The first words out of Hillary Clinton's mouth were, "This isn't exactly the party I planned but I sure like the company."Expressing gratitude for the individuals who poured their hopes and hearts into her campaign, Hillary recognized the mom's and dads who lifted thier girls and boys in the air and whispered to them, "you can be anything you want to be." Ironically, that's what I've been doing with the my two boys about presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama.
It's clear from this point on that a woman can be Commander-In-Chief. Just not this time.
Although not mentioning Obama by name until after six long minutes of speaking, Clinton finally started showing some grace and class in ending her 2008 presidential bid. The New York senator talked about women in their 80's and 90's, born before women could vote. This was not the women who dissed the brother who has destiny on his side. This wasn't the woman, married to former President Bill Clinton, who was engaging in race-baiting politics that resulted in the Black community denying her request for a ghetto pass, and revoking Bill's privileges for the foreseeable future.
Instead, we were privy to Hillary 2.0 today. Someone who actually seemed sincere when recalling the story of a 88-year-old woman in the hospital who made sure she received an absentee ballot for Hillary who ultimately passed away, leaving her ballot voided per state law.The women's ornery cowboy husband voted for the first time in her place, representing one of the 18 million who stood with Hillary Clinton. Even as she put a spotlight on her relentless pursuit for universal health care, she announced her intent to throw her full support behind Barack and fight for American's seemingly invisible to President George W. Bush.
Her once inevitable quest for the White House reduced to herding her constituents to follow a Black man's lead, Clinton spoke about the front lines of democracy and how it is imperative that every person receives the opportunities she has.
Wow, this historic moment is palpable! Clinton had me nodding my head when she said everyone must continue to fight and do harness their power and energy to elect the first African American to the most powerful position in the world. Hillary was unequivocal when she insisted that her girls must endorse Barack Obama.
Now don't think I didn't catch the amplified chorus of boos. But Clinton struck the right balance, asking the crowd to work on his behalf even as those in the audience was saying, "NO!!!"
"I intended to win back the White House when I started and that's what we're going to do when Barack Obama walks through the doors of the oval office."
Democrats are a family and we need to come together. Hillary pointed out that now paths have merged, and that her party must now unite to turn the country around.Having been in politics for four decades, Clinton has seen ten presidential races, three going to democratic presidents, and two of those involving Bubba. Clinton reminded her foot soldiers of all the lost opportunities because of the current Republican president. According to Clinton, "We can't let this moment slip away."
As long as America has existed, we reject "can't do" and embrace an optimistic spirit of YES WE CAN. In her own words, this is a "turning point!"
She finally said what I wanted to hear. Clinton said it loud and clear. "We need to elect Barack Obama our president!" This chorus was repeated at least 5 times, just to ensure that the message was not lost or watered down.
Then she got on her female "I am woman, hear me roar" soapbox. It was no longer unremarkable that woman can win states, organize an effective campaign and win a previously white-male only dominated profession. The point that was driven home was crystal clear: No More Prejudice!.
Clinton challenged the troops to keep their faith, get right back up and never listen to anyone that says you can't or shouldn't go on. This was obviously designed to brand her the undisputed leader of women, white women anyway, in this country. Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi probably didn't get the memo.
"Someday, we will launch a woman into the White House," Hillary proclaimed. "We couldn't shatter that glass ceiling this time, but it's got 18 million cracks in it now."
Before concluding, Hillary officially sounding the alarm to action with reminders of the 1848 women's suffrage movement, abolitionists who fought to end the enslavement of my people, and civil rights leaders determined to dismantle Jim Crow and inequality in this amazing country.
This is the Hillary that Black people have been waiting patiently to see. Affirming her intention to work hard on behalf of the bi-racial senator from Illinois, her and Bill Clinton are not out of the wood just yet.But if she keeps this up, maybe she will get that "ghetto pass" after all.
By Kevin Ross, CEO of 3BAAS Media Group