Behind the Scenes: Women pass Clinton's torch to Obama

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: Behind the Scenes: Women pass Clinton's torch to Obama
By Jill Dougherty

(In our Behind the Scenes series, CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events. CNN's Jill Dougherty attended a cocktail party Tuesday attended by Hillary Clinton supporters.)


A woman tears up as Sen. Hillary Clinton addresses the Democratic National Convention Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The TV is blasting, there's guacamole and chicken wings, red wine and beer, five TV monitors and a lot of cheering. Sen. Hillary Clinton is speaking at the convention and these women, most in their 20s and several who proudly describe themselves as feminists, are listening.

The cocktail party at a downtown bar in Washington brings together the Women's Caucuses of Virginia, Maryland Young Democrats, Womens' Information Network, and D.C. political activists. They are toasting the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, passed on this date 88 years ago, which gave women the right to vote. It's also a chance to say goodbye with like-minded friends to Clinton's presidential bid.

"If McCain is president the next eight years, definitely the Supreme Court could shift again and not in our favor as young women," said Atima Omara, a tall African-American woman with a blinding smile, who welcomed the group of about 50 women.

"I definitely wish that, you know, on women's equality day we could be like 'Rah rah, Go Hillary Clinton!' but that didn't happen," she tells me. "And so I accept that and I move forward with Barack Obama because, looking at the two records on women's rights and just all the issues I care about, there is just no comparison between McCain and Obama."...

***

In another part of the room, Colleen Crinion and Bethiny Stark, both "hardcore Hillary supporters," as Bethiny puts it, don't mince words. "If you believe in what Hillary Clinton believed in," Colleen says, punching every word, "You cannot vote for John McCain, because he doesn't stand for the same things she stood for."...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/27/btsc.dougherty.clinton/index.html

[NYC_SKP]

1. We aren't female Americans and male Americans, we aren't black and white

Americans.

We all suffer the same from loss of health care coverage, higher energy prices, and a more oppressive government.

It took some voters a while, but I'm glad we're all beginning to find our common cause and relinquish our self-interests.

Thank you for the post!

K and R.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. After the last three nights, I think "unity" is no longer just something we were hoping for --

Again and again, we've seen our entire Convention cheering together, crying together, and ready to work toward the same goals. I think those at home must be sharing the same feelings.

[NYC_SKP]

4. Yes, absolutely....I see it immediately around me.

It's harder to tell what's happening in other parts of the country. The media and conservatives are doing their best to portray divisions.

This has been a spectacular week, signs of healing and unity are everywhere, and more of the tactics are being revealed.

This is the first time in my memory where the differences in tactics used (and not used) and in direction are so crystal clear.

The politics of fear vs the politics of possibilities!

[Barack_America]

3. To McCain and the GOP we are. nt

[MaraJade]

5. Obama HAD BETTER DELIVER TO WOMEN. . .

He'd absolutely BETTER DELIVER--or he will be everlastingly sorry.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.