"You know, I understand that a lot of people are asking, what does Hillary want? What does she want? Well, I want what I have always fought for in this whole campaign. I want to end the war in Iraq. I want to turn this economy around. I want health care for every American. I want every child to live up to his or her God-given potential, and I want the nearly 18 million Americans who voted for me to be respected, to be heard and no longer to be invisible.You see, I have an old-fashioned notion, one that's been the basis of my candidacy and my life's work, that public service is about helping people solve their problems and live their own dreams. This nation has given me every opportunity, and that's what I want for every single American.
That’s why I want universal health care. It is wrong that Americans pay 50% more for health care than the people of any other wealthy nation, with costs doubling this decade and nearly 50 million people without any health insurance at all. It is wrong for parents to have to choose between care for themselves or their children, to be stuck in dead-end jobs just to keep their insurance or to give up working altogether so their kids will qualify for Medicaid. I have been working on this issue not just for the past 16 months, but for 16 years. And it is a fight I will continue until every single American has health insurance. No exceptions and no excuses.
I want an economy that works for all families. That’s why I have been fighting to create millions of new jobs in clean energy and rebuilding our infrastructure, jobs to come to all of our states and urban and rural areas and suburban communities and small towns. That’s why I sounded the alarm on the home mortgage crisis well over a year ago, because these are the issues that will determine whether we will once again grow together as a nation or continue to grow apart. And I want to restore America’s leadership in the world. I want us to be led once again by the power of our values, to have a foreign policy that is both strong and smart, to join with our allies and confront our shared challenges from poverty and genocide to global terrorism and global warming.
These are the issues that brought me into this race. They are the life blood of my campaign, and they have been and will continue to be the causes of my life. And your spirit has inspired me every day in this race. "
27 comments:
You captured her essence from that speech. What a candidate. If she does not get the nomination, then Obama must be defeated. He has destroyed the Democratic party; he must not be allowed to destroy America. She asked all of her supporters to email her. This is what I have said to her:
Keep standing up for us Hillary, fight for the democratic principles so eloquently defended in your name by Harold Ickes. Do not accept a VP position on an Obama ticket; after all he has done to you and to women, to this once great Democratic party, to join his ticket would be to condone that abuse like women have been told to do for too many years. Do what you have to do as a party leader but no more. Take this coalition and build a truly new political future for all of us. It does not have to be a political party; it can be the Solutions For America National Coalition.
If the supers cannot she the worth and backbone in this wonderful candidate they are stupid beyond belief. What an extraordinary fighter. What an amazing human being. What a voice that speaks to all of us.
I am relieved that she had decided to wait. This country needs her and the voters have given her the impetus to fight on. She is truly a gift.
This quote from Abraham Lincoln so captures what I think and feel tonight about this woman and what she should do:
As Abraham Lincoln said:
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."
I have wept with rage and joy and gratitude tonight. I never would have believed I could care so much for a politician.
I sent email urging them to take it to Denver.
And I sent money. I realized even if she decided to concede at the same moment my donation went through, I would have no regrets. And I'm broke.
Never have I witnessed such strength of character.
As the great Yogi, Berra that is, once opined, 'It ain't over 'til it's over.'
Barry it should be obvious by now is known for the political pratfall, to be kind about it, and there are many months to go before the convention.
Strangely, No Quarter has been down all day. Perhaps too much traffic looking for MEchelle, perhaps something more sinister, perhaps nothing at all.
I start my 'death watch' today. Every week the Hominid's EC analysis will be posted. Good, bad or indifferent the ClusterFuck is a teaching opportunity.
You know that when folks are screeching that Webb can't be VP 'cause he ain't 'progressive' enough, Progressive Punch has him comfortablly ahead of Barry for his entire career, that there is plenty of teaching to be done.
I have more things to say, but I want to leave this post, the core of her speech, up at the top of the blog for a while.
Oddly enough, my current mood is one of elation. Obama may claim the nomination (no one actually gets it until August, of course), but Hillary has won a victory. She gave a marvelous, warm, empassioned, gracious and powerful speech, conceding nothing. The MSM is in a state of apoplexy and she is radiant. The Blogger Boyz are spewing hate and petulance, and she is laughing at them. Her opponent is enraged that she won't knuckle under, and she owes nobody anything.
She won the most votes from the widest, most diverse constituency while at a massive financial disadvantage and under unrelenting attacks from all quarters. The demons of stupidity took their best shot at her and they still had to cheat, lie and steal to barely squeak past to a tenuous position that is not quite a win. Hillary is having a blast with this campaign and it shows.
Can the combined power of the Democratic Party hacks, the Media Whores, and the illicit money men of the Obama campaign keep her out of the White House? Oh, probably, but it's not certain and that's why they are shitting bricks at the moment. One tiny little let up in their barrage and they are toast.
Take a step back and look at the forces that had to be marshalled to simply battle her to a TIE. Even Big Dog didn't pull off a campaign like this.
Anglachel
I loved her speech! I started watching it, dreading what she might say. And then the more it went on, the more elated I became. Because she didn't concede a damn thing. She let them have it right between the eyes as to why she is the best candidate.
But what was even more priceless was the look of disbelief and puzzlement on the boy's faces afterward. I watched it on Fox, and they were all looking at each other waiting to see who would notice the obvious: that she didn't concede an inch. Then, of course, they went back to their VP talk, as if that were what she were saying.
Quite frankly, I read her speech as asking her supporters to tell her to take this all the way to the convention. Why else did she ask us to go to her site and tell her what we were thinking? I really can't believe that was for a VP position. Why would she want it? She has much more power as a Senator and a lot less hassle for very little credit.
And I don't think she really believes Obama can win this thing. Not after he limped through the last 3 months. Think about it - he hasn't done well since February. That was months ago. She's had all the momentum, and the majority of votes and delegates since then. She's seen the EC maps. She knows what the stakes are.
No, I read her speech as asking her supporters for the moral authority to keep on fighting. And you had better believe that's what I told her - that I'll be right behind her fighting for her all the way!
Anglachel, you are so right. They are very afraid because they know their victory is not real and not solid. They fear it being snatched away any moment because of the faults of their dear leader. Especially if she is still around, their fake victory is all the more tenuous -- that is why they want to push her out. They are not sure they can win in November with what they have done.
Tonight, I am feeling smug, smug at the way she is playing these fools. I have never been prouder of her. I am amazed at her brilliance. To me she is already the victor, a permanent victor.
Hillary's speech was pure bliss...shows her incomparable mastery of the relationship between specifics and strategy, something the presumed Candidate has not yet learned, if indeed he has the capacity to do so in his nature.
Is it too late to start a third party for November? As its leader, Hillary would have virtually all who supported her in this round, plus many disaffected Republicans.
after all, why should John McCain get ANY of Hillary's votes??
A message to those of you repulsed by the concept of Barack Obama as the nominee:
We need to trade ideas and come up with plans of action. For my part, if scandal does not cripple Obama in the near future (a not-at-all unlikely circumstance) then I say that we should consider a turn to Cynthia McKinney, and not just as a protest vote. McKinney has her drawbacks -- she is far too close to the 9/11 "truth" nuts -- but her pro-impeachment stance was brave, braver than anything we got from Obama, Pelosi, Dean, or even Hillary Clinton.
We may need to build an alternative to the Democratic party. On my own site, I argue against any reconciliation with the pseudo-"progressive" thugs who have hijacked what was once our party. I hint at my own plan of action, and I would love to hear your own ideas.
Not to worry, the party hacks are saying and praying, "women always come back to their batterer".
Not this time, fellers -- not this time. When you, the msm and especially the BO campaign battered Hillary, you battered us.
As great as the speech and the spirit are we are facing real dangers. The DNC and the party are in ruins. Obama plans on destroying the rest of the party and may damage the country if given the chance.
So, have a glass of your favorite drink and celebrate a great speech and a great campaign. Then put on the game face and get ready for the next fight; the risks these time are higher.
I'm anxious to hear about the response HRC got on her site last night. Go there (as she asked!) and leave your words of wisdom. I commented and donated.
I hope she took in a ton of money.
Oh, and proudly display "Hillary 08" bumper stickers and let the world know she's still in it!
Do we know who started the VP talk? It clearly didn't come from HRC. I think it was the Axelrod/Dean/Pelosi camp trying to belittle and possibly obliterate HRC.
A woman I can't not love. And Anglachel, I get that feeling. I've been feeling elated since last night too. She didn't concede, she did not given an inch. It was incredible. And the MSM is freaking out.
She has no fear and neither do I. It's her or McCain. And he made quite an impression last night.
I'll probably actually not vote for President if she isn't on the ballot and that's all right with me. I picked the best one, I know that.
ALL PRO-HILL BLOGGERS; please paste this ACTION ALERT! onto your SITES> Feel free to edit -
As Hillary Clinton stated in her NY speech last night, 18 Million of us voted for her, despite the odds, ignoring the media spin and sabotage, even in the face of her opponent’s endless stream of special interest funding and divisive attacks.
Those in the know are aware of 3 factors that have exaggerated the public’s perception of Barack Obama’s support. These factors have been used by the Obama campaign to sway Super Delegates to comply with his questionable rush to a nomination. These misleading factors are:
1. Misrepresentation of voter support due to disproportionate Vote value of Caucuses. Each state which held a caucus, instead of a Primary, allowed a Delegate count of about 1 per 2,000. Primary voters received Delegate count of about 1 for each 12,000. Compare these figures to see how Caucus states have disproportionately contributed to the total Delegate count on which Obama is claiming the right to this Nomination.
2. Fractionalization of the FLA & MI votes. Were these 2 states, each important to a November win to have received their just and due full count, as mandated by the voters, Hillary would, as rightfully due, already be the Democratic Party nominee. Falsified math might give her opponent an unearned Nomination, but it certainly won’t win the November election. A clear summary of the controversial ruling can be seen here:
http://www.stop-obama.org/ (See right Column Posting titled Declaration of Independence!”)
3. Super Delegates, compying with DNC/Obama campaign pressure, have systematically, state by state, deprived Hillary Clinton of her rightful proportionate share of these delegates. In sum total, Super Delegates have voted against the Will of the People according to the actual vote tallies in their own states. See here the evidence of state by state of the unrepresentative Super Delegate stampede for Obama:
http://www.politico.com/superdelegates/
In many cases, these Super Delegates are running for office and have sold their vote to the highest bidder, to help finance their own campaigns. In other cases, they’ve been given unreliable promises for their own pet projects. However, the DND’s arbitrary “do whatver you want” (translated to “pledge for Obama and do it now) appraoch has led many say - OK, then,Obama - even if against their own instincts and better judgment. The fact is that no Super Delegate pledges are final at this point. Technically, they aren’t final until the August Convention, unless Hillary is pushed out of the race now.
Despite all this, when the last Primaries closed on May 3, Senator Clinton stood firm and did not concede. Her popular vote win of this campaign is the largest ever given to a Primary contender in US history! She clearly stated that now it is up to us, requesting that those who have voted for her and those who believe she is the best choice for President follow through, in “the coming days”, by outreaching In Our Own Voices.
Here is the 3 pronged ACTION we can take during this brief window of opportunity:
1. Send an email to Hillary’s campaign headquarters, demonstrating your commitment and support. Some say she is seeking the Vice Presidency. Many of US oppose that - as a major mistake that will pull down her credibility and, ultimately, act against the causes that she, singularity represent. Your online comments can be as brief as: Denver! Denver! Denver! which the NY crowd shouted last night - or - -or- No Ticket with Obama, No way! Or more fully express your thoughts and feelings about her campaign.
www.hillaryclinton.com
Quick and easy comment box will display. If you have the means to do so, contribute $$ - as a powerful way to show the DNC that voters are standing firm with Hillary.
2. Lobbying Super Delegates has never been as meaningful as it is this week. Even if you have contacted them previously, do so again. If you haven’t known who they are, here is a list site which names and categorizes them. This link is to Uncommitted List. Other site links will show who has supported each candidate. Hillary’s list is short, when according to US, these Super Delegate constitiuents it should be the long list:
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegates-who-havent-endorsed.html
A most powerful way to show your support of Hillary is:
www.lobbydelegates.com
From this site, you can quickly email state by state lists, free of cost, right on screen. Most effective is to send a FAX to all Super Delegates whose names you check, for a small one-time donation for your whole list. A note can be brief. The primary purpose is to show them the enthusiasm of Hillary supporters and to let them know their powerful votes should reflect, not reject US voters. Thank Hillary SDs. Convince Uncommitted SDs - and, if you’d like, ask Obama SDs to rethink their position.
3. If you feel as strongly as this Hillary campaigner does, that the current DNC leadership has misrepresented Democratic voter, by turning its back on the party’s strongest, most qualified Presidential candidate, then go to this link and join in our Declaration of Independence (Header to post found on front page, right hand column of this site):
. http://www.stop-obama.org/
All expert electoral map analysis is solidly proving Hillary Clinton is the one sure winner against McCaine. The party elite have been ignoring US voters and these facts! Many Hillary supporters, at this point, would rather campaign against Obama pledged Super Delegates who seek office on a ticket that opposes the Will of previously loyal Democrats within their own state. If you want to discuss this, go to this site and leave your email address.
www.writehillaryin.com
Please take Action Now & FORWARD this ACTION ALERT to friends, associates and family who support Hillary Clinton for President. It takes little time to participate in the above 3 Step Action Plan when compared to the real difference Your Voice can make for the future of our families and our nation!
I both donated and left comments for Hillary last night, while weeping tears of elation and rage. Elation that the brave, tough, powerful fighter candidate that I support can still show such grace under such incredible pressure - and rage, deep, unthinking rage, that, once again, a more qualified woman was passed over for the young guy who curries favor.
I hope she can pull this one out. I really do.
If the DNC thinks we're all going to meekly come back and fall into line, they're in for a real surprise. This is visceral, guys.
I just noticed something this morning that completely escaped me last night in all the emotion around Sen. Clinton's speech. It was McCain's speech. I listened to it, and at the time was glad that he was gracious to Hillary. But I reread it this morning, and this section jumped out at me:
The media often overlooked how compassionately she spoke to the concerns and dreams of millions of Americans, and she deserves a lot more appreciation than she sometimes received. As the father of three daughters, I owe her a debt for inspiring millions of women to believe there is no opportunity in this great country beyond their reach. I am proud to call her my friend. Pundits and party elders have declared that Senator Obama will be my opponent.
First, he did something that the media has yet to do - acknowledge the new ground that Hillary was breaking for women. He even put that in terms of his own daughters and what that means to them.
But the biggie is the last sentence in that quote: "Pundits and party elders have declared that Senator Obama will be my opponent." In other words, he is telling the whole world what we already know - that the media and party leaders are the ones who have chosen Obama, not the people. I have no doubt that McCain will be campaigning for the support of Clinton Democrats (no, I can no longer call them Reagan Democrats - they are Clinton Democrats). But this signals to me that part of his attacks on Obama may be about the illegitimacy of his nomination. Quite frankly, I hope he does. I hope he mentions it in every debate and every stump speech. It would be smart politics. But even better - it would be the truth.
The supporters of Hillary Clinton MAY forgive Obama. They will NEVER forgive the TV and radio show hosts who took the position that Demonizing Hillary ws more important than winning back the Whitehouse.
It was bad enough to see and hear Obama praise Ronald Reagan as a motivator and creative thinker, while lumping the achievements of the Clinton administration with the destruction of the Bush administration. There are so many of us who fondly remember the good works of Bill and the great mistake of Al Gore to ask Bill t stand aside, he could do it alone. LOL
Now we have the supporters of Obama distancing themselves from the Clinton supporters, Keith Olbermann referred them as the McClintons...and already the madness of...we KNOW WE ARE GOING TO LOSE AND ITS ALL HILLARY'S FAULT.
Anglachel, thanks for the great work you've done on the Dem primary. I discovered your blog in the late stages of the campaign, and you've become a lifeline -- as well as the blog I link to most frequently from my own humble little corner of the blogosphere. I can't say I share the elation you are feeling right now, but your eloquent comments may help me to summon some within myself. Looking forward to following your thoughts on the general.
WTF? See this?
http://www.democrats.org/
I ran into this blog today. Said that the Nomination of Obama felt like the day the OJ verdict came in. Very interesting comments and perspective.
http://sugarnspice.typepad.com
Talked about how both OJ and Obama used racism to their advantage.
Clinton wants what is best for the country. She is a Democrat before anything else. She will endorse Obama and we will move on to the General election.
Hillary is the best thing that happened over the last 8 years. Thanks, HRC!
Simply one of the greatest leaders I've ever seen in my life. I tell ya - I'd follow that woman into battle. Barry O? I wouldn't follow him anywhere.
I would deem it an honor to drive Obama back to Chicago on that infamous bus he used to throw so many people from. He does not deserve to be president of a Hannah Montana Fan Club let alone Commander in Chief. The DNC is going to sorely regret what they have wrought.
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