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Death Cab at the DNC: Hillary’s Speech and the Real Trick She Pulled Today

8/27/08, 7:25 pm EST

Photo: Platt/ Getty

On the stereo: “Gamma Ray,” Beck

Last night’s speech from Senator Clinton was very good. It felt competent and sincere; it was well delivered; the move to distribute white “Hillary” signs to the floor, the text in her handwriting, was brilliant. It was about 85 percent of what I’d hoped for.

My mother and I have been texting back and forth this whole week, all about the convention; about what I see versus what CNN or MSNBC are covering, or C-Span, when she gets fed up with the punditry. It’s a funny thing — like, I’m wanting to know what’s going on in “the real world,” like what’s happening in the media, how our message from Denver is getting delivered (or hijacked, as is so often the case). And she, of course, wants to know what’s happening here, in “the real world.” But this isn’t the real world: We don’t control the message. That’s Rupert Murdoch’s job, unfortunately.

So I was sad to receive the following text from her last night, after my glowing text to her about Hillary’s speech: “Not blown away.”

How? What did the Senator miss? What failed to translate, in the media assessment of the night? Granted, Hillary Clinton had the toughest job of the week: To convince the electorate at large that she is fully, completely behind Barack Obama, and to demand (without demanding, of course) that even her most militant supporters follow her lead and cast their votes for him. And she did that, I thought.

I missed the floor vote today, as our performance at the SEIU rally went a little long, and there were lots of nice folks to talk with (holy fuck, Chuck D introduced us!!). But as soon as I got in my shitty rental car to head for the Pepsi Center, the report came in that Senator Clinton had come to the floor with the New York delegation to stop the procedural vote, and motioned that all remaining votes be cast unanimously for Senator Obama to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

It doesn’t sound like much to read it, but even on the radio as a little soundbite, a little quote framed by Robert Seigel (who can make anything sound as though it’s happening in a cozy suburban coffee shop), it was… Awesome. I don’t quite know how else to put it. It was beautiful, big and bold, and exactly the coda her accomplished but somehow not transformative speech, and even in a car listening to the radio, I got a little watery. I called my mom, and she got a little watery too, because Hillary Clinton pulled off the hardest trick she’ll ever have to pull, with grace and dignity. And because Barack Obama is gonna be our next president, and that’s awesome shit.


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Comments

dl | 9/2/2008, 4:10 am EST

CL Nagy, Obama agrees with Hilary about more than 95% of issues. McCain agrees with Hil much less. look at the woman he picked for VP. nothing like Hil. i was for Hilary too but to continue her legacy and on the issues i will support Obama.

sam | 8/31/2008, 3:04 pm EST

I feel the same way, CL. She is so accomplished, so ready, so perfect for President that everyone else - including the two guys left running - pales in comparison :(

Darrenlobo | 8/28/2008, 3:54 pm EST

There’s no choice in this election. We all know that McBama will win. As Bill Clinton’s mentor said:

“The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps, of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers. Instead, the two parties should be almost identical, so that the American people can throw the rascals out at any election without leading to any profound or extensive shifts in policy. Then it should be possible to replace it, every four years if necessary, by the other party, which will be none of these things but will still pursue, with new vigor, approximately the same basic policies.”

–Carroll Quigley

Be Sensible | 8/28/2008, 12:54 pm EST

It’s really not a hard decision who to vote for. You could go with a third party candidate and essentially just “vote for fun” or you could vote for one of the big two. From what I’ve seen over the past few years, McCain is a go-along guy, he’ll go-along with whatever the powers-that-be tell him. I was a Hillary supporter and I thought this article was right, she’s brilliant, but Obama’s our man. It’s the only way things are going to change around here.

Music Guy | 8/28/2008, 12:44 pm EST

Barr could be incredible, but it ain’t gonna happen. This is a two party system unfortunately. It’s Obama or McCain, which is a lose lose. There hasn’t been a less interesting election in decades. I’m not gonna check back in so there’s no reason to stab me when I turn my back. Just stating my opinion.

Jungleland | 8/28/2008, 11:02 am EST

There is another Choice…Bob Barr. He will get us out of Iraq, lower taxes, keep States Rights, kill the patriot act, end this stupid drug war

Christian | 8/28/2008, 9:30 am EST

“I wish there was more of a choice” Hmmmm. What more choice do you want? Someone who fully agrees with your beliefs? Or is it just someone who’s not in it for power? Keep this in mind: NO politician has EVER run for office because they’re modest, wonderful, self-sacrificing saints. They run for POWER. That doesn’t mean I hate all politicians. After all, they are running in the hope of gaining power to change the conditions of society to meet the needs of their supporters. I am not in love with Obama or McCain, but the last thing I am about to suggest is that they don’t care about the citizens. The choice before us is clear, and if a little research is done by citizens to actually find out what the candidates believe in (fully available at barackobama.com or johnmccain.com), then we can all take responsibility for our decision and make a choice that is informed. “Upset stomach”? “Shrill, transparently power hungry”? “I’m really debating which way to go”? Do some research folks, and make up your minds somehow. This election may turn out to be the most important of this generation. Stop nagging on past dissapointments and pointless comments about personality and get involved! We need you, regardless of who you vote for!

Denton | 8/28/2008, 8:18 am EST

Both of them give me an upset stomach. Obama is parading around like the Second Coming with an ego as big as the Pepsi Center itself, and Hillary is the most shrill, transparently power hungry, and desperate person to ever run for President.

I wish there was more of a choice.

CL Nagy | 8/28/2008, 6:33 am EST

Hilary was amazing. I truly wish she would have gotten the nomination. I can’t help but get an upset stomach when I see Obama. I’ve been a Democrate all my voting life, but now I’m really debating which way I want to go.

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