Closing Argument for Hillary Clinton
"Folks, you are watching greatness unfold"
a quote by one of Hillary Clinton's Secret Service Men.
Over 7,500 people came to the Cox Arena on Friday, Feb 1 to hear and see Hillary Clinton speak. Many of these people (mostly students) stood in line since 6am. On Saturday, Hillary visited Cal State LA where people spent the night in line to get in to see her - there were over 10,000 people there. Same with her visit to San Jose earlier.
When I saw Hillary at San Diego State University, I must say it was one of the most electrifying experiences I've ever witnessed. And, I had just seen her 4 weeks earlier in a smaller setting at a house in Bonita. But, this was different - this was a rally - a stump speech to bring together people and listen to what I hope will be the First Woman President of the United States. Somehow, we all knew we were watching not only greatness, but history unfolding before our eyes.
Her speech touched on many things, but the main theme was to restore America, our economy and bring us back together from the mass inequities of the current Administration. To help and support the middle class and the under privileged that have fallen so far behind in recent years. Hillary talked specifically about the mortgage crisis, jobs being shipped overseas, the lack of affordable healthcare, $100 per barrel oil prices. She talked about the problems in our education system and how "No Child Left Behind" has failed us. She spoke about predatory student lenders, the problems with Immigration and it's effect on our economy, and how to make Global Warming a cause to embrace - an opportunity - along with the challenges - that can provide green collar jobs in the future. She discussed her plan in dealing with these issues.
She spoke about ending the war in Iraq and resolving the war in Afghanistan. About ensuring that our veterans are taken care of with regards to health care, and providing a health care system that is accessibility to all Americans. She was INSPIRING.
Please take a look at my 3 videos:
Hillary at SDSU, Part 1
Hillary at SDSU, Part 2
Hillary at SDSU, Part 3
I was able to capture videos of portions of her speech as well as pictures (including one of me and one of Maggie with her). Her speech was remarkable, she had the audience rallied behind her and brought us to our feet several times.
It was particularly touching to see the reactions of so many people, all ages. Three young girls (about 19) screaming, one elderly woman crying; a young African American guy and his mother holding their Books "It Takes A Village" and jumping up and down with delight when she came over and signed it. (She signed my book too). It was electrifying and, for a moment, I think we all felt like we were part of a Movement or a Wave of Change that you can feel happening in this exciting election.
My Closing Arguments are 3 Simple Things:
#1. Hillary is Democrat. Not a pseudo-democrat, not an Independent - but a Democrat running on the full array of democratic values. First and foremost - she is the ONLY Presidential candidate left in the race who is offering full Universal Health Care for All Americans.
If that's important to you, then she's your girl. If not - than be prepared to have health care whittled away. Because Barak Obama's plan doesn't cover everyone and he will go to the table with a half-baked plan which will be negotiated and whittled down from there. Hillary will go to the bargaining table with a full, comprehensive, Universal plan that covers everyone and it too will be bargained down from there, but at least she begins with the most progressive healthcare plan there is. And, let's face it, she's a "fighter" - I think she'll take it to the mat and go as far as she can.
When I say Hillary is a real democrat, I'm not talking about being unable or unwilling to work with Independents and Republicans - there are many bills she has co-sponsored and worked with Republicans on, including a Children's Health care bill. She will reach across the aisle to find common ground and work from there. She already has. But here's the difference. Barak Obama, in his effort to unify with Republicans and Independents will sacrifice or negotiate-away basic principals. This is on Social Security issues, healthcare, Education, etc. An example of him already doing this is his support of the Bush Energy Bill which gave hundreds of billions of dollars in tax subsidies to oil companies. Hillary voted against it, he voted for it. This is not "change".
I simply do not believe he is a fighter of core democratic values, I know she is. That does not make her divisive, that makes her a strong leader.
His message of HOPE is inspiring, but right now - we need HELP. He simply isn't experienced enough as a 2 year Senator to do this job.
I also believe that Hillary is so well known and well liked abroad that electing her would send a great message to everyone around the world. First and foremost, that diplomacy is back and we can repair our relationships with our allies; Second - what a message it sends throughout the world that the U.S. has elected a Woman President and World Leader.
Women are sorely under represented, both in the U.S. and in the World. Women make up 54% of the vote in the U.S. yet only hold 16% of elected positions. Woman make up more than 52% of the entire world's population, yet women and children are the ones most abused on the planet. Women's wages in the U.S. are still 77 cents per dollar less than men's wages. I know that Hillary Clinton has made it her life's work to try and fight for both Women and Children's (and Human) Rights.
#2. Winning the Whitehouse & Electability. If you believe as I do that having the Democrats win the Whitehouse in '08 is one of the most important reasons for voting on Tuesday - then, in my opinion, you want to send in the strongest candidate to ensure the win. The famous lines about Hillary's electability or the Republicans can't wait for her to be the nominee are all B.S. and here's why.
The exit polls from the recent primaries show that 58%-60% of the voters believe Hillary is the most electable of the two candidates. Why? Because on a 4 to 1 margin, Democrats believe she is the most experienced and has the best grasp of the issues.
What's the biggest issue right now? The Economy. On a 2 to 1 margin, voters believe Hillary is the best candidate to deal with the economy. Why? Not only does she have the strongest economic plan - voters remember that the Eight years of the Bill Clinton Presidency were 8 of the most prosperous years in our history, providing more than 20 million new jobs. Then, like now, a Clinton came in and cleaned up the deficit to turn the economy around. Voters believe the next Clinton can do the same.
Obama is weak on substance, will be perceived weak on security if he becomes the nominee.
Why? Let's assume the Republicans elect McCain. Obama says because he was always against the war, that makes him stronger on this issue. (Actually, he wasn't always against it because in 2004 he stated in a Time Magazine article he "agreed with George Bush"). But, the fact that he was against the war, yet voted 100% identical to Hillary Clinton once he became a Senator to fully fund the war shows that he is a "flip-flopper".
Hillary will be able to state in a general election strategy that like McCain, she voted the same and supported the President, the more middle-of-the-road path - Obama's path leads down the road of "soft on terror" and therefore unable to provide security. The Iraq war produced the death of Sadam Hussein, an enemy, and installed a democracy to Iraq. McCain will argue it was the right decision at the time, but that it was mis-managed.
McCain is a war hero with about 30 years of Senate experience and serves with Hillary on the Senate Arms Services Committee. Hillary has the endorsements of major Generals that support getting out of the war. Like McCain, Hillary will have supported the same issues - but now the difference is leaving vs. staying and who does America trust and agree with to do this successfully and securely. Hillary cannot be accused of being "soft on terror".
The fact that his full name is Barack Hussein Obama means nothing to democrats and Independents - but just wait til the right wing attack machine gets hold of this and his full background with regards to some of his muslim relatives in Kenya. And, I don't mean this as a smear campaign or tactic - but with all due respect, the media has given Obama a "pass" to the general election with absolutely no research about his background. I'm not suggesting he is a muslim, he's not - but Osama Bin Laden and Sadam Hussein will be used in the general election as "fear" strategy and it doesn't help that his name sounds like Osama and middle name is Hussein and he has muslim uncles (Railia Odingo) causing havoc in the latest uprising in Kenya.
The reason he does well in the polls right now against McCain is because the right wing has yet to attack him, unlike Hillary who they have been attacking for years. The Tony Rezko problem that Obama is facing and has not dealt with effectively will also come to fruition at the end of Feb when Rezko's trial begin. Tony Rezko is indicted for money laundering and bribery charges, he purchased a house with Obama and now we have another "land deal" scandal that is currently unfolding and that the media is not reporting on - yet. You could argue, who cares? Look at Whitewater and Hillary/Bill - but that was then and this is NOW - it's happening NOW in the middle of an election.
Whether you've noticed or not, the media has been manipulating this entire primary. They have relentlessly attacked Hillary (as they always do) and given Obama a "pass". His status will quickly shatter once research and investigations start to come forth. The truth is the Republicans would rather run against him than Hillary because they know he is naive.
Obama has run and won 1 campaign: U.S. Senator of IL against a weak opponent. The Clintons (if you include Bill's 4 Arkansas runs for Governor) have run 8 campaigns with only 1 loss (Bills 2nd term as Gov of AK). They know how to win campaigns against strong opponents.
#3. A Woman or An African American Man? I admit, I'm selfish, I want to live to see the First Woman President elected to the United States. Especially when I know the woman is the right candidate whom I agree with about 98% of the time.
Either one is historic, but this is personal for me because of how hard I have worked to see this happen. If Hillary wins the nomination, then I believe there is about a 60-65% chance that Obama will be her running mate (if he wants it). But if Obama wins the nomination, there is ZERO chance that Hillary will be his running mate (imo) and here's why:
-Obama is new, young and fresh. Eight years under Hillary gives him the full experience he needs, he will be about 55 years old if
there are 2 terms.
-Hillary is now 60 - she would be 68 years old upon leaving office (assuming 8 years). Because of the Clinton legacy, she would
not accept a VP position under an Obama Presidency. He would pick someone entirely different.
So - this is Hillary's ONE SHOT. Obama will, for sure, have another shot at it.
If she doesn't win, for me - there is a sense of betrayal. Only because I believe she is more qualified and experienced than he is.
Tomorrow, Monday night, Hillary Clinton will host a National Town Hall Meeting at 6pm PST or 9pm EST. You can submit your questions and watch either on her website:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/action/townhall/
Here is a list of where the meetings will take place:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/action/townhalllocations/
Or, tune into the Hallmark Channel which will air the meeting:
http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/publish/consumer/home/schedule.html
Episode: Town Hall with Hillary Clinton Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton leads a 22 city virtual town hall meeting across America.
If you have your doubts, are still undecided - please watch this and send your questions in.
Please know - Hillary needs your support. California will decide the primary and right now Hillary and Obama are in a statistical tie.
I hope you will join me in supporting and voting for Senator Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, Feb 5th and watch history unfold as we nominate the First Woman to ever be elected President.
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Wow, it all became clear on PBS Now with Bill Moyers with that cool gal from the Annenberg School - Obama gets his juice always using "we" instead of "I". This is how he gets his rabid mob responses, mindless devotion and cult status. Just substituting a few words and offering nothing else. First he trots out a chick with his name across her breasts to catch the lonely internet boys with their candy bars and lack of sunlight. This was his first buzz.
Then he attracts the next group of young, lonely, rootless, disenfranchised, unchurched with his "yes we can" rallies that look far more Hitleresque with his grim and cynical rhetorical rants and chants than any fundamental poliical change of substance.
He proved over and over again he is weak on substance and experience and merely a product of Chicago machine politics and brutal hard-ball obliteration of opponents, again not on merits but on the politics of personal destruction at any price.
Yet because he using the black church evangelical oratorical device of the inclusive "we", instead of the more accountable "you", or the egotistical "I", he is drawing in the politically naive in droves.
He has exposed something is very wrong with America by the sheer numbers of those who are duped with so little, yet in so much need of something. Because they never look beyond their feeling of inclusion in this Obama gang, they feel their political commitment has been fulfilled.
There was such a strong sense of a cadre of stormtroopers with groupthink when Obama came to town early in his campaign and got the crowd to mindlessly chant meaningless things while he, grim faced, never cracked a smile, facetiously comforted the "fainting lady" from a non-diagnostic distance, and left a trail of lies about crowd size and a total lack of substance behind.
This is your choice Dems, but somewhere along the line more and more people are going to ask tough questions about what "we" are really going to do and it will be time to put some actions on the table.
First thing "we" could do is drive slower. If there is really going to be the "change" Obama promises, "we" will all start driving 55 mph. The change then will be obvious. But being in the middle lane driving 65 mph yesterday and passed by whizzing cars in both the fast and the slow lanes on both sides, my guess is Obama is all smoke and mirrors and the worst demogogue this country has seen since Joe McCarthy.
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