Posted on 09/08/2008 7:36:47 PM PDT by ovrtaxt
Published: September 8, 2008
TAMPA - In her first appearance in Tampa since losing the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Rodham Clinton strongly endorsed Barack Obama Monday, but refused to criticize the newer woman on the presidential campaign scene, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
"Barack and I may have started on two separate paths, but we are on one journey now," Clinton said.
The crowd and the speakers at the event appeared to consist largely of former Clinton supporters who now back Obama, but her speech was aimed at convincing those who don't, or who may be wavering.
She reprised lines from her speech at the Democratic National Convention two weeks ago saying, in effect, that anyone who supported her ought to support him.
Referring to her 35 years working in politics and public policy issues, she said, "I haven't done that to see us squander this opportunity. This is bigger than any one person – it's way bigger than Barack and me."
Clinton spoke to a crowd estimated by organizers at about 2,300 at the All People's Life Center in East Tampa, following two previous stops during the day in Florida – a forum in Kissimmee and a presentation to unions in Orlando.
Several times, she declined to discuss Palin, chosen by John McCain as his running mate, who has been criticized as lacking experience. Instead, she shifted the discussion to differences between Republicans and Democrats and the errors she said Republicans including President Bush have made during the past eight years.
When an audience member shouted out during her speech, "Tell us about Palin," she responded, "I don't think that's what this election is about,"
"This election is about the differences between us and the Republican Party. Anybody who believes that the Republicans, whoever they are, can fix the mess they created, probably believes that the iceberg could have saved the Titanic."
Asked by reporters after her speech whether she considers Palin qualified to be president, she again declined to answer directly.
"I'm going to stay focused on the issues and I'm going to keep talking about the issues because I think that's what matters to the American people," she said.
She added that having Palin on the ticket is "a great milestone for our nation."
"The Democrats did it in 1984; it took a while but the Republicans got around to doing it this year," she said. But, she added, "That's not the determinant as to who should be our president."
But Clinton also couldn't help referring to her own quest for the nomination, and to the fact that Florida was one of her strongholds.
When an audience member shouted, "I love you Hillary," she responded, "I love you too -- I especially love Tampa and Hillsborough County for supporting me in the primary."
Clinton also said she thinks Florida Democrats are no longer angry over the national party's sanctions and the candidates' boycott of the state over its too-early primary.
"All of that is in the past," she said. "This election is about the future."
Several attendees at Clinton's speech said they have made the transition to supporting Obama, although some said it took them some time.
Cindy Bauer, a lifelong Democrat from Tampa, said she was "very disappointed" by Clinton's loss. "It took a few days, but I got over it. … There's too much at stake for the future of our country," she said.
Bauer said McCain's choice of Sarah Palin only solidified her decision to support Obama. "Anyone who tells me that I shouldn't get an abortion if I choose to, that's it," she said.
Chris Cernosek of Tampa, a no-party voter who couldn't vote in the Democratic primary, said it was tough seeing Clinton lose the nomination and acknowledged, "I was on the fence at first."
But she sees Clinton as an influential role model for younger women, and brought her two daughters, ages 7 and 11, to the speech. "It's wonderful to see women playing such an important role in our nation," she said.
State Rep. Arthenia Joyner and former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman, both ardent Clinton supporters, spoke prior to Clinton at the event, endorsing Obama.
But not all Democratic women who supported Clinton have boarded the bandwagon.
Julie Harris, a longtime local Democratic Party activist who worked in Clinton's campaign, wasn't at the rally, but said in an interview Monday she's backing McCain.
"I'm looking at the top of the ticket and find him to be very inexperienced," she said. "Maybe I've become more conservative as I've grown older."
Clinton, however, said she's not concerned that significant numbers of her backers won't get behind Obama.
That concern, she said, "is certainly receding. There is an enormous amount of focus on this election … and that's because women as well as men know what's at stake."
Former Clinton adviser Howard Wolfson has dismissed the notion that Clinton would take on Palin.
"Some might enjoy the spectacle, but don't expect Hillary Clinton to play along," he wrote in his New Republic blog. "It wouldn't be good for the Democratic Party, or the cause of women's rights."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761 or wmarch@tampatrib.com. Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or cwade@tampatrib.com.
Remember when all the women senators made this deal not to campaign against their senatorial sisters, regardless of party? I think that’s disgusting. Not sure if they’re still doing it but the idea of it repulses me. Talk about chauvinism.
Hillary knows that McCain will win and that in 2012 it will probably be...
Shrillary vs. Saracuda
All the above but there’s also the angle if Biden is dropped and she moves into the second position then Katy bar the door.
As I understand some years ago the women in the senate sorta made a pact with each other that they would never criticize each other when up for re-election. Perhaps Hillary has added Sarah to the group since as far as I know Sarah has not been critical of Hillary Clinton in her speeches.
Destination: Hell
sssshhh don’t even go there.
If that happens, Obama will be the most paranoid guy ever! One woman on the outside stealing his thunder and popularity, and one woman right over his shoulder, whispering in his ear and swinging a hatchet...
The only explanation: It’s demonic. There is no logical reason, it’s really just plain satanic hate.
In my opinion.
Don't recall that, does not sound like the right thing to do.
“It looks like Hillary is just going through the motions of demonstrating party loyalty. In public, she’ll do the bare minimum to support him. In private, she’ll try and undermine him at every turn.”
...which is why he didn’t choose her for VP
Well, at least Hillary knows who is at the top of the ticket. Obamanation seems to think Governor Palin is running for President.
Everyone knows the score here. Clinton played the good solider, now she’s getting out of dodge. Obama has to fight his own battles.
The first rule of politics: Get elected. Biden was the default, you have to pick someone choice. Mitt was that choice on our side. Obama did make a mistake not picking Clinton, but that probably has to do with his wife whispering in his ears.
Things going on: Nancy and Reid wanted Obama in office because he’s easier to control. That’s why they put the squeeze on the super delegates.
The Beast is standing aside, hoping for Obama to fail, the narrative is then, Obama messed up not picking Clinton. She can be the party savior if McCain wins, while Nancy/Ried look like the idiots they are.
Certainly looks like Obama is a pawn in larger Dem-power plays to me.
NEVER count her out!
And that is a true (scary) politician.
Or if zerObama's real BC surfaces and he's ruled ineligible, Biden moves up to the first slot, who is more logical for the ViPer slot?
If Biden leaves office for health reasons two years and one day into his term, the Hildabeast finishes it out and is still eligible for TWO FULL TERMS!
Ten years, less one day, of having to say 'President Hillary!™...
Nancy wanted to be the Queen Bee!
Sarah did make a comment about Hillary on CSPAN once that she shouldnt let sexist comments get to her and be strong or something. It wasnt incendiary or anything but it was critical of how she was handling criticism. I dont know where that video is but she was on stage with 2 other women.
Ruh-roh.
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I’m juuuust old enough to know what this is, and I laugh every time.
Thank you!
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