Clinton's Final Shining Moment

CBSNews.com Analysis: Former Obama Adversary Delivers On Show Of Democratic Unity

(CBS)  This analysis was written by CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

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Amid mounting complaints from some Democratic quarters about the lack of attention paid to Republican John McCain on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, party leaders flowed forth to the podium inside the Pepsi Center Tuesday determined to draw sharp distinctions between the two candidates and deliver biting criticism of their fall opponent.

Nobody delivered that message better and more effectively than New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former Barack Obama adversary who in many ways has overshadowed events at this convention. Questions about party unity were at least momentarily put aside as Clinton took one final, shining turn in campaign 2008.

"My friends, it is time to take back the country we love,” Clinton said at the very beginning of her speech. “Whether you voted for me, or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose. We are on the same team, and none of us can sit on the sidelines.”

Clinton mixed unequivocal support for Obama with a blistering critique of the record of the Bush administration, tying McCain closely to the past four years. While she stayed away from personal criticism of McCain, whom she called a “friend,” Clinton hammered away at his positions on the issues, delivering what’s sure to become a signature line from the speech. “You haven’t worked so hard over the last 18 months, or endured the last eight years, to suffer through more failed leadership. No way. No how. No McCain.”

For a politician who has been accused of staying cool to Obama’s candidacy, Clinton had delegates in the hall super-heated Tuesday night. Significantly, Clinton was greeted with an uproarious ovation from Obama and Clinton supporters alike, one that went on for several minutes.

Aside from the nominee himself, Clinton’s speech was the most widely-anticipated of the convention. After a sometimes divisive primary, one that continued to the bitter end, Obama and Clinton have struggled to show the party as a unified force. Comments made by Clinton and her husband over the course of the summer made many wonder whether the former first couple had come to grips with the primary defeat. Grumbling in the press from both sides about the healing process hasn’t helped put those concerns to rest.

In some ways, Clinton found herself in a possible no-win situation coming into her speech. Because of her long career in the political spotlight (and all the baggage that comes with it), Clinton’s motives and words are finely parsed by political journalists and observers. “What does Hillary want” is not as easy a question to answer as it might seem. No matter what she says, there’s certain to be criticism that it didn’t go far enough towards embracing Obama or didn’t send the right signal to her supporters.

But critics and pundits will have to look hard to find any hairs to split from this speech.

Clinton wasn’t the only speaker to take up the attack on McCain. It was a night focused on the economy and the long line of speakers made certain to connect the Republican candidate to an administration which has gotten historically low marks on the economy. “George Bush has put the middle class in a hole and John McCain has a plan to keep digging that hole with George Bush’s shovel,” said Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel.

In a fiery afternoon speech, Congressman Dennis Kucinich thundered, “If there was an Olympics for misleading, mismanaging and misappropriating, this administration would take the gold ... They want another four-year term to continue to alienate our allies, spend our children’s inheritance and hollow out our economy.”

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius poked fun at the number of houses McCain’s wife owns, saying, “I’m sure you remember a girl from Kansas who said there’s no place like home. Well, in John McCain’s version, there’s no place like home. And a home. And home. And home.” And New York Gov. David Paterson said of McCain simply, "if he's the answer, then the question must be ridiculous."

A similar challenge awaits the party on Wednesday night when former President Bill Clinton takes to the stage. There have been suggestions in recent days that of the two, he has been more resentful of the outcome of the primary campaign. But after the senator from New York’s performance in Denver Tuesday night, it would take a lot to undo the good she did for her party.

[tbweb]

Sen. Hillary Clinton was in rare form tonight! WOW!!

[randynason]

A stand-up job and a great delivery. Hillary did good.

[paris1969]

What were the Democrats thinking? ... this woman should be their candidate!!

[ubrew12]

Yeah, it was a good speech. I can''t believe cbs pulled out six words to summarize it: "no way, no how, no Mccain''.

Sorry, but it wasn''t about McCain. If anything, it was about Harriet Tubman.

[libra127]

Hillary showed oh so clearly in her speech tonight why SHE should be the Dem''s candidate. She sounded consummately Presidential - a great leader. Terrific job, Hillary!

[missingamerica]

lollll...and still the Republicons attempt to usurp the right of the Democrats to choose for themselves....

[irliberal]

Hillary did great, and my vote is for Obama! Because the price of another 4 years of GW Bush and republican policy is - quite simply - too high.

[pepperwood2]

Way to go Hillary! It''s all about me, wheeeeeee this is fun & I''m just warming up. Show me the money because we''re going to show Barack & Biden what we really think of them in November. Right Gang! CACKLE CACKLE CACKLE

[pmurph364-2009]

Mrs. Clinton may have saved the day and the election for the democrats . If Mr Obama wins it will be with the help of the ladies led by the stunning leadership of Mrs Clinton.
She showed what a class act she is and has been through all the trials and dirt thrown her and Bill''s way by a media that has been asleep at the helm when Bush screws up.
What an example of a strong and smart woman.
It was always obvious that Bill had someone very very good behind him.
Us males would do well to listen and be grateful for the ladies.In fact without them this planet would be hell.

[jedi080808]

What were the Democrats thinking? ... this woman should be their candidate!!


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Posted by paris1969

Please, that women is pure evil. Obama and McCain are both good men and the only advantage Obama has in my mind is he is the one who vanquished the evil souless murderous, rapist Clintons.

That you Barak Obama, after tongiht we wont have to hear from her of Bill ever again, except when Bill gets caught running around maybe

[jefflz-2009]

I was skeptical about what Hillary would say. But she said it all. It is not about her, it is about the need to end the Bush nightmare Any Clinton supporter who cannot grasp what she said in her excellent speech and get behind Obama is against all that Hillary is fighting for.

[hamiltongrad]

As a feminist College Professor ( Women and the World) I am deeply offended that Hillary was not nominated. The system did not give her a fair deal.

Historically, she was the first woman candidate EVER, and there was been no woman to be president for ANY country in the world ! so what can we expect ?

I am telling my students to vote with their hart. I am also asking for essays, as school starts detailing the reasons that Hillary was robbed, in a male dominated media/societal/ evolutionaly-construct.

[grammawhamma]

I''m a republican and Hillary impressed me tonight.

I''d like to know how many democrats are wondering tonight why their party picked the wrong candidate.

[urnot]

Posted by hamiltongrad at 02:48 AM : Aug 27, 2008
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Poor effort at deception. You are not a "feminist professor". You are just a McCain shill trying to make up a stereotype to perpetuate a myth that Fox News has brainwashed you into believing is your enemy. Your writing is not even LITERATE. LMFAO

[chuegevera]

Non one can do.
Bravo Hillary

[Ed Abelia]

Hillary rocks - best speech by any losing candidate ever for a winning party nominee. Over the next 69 days Hillary will campaign and inspire millions of females, Hispanics and moderates in both parties to elect Obama, and help increase the democratic margin in both the house and senate. Then she we tackle health care reform in the senate with full support of the new increased Democratic majority. Hillary will help lead the senate to help Obama achieve real change in Washington without republican filibusters. Just watch, history is being made and Obama and Hillary will lead it in both branches of government. McCain simply has no chance of beating Obama, with Biden and Hillary on the campaign trail, not to mention Bill. Who will help McCain on the stump, Bush? McCain better get Collin Powell or a female to be V.P. to even have a chance. McCain simply does not inspire Americans.

Republicans had their chance over the last 8 years and they blew it big time. 4 years of Bush + 4 years of Bush equals 8 years of White House incompetence with a president to failed to inspire and connect with the American public. Democrat or Republican, we are all worse off now 8 years later. Change for the better is coming in 69 days for Americans here and abroad. Finally!

[airboatboy]

I missed the speech. What was she wearing?

[gypsyman4]

What''s Hillary Clinton talking about that McCain and Bush are hard to tell apart?! As www.notwrightforamerica.com points out, the two don''t look a thing alike, and I have no trouble telling the two apart!

But here are two people who look very much alike to me: Barack Obama and Che Guevara. I guess Obama is waiting to get elected before he breaks out his Che-beret!

[irliberal]

I missed the speech. What was she wearing?

Posted by airboatboy at 03:34 AM

Orange pantsuit. She was magnificent!

[whatithink-2009]

Any TRUE Hillary Supporter who is thinking about voting for John McCain should have listened to the woman who tried to fight wage discrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court overruled her trial win 5-4. The 5 who voted in favor of BIG BUSINESS over THE LITTLE GUY are EXACTLY the type of justices that will be selected by John McCain if he is elected.

You think it is ONLY FOUR YEARS and then you will push for Hillary. 3 of 4 who sided with THE LITTLE GUY will probably retire in the next four years and McCain will be able to make a decision that will last for the next 20 to 30 YEARS!!!

The Christian Conservative nutcases have ONE GOAL. Load the U.S. Supreme Court with justices who will do their will. John McCain CAN NOT get elected without promising this to them.

If YOU truly supported Hillary Clinton, there is NO WAY you''''d EVER think about voting for John McCain.

NO WAY. NO HOW. NO MCCAIN!

DO NOT LET THEM "DIVIDE and CONQUER."

[whatithink-2009]

Any TRUE Hillary Supporter who is thinking about voting for John McCain should have listened to the woman who tried to fight wage discrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court overruled her trial win 5-4. The 5 who voted in favor of BIG BUSINESS over THE LITTLE GUY are EXACTLY the type of justices that will be selected by John McCain if he is elected.

You think it is ONLY FOUR YEARS and then you will push for Hillary. 3 of 4 who sided with THE LITTLE GUY will probably retire in the next four years and McCain will be able to make a decision that will last for the next 20 to 30 YEARS!!!

The Christian Conservative nutcases have ONE GOAL. Load the U.S. Supreme Court with justices who will do their will. John McCain CAN NOT get elected without promising this to them.

If YOU truly supported Hillary Clinton, there is NO WAY you''''d EVER think about voting for John McCain.

NO WAY. NO HOW. NO MCCAIN!

DO NOT LET THEM "DIVIDE and CONQUER."

[brianbwb-2009]

"I''''d like to know how many democrats are wondering tonight why their party picked the wrong candidate."
Posted by GrammaWhamma

Now, probably a quarter of the Clinton supporters

[drinuk]

Is''nt it amazing what a woman will do for money ! Lets face it folks, the Dems conned her after she had spent a kings ransom on the campaign trail. Now she wants the cash back and credit due, she will now get it. It was''nt pride which lit up Bill''s eyes, it was dollar signs, good ole Bill, keep the Bank Balanced !

We do get carried away with good oratory and BS in America but this speech changes little, Hilary was Ripped Off by the Dem Gnomes and those who love her should either stay away or vote for a little justice out of future interests. If they are allowed to railroad a good woman this year, what can we expect in the future - Teach ''em a Lesson !

[kaelinda]

If Hillary supporters have stopped supporting her, they''ll vote for McCain. If they still support her, not knowing for sure what position she''ll play in the Obama government, then they should continue to support her AND her candidate Obama. She''s done her part, and called you to arms: Now do your part and fight for the man she''s chosen to lead us.

[kaelinda]

It is gracious of Mrs. Clinton to understand that it was NOT the Obama camp that was slinging mud at her during the primaries - it was the media.

[skeezix06]

What a bunch of baloney, Kaelinda.

Voting for Obama simply rewards bad behavior on the part of Obama and the democratic party and invites future abuse. No thanks. Your way is no way. I''m taking the independent highway.

[closethippy1]

EVERYBODY PLEASE YOUTUBE DENNIS KUCINICH SPEECH AND LISTEN TO THIS GUY.
WHY THE F'''' IS THE MEDIA IGNORING WHAT HE HAD TO SAY?
WHY? WHY? WHY?!

[closethippy1]

EVERYBODY PLEASE YOUTUBE DENNIS KUCINICH SPEECH AND LISTEN TO THIS GUY.
WHY THE F'' IS THE MEDIA IGNORING WHAT HE HAD TO SAY?
WHY? WHY? WHY?!

[babooph]

Won''t Hilary get a post more important than VP?

[realpatriot1]

fenner,

If you want to blame someone blame Bill. He refused to release the list of contributors throughout the Primaries and during the V.P. vetting process. Hillary''s demand that she be promised the job before releasing her records made it a non-starter.

Besides, there has to be a high level of trust between the President and Vice-President who will be working together and whether supporters of Senator Clinton want to accept it or not, the type of campaign that was waged by her people made trust impossible. That''s a fact that''s becoming clear as McCain uses her soundbites in his campaign commercials as we supporters of Senator Obama accurately predicted months ago.

Actions have consequences. Senator Clinton gave a wonderful speech and has been a team player since the end of the Primaries, as she should be.

She also did much damage to the party in the way her campaign was conducted. No Democrat has ever provided the Republicans with the kind of fodder that her campaign did and she owes the party more than the party owes her in my opinion.

That said, her speech was just what we all needed and perfectly framed what''s really at stake and what we all should be focusing on and for that I''m grateful to her. I''m also grateful that she opened the door for other women and that will be her lasting legacy that no one can take away.

[ustaxpayer]

It is amazing to me how people follow these politicians that are nothing more than the puppets of the power elite who really run our country. We will always have homeless, poor and underprivileged no matter what party is in office. The problem is that the poor are growing larger in numbers as we allow our borders to be crossed. Silver tongued politicians have sold us down the river. GOOD-BY America. Just wait and see.

[realpatriot1]

USTAXPAYER,

So what should we do, stay home? Pick nobody?

Change is the buzzword this year and it means something different to different people. To me it means something incremental, change won''t come overnight and it won''t come from politicians who are perfect because they don''t exist.

The first step in bringing about any level of change is to change the playing field so that what the politicians do is more transparent and out in the open. Taking away the practices of politicians to hold
secret meetings, to withhold public records, to redact information.to end the practice of midnight pay raises and unpublished earmarks and so on is the place to start.

Obama doesn''t offer enough reform in this regard but if you listen to both candidates and read both of their websites, he offers a hell of a lot more in the way of specific proposals in that regard than McCain does.

Neither candidate is among the worst violators in Washington but both have been at least partially co-opted by the system; they wouldn''t have made it this far if they hadn''t been.

[mjvw2]

"Clinton''s Final Shining Moment"

we can only hope

[elahe-2009]

I totally agree that Obama and Hillary are much closer on the issues, and I believe that any Hillary supporter voting for McCain is in fact voting against her. They need to realize that just becuase she was not the VP pick , there are still other key roles where she could be even more effective. Secretary of State, Defense, Attorney General, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security. She would be highly effective in any of those or other cabinet positions, but would not be given that chance if her supporters vote McCain. I belive that point needs to be considered before casting their ballots in November.

[formrusmcsgt]

%u201CGeorge Bush has put the middle class in a hole and John McCain has a plan to keep digging that hole with George Bush%u2019s shovel%u201D.
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As someone once said, "Any time someone tells you that the wealthy need MORE money just so you can have a job, you''ve been had"...

[realpatriot1]

fenner,

How do you know they aren''t conferring on how to go forward? Because you believe everything you hear from the pundents?

I see a great deal of bad behavior from all politicians and most of us have seen a great deal from Senator Clinton as well as Obama & McCain.

What bad behavior on the part of Obama would cause you to vote for a man who abandoned his first wife when she was incapacitated, gets a marriage license before his divorce, calls his second wife by the C word, involuntarily enters her in a topless contest in front of thousands of drunken bikers that he calls the "Real Americans", has a Preacher who calls Catholicism a cult speak at his political rallies, tells other U.S. Senators to f off, and has a serious gambling addicton?

[rational_1]

I''m no Hillary supporter (I frankly can''t stand her) but I will give her her due - I thought the speech she gave last night was quite eloquent and appeared heartfelt. The one thing lacking in it, however, was that she didn''t give us any reasons to vote for Obama. She said she fully supported him, but not why. For example, why does she now believe he''ll be a better Commander-in-Chief than McCain, when just a few months ago she clearly did not believe that. So good speech for her, and on her personal progress and that of the women''s movement, but not at all persuasive in terms of convincing voters to back Obama.

[formrusmcsgt]

I totally agree that Obama and Hillary are much closer on the issues, and I believe that any Hillary supporter voting for McCain is in fact voting against her.

Posted by Elahe at 08:06 AM : Aug 27, 2008

No necessarily. I think the reality is that many feel that an Obama victory sits Hillary down for 8 years.

She goes again in 2012 if McCain wins.

These "Dems" would torpedo their own party....

[fstop100]

What an act, you know she was not happy and does not really support barry obama

[blkpresident]

Bravo, Mrs. Clinton. Outstanding delivery last night. I salute you ma''am. Encore!

[jmurrieta1]

Hillary certainly doesn''t want to be seen as handing this election to McCain. That would be a blot that would follow the Clinton legacy forever.

Hillary did well and deserves credit for acting like a grownup.

McCain on the other hand is still the petulant teenage boy who''s never grown up, just has grown old.

[maramara2]

Republicans have no agenda than drilling. They know we consume 33 % of the world''''s oil and own only 3 % of the world''''s reserves.
Why will they want us to drill and drill even behind McBush''''s seven houses?
Even if we do that, it will never be enough for us let alone exporting to China as proposed by McCain.
The answer is, They want us to rely on foreign tyrans because that is where the lobbyists who run McCain''''s campaign will make millions

[fsw3]

The polls are close and that''s a good thing. I believe that Obama has the edge but I like the idea that he will have to fight for the election. Every time a presidential election ends with a landslide, disaster is soon to follow. After the 84 Reagan landslide we got Iran-Contra, after the 72 Nixon landslide we got Watergate, after the 64 Johnson landslide we got the Viet Nam War. A close election is no guarantee of success either, but the one who lives in the White House ought to know that this a responsibility, not a privilege and that not everyone wants them there.

[blkpresident]

Hell, NO, Joe Biden must go!!!

Has the Obama campaign theme of change been hijacked by the Washington INSIDERS? Joe "hatchet-man/pitbull" Biden is a longterm career politician who has been a Washington INSIDER for over thirty plus years, who even voted for the Iraq War. Just say NO to Joe.

Obama-L. Douglas Wilder ''08, REAL CHANGE we can believe in.

[formrusmcsgt]

Hillary certainly doesn''''t want to be seen as handing this election to McCain. That would be a blot that would follow the Clinton legacy forever.

Posted by jmurrieta1 at 08:21 AM : Aug 27, 2008

Agreed in regards to not wanting to be "perceived" as the spoiler.

But I think she shows signs that this is just for show, doing the minimum to escape blame while subtley encouraging her followers to continue in their resentment.

This way, she escapes blame for the Dem defeat, should that occur, and she goes again in 2012.

[max0010]

The Democrats failed to acknowledge they had one of the best candidates for the Oval Office in decades. I salute you Ms. Clinton. However, the young, arrogant, inexperienced Obama will not get my vote. I think too much of America to give it away to an image that is trying to be painted for Obama. And, personally I am tired of the image being painted that the past can be thrown into the trash and America should start a new. So many gave their lives so that the Obama''s could live in their million dollar home---and Ms. Obama for the first time in her life is proud of America. Something BIG TIME WRONG HERE.

[formrusmcsgt]

The Democrats failed to acknowledge they had one of the best candidates for the Oval Office in decades.

Posted by max0010 at 08:27 AM : Aug 27, 2008

Really? I guess you were impressed with the administrative prowess she demonstrated by running her own campaign $25 million in the red....

Sheesh.

[renonv5]

It is hard to believe that the title of this article suggests that you will never hear from Hillary again. Final moment my a$$. She will be back and I, along with 18 million others, can''t wait. This entire debacle will make her stronger and more powerful than ever. You go, Hillary!!

[renonv5]

It is hard to believe that the title of this article suggests that you will never hear from Hillary again. Final moment my a$$. She will be back and I, along with 18 million others, can''t wait. This entire debacle will make her stronger and more powerful than ever. You go, Hillary!!

[missingamerica]

Ya''ll like the way the Republican/neocon posters are so contemptuous of democracy that they are STILL trying to usurp the right of the Democrats to choose for themselves?

lolll...if there was oil under Invesco Field stadium, they would have invaded by now and INSTALLED Hillary as VP.