at 9:56 AM
“…but figure about 15-20% who will either vote McCain or stay home in the end.”
Just enough to sink Obama.
Dr. Dog on August 27, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Did you know he was a Vietnam veteran?
kanda on August 27, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Good Grief woman! Take off the liberal lens and see the light!!(barf)
christene on August 27, 2008 at 10:51 AM
“Tears for fears”
How appropriate, my favorite 80’s band….
Shout, Shout, let it all out; these are the things I can do without…Come on, I’m talking to you, Come on….
Dale in Atlanta on August 27, 2008 at 11:10 AM
You can judge for yourself how much Hillary Clinton helped or hindered the Obama campaign: MP3 highlights from her speech are up here.
chiefeditor on August 27, 2008 at 11:11 AM
I wonder how many delegates that came in for Obama and never were for Hillary will now be for her. Or after they compare his speech to hers.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 27, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Finally…a thoughtful interview with a black Democrat who is questioning Obama’s experience.
Kudos to CNN and a great find by you Ed.
The Ugly American on August 27, 2008 at 2:42 PM
I disagree about the pantsuit. It was perfect. She looked like a flame up there.
Her speech was the best threading of a needle I’ve ever heard. She kept her viability, did her duty, and signaled to her supporters that she’ll be back–soon.
None of my friends who are female Democrats will vote for Obama. Most are voting for a Republican for the first time in their lives. And they plan on volunteering.
texette on August 27, 2008 at 3:32 PM
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