The  Beat

The Right Speech -- For Clinton and Obama

posted by John Nichols on 08/26/2008 @ 11:43pm

DENVER -- Even the Obama delegates were reaching for Clinton signs.

Such was the intensity of the moment, as delegates of every political stripe grabbed up the white signs -- "Paid for by Obama for America" -- with the dark blue "Hillary" script that were distributed just before the senator from New York took the stage.

On the Tuesday night when no one at the Democratic National Convention talked about anything except New York Senator Hillary Clinton's speech before, during or after the defeated presidential candidate addressed the convention that might have been hers.

Even before Clinton took the stage, when her image flashed on the massive screen behind the convention podium and the Kinks song "You Really Got Me" blasted through the loudspeakers, the crowd was up and cheering.

And they did not stop.

Of course the Clinton delegates cheered. But so did the Obama delegates.

Hillary had them all. And she gave them to Barack Obama -- not at the end of her address, but with the opening line.

"I am honored to be here tonight. A proud mother. A proud Democrat. A proud senator from New York. A proud American. And a proud supporter of Barack Obama," Clinton began, to the roar of a crowd that she told: "Whether you voted for me, or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose."

This was not just an endorsement. It was an argument with her most ardent supporters that they did not fight for her but for issues and ideals.

"I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me?" Clinton demanded in a speech that had the entire hall riveted. "Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

Clinton did not cheat the historic moment.

The candidate who won 18 million votes and more convention delegates that any woman in the history of major-party politics.

America is still around after 232 years because we have risen to the challenge of every new time, changing to be faithful to our values of equal opportunity for all and the common good.

And I know what that can mean for every man, woman, and child in America. I'm a United States Senator because in 1848 a group of courageous women and a few brave men gathered in Seneca Falls, New York, many traveling for days and nights, to participate in the first convention on women's rights in our history.

And so dawned a struggle for the right to vote that would last 72 years, handed down by mother to daughter to granddaughter--and a few sons and grandsons along the way.

These women and men looked into their daughters' eyes, imagined a fairer and freer world, and found the strength to fight. To rally and picket. To endure ridicule and harassment. To brave violence and jail.

And after so many decades--88 years ago on this very day--the 19th amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote would be forever enshrined in our Constitution.

My mother was born before women could vote. But in this election my daughter got to vote for her mother for President.

This is the story of America. Of women and men who defy the odds and never give up.

As Obama and Clinton floor "whips" worked together to distribute "Unity!" signs to all the delegates, Clinton followed delivered the most powerful section of her speech, a recollection of Underground Railroad days that linked the women's rights and civil rights struggles.

This is the story of America. Of women and men who defy the odds and never give up.

How do we give this country back to them?

By following the example of a brave New Yorker , a woman who risked her life to shepherd slaves along the Underground Railroad.

And on that path to freedom, Harriett Tubman had one piece of advice.

If you hear the dogs, keep going.

If you see the torches in the woods, keep going.

If they're shouting after you, keep going.

Don't ever stop. Keep going.

If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.

Even in the darkest of moments, ordinary Americans have found the faith to keep going.

That might have sounded like a call on her delegates to keep on fighting on her behalf.

But Clinton pivoted, with political skill earned the hard way on a long and disappointing presidential campaign trail, to her most powerful endorsement of Obama.

We are Americans. We're not big on quitting.

But remember, before we can keep going, we have to get going by electing Barack Obama president.

We don't have a moment to lose or a vote to spare.

Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hang in the balance.

It was her finest speech, her most important speech.

And because of that, it was not a valedictory address.

No one doubted that Hillary Clinton would make a clear, unequivocal endorsement of Barack Obama.

But the wit, the grace and the elegance with which she did so guarantees that Hillary Clinton will be not just a supporter of Barack Obama. She will be an essential player in the Obama campaign -- and in the continuing story of the Democratic party and the nation.

Comments (36)

  1. OK get it all out..

    "Clearly the best speech any human being or even non-terrestrial has ever given since time began anywhere in the universe"

    Is that sufficiently fawning?

    Posted by sntauri at 08/26/2008 @ 11:30pm

  2. RE: The Right Speech ...

    Hillary needs none of this vulgar yellow press coverage. She follows her own courses and she has her supporters. In following we the women determine our vote not depending on anyone. What the media hypes up as extraordinary era is just another fight between the two DC men to replace another discredited DC man. Look, they're all schmucks.

    Posted by HelenDAO at 08/26/2008 @ 11:36pm

  3. Thank you Hillary Clinton, nicely done!

    She was clearly at her best... and showed her own true colors... Bright, articulate, present, truly caring about this country... and a true team player.

    By taking this step... I think she in a sense frees herself from the 'Clinton machine'... from bubba's 'helping hand'... and is now able to pursue what is rightfully her's...

    A stellar political career in her own right...

    God bless you Hillary!

    Posted by ttr at 08/26/2008 @ 11:55pm

  4. Posted by JOMAMMA at 08/26/2008 @ 11:59pm

    I agree.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/27/2008 @ 12:46am

  5. Posted by HelenDAO at 08/26/2008 @ 11:36pm

    Hmm. So if it was a WHITE woman it would have been better.

    Or would that just have been another white person trying to knock another white person at the expense of a discredited white person?

    Why is it you only view the election of a WOMAN as historical. Not black, hispanic, eskimo, just a woman. You like many of the truly ardent activists for a cause like feminism or civil rights are so misguided you can't see the forest for all the... You think the only people worth noting the achievements of are women. To you you only see your struggle and no one else's. Never realizing that the women's rights and minority rights movements were intertwined.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/27/2008 @ 12:50am

  6. BBC: "That plea was there, of course, and there were nine or 10 references to Barack Obama and even one to his wife, Michelle. There was nothing in it that the Obama strategists could reasonably object to.

    But there was, as always, rather a lot about Hillary herself in there too - if you heard the speech out of context you'd think it was delivered by someone who was still running for office."

    Same ol' HRC, about me-me-me.

    Posted by sloper at 08/27/2008 @ 01:21am

  7. As an Idaho democrat so far left leaning as to be off the edge of the game board, I felt this to be one of the best poltical reconciliation speeches of modern times, and quite likely a turning point in Obama's quest for the white house. Those of you who scoff at this moment, go vote for Nader, and good luck.

    Posted by cnorden at 08/27/2008 @ 01:33am

  8. Nichols you are a clueless white dude. First, Clinton did not make a case for Obama as commander in chief. She raised the specter of Russia in Georgia and Iran in Iraq, and Clinton clearly did not think Obama was tough enough to do what she believes is in the American interest. So she did absolutely nothing to attenuate the most important criticism she made of Obama.

    Second, Clinton's invocation of Harriet Tubman would rub anybody but a clueless white dude the wrong way. How can one not feel sorry for Harriet Tubman now that her transcendent struggle has been coopted for every American out to become a petit boss over a few teenage employees and every family struggling with the interest payments on their flat screen television, Viking range or SUV. Hillary Clinton reminded me today of our American genius for degrading everything transcendent and sublime into the self-indulgent fantasies of power and consumption. Poor Harriet Tubman. There is still one candidate who will not cheapen her name. And that is one of the biggest reasons I voted for him. Do remember Clinton last year: "There may be some bumps along the road! You know this reminds me of one of my favorite American heroines, Harriet Tubman. For when she made it to freedom after having been a slave and she got to New York and she could have been so happy to just stay at home and just breathe a big sigh of relief but she kept going" So Clinton compared her four star hotel and $100 million dollar life to Harriet Tubman. Outrageous. White Americans have become self indulgent to the point of obscenity. It's like McCain and Clinton trying to paint Obama as an elitist. Please hand your column over to Gary Younge or at least write about Michelle Obama's searingly beautiful speech, a speech which was truly profound

    Posted by hartal at 08/27/2008 @ 04:47am

  9. All of these speeches have been so utterly boilerplate, it's quick becoming more of a joke than it already was.

    HRC's speech was expectedly despondent, at least with regard to Barack Obama, and lacked any real sincerity. Michelle Obama's speech was overly schmaltzy, and easy enough to see through as simple Disneyland, feel-good talk. I didn't hear or read Kucinich's speech, but I imagine that all but him doled out a series of the SAME OL RHETORIC that we hear, year after year, about families at the kitchen table, steelmill workers vying for a job, rising prices, etc.etc.etc....

    Our electorate process has become so Disney, I just don't even care anymore. It's theatre, and not very good at that. These speeches are interchangeable, election after election, and our candidates are like the newest singer sensation. I mean, seriously, it's the heaviest dose of "cult of personality" we've ever had. It's truly amazing to hear people talk sincerely about this process, as if it's not ALL A COMPLETE SHAM.

    Posted by DJGoody at 08/27/2008 @ 07:29am

  10. I'm of two moods this morning. The first thought I had in reading about Hillary's speech trying to undercut Obama was, "Well, if you live by the sword of victimology and identity politics you will die by the sword of victimology and identity politics."

    I'm fairly certain that this "mood" will turn out to be wrong. Even with Hillary's subversion, Obama is still the overwhelming favortie.

    Do you all remember the zeroth law of politics? "Never believe your own bullshit." Fundamentally, America is a center-right country. There are pockets that send a Pelosi or Conyers to Congress, but overall, center-right and leaning conservative. I understand that you want to change that and even though I disagree I say good for you, at least you are following your heart.

    Now where the beleiving your own bullshit comes in this idea that in order to win the Presidency, Democrats need to campaign like Republicans, which to them means getting mean and fighting dirty.

    In an ordinary year, the key to winning the Presidency for Democrats would be to nominate a candidate who votes like Republicans, not campaigns like one. Hence, all the support for Hillary.

    But this is no ordinary year. Bush fatigue, war, deamatically slowed economy, exonomic anxiety, etc. Everything is leaning your way.

    Several months ago I said Obama is the Left's Reagan and you should embrace that. This is your best shot in years to elect a true Liberal. It may be your only shot in your lifetime. Give it your all and don't second guess yourselves. Don't over think this thing. Your passion is the key.

    If Hillary won't get on board, then she chooses to be left behind. Be positive, be proud, and forget about the polls. Highlight Obama's many selling points and don't stop 'til the last vote is counted.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/27/2008 @ 09:12am

  11. JM & DJ

    Care to take bets on how many times "9/11" is used in yet another GOP fearfest next week?

    I'm betting they think "third time's a charm"

    Posted by leftofcenter at 08/27/2008 @ 09:19am

  12. Returning to the Reagan analogy, his situation was very close to Obama's. The incumbent's party was deemed hopelessly incompetent, the economy sucked, gas prices where high, and there was a lot of anxiety.

    Reagan was positive and optimistic. He didn't allow any cheap shots. He used humor to ally peoples' concerns over his age.

    Now, being a Conservative, Reagan's message was, "I'm optimistic that returning to things that worked in the past will right the ship."

    Being a Liberal, Obama's message needs to be, "I'm optimistic that we can look at international models to solve the intractable problems that have persisted for ages, while improving on those models to prevent the short-commings they've created in the countries or origin."

    That message of hope will resonate with the middle Americans Obama needs to win. If he fails because the bitter shrews who backed Hillary are playing terrorists then there is nothing you can do. A negative message won't move the bitter shrews either, but it will turn off the voters you need to win.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/27/2008 @ 09:30am

  13. Oh, any by bitter shrews, I mean people like the woman in Dowd's column:

    **************************************

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/ opinion/27dowd.html? _r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

    At a meeting of the Democratic women's caucus Tuesday, 74-year-old Carol Anderson of Vancouver, Wash., a former Hillary volunteer, stood in the back of the room in a Hillary T-shirt and hat signed by Hillary and "Nobama" button and booed every time any of the women speakers mentioned Obama's name.

    She's voting for McCain and had nothing nice to say about the Obamas. What about the kids, I asked. "Adorable," she agreed. Well, I said, Michelle raised them.

    "I think her mother does," Anderson shot back, adding: "I wonder if Michelle would give the Queen one of her little knuckle punches?"

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/27/2008 @ 09:35am

  14. Hillary said yesterday:

    ======================

    "By following the example of a brave New Yorker , a woman who risked her life to shepherd slaves along the Underground Railroad.

    And on that path to freedom, Harriett Tubman had one piece of advice.

    If you hear the dogs, keep going.

    If you see the torches in the woods, keep going.

    If they're shouting after you, keep going.

    Don't ever stop. Keep going.

    If you want a taste of freedom, keep going."

    ========================

    Harriet Tubman did not wait for some Democrat or Liberal politician to make opportunities for her, she created them for herself and also for others.

    If Harriet Tubman were alive today, I would think she would be a Conservative,

    She would be quite angry at Hillary Clinton invoking her name in the process of Democrat electioneering, for the purpose of convincing people to vote Democrat because of all the help and government dependency that Democrats promise.

    What is the purpose of a Democrat invoking Harriet Tubman's name?

    Harriet Tubman lived her life opposite what Democrats advocate people do, she knew she had to help herself and others, because nobody else was going to help her - she did not wait for some Democrat to bail her out.

    So she took matters in her own hands, and people benefitted as a result, and the rest is history.

    Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 10:14am

  15. And, even though Hillary's speech was the best speech ever given by anyone, anywhere, anytime, I predict that by midnight EDT, these pages will be filled with fawning comments about Bill's speech being the best speech that anyone, anywhere, anytime has ever given, or will ever give as long as people give speeches. Tears will flow, time will stop, and the sick will be healed. Watch these pages...

    Posted by sntauri at 08/27/2008 @ 10:58am

  16. If Harriet Tubman were alive today, I would think she would be a Conservative-----Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 10:14am

    INCLUDING Condoleeza Rice, how many African-American women are in the GOP, much less conservatives?

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/27/2008 @ 11:05am

  17. Posted by sntauri at 08/27/2008 @ 10:58am

    FRANK so predictable, it's scary!

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/27/2008 @ 11:06am

  18. Hello Maskdelta,

    You asked: "INCLUDING Condoleeza Rice, how many African-American women are in the GOP, much less conservatives?"

    I do not know, and if I had any inclination to look it up before, I will not do so now. If you want to know, you can look it up yourself.

    Don't forget, whatever number you come up with doesn't mean anything, because it would not show that whatever amount are in the Democrat party is not an indication that they should be in the Democrat party, or that the Democrat party best represents African-American women, which it clearly does not.

    Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 11:55am

  19. Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 11:55am

    Translation---"I have nothing to back up my bullflop declaration, so go away!"

    LOL

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/27/2008 @ 12:11pm

  20. Harriet Tubman lived her life opposite what Democrats advocate people do, she knew she had to help herself and others, because nobody else was going to help her - she did not wait for some Democrat to bail her out.

    So she took matters in her own hands, and people benefitted as a result, and the rest is history.

    Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 10:14am

    I see where you're going and I agree to an extent. The flip side is that harriet Tubman also went back to her people and tried to help them even when she could have easily said, "I escaped on my own so they can too." She put her life in danger to first go back and help her children escape and then to help others achieve what she herself achieved. I think Ms. Tubman, who was born in Maryland, can not be so easily pigeonholed.

    Posted by k330k at 08/27/2008 @ 12:22pm

  21. Hello k330k,

    The people who succeed, as Harriet Tubman did, are then in a position to help others, as she did.

    This is instead of everybody being dependent on or told to be dependent on government.

    This is what the United States of America is all about. We have helped many other countries and people, also, besides Americans.

    This is shown in a statistic I have seen more than once, but does not tell the whole story. Mr. Peanut, Jimmy Carter, and others like to point out that the U.S. falls short of it's obligations in helping others in the world, because the Netherlands gives more (as a percentage) of it's Gross Domestic Product to international charity than does the United States.

    But that is the amount the government gives. There is a considerable amount of private donations to international charity by citizens in the United States, which then makes the total amount given (as a percentage) way beyond the Netherlands.

    In the Netherlands, as in most of Europe, citzens look to the government to do stuff, as they are weaned to do, and which the left in this country thinks is good. So there isn't as much private donation.

    So it is successful people who then turn around and help others. Harriet Tubman did what successful Americans do, helped others, because she was a success and because she was an American. It would not have occurred to her to do otherwise.

    Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 1:18pm

  22. Hello maskdelta,

    You said "Translation---"I have nothing to back up my bullflop declaration, so go away!" "

    For backup on my point, go over transcripts or videotapes of the last two days of the Democrat National Convention, or continue to watch today and tomorrow.

    Constantly the message is vote for us and everything will be wonderful and we will right all the wrongs and slay all the dragons, etc.

    Then, if and when the Dems are elected, none of this will happen, as it never does, then the Dems will blame Conservatives/Republicans/the Rich/Corporate America/George W. Bush/Karl Rove/"Chickenhawk neocons", etc as the reason why.

    Then the Dems will proclaim "vote for us and everything will be wonderful and we will right all the wrongs and slay all the dragons, etc. "

    Like a broken record.

    You are apparently a liberal, so you apparently do not see this, and probably even promote it.

    Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 1:23pm

  23. sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 1:18pm

    Of course, the disconnect is that Republican John (there's gonna be more wars) McCain, having successfully kept running away from his first wife until he married into mega-millions, is going to help...whom?

    Posted by nathanhale at 08/27/2008 @ 1:26pm

  24. Hello nathanhale,

    He is going to help Americans by continuing to fight whatever wars are necessary against the terrorists who want to kill us, that is who.

    As far as other "help", I do not know since Mr. McCain is a RINO (Republican in Name Only).

    A Conservative would help Americans by getting government out of their way so Americans are free to succeed and help those who need help, and also stop the liberal indoctrination in the public schools so that the schools would teach kids and give them the tools they need to succeed.

    A liberal always seems to be looking for politicians who "care" for them and who will "help" them, or in the case of the rich white liberals they are looking for politicians who profess that they "care" for others and who are going to "help" others. Either type of liberal seems to ignore that this help oftentimes makes things worse.

    Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 1:50pm

  25. Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 1:50pm

    And how's that been going these past 8 years? Oh, that's right. We are fiscally in the toilet, the world hates us, we've turned the Constitution into TP, the rich are richeer at the poor's expense and we decided to start a war for no real reason.

    Dragon-slayers are looking better and better

    Posted by leftofcenter at 08/27/2008 @ 2:00pm

  26. [Darin's advice to Democrats] Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/27/2008 @ 09:12am

    [Comparing Obama to Reagan] Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/27/2008 @ 09:30am

    On another thread, I made the point that Obama is doomed to fail as a President because his supporters' expectations are impossibly high.

    I also commented extensively on KVH's post regarding the closing of tax "loopholes"

    I'm going to try to tie these four posts together.

    *****************************************

    Dems are freaking out because the polls are tightening and they are blaming Hillary for Obama's loss, which will turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

    This is going to sound like I'm mocking you, but I'm not; it is honest advice. You guys need to chill out and be yourselves.

    Now, part of the problem is that you've internalized the lesson that the only way Liberals win is if they lie. Take KVH's article; it was an article advocating higher taxes on the wealthy, but she had to lie and characterize all of the increases as "closing loopholes". Even when she needs an act of Congress to say that capital gains by hedge funds will be taxed at a 35% rate instead of 15%, which is clearly an increase, was characterized as "carried interest" or some bullshit term. Or how many times have you heard people say that universal healthcare does not involve rationing.

    If Obama is going to govern as a Liberal, he has to campaign as a Liberal. The mood against the Reps is so bad that by just being honest, Obama has a great chance of winning. If he isn't honest, he won't get to enact any of his plans further disappointing his supporter who already have sky high expectation of what he can do.

    You can't appease Clinton backers. All you can do is be yourself and hope they fear getting left behind.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/27/2008 @ 2:05pm

  27. Well, first...the point was you said "Harriet Tubman would probably be a Conservative"...and when asked to back that up, with a list of African-American women (including Condi Rice) who were Republicans, much less conservatives...you couldn't.

    Second...

    "Then the Dems will proclaim "vote for us and everything will be wonderful and we will right all the wrongs and slay all the dragons, etc."----Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 1:23pm

    Yes, good thing Republicans don't make ANY promises...like "we'll capture bin Laden"..."protect you from terrorists"..."cut the taxes for Exxon and it'll create millions of new jobs"...etc., etc. Republicans always say "Nope...no promises from us...Not much will change if we win!"

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/27/2008 @ 2:30pm

  28. Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 1:50pm

    Is Bill Gates a conservative?

    Posted by nathanhale at 08/27/2008 @ 3:13pm

  29. Maskdelta,

    You wanted me to back up the statement that Harriet Tubman would be a Conservative with a list of African American Women who are Conservatives?

    You said I couldn't do that.

    But what would the point be?

    How does a list of current African American Women who are Conservative in any way support my opinion that Harriet Tubman was demonstrating Conservative behavior?

    Just exactly how does this list you want support that?

    Typical lib behavior, exhibited by you, characterizing what Harriet Tubman may or may not have done by her skin color, and not by what she did as a person.

    As far as your comments, I need a few lists from you to support your opinions.

    I need a list of the average daily temperature by year in Sacramento, California from 1900-2008.

    I also need a list of what types of food Conservative/Republican politicians in the Senate, the House of Representatives, all of the various State Assemblies, House of Delegates, State Senates or any other State legislatures eat on a daily basis, categorized by food groups with percentages to the total as far as groups and total amounts in pounds or kilograms consumed by politician.

    If you are not able or willing to provide these lists, then I will consider you points invalid and not proven.

    Thank you in advance for the lists I know will be forcoming quickly. Some may think these lists are off of the wall and not in anyway relevant to your comments. That would put those lists in the same category as the one you asked me for, but when I did not produce it (I had no intention of doing so), you proclaimed my points disproven.

    So I am just applying the same process to your comments, to validate whether they have been proven or not.

    Posted by sjchermak at 08/27/2008 @ 3:49pm

  30. Republicans always say "Nope...no promises from us...Not much will change if we win!"

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/27/2008 @ 2:30pm

    Ah, "no change" in kind of the whole point of conservatism. You know, do it like to good ol' days.

    Change change change is kind of the point of being a Liberal.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/27/2008 @ 5:30pm

  31. Speaking of Republicans fighting dirty, nobody has brought up the Ayers ad aired by the independent organization, so I might as well. I think it is well within bounds and legitimate.

    Hillary had a similar problem when she ran for Senate because her "hero" (?) was Saul Alinsky. That was a legitimate issue, but nobody knew who he was so it had no impact.

    Actually, Obama has an opportunity. If Ayers stopped the "Gilty as sin; free as a bird" routine and, you know, appologized for bombing the White House, that would be change I could believe in. Maybe Ayers wouldn't be willing to do that.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/27/2008 @ 5:58pm

  32. Ah, "no change" in kind of the whole point of conservatism. You know, do it like to good ol' days.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/27/2008

    that's right.

    i demand lead be put back in gasoline.

    fuckin' commies.........

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/27/2008 @ 9:42pm

  33. If Obama is going to govern as a Liberal

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/27/2008

    now, why on earth would he do that?

    that's not what he's being paid to do.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/27/2008 @ 9:47pm

  34. i demand lead be put back in gasoline.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/27/2008 @ 9:42pm

    You guys got the civil rights movement right. And taking lead out of gasoline, too.

    The things you got wrong include:

    70% tax rates, increased welfare benefits to entice children to have children, the unimportance of fathers, multi-culturalism, Ebonics, appeasing terrorists, Barbara Streisand, no offshore drilling, opposing nuclear power, new math, the self esteem movement, teaching kindergarteners how to masturbate, identity politics, victimology, claiming all men are potential rapists, racial quotas, claiming a right to abortion is in the Constitution, claiming the second amendment doesn't mean what it says it means, lying for justice, claiming a potential employer can grab a female interviewee's tit so long as he's President and supports abortion, claiming perjury is no big deal, the equal rights amendment, supporting a man who uses vulnerable girls his daughter's age as disposable sperm recepticles, believing Europe is better than the US, unconditional support for the corrupting influence of unions, claiming there are no differences between the sexes (except unimportant plumbing), claiming stay at home mothers are traitors to their sex, supporting Castro, Idolizing mass murder Che, supporting the Soviet Union, actively hiding the mass murder of 6 million Ukrainians, opposing Reagan's hard-ball tactics with the USSR, persecuting Christians, opposing free trade, mindless and reflexive anti-corporatism, always blaming America first, nominating Dukakis, claiming all Republicans are racist, believing all cops are racist, believing poverty causes terrorism, excusing criminals behavior, the designated hitter rule, NAMBLA, Global warming alarmism the Back Street Boys, pink br

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/28/2008 @ 5:51pm

  35. Damn that 1800 character limit! Anyway, you get the pickture. Conservatives say, "Stop!" for 30 or 40 years, and if you truly have a good idea, we'll give in after that.

    Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/28/2008 @ 5:53pm

  36. Posted by Darin_the_Troll at 08/28/2008 @ 5:51pm

    i hope a psychiatrist never sees that.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 10:51pm

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Ideas for Change | Sixty-seven scholars, authors, advocates and officials release a 300,000-word manual of ideas to bring about real change in America.
Katrina vanden Heuvel

» Act Now!

No to Lawrence Summers | Real change means appointing a Treasury Secretary that did not help deregulate Wall Street.
Peter Rothberg

» And Another Thing

Election Updates --Good News and Not | Details on some ongoing stories
Katha Pollitt