Party Unity Begins: Hillary Clinton Suspends Campaign, Endorses Barack Obama
By Logan Murphy Friday Jun 06, 2008 1:45pm
After a long, grueling primary season, Senator Hillary Clinton called for party unity and vowed to support Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee. In an inspirational speech to supporters in Washington D.C., Clinton called on her supporters to rally behind Obama:
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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. [applause] Today, as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run. I endorse him and throw my full support behind him. And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.
I have served in the Senate with him for four years, I have been in this campaign with him for sixteen months. I have stood on the stage and gone toe-to-toe with him in twenty-two debates. I’ve had a front row seat to his candidacy and I have seen his strength and determination, his grace and his grit. In his own life, Barack Obama has lived the American Dream. As a community organizer and State Senate and as a United States Senator, he has dedicated himself to insuring the dream is realized and in this campaign, he has inspired so many to become involved in the democratic process, and invested in our common future. 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 insuring that Barack Obama walks through the doors of the Oval Office on January 20, 2009.
This was the speech that she needed to give. Senator Clinton showed class, courageousness, determination and a unshakable commitment to the causes she and the Democratic party believe in -- yes, there were bumps in the road over the last 16 months, but she never gave up and we commend her for sticking to her guns.
UPDATE: Heather has put up the entire speech up on YouTube: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. Full transcripts available here. MSNBC will rerun the speech in its entirety at 4:00 pm Eastern.
UPDATE II: As a further sign of unity, Hillary Clinton is showing her support for Obama on the front page of her website, and Barack Obama says Thank You to her on his homepage, and wrote this inspiring message to her and her supporters.
We must now be relentless as we move forward, to do everything we can to elect Barack Obama. Visit his campaign website and contribute what you can. If you can't donate money, please donate your time and volunteer.
Thank you Hillary!
FINALLY!!!!!
now we stomp the fuck out of mccain!!!
put on your boots people, the mosh pit is open!!!
a very graceful positive and progressive speech. hope she maintains the same mood and momentum for the campaign through to november.
McCain is toast.
Well done Senator Clinton. She showed some real class. And I'll betcha she does everything in her power to help Sen Obama win the office of the Presidency.
Can we now knock off the Hillary bashing.
[deleted - what part of unity isn't sinking in? Sitemonitor]
hillary clinton gave a very good speech in my opinion. we will need her to help with development and future of this country. she's very bright and tough....i would have liked to see her as v.p........but maybe not the best choice. i personally would put her in charge of universal healthcare......mandate or not
If Hillary is willing to give it her all when she campagins in states that she won and Obama didn't she might deserve a cabinent position.
I was impressed by her speech. I hope her supporters (The hold outs) actually listened to what she said, and get off their high horse and back Obama!
KYJurisDoctor @ 6:
With apologies to Yogi Berra, is it finally over?
i would of liked one where she told the media to go f-themselves , but still a great job.
KYJurisDoctor @ 6:
Thank you, Hillary, for your tenacity, graciousness, and class. Well done. An excellent way to begin uniting the party towards the common goal: a democrat in the White House.
[refers to deleted post. Sitemonitor]
enough already.
Agreed, time for the slander to stop. This was likely written by a Rethug anyway.
[refers to deleted post. Sitemonitor]
enough already.
Agreed, time for the slander to stop. This was likely written by a Rethug anyway.
yeah easy dawg....let's celebrate unity
[refers to deleted post. Sitemonitor]
Go back to redstate.
Scott in Chicago @ 15:
Scott in Chicago @ 15:
I think McCain just crapped his adult diaper.
Tepid, tepid, tepid. Another advertisement for herself and her campaign and grudging acknowledgement of Obama's presence. That's why we should "help" elect President Obama. What could be more condescending? And apparently she's not even conceeding. She's "suspending" her campaign.
It's about time. The American people are fatigued from this endless campaign cycle. Now let's hope that the OBama campaign faces reality, they can not do it without Hillary and Bill. I have mingled with that older women crowd that are committed Hillary devotees. They want HIllary because she has put in the time, has such a strong intellect and knows how to move the machine. Obama needs her to get this vote.
Important article on torture over at FDL
http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/06/07/cant-gitmo-dirty-the-penult...
Paula @ 20:
hahaha indeed. the 'free ride express' as it should have been known for the past few months is about to derail.
not a productive area of discussion guys. put that shit away and make hillary people feel welcome.
Paula @ 20:
you know it........it's our turn now they had their tax breaks,tax loop holes,tax break for suv,no bid contracts,ear marks,defecit,15% tax for hedge funds profit..........enough already
McCain doesn't stand a chance come November. Enough with rethuglican thugs ruining it for us all.
With Bill and Hillary on board, McDainbramage will look more and more like Bob Dull lite.
[refers to deleted post. Sitemonitor]
Yeah, cause that 8 years of peace, prosperity and progress, of declining crime, declining drug use, declining unemployment, booming American tech industries, not to mention the high regard we were held in throughout the world during the Clinton Administration was just so horrible, wasn't it?
Compared to the last 8 years of murderous crime, corruption, war profiteering, death and destruction, gutting the treasury and throwing what's left of the middle class under the bus, by all means, cast aspersions on the people who left office without a war, a surplus in the treasury and the respect of most of the world.
Have you got short-term memory problems, or is it just rectal-cranial inversion?
politis @ 21:
i guess there really is no such thing as the perfect concession speech. it must suck harshly to have to cheer for, and get others to cheer for the person whom you've invested so much time, money and enegy trying to defeat.
however with that said i cannot believe that people still manage to nitpick one line and make the speech seem disingenuous and even malicious.
i have never been a fan of hillary, and even hope that she doesnt get the VP nomination. however with that said i have never seen a concession speech as close to perfect in inspiring a party to unify as ive seen today.
Notice that at the end of this video, Clinton tells us she supports universal health care, and then says she will work until every single American is insured. That's not universal health care. That's a government mandate that we all sign on as a premium-paying customer of a private health insurance company.
mudshark hussein @ 5:
Right on !! Hillary delivered as I believed she would!!!! Waiting impatiently for President Obama's historic move into the Whitehouse and the long overdo departure of the Bushies and their cronies!!
Its time to put away childish things and confront the worst,most corrupt government in American history.
A serious pursuit to say the least,and its going to take the combined energy and passion of ALL Democrats of every stripe.Time to set up the big tent.
Now is the time to bring together all competitors from a well-faught record-breaking primary season and make room for everyone under one united camp. We share a common stance on the important issues. Together we'll set our sights on beating John Mccain and the Republican party to claim the prize of better America in November.
goodgirlroxie @ 30:
you don't know that. FYI, jumping to conclusions does not count as a cardio-workout.
rooth hussein @ 34:
How about flying off the handle? Does that count?
Still the hatred flows from my last reading. I found this very ironic tonight as I was reading about the race today. Remember all you Hillary haters who foretold that Big Brown would win and when the one filly in the race injured herself and had to be put down on the track, you all laughed and compared her to Hillary thinking it a big joke the one female in the race died at the end. Well I wonder if you still think it funny comparing your presidential race to a horse race seeing that Big Brown came in dead last today in the final race of the Triple Crown. Is this an omen still of what is to come or is it not so funny now since Hillary can't be tied into it?
bajaboy @ 359:
Yup.
I don't get why people don't understand this is a campaign. People fight. They do what they can to play up their strengths and the other person's weakness.
What is there not to get.
As campaigns go this was very civil.
They both took some swipes.
I think one reason clinton supporters are so pissed off is that hers were always reported in some kind of hysterical over blown way as hideous attacks and his were described as "a swipe."
She was always called out as the bad guy and in ways a guy woulod never be called out.
You could never get away with bullying a guy like that.
I found it astounding when Russert said one day when they had been called out by SNL on the obvious bias that it was easier to criticize a white woman than a black man.
He said it as if this was just a given, looking for confirmation.
YIKES.
And then it was never even picked up on.
Not even by media matters I don't think.
I have to look for that clip.
Sydney @ 190:
Sydney = clueless clown
Sydney @ 220:
n
The shrub got into office by way of a corrupt florida machine and a compliant SCOTUS.
In 2004, voter fraud played a huge part in his remaining in office. What part of this was the fault of black voters, disaffected or not? Would you care to provide some verifiable proof that black voters deserted the democratic party in '00 or '04? Don't think you can. And can you blame black voters for being proud and supportive of the first black candidate who ever had a chance to go all the way to the White House? Get over yourself and get to work to defeat the fascist GOP.
Sydney @ 225:
Let's have some proof that Barack Obama does not honor his mother. Let's have some proof that Barack Obama does not love and respect his mother. What's that? Oh, you can't come up with any? I thought not.
bajaboy @ 368:
What gets me about the Woods comparison is that Tiger makes a whole lotta $$$ in Asia....but not so much in Watts and Harlem.
Honor your mom all the way to the bank, Tiger.
mudshark hussein @ 361:
Yes, no mercy! LMAO!
Doug@314: Well Said!
Also, I agree that you can blame the damn media for 80 percent of this. and many progressive blogs.
I personally stopped reading Buzzflash for that very reason for awhile.Every day was nothing but Hillary bashing, either from them,or links to other bashing.C and L has been among the best and fairest. Kudos.
I LMAO at how Hill and Barack punked the media to be able to have a little time alone,to talk and process, with the help of Diane Fienstien. True James Bond1 Kudos to them!
Can you just imagine how pissed off all those Fourth Estate Vultures were,as that plane took off? TRULY FUNNY!!!
Dnurse
accountability @ 217:
Accountability,
Some people should SERIOUSLY take heed of your comments, if we are to get the 34 million plus people who voted for Barrack and Hillary to genuinely RECONCILE with one another.
"A word to the wise is quite sufficient".
As much as I am glad that she came around (after having her arm twisted by the NY delegation), I am all for party unity and the fight ahead for McCain.
However, I have one thing to say: I hope she does the right thing from her own convictions and not because others intervened. She'll have to prove herself after what she pulled in the primaries. I'll be watching very closely to see if she means what she says.
But the real test is how she behaves in Denver. If she turns her back on Obama one iota then there will be proof that she had no intention of helping him or his campaign.
I apologize. I just can't believe after all that dirty business, Hillary is all hearts and flowers after the speech today. A speech writer can write a good speech. But a speech writer cannot re-write someone's attitude.
accountability @ 329:
Glad you are OK Rogerfrom Ohio.
Hope all of your is ok too.
Yes everything is fine
I dont know if u will see this but......... you are my favorite poster in here accountability
I have read all of your posts and Im quite impressed
accountability @ 141:
Talk talk talk...speech speech speech. We have to be the most gullible people ever. Im a life long progressive and have contributed to causes both large and small but tell me what the great bill clinton did other than blow smoke up yours and many other asses. The great "liberal" gave us Nafta, gave us the "reform telecommunication act" that allowed rush limbaugh and the like access to 1000s of channels owned by ONE COMPANY. Gave us the lobbying results from Monsanto/Dow among others to not let them be exposed in serving us genetically modified foods among other damaging chemicals. Killedhundreds of thousands of Iraqi children and citizens through cruel and murderous embargos against Iraq and continually bombed them throughout the 8 years. Bombed Kosovo and allowing NATO to become a GLOBAL force which now are being used in Afghanistan. And then he great "welfare reform" while allowing corporations and more specifically the banking institutions to rape citizens with loan shark interest rates. The list goes on and on. So tell me what the great Clintons gave us? They gave us BULLSHIT just like Hillary delivered today. They are the BIG OIL AND BANKING (which are one and the same) puppets and you can read your "interesting book on the DLC" all you want but ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS so wake up and smell the continuation of the NEW WORLD ORDER.
She showed courageousness? Whatever happened to "courage"?
Winston @ 375:
Some people need some SERIOUS help!
If you are one of the those Blind Haters, then keep on HATING if that what's makes HAPPY.
The only thing I can tell you is that Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama have moved on, so get a grip.
If however, you are one of those on the other side who is trying to sow discord, it's not going to work.
Dems will be united to WIN in November.
339 ( you wanted a rebuttal , here you are ) , to sum up your list of nonsense about Obama , half of it is plain OLD BS , guilt by association , the rest equates to " Obama doesn't wear a lapel pin " , on the other hand you have ( for instance ) Mcsame Bush and 100 years more in Iraq fighting them terrorists and insurgents , translation : about 10 billion dollars a month ( and how many American lives ?)to fight and kill Iraqis who want freedom and want us the hell out of their country , then there is Hillary Clinton , "lobbyists are people too " and votes with Bush and the Repugs on the Iraq war as well she pushed for and supported NAFTA , I could go on and on about Hillary and Mcsame both . But I understand , Obama's skin color and that lapel thing is a bitch ain't it ?
nah, nah, nah, nah
nah, nah, nah, nah
hey, hey, hey good bye.
I have decided to finally prove my Progressiver-Than-Thou credentials and will vote for Nader instead of the party candidate.
Hey, it was the correct thing to do in 2000 and 2004, right?
I BECAME AN INDEPENDENT, I WISHED HILARY DID, JUST LIKE SENATOR
LIEBERMAN DID to WIN. When I had to apply for a job, I needed a resume. That states your experience? Correct? We in America needed some-one with strenght, foresight,experience, and a heart, that contains also softness, character, and believe, to show unity,and to make other world Countries, believe in the America we once were, and again stand, and work together, as a team and defeat all who oppose, Peace, and Countries Laws and Ethics. We did not, need a pied piper, that uses words in great speaches, instead of a flute, to follow and say "WE CAN DO IT", Yes we can do it, But can 'He' do it? We need Change, Sure We Do, but can "HE" lead, and is he strong and witty enough, to make and stand by his words? AGAIN, We will see!! He has not even have enough, experience to, wash the Mosh and soap from behind his ears. This is NOT the Streets, of togetherness. This is the most and only Super Power in the world. Can we afford, to forgive and try him out? We were not so fast to forgive Hilary for her little mistakes? She did nopt surround herself with, terrorrist holy fathers? Think about thgis, and I hope you folks can sleep soundly without having PTSD at a later date. GOD BLESS AMERICA. DONT Tell me to shut up. Its my right as a legal Immigrant?
Talking about pins, saw a clip once were he(Obama) does not even agknowledge the National Anthem, when it was played? Every-one listening had their hand over their heart, Obama just stood there bewildered, not even in attention? His wife acknowledge the same mistake of Not being proud of our nation, until her husband ran? He never wanted to wear an american flag lapel pin. His wife even said she was against him running for President, that she will loose her freedom, and cannot be with her friends any-more? People I can keep, talking about all that is wrong with this picture. There is not enough time or room for me to keep going? Bless all you People who were, taking, to the coming slaughter, of Obama, I HAVE A DREAM? What about us Americans?
I stand corrected, by 'coming slaughter', I did not mean with this any personally harm to Obama. People might take me wrong by saying the wrong wording. I hope and pray, you know what I am trying to say? I like the guy, not the message he is politicizing.
SEARAY @ 382:
Go ahead and vote for four more years of failed Bush policies, then. Obviously, the No Child Left Behind thing is working so well for your communications skills.
WOA! I sincerely loved the speech. I cried when I heard Obama speech and with the Hillary speech, it almost made me cry. It was so sincere and passionate that I felt Hillary Clinton this time. I believe that if Hillary would have kept this passion thru her camp the outcome would have been different. I saw another Hillary, I heard another Hillary. I couldn't believe my eyes that the person talking was the same person I and others Obama supporters, negatively talked about for the last 5 months. I do sincerely apologized to Mrs. Clinton. My most heartfelt ones to her family and I said to them: you have a great human being in your family. I hope she gets the V.P., she deserves it! If not, Secretary of State or Attorney General.
bajaboy @ 362:
The Leninists and Stalinist killed millions. You apparently wouldn't know Marx if you tripped over him which makes my point perfectly.
accountability @ 99:
You bring up a good point---that we should not overlook what was redemptive and good about her campaign. IMHO, I think the best thing she did was to galvanize support and participation among women and send the message that if you have the courage and determination---women can do anything. This is powerful stuff and I have advocated this position for a long time. Because of her efforts, I am positive that I will see a woman as President within my lifetime---an event I will be very proud to witness.
While Hillary did not run the best campaign, that does not mean she is not a quality person---she is. Too bad that she listened to fools like Mark Penn and found her voice a little too late---but she bowed out with dignity and class, acknowledging her first loyalty was to the party and to winning in November. That and the empowerment of women is what I'll remember about her campaign, she can join the ranks of Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, and many others who sacrificed much so that future generations could benefit.
Thanks again, Hillary. You did good.
SEARAY @ 382:
I bet you are pissed that Joe Mc Carthy is dead and his failed policies utterly repudiated. We don't do loyalty oaths or patriotism tests here---we work to rid our government of hacks like you that jam up our system with your phony patriotism and condescending arrogance. Neither has a place in our political dialogue. Stop listening to the toxic waste from Hannity and Limbaugh and get in the real world where real people change the world for the better.
#309 Series 100: "I appreciate your point but toast in this instance doesn’t mean his cancer, it means he’s finished, done for, unelectable, weak, another Bob Dole, etc."
I know that. I was making a joke. Referring to McCain as "toast" makes me laugh. I know it's sick, but with so little to laugh about lately, I'll take anything I can get. Cheers!
<
Even these people have souls? Unlike the writer of this comment.
I tip my hat to Senator Clinton.
Hillary, the high road looks good on you. Dont be afraid to take it from now on.
nyhmr @ 302:
foreigner @ 364:
Great goodness, people in here laughed at the filly Eight Belles been put down? Wonder what great times they must have had when Ruffian died... some people just give you the creeps.
(Besides, both fillies had Native Dancer in their pedigree.. seems no-one has learned much from it..)
However, I had a similiar feeling today when I read in Hillary's blog and found comments saying 'McCain 08'.. equally appalling.
Both Obama and Hillary have fought hard and still had the class to show grace and dignity afterwards, when they both know how important their unity is, and how badly this country needs their combined strength if they want to change anything in November.
Seems some of their supporters (on both sides) cannot live up to this chivalry.
And didn't it happen before that the Democrats where just to divided to pull together in the end? Having the Republicans quite comfortably defeating their fractured party? No-one learned from this? Oh well, just like no-one ever learned that Native Dancer supplied his offsprings with glass bones..
There's a lot on stake in November, matters much bigger than any personal ambitions or any petty whims. To quote my own angry mail at the other blog, the country is kneedeep in depth (well, up to the throat would fit it better), financially ruined for half an eternity to come, on the social status of a banana republic, feared and loathed all over the world and leaving scorched earth whereever it goes. If good people don't pull it up now it will run straight down to hell, and make no mistake - I don't think it can last another four years in this downward spiral. Not without terrible injuries.
I really wish people could simply concentrate on the big goal and leave the little whims behind.
Katharina
(who deperately tries not to remember that this is the country that voted for Bush AGAIN)
I would like to add my appeal for reconsideration of the the 5/31/08 Rules Committee DECISION ON MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA.
WITH A NEW UNBIASED CHAIRMAN SELECTED BY THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE,
ALEXIS HERMAN HAD A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BIG TIME AND SHOULD BY PARLIAMENTARY RULES HAD RECUSED HERSELF. The meetlng results should be void. Period. Ms Herman had worked as an aide for Bill Clinton and was involved in an involved "conflict of influence" lawsuit She was later exonerated.
Her animosity, however, couldn't have helped but "carry over" to the point of erring on the side of Obama in the distribution of delegates as between Obama and Clinton. This would have made a big difference in other delegate decisions as well.
The Truth Hurts @ 377:
Like the good little sheep you are, you failed to address ONE of my points about good ole boy Clinton and his cohort hillary. By all mean, be united in your ignorance and rah rah madness. This Congress and Executive branch, not to mention the great "supreme court" goes on day after day, year after year, killing and stealing from people in their own country, undermining their own citizens standard of living, snatching rights of people here and abroad with the list too long to have the stomach to mention. You say I HATE...how silly and how well trained you are just like Bill OReally. Kill the messenger to not upset this on-paper idea you live in a democratic republic. Your zealous mindset about being a "united democrat" is terrifying to thinking people everywhere.
Good. Now let's go, TOGETHER (You hear that rural Clinton supporters?), and kick some republican butt!
I wrote a note to the folks who run this blog thanking them for staying as neutral as possible during this nomination process.
Many progressive blogs made us Hillary supporters feel like we had become racist communist for supporting and sticking up for our gal.
For me, the transition to begin supporting Obama was a slice of cake. His speech the other night and Hillary's yesterday made me feel proud to be a Democrat and gave me hope that this country might get it's shit together and stop being the laughing stock of the world.
I find it hard why the reverse transition isn't easy for some Obama supporters who, even though he has won, they still find the need to hate on Hillary. Like it has become a national past time. I am not sure what the endgame is for these folks unless they want or need a public flogging.
As that great philospher, Jackie DeShannon once said,
"Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand, Put a little love in your heart".
Stupid Obama supporters. Once they start bombing Iran it will be over for him. People will see the pussy factor big time then McCain wins. Hillary would have been better suited to handle the situation. I'm still voting for her come November.
dumbfounded @ 394:
Way to go, genius. That will really show 'em.
Thank you Hillary. I hope that you will move away from your DLC roots and the way things used to be done and to become a force for progressive change in America. Here's hoping that one day those who have had serious doubts about you will cherish your efforts and accomplishments for things you will do in the days ahead.
goodgirlroxie @ 30:
if it even happens it will years to get this healthcare dilemma worked out.....if it happens it will probably be a compromise. although somewhat different my auto insurance is a mandate although where i live many uninsured so my rates are higher somehow the healthcare insurance pool needs to increase. a good start would be opening the congress health plan and bring the cost down...healthcare cost on the rise about 10% per yr. big portion of our gdp
politis @ 21:
And once again, for some individuals, nothing is good enough. If the shoe were on the other foot, Barack Obama would have recapped what he has done and what his supporters have done as well. It was important for Hillary Clinton to ensure that people understand that everything she believes in and fights for is not going out the window. In order for Clinton to convince seventeen-plus million people to vote for Barack Obama, she needs to stress that she will still be around, that their fight was not for nought, ad infinitum. Hearts were broken because of her speech, whether or not you respect that.
Great speech, a few days late by great none the less.
Great speech. Hillary is true to her word, we will unite the democratic party and beat the snot out of McStain come Nov.
This reminds me of the Hillary Clinton that I like, and have always liked. I do believe that this speech was honest, because she could afford to be honest since she isn't trying to beat Obama anymore and thus doesn't need to listen to her cynical, aggressive handlers anymore. I don't mean to remove Clinton from blame altogether; rather, I simply knew that she was always capable of much better than she offered in her campaign. This is what her campaign should have been.
Thank you, Logan, for this thread.
The speech did what needed to be done. I too think the McCain campaign had a moment of reality today. Now they know they are heading into the jaws of hell and there is no escape. The dems are coming at them full strength and McCain has no where to hide.
Next we'll probably hear that McCain has scheduled his concession speech for later today.
I tried to watch the video .. really I did ..
But Hillary's idea that her desire to help the rest of us is somehow commendable is so over the top I cannot stomach it.
Democracy is about WORKING TOGETHER.
It's not about the ELITE distributing crumbs to the rest of us.
And it's precisely this condescending attitude of hers that makes me not trust her.
.. setting aside, of course, her cheerleading for the Zionist slaughter of Lebanese a few months past ..
Bravo, Mrs. Clinton. I was both impressed and pleased by your magnanimity.
Let's make this happen.
Allright, Hillary!