BlogHer - Live-Blogging Hillary Clinton's Speech with Fellow Bloggers! - Comments

Thank you to everyone!

PunditMom — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:09:30 -0500

WOW! This was amazing! I can't believe how many people got involved in this live blog. Diverse and thoughtful views on the candidate and the speech. THIS is why I wish more women would write about politics more often!

PunditMom, Politics & News Contributing Editor

Great idea BarbD

Elisa Camahort — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:27:01 -0500

CSPAN, or another option: Use my trusty Tivo to simply skip every pundit from beginning to end. Should cut the show down to about 45 minutes of great speeches :)

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Commentary getting to you?

BarbD — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:24:01 -0500

Watch C-Span. I tuned into PBS Monday night, and while I expect it was less inflammatory than other outlets, I still found myself getting irritated with the instant analysis, delivered while I was still fresh with emotion from the stirring words I'd just heard. After Hillary's speech, I gave David Brookes a one-word epithet and turned him off in mid-sentence ;-)

On C-Span, it's just the speakers -- no voiceover. And I'm getting to see things I probably wouldn't otherwise because of the talking heads. Like the rocking number from Melissa Etheridge, and speakers who aren't deemed sufficiently interesting for prime time.

I found many of my own views in your words, Elisa. And I'm realizing anew -- as tuning into C-Span shows -- that, like Dorothy in Oz, I have the power to tune out the noise that distracts me from what really matters in this election.

I can't stop the press from turning this into a slugfest in their chase for viewers/readers, but I can refuse to participate.

You talking to me?

Elisa Camahort — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:42:29 -0500

Because as I said: "I may vehemently disagree with anyone who would vote McCain/stay home over voting for Obama, but honestly where are the stats that they're doing so for irrational, emotional reasons over rational, policy reasons?"

I'm voting for Obama and never said otherwise.

In the end, I just *refuse to disrespect* a woman's right to vote how she pleases. Your bafflement (and mine) does not make it baffling to the voter in question.

Elisa Camahort Page
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Please...

cholmaneee — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:36:00 -0500

I do not for the life of me understand why someone who says she is a Democrat will willingly vote to allow the Republicans to stay in the White House yet another term. When you elect a president, you don't just elect one person (Obama or McCain) - you elect a whole team of advisors, cabinet members, experts, ambassadors, and, most importantly, Supreme Court Justices. You elect a party platform. And to turn away from the Democratic Party and vote for McCain for the reasons that Hillary supporters have given, is to repudiate all that Hillary herself stands for. How can you even consider betraying her that way? It in no way shows support for Hillary (to vote for McCain). If you truly are making this choice unemotionally, what rational or policy decisions are there that give you cause to vote for McCain? I'm truly baffled.

Thank you Elisa

Denise — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:27:50 -0500

Agree completely. Thank you.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Have to say it...

Elisa Camahort — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:19:31 -0500

I watched the speech last night. The commentary leading up to it and afterwards has really been aggravating me:

1. I am appalled at this sweeping characterization of former Clinton supporters who are unsure whether they'll vote for Clinton as "angry, emotional women who are disappointed." Way to buy into every sexist message there is. I may vehemently disagree with anyone who would vote McCain/stay home over voting for Obama, but honestly where are the stats that they're doing so for irrational, emotional reasons over rational, policy reasons? And oh, BTW: Clinton had millions of male supporters. Are they angry and emotional too? Feh.

2. Meanwhile, as a grown adult woman: I don't actually need Hillary to tell me who to vote for at all. The minute she withdrew i was capable of making my own choice, based on my own opinions. Patronizing much? I can't stand this assumption that Hillary has to do jack to "mother bear" her supporters into line. OK, maybe some small group...again, let's see the real numbers. Who are the sheep waiting to be led vs. rational grown-ups looking for the reasons.

3. When has someone who was so very nearly a winner asked to abase themselves so thoroughly before the winner? John McCain wasn't in 2000. Dean wasn't in 2004. And they weren't nearly as close to winning the nom. This is the way we make her pay for coming so close: make her responsible. Endlessly debate whether she did "enough." Hey, I have a novel idea: How about Obama actually just win the thing because he rocks?

4. Finally, if Hillary is going to be made responsible for the actions of her supporters...all 18 million of them...how about we have the same standard for Obama. I started out enthusiastic about BOTH candidates and the disrespectful language and behavior of some of the most ardent Obama supporters totally turned me off...hey, I know it's not him, but these PUMA folks are not her either. I say they both stop being held responsible for anything but their own words, actions and policies, and we all just move on.

I actually did watch her during the primary season and don't feel I saw something surprising or new from her last night. We have been sold a story, or mythology really, by the media on all sides. I wasn't a rabid Hillary fan when this all started, but I can tell you what I am now: Someone who doesn't want to hear one more pundit pundificate. (Can i coin that term?)

Elisa Camahort Page
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The first thing I said to my sister...

Jory Des Jardins — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:49:36 -0500

...who is a gender historian, when Hillary wrapped up, was "why didn't we see this sooner?" Of couse we can all say "she's so much more effective now". I wasn't paying quite as much attention when she was campaigning everywhere, nor did I hear most f her other earlier speeches. Still, she was particularly strong AND candid.

Jory Des Jardins writes on business and career topics at BlogHer, and on her personal blog Pause

Knew it

mama2bna — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:44:13 -0500

I knew she had it in her and her speech last night gave me the strength to do what I've been unable to do; get behind Obama.

And, yes, here's hoping for '16.

Amanda

http://lifewithbriar.blogspot.com

http://toddlywinks.blogspot.com

Great point at the end, Suzanne.

lauriewrites — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:41:30 -0500

There as an outstanding show of female leadership on that stage and there has been the same threaded throughout this event.

Something else will shift and doors will open for other women and capable men (at least I hope so. As much predicting as the media and everyone else loves to do about who will be what, and when and how, life can surprise - sometimes in good ways. (I need to learn more about Jennifer Granholm from Michigan, for one.)

Laurie

Thank you and I totally get it

Jill Miller Zimon — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:45:29 -0500

Thanks for taking the time to respond KayKay -I apologize sincerely for my maybe not as gracious as I try to be/wanna be questioning.

I've written a few times that I am sure that there are significant batches of voters who, like you, were attracted to Clinton's less liberal, less left leanings and that Obama simply is too far too the left among other things for you to really go for him and that on the other side of Hillary, for you, is McCain. I can definitely see that, from a political ideology perspective.

I agree with Suzanne that there are many similarities between Clinton and Obama but for sure, their presentatio, by themselves and the media and of coure McCain's campaign seem to make them out to be so different.

I hope you will continue to listen to Obama and see if you don't feel that, but if not, it does sounds as though you've been thinking - which is not something all of us do all the time when it comes to choosing candidates. :)

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Hillary more capable

kaykay — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:41:00 -0500

Hillary Clinton, in my opinion would have actually been able to carry out some of her proposals.

Obama does not equal Clinton. No Way, No How.

Love your analysis

Jill Miller Zimon — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:38:40 -0500

Esp. the last graph Suzanne - right on.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Same platform, same policy proposals

Suzanne Reisman — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:24:52 -0500

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have/had the same policy platform and proposals.

Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants

Republican who would have voted for Hillary

kaykay — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:09:06 -0500

Hi Jill. No, I'm not a vengeful person. I'm not even a Democrat. I'm a Republican who saw something in Hillary Clinton that would have had me cross over and vote Democrat for this election. I am the mother of a special needs child with exasperating medical bills and Hillary represented hope/help for me and my family. That's just one thing I saw in her.

I don't like Obama and what he stands for. I can't get past Jeremiah Wright. As a gun toting conservative Christian, I can't in good conscience vote for someone who has sat under such venomous teachings for 20 years.

I personally like John McCain and don't see him as another George Bush (please forgive me for that one but the only other alternative was Quack Gore)So yes, my vote will most likely go to John McCain this year.

It's really quite a shame that the Democrats weren't thinking when they gave the nomination to Obama. They could have waltzed right into the White House this year with the help of people like myself, but it's not going to happen now.

Live-Blogging Hillary Clinton's Speech with Fellow Bloggers!

PunditMom — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:05:40 -0500

I had planned on being at the Democratic National Convention this week with my fellow MOMocrats and the lovely Queen of Spain. But as I'm sure many of you can relate to, some family issues prevented me from making the trip.

But as you also can probably guess, that doesn't mean PunditMom isn't going to be covering the convention!

So, tonight, I will be hosting a liveblogging event at my home to cover Hillary Clinton's DNC speech! You won't just be getting my thoughts, though. My friends and fellow bloggers Cynthia, Nicole, Nancy, Jessica, KC and Jodi will also be providing their thoughts about her historic speech.

Another special guest expert will be weighing in, as well!

So, hang out here to get the updates on Hillary's speech! You KNOW there are going to be some good insights from this crowd!

Contributing Editor Joanne Bamberger blogs here and at her place as PunditMom. You can also find her political musings at MOMocrats, The Huffington Post and this week, as a special convention contributor at the Women's Campaign Forum blog.