Bill Clinton Encourages Party Unity

[tekisui]

RENO - Former President Bill Clinton addressed Nevada Democrats on Saturday, giving what was less a campaign speech for his wife Hillary than a call for unity, no matter who the Democrats nominate for president.

Clinton told delegates to the convention at Reno's Grand Sierra Resort they must pull together once the nominee is selected "to ensure a victory for the ordinary Americans who desperately need a victory."

"Obviously I have a preference in this primary, but here's what I want to tell you: I think it's important as Democrats that we act like Democrats and make it absolutely clear that once everyone has voted and once the votes are all counted that we're going to be united," Clinton said.

He said the nation has gotten a clear look at what the Republicans would do if they took control. The result, Clinton said, is that 1 percent of the nation got 43 percent of the economic benefits.

"Our country used to attack Latin American dictatorships for that kind of policy," he said. "You cannot run a middle class country without shared prosperity."

"We cannot have another eight years where all the prosperity goes to people who are already living in places that are prosperous."

He said party unity behind the nominee is the only way to change the policies which have divided the country, lowered the standard of living for millions and damaged the nation's standing in the eyes of the rest of the world.

"Don't you forget why you came here," he told delegates. "You did not go to all this trouble to have an argument with each other. The only things that matter are who would be the best and who would be the most electable."

Following Clinton's speech, unity quickly became the theme of several speakers, including Rep. Shelley Berkley.

"Like everyone in the room, I have a preference, but if my preference is not the one, I will support the one that is," she said.

"A McCain presidency will be four more years of the same failed policies, four more years of George Bush, and we deserve better than that."

John Soltz, an Iraq veteran who chairs VoteVets, said McCain has voted against veterans' benefits and extending the GI bill to this generation of vets.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., called for unity as well, but cautioned delegates not to take victory for granted.

"We're going to win but don't let anyone say it's going to be easy," Reid said. "These people are vicious," he said of the GOP. "They still have Karl Rove in the background."

"This is our election," Reid said. "It's our opportunity to change the direction of our great country."

Reid said after the speech he will do everything possible after June 3 when the primary season ends "to force unpledged super delegates to make a decision."

But Reid said he won't be coming out for either Clinton or Obama because of his position as a key Democratic senator.

"I have to work with both of them," he said making it clear he will back the nominee once that decision is made.

Nevada's state Democratic convention concludes today.

link: http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20080518/NEWS/385449350

[tekisui]

There has been a change in tone, from both camps.

Now is the time for Unity. Hillary will say in, most likely, until the June 3rd vote and a ruling on FL and MI, which I think will be worked out on May 31st.

They are coming together to fight the real enemy: Bush's Third Term with Grampy McDubya.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Thank Goodness

Hopefully this means that the intra-Democratic attacks will stop.

[Skwmom]

2. Clinton has tried to negatively define Obama for months. The Clintons must feel that they've

pissed off her base enough to switch to preaching unity (of course who knows what he'll say on the campaign trail).

They want to be viewed as the victimized Clintons who are pushing unity for the good of the country. The election was stolen from them but they'll still support Obama. What a piece of work.


The Clintons have never cared about ordinary Americans.

[tekisui]

3. But, I do think they care about the Democratic Party winning.

They are very much tied to it, and still have influence there.

[Deja Q]

5. While we've all joked about Clinton/Bush in past years,

many pics of them together show them trying to look genuinely at ease. Many other pictures show the Bushes scowling or hiding it from Clinton.

Of course, they could be scowling at other things and I sure as h*** am no expert at body language...

[Deja Q]

4. I have to disagree.

The 1990s got this country's budget under control and there was (at least on the face of it) more prosperity for Americans.

Was he perfect as a president? No... But even I cannot ignore that he did balance the budget, tried the course of world peace, did try to keep Saddam in check (he and Al Gore were speaking against the man for the same reasons, so maybe it wasn't all lies...)

And it is politics; both Hillary and Obama are in a unique position. For what it's worth, the attacks were inevitable - this is politics. I just wish both sides would have teamed up and sniffed roses a long time ago. And, yes, I am choosing the optimistic side. Negativity gets tiring after a while.

[tabasco]

6. Did he wag his finger?

[ShortnFiery]

7. Bill Clinton had ZERO EFFECT with regard to any *Presidential Coattails* ...

His wife, Hillary, callously took resources away from Al Gore's 2000 presidential run in order to promote her Senate ambitions.

Bill and Hillary Clinton are STRICTLY for ONLY *Bill and Hillary Clinton.*

If you remember the above, you'll not ever be disappointed in any "dirty trick" they pull through the Democratic Convention - there will be MORE FILTH slung by The Clintons. Bank on it! :(

[Doug.Goodall]

8. Big Dog needs to take a short sabbatical until after the convention

When the General Election is in full swing, I would like to see him support the official Democratic nominee, Obama, with a few campaign appearances.

Until then, he needs to just shut up.

[symbolman]

9. Okay, NOW We're Talking!

THIS is the Clinton speech I've been waiting to Hear!

All is Forgiven, now let's get Behind Obama and go get that old Lying Senile Depends wearing Republican Bush Humping Bastard!!

Now, We WIN, and take our country back from fucking Radical Corporate Pirates!!

Sounds like the Old Clinton we used to all love and stand up for...

[Condem]

10. Great post, tekisui

It's coming together.

[boobooday]

11. This is good, and not to worry, we will not forget

What the battle is really about.

[tekisui]

12. And, by September, we will have forgotten this

preliminary battle.

[PFunk]

13. It's all about legacy now with the Clinton's

Which they are now trying to repair after damaging it during the primary's. Still it's nice to see them finally coming around

[ShortnFiery]

16. Newsflash, they're NOT coming around. Stay alert because they are going to get UGLY

again real soon. :(

[Clear Blue Sky]

14. He's concerned about his legacy after this campaign.

[tekisui]

15. I don't care, really, his motivation.

I welcome a message of Unity, from all sides. It's a good sign that the Clinton camp has accepted the results and are ready to let it go.

[boobooday]

17. Yes. All that matters is that we turn this country around

If we do any looking back at all, it should be to prosecute Bush & Co for their crimes.

[Kermit77]

21. The Clinton team finally smelled the coffee

Three months too late but better late than never. I am glad the Clintons are now finally supporting the presumptive nominee, Barack Obama.

[Clear Blue Sky]

23. The Clinton's do not give up easily.

Given how close things have been, I don't blame her for hanging in there. But now is the time to depart gracefully.

[4themind]

18. Hopeful but circumspect

It's a good message but, after Tuesday, and most definitely after June 3rd we'll know their true intentions, one way or another, be watchful but hopeful until then I'd advise

[tekisui]

19. That's the truth. Hopeful and watchful.

When the hearing on FL and MI reaches a conclusion, hopefully on May 31st, and the last vote is cast on June 3rd, that's it.

The tone they take on Wednesday will tell it all. This past week has given me hope, though. Hillary has defended Obama, attacked mcDubya and not been in the news anywhere else. I think they've accepted it.

[jbm]

20. the Clintons have always been great and loyal Democrats..

and I'm sure they'll do their very best to support the party. Even Bill Clinton can't save this mess though. It's ironic that the best Democrats of my life will split the party not because of their actions, but because of the way they were treated by the same party they have been dedicated to all of their lives.

[tekisui]

22. I think that is a over simplified view.

This Democratic Party is changing. A lot of voters have joined since Bill was President. And, the "split" was caused by a struggle over the reigns of the Democratic Party. We have been without a Party Leader for nearly 8 years. And, it was a battle. No one was owed anything, not even loyalty.

I think both sides have done a lot to build the Party, and at the same time, split it. We will come together though. Democratic Candidates received over 35 million votes in this Primary! Pukes have gotten under 20 million, with McDubya under 9 million.

[Bluenorthwest]

24. Odd that this seems suprising to people

I have heard many a first hand speech this cycle, from three different Presidential campaigns. The message of Party unity has been present in all of these events. Clinton events and Obama events in the last two months have featured similar messages.
Out in the world of the actual campaign, there is far less acrimony and a much greater sense of the nature of politics. Out on the streets, it is possible to meet up with millions who would gladly vote for any Democrat left standing. The hard liners are few and far between. Those glad millions will be the basis for our win in November, the candidateophiles will either get glad or get pushed aside.
I've been very glad that I got out into the world this cycle. The messages from the campaigns are not the same as what is reported, and those who buy the spin for whatever reasons really should remember the source. The MSM is all about selling ads. Period. Goes for the best and for the worst. Those who profit madly from the drama are not honest sources for fact.
If I listened to the media, I'd not be voting for either of our candidates. I was undecided until I voted last night, and to me, the media has trashed both of our kids to no end, and some of our own have played into that hand without thought. Instead of the media, I listened to myself and my neighbors and friends and family, in addition to the official surrogates and the candidates themselves. So much better than TV. So much.
We are going to win in November. And the work starts now.

[tekisui]

25. Agreed on every point.

Most of the Dems I know in the real world tell me, "I punch one button in the booth: Straight Dem". Period.

[Arkana]

26. You'll forgive me if I don't believe Bill's efforts.

This is a man who spent the entire campaign denigrating every demographic that voted for Obama. I lost so much respect for him in 5 months my head is still spinning.

[greguganus]

27. I don't believe him either. Fool me once shame on me...

fool me twice, we don't get xeroxed again.

[Arkana]

28. The worst part of it is that I know Hillary's people here won't believe me

I defended Hillary and Bill for eight years of Turd and his Dog and Pony Show...all those times the shills on TV would blame Bill Clinton for all the evils of the world from hangnails to nuclear war, all the editorials I had to read about what a horrible person Bill Clinton was and what a shrill bitch his EEEEEEEVIL wife was, and worst of all my right-wing relatives who said the exact same things.

That's why it hurt so much to hear him rail about how stupid my voting demographic was this cycle. I don't even think that Hillary believed half the things Bill said on this whole campaign trail--that's how bad he was getting.

[sfaprog]

29. sadly agreed

He as much as anybody this primary campaign has driven an axe into the Democratic Party. It's going to take a lot more than sloppily trying to push the pieces back together with a few words about "unity". Actions will speak louder than words. When Hillary is not named VP, I still expect hard-core support from her and Bill. Anything less will permanently scar their reputations.