18 million cracks in that highest, hardest glass ceiling
Yesterday Sen. Hillary Clinton announced the suspension of her campaign and her support for Sen. Barack Obama.
It was the best speech of Hillary's political career. There were so many great parts in that speech. I liked what she said when she spoke about women -- which was the centerpiece of that marvelous speech -- what she said about the glass ceiling -- "Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it."
Guess what? That 18 million is not all women, there are plenty of men...a representation of the heart of America.
So Hillary did what she needed to do yesterday and then some. No reservations...just complete commitment.
A splendid speech, certainly the best political speech she's ever given -- not counting China's "Women's rights are human rights" speech.
If Barack Obama’s victory speech was graceful and chivalrous, Hillary Clinton’s was gracious and eloquent...as she proved without a doubt that she will fight, fight, fight to get Barack Obama elected in November.
(I wonder if things could have turned out differently if the "fighting Hillary" of the last few months had shown up on day one instead of "inevitable Hillary")
If Obama’s words were seen as inspiring and forgiving, Clinton’s revealed the deeply emotional and sensitive side of her personality. Her detractors said she would fight for the nomination all the way to the August convention. But they were wrong, Hillary showed that she was capable of leaving the past behind.
She said, “We may have started on separate journeys, but today our paths have merged. And we’re all heading toward the same destination, united and more ready than ever to win in November and to turn our country around, because so much is at stake.
“…During those 40 years, our country has voted 10 times for president. Democrats won only three of those times…We cannot let this moment slip away. We have come too far and accomplished too much…And that together we will work… That’s why we need to help elect Barack Obama our president...."
Hillary firmly voiced her support for Obama about 10 times during her speech. She also covered issues such as the economy, the war, foreign policy, education, health care, veterans, women's rights, civil rights, gay rights....
The crowd repeatedly interrupted her with wild applause -- which is partly why the speech took about 30 minutes to be delivered.
Even ol' rightie Pat Buchanan said that Hillary's speech should be a model for all future concession speeches. He pointed out that Reagan and Kennedy did not give this kind of speech, they were defiant to the end.
The pressure that was put on this woman has been enormous. They wouldn't have bashed her so personally if she had been a man ...gah, those vile nut-crackers! John Stewart's Daily Show did a skit showing all the media disrespect...it's mind-boggling to see it, one clip after another showing how the media treated Hillary Clinton "like a Hooter's waitress."
But her courage and her ability to bend but not break is unbelievable and awe-inspiring.
So...she is now a liberated politician, free to move and lead in a way that she was never free to before. The constraints are gone, forever...she can do anything she wants -- in terms of her star power. She’s eclipsed even her own husband now... that’s important. My respect for her increased after this speech.
She opened the doors for all females to run for the highest office in the land. And actually, before we all forget, the Democratic Party itself -- for all of its flaws -- is this party who has put forth a woman, an African American, and in Richardson, a Latino. I am a Democrat mostly because I admire their "big tent"...that they truly try to represent ALL of we the people.
For those who have considered jumping ship for McCain and the Republican Party, consider this -- they put forth a band of candidates who were all white males. They would never have made such a risk.
I end with Hillary Clinton’s fervent wish -- “Now, when I started this race, I intended to win back the White House and make sure we have a president who puts our country back on the path to peace, prosperity and progress. 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…”
Hear hear!
This is going to be one wild bumpy ride! Everyone fasten your seat belts!
