MyDD :: Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech

Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech

by JJE, Wed May 21, 2008 at 12:58:57 AM EST

Barack Obama made special time in his speech in Iowa today to praise Hillary Clinton and her accomplishments.

The road here has been long, and that is partly because we've traveled it with one of the most formidable candidates to ever run for this office. In her thirty-five years of public service, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has never given up on her fight for the American people, and tonight I congratulate her on her victory in Kentucky. We have had our disagreements during this campaign, but we all admire her courage, her commitment and her perseverance. No matter how this primary ends, Senator Clinton has shattered myths and broken barriers and changed the America in which my daughters and yours will come of age.

Hillary Clinton is a great American and a great Democrat, deserving of all the support she has received and more. This campaign has reminded us at times that gender and racial divisions that we would like to pretend are dusty relics of the past stubbornly insist themselves back into the light. It is all the more poignant, then, that the Democratic party, the party that has been the best hope for those who America has heretofore denied a fair shot at truly equal opportunity, must choose between two individuals who embody the hopes of women and African-Americans, who have struggled so hard and for so long to obtain what others take for granted as a birthright. Whichever candidate you favor, Hillary Clinton deserves the utmost respect for her herculean efforts in furthering the struggle to build a world in which differences are to be celebrated and embraced rather than denigrated.

Tags: Hillary Clinton, campaign, Barack Obama (all tags)

Permalink :: 43 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech (2.00 / 2)

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. Obama will win in November thanks largely, if not entirely, to the efforts of Senator Clinton. Her forcing him to fight for the nomination has brought millions of Democrats and Independents and former Republicans into our fold, built up an enormous amount of Democratic infrastructure, and will pay huge dividends in the fall.

Hooray for John McCain!

by ragekage on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:04:18 AM EST

That's true. (2.00 / 4)

And let's not forget all the campaigning she'll do for him -- she still has to convince her supporters to vote for him. It will be fantastic to see the two of them on the same side again.

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.

by sricki on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:12:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]

She may still yet be our nominee (2.00 / 2)

And she may not. I think the best way for us to win this is for both of them to get together on a ticket and kick the __ out of McCain. I think we need a joint ticket to get everyone together. Speaking for myself (and lots of others that I have talked to), BHO (should he get the nomination) will get A LOT more of my time, my money, and my support if HRC is on the ticket with him. You guys need us HRC supporters to come out STRONG for this election. Having them run together is the best way to do this. It would still sting if HRC does not get the nom-- but it will sting a lot less if she is the VP nom.

Unity Ticket: The best damn way to kick John McCain's Ass in November!

by aurelius on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:15:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She may still yet be our nominee (2.00 / 2)

For the most part, I agree with you, but there's a big "what if?"...as in, what if she doesn't want the gig?

No way. No how. No McCain.

by freedom78 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:17:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

If she doesn't want it (2.00 / 2)

I believe it should be hers to turn down--and if she does turn it down, I think she will be our Liberal Lioness of the Senate. But she has more than earned the right to the second slot on the ticket if she is not the nominee (as has Barack should the situation be reversed). I think it will be really hard to get everyone together if the two of them (HRC and BHO) do not get it together and get on a ticket. JC himself couldn't beat them if they run together.

Unity Ticket: The best damn way to kick John McCain's Ass in November!

by aurelius on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:22:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If she doesn't want it (none / 0)

Here's the thing: If he offers it to her and she turns it down, you'll never know. Neither candidate would have any reason to reveal that information; it would make both of them look bad.

Join the Matthew 25 Network and help Democrats win the next generation of evangelicals.

by mistersite on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:29:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If she doesn't want it (none / 0)

Here's the thing: If he offers it to her and she turns it down, you'll never know. Neither candidate would have any reason to reveal that information; it would make both of them look bad.

Join the Matthew 25 Network and help Democrats win the next generation of evangelicals.

by mistersite on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:29:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If she doesn't want it (none / 0)

I don't know how that was duped. Oops.

Join the Matthew 25 Network and help Democrats win the next generation of evangelicals.

by mistersite on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:30:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If she doesn't want it (none / 0)

I don't know, I think this is the rare situation where they would both be better of if they made it public that he offered and she declined. There are plenty of reasons to decline the VP post, she could easily make it clear that she would prefer to stay in the senate than become anyone's VP, it wouldn't need to be insulting to Obama, and it would be reassuring to a lot of voters.

Actually, he should put her in charge of his vice presidential selection team. If she wants it, she can pull a Cheney and choose herself. If she doesn't want it, she can choose whoever she thinks would be best. It would be hard for her supporters to feel that her pick for VP was somehow an insult or a cheap attempt at a sop.

by letterc on Wed May 21, 2008 at 03:41:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

She wouldn't decline (none / 0)

If she was asked.
No one would.

My thoughts on McCain: I have no desire to let that idiot fulfill his desire to "Bomb Iran"

by Otaku Saru on Wed May 21, 2008 at 03:49:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She wouldn't decline (none / 0)

Probably true, particularly with the modern imperial vice-presidency. Who wouldn't want to be the head of the fabled 4th independent branch of the Federal Government?

by letterc on Wed May 21, 2008 at 04:47:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She may still yet be our nominee (2.00 / 3)

If it is offered to her and she doesnt want the gig, then I will respect her decision. But if she is not offered and no proper justification given as for why not, then I will feel slighted. It is a sensitive factor for many out there and the degree of that is different for different people.

More partisan Democrats like me will end up voting for Obama anyway. But not all in this country are partisan Democrats. Not all in this party are liberals either. One can only ignore this fact at ones own peril. People who say get on with it or you must vote for the Dem nominee otherwise you can leave this party or deal with it, live only in blog life, not real life. It is true that we all should vote for the Dem nominee at the end. But at this stage, many will resist that notion. People know Hillary and Obama are politicians so they will change tune and play nice. But till people dont get the feel that their votes have been respected (via some "true" reconciliation between Hillary, Bill and Obama), they will resist the move of unity. It is a human tendency - you resist when you are pushed or forced. Expecting humans to be not humans is the dumbest thing to expect.

by Sandeep on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:34:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She may still yet be our nominee (none / 0)

I tend to imagine possibilities... and I can think of many justifications why she would not be offered the VP spot. (and many reasons it could be great to have her as VP) I'm open to the idea that it may or may not be a good thing. I hope people will be open to a variety of ways that the party could show our respect for Clinton as a star among Democrats. It's not like VP is the only place where her leadership could be critical.

McCain: because not everyone's ready to say goodbye to W yet!

by Matt Smith on Wed May 21, 2008 at 05:42:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech (none / 0)

Excellent positive diary, recced.

"I'm all for the delegate battle, and now that Obama's campaign is too, I'm all giddy. It's going to be the supers as kingmaker." J.Armstrong 01/19/08

by obscurant on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:05:10 AM EST

Re: Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech (2.00 / 2)

It was an excellent speech. Perhaps you noticed that Hillary praised Obama in hers, as well?

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.

by sricki on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:08:02 AM EST

Re: Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech (2.00 / 1)

Yes I did notice.

I commend Senator Obama and his supporters. And while we continue to go toe-to-toe for this nomination, we do see eye-to-eye when it comes to uniting our party to elect a Democratic president in the fall.

by JJE on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:18:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech (2.00 / 2)

I believe she also called him an "admirable" person.

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.

by sricki on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:20:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech (none / 0)

I don't remember that particular line and I can't find it in the transcript. Of course my memory could be faulty and the transcript could be incomplete.

by JJE on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:34:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech (none / 0)

cheers for kicking McCain's ass in Nov with a united party.

by notedgeways on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:13:15 AM EST

I can smell the sincerity (none / 0)

Good luck in November. This lifelong Democrat will write in Hillary.

by observer5 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:15:57 AM EST

Don't do that please (2.00 / 3)

You'll just be helping elect McCain--and he's a real piece of right wing garbage. Keep fighting for HRC--she may yet be our nominee. And if she isn't, fight with me for a joint ticket.

We can't let this country have another 4-8 years of republicans. I'm not telling you what to do--just asking you to think about it before taking an action that helps our enemies. Peace.

Unity Ticket: The best damn way to kick John McCain's Ass in November!

by aurelius on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:20:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I can smell the sincerity (2.00 / 1)

I'm going to buck the trend here and just tell you to do it. I am admittedly an Obama supporter, but because of his long odds I was fully prepared to back Hillary with every fiber of my being.

If you want to pout and vote against everything you presumably believe in, that's fine. I will not beg for your vote. Put the McCain sticker on your car, and I look forward to debating you in the fall.

Done.

by Pat Flatley on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:31:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I can smell the sincerity (none / 0)

It's perfectly sincere to root against the opponent during the competition, and cheer on your own team, and even get a little carried away with it... but then honor each other once the competition's over. This is exactly how Hillary would be acting if she'd won. In fact, if she somehow manages to win, all the Hillary supporters will be trying to make big shows of unity and appreciation, to soothe those of us who back Obama and win us over.

In other words - this may be personal in some ways, but in many ways it just isn't. It's how the nomination process works.

McCain: because not everyone's ready to say goodbye to W yet!

by Matt Smith on Wed May 21, 2008 at 04:14:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech (2.00 / 2)

yeah. you know some people have been so critical of her, while in the past couplle of weeks Ive heard nothing but positive things and mostly talk of party unity from her. It baffles me, Ive actually heard from the pundits that Obama mentions her more in his speeches than she mentions him. [ill look up the link] LAtely he has been changing his focus to mccain but prior to IN and NC he had been attacking her in his speeches while she barely mentions his name.

weird.

by alyssa chaos on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:23:37 AM EST

Re: Obama praises Clinton in Iowa speech (none / 0)

prior to IN and NC he had been attacking her in his speeches

Could you provide me some example of those "attacks"?

Just one or two.

TIA.

by BlueinColorado on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:03:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

He's trying. The speech was tone-deaf (2.00 / 1)

needs improvement. But it's nice to see both he and Michelle trying. That is a change and it's about time.

by catfish1 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:27:29 AM EST

Re: He's trying. The speech was tone-deaf (none / 0)

Tone deaf? How?

I thought it was one, if not the best, victory speeches he's given.

John McCain smells like mothballs.

by asherrem on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:29:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Where to start. (1.00 / 1)

That he began by saying his wife and children were nice-looking is not how to win over Hillary supporters. They are nice-looking. I'm not whining, I'm just reporting what turns people off. Women for Hillary don't want to reinforce the women-as-decorative objects meme. Not whining, just reporting.

He was speaking too loud and dropping his 'g's in that preachery cadence and he was doing it badly.

He told us to turn off the TV and video games, which I sort of agree with, but on the same day he said we can't drive our SUVs and eat so much because other countries will get mad at us. He lives in a gigantic house with a big carbon footprint.

He spoke of Hillary in a condescending tone. He was trying, it is a start. But after she spanked him in Kentucky he looked a little goofy talking of her in the past tense that way. That he used his preachery tone made this worse.

Look - he hasn't done a lot for the party or the country other than run for office. So even if Hillary were a man, many of these things would be annoying. Like a cocky kid who doesn't acknowledge he's lucky to be here and has yet to prove himself. Corey Booker is a good example of what Obama should do more, talking and paying deference to his elders.

A lot of this is Obama's age and the emphasis on his young supporters, combined with his inexperience and his increasingly many gaffes regarding history and foreign policy. He's getting a lot of facts wrong. And not because he's lying, because he's uninformed and unseasoned.

He demanded unity. He said he doesn't see divisions. I realize he's trying. But he should plea for unity. He should acknowledge others see divisions.

Luckily, few saw the speech. Even kid oakland said Obama was not on his A-game tonight.

by catfish1 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:44:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

This comment smacks of arrogance on your part (none / 0)

Obama has run a successful and unprecedented campaign. He isn't "lucky to be here" and he certainly doesn't need to "pay deference to his elders." That is a disturbing sentiment from you. As for gaffes, every candidate makes them. For instance, Hillary, a knowledgeable and competent person by all accounts, didn't know what the Pakistani elections were for. And "elder" McCain doesn't understand that Iran supports Shia militias in Iraq rather than Sunni. Gaffes happen. You need to chill out a bit.

by JJE on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:51:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I work with older people. I am not old. (none / 0)

We all need to pay deference to our elders. I am sorry that sentiment offends you.

I say this as advice as to what he needs to do to get votes. I don't say this to offend JJE whoever you are.

by catfish1 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:08:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

ok. (none / 0)

But it sounds a bit like trolling, perhaps of the concern variety, to me. But you're entitled to your opinion, catfish1, whoever you are.

by JJE on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:19:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

catfish (1.00 / 0)

has been looking to start fights here all week...let it go.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 07:40:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Site rules: do not call out commenters (none / 0)

or diarists by name.

Do not stalk diarists or commenters into other diaries.

by catfish1 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:40:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Where to start. (none / 0)

Well, I disagree with you, but I suppose that's no surprise.

I thought he gave a great, uplifting speech. He not only complimented his family, but also, I thought he was very sincere in what he said about Hillary--I honestly don't see how it was the least bit condescending.

Why is a "plea" for unity better than a "demand" for it? Unity wouldn't have been brought up in either of the candidates speeches if there wasn't an acknowledgement it existed.

As for the cocky kid stuff--that's your opinion and you certainly have a right to it. Also, I'd be very interested in Obama's "history and foreign policy gaffes."

Tv, video games, Suv's...he's not allowed to speak to any of this because of the size of his house? I really fail to see the logic in that.

John McCain smells like mothballs.

by asherrem on Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:56:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Plea vs. demand (none / 0)

He never asked for our votes. He asked us to "believe."

This goes to Democracy: as Hillary said, she is asking the voters to hire her for the top job in the country, and this campaign is a job interview.

It may not bother the converted. But those trying to get comfortable with Obama, when we already saw Bush acting like he was a dictator, a decider, little things like that are not good.

by catfish1 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:10:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Plea vs. demand (2.00 / 1)

I don't think anything Obama has done is remotely comparable to Bush.

They have both stated they would like to see a united party at the end of this primary. What is so wrong with that?

A big voting issue for me is this illegal war. It started just as my husband was exiting the Army, and I was scared to death they'd stop-loss him. I had three kids and was pregnant with my son at the time--he's now 5. My son hasn't lived a day that Bush wasn't in the White House, or a day we haven't been in Iraq.

The fact that both candidates will put an end to the war is reason enough for me to vote for either of them in November.

If you've got hang-ups, that's fine. There probably isn't a single thing I can do to convince you otherwise, though I sincerely wish I could. But if you continue to only see the negative, you're never going to warm up to him.

John McCain smells like mothballs.

by asherrem on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:23:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I know he intends to end the war (none / 0)

I'm not convinced he can manage it or pull it off.

by catfish1 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:41:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know he intends to end the war (none / 0)

Fair enough.

But if Hillary is not the nominee...our other option isn't even going to try.

John McCain smells like mothballs.

by asherrem on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:47:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Plea vs. demand (none / 0)

This goes to Democracy: as Hillary said, she is asking the voters to hire her for the top job in the country, and this campaign is a job interview.

Precisely.

We looked at her record in the Senate, saw her vote for Bush's war, some post offices renamed, and not much else.

We looked under "career goals", and saw "obliterate Iran".

We smiled, thanked her for her time, told her we had several candidates with compelling qualities and impressive skill-sets to bring to the position, and that we'd get back to her.

Then we hired Obama.

by BlueinColorado on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:06:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

How about this (2.00 / 1)

if you really are curious as to Obama's foreign policy gaffes and errors, search the Internet.

I'm going to use this time to try to get Hillary as many votes possible in the remaining states in hopes she can still get the nom.

If she doesn't, I am willing to have an open mind toward Obama. But it's no guaruntee he'll get my vote. Hurts me to say that.

by catfish1 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:12:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How about this (none / 0)

That was hard to say especially seeing that Hillary is still campaigning. I don't know if the tables were reversed if I would have the courage. I know in 2004 It took me a few weeks to get over Dean's loss and work and vote for Kerry. Your a credit to Hillary and your party. Thank you

by Destiny on Wed May 21, 2008 at 04:16:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Where to start. (none / 0)

More strange assertions you can't back up with facts and data?

As for the "deference to elders": Do you also believe Hillary Clinton used her celebrity to 'cut in line' in front of Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson?

by BlueinColorado on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:01:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

We have been asking this question (2.00 / 1)

for three months now.
What will Hillary Clinton and her supporters do if she loses the nomination?
Predicting that Obama obtains 30 of Oregon's 52 pledged delegates, he will be within 5 of making the seating of Florida and Michigan irrelevant (provided that Michigan's uncommitted are counted as Obama's), which he can do by getting 15% of the vote in PR or 40% of the vote in either SD or MT.
Hillary's remaining argument now hinges on the super delegates voting against the pledge delegate leader on that grounds that she has the popular vote. Considering that Senator Byrd endorsed Obama, Hillary's remaining argument appears to have no chance.
What will she do?
What will her supporters do?

Fight this one to the Denver convention, knowing that it won't do any good, and will divide the Party (potentially leading to a McCain victory).
Accept that Obama is the presumptive nominee, and switching to McCain (Making a McCain victory more likely).
Accept that Obama is the presumptive Democratic nominee, and do everything they can to get Obama into the White House (pretty much assuring Obama the victory).

The choice is their's.

My thoughts on McCain: I have no desire to let that idiot fulfill his desire to "Bomb Iran"

by Otaku Saru on Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:11:51 AM EST

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