The Clinton Camp and the Obama Camp continued the love fest as Hillary made this announcement late in the afternoon as roll call was ready to begin:
“With eyes firmly fixed on the future, in the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory, with faith in our party and country, lets declare together in one voice, right here, right now that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our President!
“Madame Secretary. I move that the convention suspend the procedural rules and suspend the further conduct of the roll call. All votes cast by the delegates will be counted and that I move that Senator Barack Obama of Illinois be selected by this convention by acclimation as the nominee of the Democratic Party for President of the United States.”
Any lingering doubt about full Clinton support behind Obama was erased when Bill Clinton gave his speech. Here are a few of the highlight of his speech:
“Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she’ll do everything she can to elect Barack Obama.
That makes two of us.
Actually that makes 18 million of us – because, like Hillary, I want all of you who supported her to vote for Barack Obama in November.”
And to quell the GOP nay-sayers who repeatedly commented that Hillary did not say Obama was ready to lead, he had this to say:
“Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world. Ready to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be President of the United States."
That’s pretty clear. But my favorite comment of the entire evening was this:
“Most important, Barack Obama knows that America cannot be strong abroad unless we are strong at home. People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.”
That is profound. In one fell swoop, Bill Clinton summed up one of the greatest shortcomings of the Bush administration, failed diplomacy both at home and abroad.
The Clinton contingency uprising the GOP had hoped for didn’t materialize, in fact in mobilized behind Obama.
Surprisingly, John Kerry gave a dynamic and stirring speech! Had he been that powerful and confident when he was running for president he may have made a better showing!
But the highlight of the evening was Beau Biden introducing his father, Joe Biden. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house as he chronicled his father’s difficult journey in politics, including the death of his wife and daughter in a car accident and his years of coming home to Delaware every night to be with his sons.
Throughout Beau’s introduction and Joe’s ensuing speech, it was reiterated again and again, his status as the ultimate family man, the standard bearer for the common man.
The evening concluded with Joe’s entire extended family onstage along with surprise visitor, Barack Obama.
It was an emotional evening. Emotional for long-time Clinton supporters finally realizing their particular dream is finally over. There were many women at the convention crying. Crying for joy that Hillary had come so far and made such great strides for women, and crying in sadness because this particular challenge was ended.
Bill Clinton’s emotional plea to back Barack Obama completely, showed again he is still an amazing orator.
And with Barack Obama and Joe Biden on the stage together, the Clinton’s were now firmly in the background and the new Democratic dynasty was center stage.
Note: This evening, I will be attending a rally at a Pasadena high school for a tribute to the Martin Luther King “I Have a Dream” speech, followed by the acceptance speech from Barack Obama. It promises to
be an exciting and stirring evening.Cheri Cabot – Political Correspondent
Cheri’s column, Personal About Politics , published weekly, will reflect on how the life of a 58 year-old, middle class woman is affected by politics, policy and the current state of the nation - a look at the personal aspects of politics. The articles will be posted to Politics.gather.com as part of Gather Essentials.
Cheri is a single, freelance writer living in Southern California. She has two grown children, one in Iowa and one at Columbia University, and is the proud grandmother of two. Cheri is also a purveyor of fine coffee, warm chatter and dry wit.
You can find all of Cheri’s columns on Personal About Politics at www.ccabot.gather.com and www.personalpolitics.gather.com.
Her newest blog, The Joy of Ordinary Days, can be found at
www.ordianarydays.gather.com
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Comments: 60
Hope the CONS don't come out tonight
(unless they have some intelligent comments to add).
I'm going to be watching all the action at an outdoor amphitheater on a jumbo-tron...should be fun! I'll report back later this evening. In the mean time....hold down the fort! thanks!
Just as I said on your other article -- and anyone employment Manager would any sense understands this -- there are really only 4 people in this Country, and on this Earth who have the proven EXPERIENCE to be President.
I do believe their judgment, and past administrations/current administration speak volumes about that "EXPERIENCE" and how much we should measure their current thoughts and/or opinions.
They are:
Jimmy Carter
George H. W. Bush
Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
_____________________________________
Questions I pose to Americans, and to the world:
1. Under which Administration(s) were YOU the most prosperous, and doing the best in YOUR own life financially?
2. Under which Administration(s) did YOU feel the safest in this Country?
________________________________________________
Bill Clinton -- with Presidential EXPERIENCE under his belt
-- and he is only one of 4 who has it --
made it CRYSTAL CLEAR last night
that Barack Obama is READY NOW
to be Commander-in-Chief (a military term)
and
President of the United States.
Unless any of the other 3 Presidents are able to trump the prosperity
and the success of the 8 years of his -- the Clinton Administration and they not only DID NOT, but it's too late -- they (the other 3) cannot Bill Clinton stands as NUMBER ONE as the most QUALIFIED to determine WHO would be the most SUCCESSFUL person for the job.
Enough said.
(I know I'm off topic. Sorry.)
Thanks for keeping us up to date.
I cried when I heard this line. It isso true and our current leaders have lost sight of this fact!
Naleeta, it was Bill Clinton who signed the NAFTA, sending tens of thousands of American jobs out of the country. He had promised the UAW that he would never sign it. Despite that betrayal and the subsequent decline of our economy, the UAW helped him get re-elected. Perhaps we do, indeed, get the leadership we deserve and Hillary is correct in thinking that voters are simple minded fools.
Hope the CONS don't come out tonight
(unless they have some intelligent comments to add). "
Hey Neil, I have some news for you. Judging by the last post, when intelligent points are made, Cheri deletes them.
You lefties are really afraid of the truth, aren't you?
Enjoy your delusional love fest!
It's time for a BIG change...and Obama will bring it on with the help of a REAL Democratic majority in the Congress. The days of catering to the few are over....the people WILL take back the government and this country will be a place where ALL can achieve a good life, not just the privaleged few.
Speak for yourself. Sorry to hear you can't do this on your own.
The only change Obama will bring us is government health care and higher taxes. I'm paying way to much as it is so I won't be voting for the guy who wants to reach into my pocket and mess up the health care system. He sure is dreamy though.
I did, however, find a TV on which to watch Obama's acceptance speech last night... it was very inspiring.
I can only hope this election does not turn into the same type of questionable debacle of the last two with flawed voting machines and the Vote Caging that Ron W. refers to.
It saddens me to see this Nation, so full of promise with it's brand of Democracy being diverted from it's course by vote rigging and the disenfranchisement of it's less wealthy voters.
If it were up to me either Romney or Newt would be the candidate, so no need to go on about McCain.
Gather Broadcasting: Have it your way
This takes you in the back door. If you’ve already been, don’t click again.
I gave the camera to my youngest so I could be in some of the family photos, and this is what I ended up with.
Click on my latest icon and let me know if you think it is the best yet.
Where on earth did you get that about the Clintons talking to God? You need to quit buying the Daily Globe!
A woman VP candidate is not history making any more. Unless I"m mistaken, Mondale and Ferraro were the ones who created that bit of history.
I am sure you know
that the CONS love to rewrite history.
Look at Shrub trying to give credit to McSame
for the new G.I. Bill which McSame
blocked for a long time.
UNless they actually did something of merit,
they will attempt to rewrite history to make it appear that way.
Sadly many CONS swallo the party line rewrites hook line and stinker.
I pay more than my fair share.... maybe its time you moonbats looking for handouts from the gov stepped up to the plate.
It's history in the making. When McCain beats Obama history will forever remember Palin as the first female VP.
Do hold your breath, I implore you! But that bit of history has yet to be made! And when any side starts assuming a win by their candidate, they are often surprised and disappointed. I'll admit, there may be enough bigots out there to assure McCain of victory, but I have some faith in the American electorate to not allow that to occur!
Oh... and I did forget the race card. Of couse, if you don't vote for Obama, you are a bigot. Thank you for the laugh.
So much for any bump Obama was expecting. Historically, the democrats have enjoyed huge leads in national polling after their convention. If I were a democrat, I'd be pretty nervous about this race. Clearly, it's no slam-dunk for Obama.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden received five student draft deferments during the Vietnam War, the same number of deferments received by Vice President Dick Cheney, and later was disqualified from service because of asthma as a teenager.
In Biden's "Promises to Keep," a memoir that was published last year and became an instant best-seller after he was tapped as Obama's running mate, Biden never mentions his asthma, recounting an active childhood, work as a lifeguard and football exploits in high school.
Nope, if you don't vote for Obama it could well be because you are a Republican. I would not class everyone who doesn't vote for Obama as racist. That is simplistic thinking and would befit many of the opposite persuasion to me. But there are people out there who won't vote for a black man till hell freezes over! I've talked to some of them. And you know that to be fact as well. BTW, polls depend on the ones you choose to look at. What I've seen has given Obama a substantial boost but I'm sure you've seen different and that is to be expected! Those after convention boosts are really fickle and not too meaningful. Votes that change that easily cannot be counted prematurely.
If you wish to class me as MCP, so be it. I really don't sweat that one at all! Be my guest!
And as far as it being a slam/dunk for Obama, I've said all along that was not the case. It never was. McCain is the best pulling Republican available to the party for one thing. There is the anti black factor for another. And there is the Karl Rove brigade for a third! Those make it very tough! When interviewed after the convention Obama stated that he had never considered it to be a slam/dunk at any time. But the fact that it is even a race and he is in it is a historical event of significant magnitude! When I was in high school, he couldn't have drank from the same fountain as I, or gone to the same schools. His candidacy is close to a miracle.
And maybe he has another one available, if needed. However, I think he will do the general campaign the same as the primary, hard work, getting the message out, inspiring voters who have become disillusioned and pulling a lot of independent votes. Only time will tell!
Apparently Biden, who was 4F for the service, is not a whiner to complain about his asthma! Your point here is.....? At least Biden has not shot someone in the face and waited 18 hours to report it! Since we are comparing vice presidents. More important, Biden is not a founder of the PNAC!