I have never been prouder of the Democratic Party! Last night, Democrats gave Barack Obama more than enough delegates to make him the presumptive nominee of the party for president. He needed to have 2118 delegates, but finished the night with more than 2150 delegates (and will probably get a few more in the next couple of days). For the first time in the history of this country, a major political party has nominated a black man to be its standard-bearer and presidential nominee.
In his speech last night, Obama acknowledged his victory humbly and without much fanfare. Then he graciously spoke about his opponent, Hillary Clinton. He said, "Senator Hillary Clinton has made history in this campaign not just because she's a woman who has done what no woman has done before, but because she's a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight."
On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed in the speech made by Hillary Clinton. She did congratulate Obama on "the race he has run", but she did not even mention his victory. She also did not concede her defeat. Instead, she said it had been a long campaign and she would make no decision yet.
I don't understand. What decision is there to be made? She has lost. It's over. Surely she's not going to continue to try and hurt the party's nominee. Is she trying to decide whether she's a good enough Democrat to support and campaign for Obama?
Maybe she's going to try and force her way on to the ticket. I hope that's not it. That decision should belong to Barack Obama and no one else. If he chooses her, that's fine with me. If he doesn't, that's OK too. It is his choice alone.
Congrats to the Obama team and on to November. Hillary's speech came across very negative to me, and she doesn't look like she wants to be a team player. Time for the party leaders to intervene I think.
ReplyDeleteI hope Obama doesn't put Hillary on the ticket - it would be such a buzzkill, and a huge tactical error in my opinion. It would make him look weak, for one thing, if it were perceived that he was forced to ask her to be his running mate. He'd also have to deal with Bill and his baggage in addition to Hillary and hers. Plus, her remarks about McCain being more qualified to serve as CIC than him would be played over and over again in 527 commercials. And I don't think she really brings anything to the plate that would justify putting her on the ballot. If it comes down to electoral considerations, some of the polling I've seen from Survey USA suggests that he'd be better off tapping Edwards, if he's interested. Otherwise, he should go with someone who's a better match for his philosophy.
ReplyDeleteObama's mistake is in thinking that we (Hillary's supporters) need him more than he needs us. He hardly reached out to us and his faint praise of Hillary rang shallow. Once again, I hope he doesn't ask her to be on the ticket and if he does, I hope she refuses. Apparently he feels that we have no choice but to support him wrong. Hillary did the right thing in conceding nothing- I hope she doesn't until Denver. That is the night we will have a nominee. Talk about ending the primary season with a thud, losing two of the last three primaries is hardly momentum. BTW, your "I have never been prouder of the Democratic Party" sounds a lot like Michelle's "for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my Country". Hmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteI would be proud to sound like Michelle Obama anytime and anywhere. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOK. I am being completely serious here. I've worked long and hard to learn to trust my "gut" instinct. As we all know, gut instinct is what it is.
ReplyDeletePlease, someone, help me out here. My "gut" is not sold on Obama yet.
Why?
Jami-
ReplyDeleteMy "gut" is saying just the opposite. I'm around twice your age and I've been a cynic for a long time. Obama is the first candidate in years that has broken through that cynicism and made me feel that maybe there is hope for a better America.
We're down to two candidates now, and we know what McCain is. I give him credit for being a war hero, but that was a long time ago.
In the last few years, he has shown incredibly poor judgement. He has pushed the war harder than anyone but Bush, and yet he votes against education benefits for veterans.
He said he's against torture, but votes to allow water-boarding and other torture techniques.
He says he can fix the economy, but all he proposes is extending the Bush tax cuts for the rich.
You may have doubts about Obama because he is fairly new on the national scene, but could he be worse than Bush-McCain?
It has become obvious that a vote for McCain would be a vote to continue the policies of the last eight years. Can America afford to do that?
I am voting for hope and change. I hope you can do the same.