Delegate Dispatch: Hillary Kicks It Up A Notch

Wed, August 27, 2008 - 7:41 AM

BAM! "No way. No how. No McCain. Barack Obama is my candidate." With those words Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton left no doubt that she is supporting Senator Obama and that she is determined to see him elected President of the United States. This was not a speech of defeat. Instead it was a speech of hope and unity, urging her supporters to work just as hard for Senator Obama as we have worked for her. I cannot imagine a better speech at a better time.

Kim Gernado, the political reporter for NBC-17, Media General's station in Raleigh, interviewed me about 45 minutes before Hillary spoke. She asked me what to expect. The question was easy to answer because I had attended an earlier event with Senator Clinton and heard her give a similarly themed speech. However, I was not prepared for the force with which she delivered this message tonight.

The other important question that Kim asked was what would be the impact of the speech on North Carolina's delegates who are pledged to Senator Clinton. Hillary answered that one by making it clear that this race was not about her but instead was about those Americans she met on the campaign trail, our children and our grandchildren. From my standpoint, she made it clear that if you supported her in the primary and are considering voting for John McCain, you are turning your back on her and not helping her move the Democratic agenda forward.

One of my friends from college emailed me today and implied that Hillary didn't have this kind of speech in her. I knew he was wrong and Hillary Clinton proved me right. She didn't just endorse Barack Obama, she told everyone to get off the sidelines and get to work.

Quoting Harriet Tubman, Hillary Clinton encouraged Democrats to "Keep Going." I can assure you that she will "keep going" for the Obama/Biden ticket. Her delegates, me included, and the 18 million who supported her Presidential bid need start going and then keep going through Election Day. To do otherwise would be letting down a person that I have come to admire as one of the most intelligent, compassionate and effective people I have ever met.

-- R. Bruce Thompson, II

R. Bruce Thompson, II, is an attorney in Raleigh, N.C.