Hillary rises to the occasion

Saturday June 7, was a big day at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. At the center of the great hall Hillary officially endorsed Obama and suspended her campaign.

The whole event started almost 1 hour late in true Clinton fashion. I was at home and was able to watch the whole thing from my comfy couch. As she got into the middle of the speech, I was just struck by the raw emotion moving just underneath the surface. It seemed like a very very difficult speech to give. But it was the best speech that Hillary has given throughout the campaign. I honestly believe that had she found her voice, this voice, showed her nurturing side and exposed her relentless spirit at the beginning of the campaign, she may have ended up giving a very different speech.


But Hillary reminded her supporters of the futility of the "What-ifs":"When you hear people saying or think to yourself, "If only, or, "What if," I say, please, don't go there. Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward."


She rose to the occasion and 'stepped up' to put the party first. Her most heartfelt urging to her supporters: "The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States." That was probably one of the toughest lines to deliver.
Later on she went on to say, "And that's exactly what we're going to do, by ensuring that Barack Obama walks through the doors of the Oval Office on January 20, 2009", was a direct and unequivocal statement of support.

This one speech had all the elements of greatness. It was inspiring in the midst of utter loss. It was hopeful in that democratic ideals and causes still live on. And it brought the first step of closure on a historic journey to advance the causes of race and gender in America.

Although one speech, however moving, will not heal the wounds repeatedly cut open again and again these past many months it is a start in the process of mourning, realization and hopefully reconciliation for the party. It is a daunting task no doubt. But if Democrats want to see progress in bringing the troops home earlier, progress in universal health care and a dramatic shift from the 8 years of the Bush mess, they have no choice but to make nice and make up. Otherwise......