Hillary Clinton's Speech

Chelsea Clinton narrated the film that introduced her mom to the Democratic National Convention.

I thought it was a good piece. It was funny that Bill Clinton was identified as "Hillary's husband" in the film.

Clips from Saturday Night Live, with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, were included.

The film was light-hearted and energetic rather than dramatic. That was a good call.

Hillary really did accomplish something historic. She is responsible for putting more cracks in that highest glass ceiling than anyone before her.

After the film, Chelsea appeared on stage and welcomed her mother.

As the hall erupted in cheers, there were shots of Bill. He had tears in his eyes and looked red-faced.

Michelle Obama looked less than enthusiastic.

Hillary began by saying that she's a proud Democrat, a proud mother, a proud senator from New York, a proud American, and a proud supporter of Barack Obama.

"Whether you voted for me or you voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose."

"We are on the same team, and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines."

"No way. No how. No McCain."

"Barack Obama is my candidate and he must be our president."

Hillary spent a lot of time talking about herself and talking about her own campaign.

A number of times, someone from the floor of the hall shouted, "We love you," and then there would be pockets of applause.

She thanked her supporters.

"To my sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits, from the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Hillary bashed Bush and said the Supreme Court was in a "Right-wing headlock."

She talked about health care and education, civil rights, labor rights, women's rights, and gay rights.

She went for minutes and minutes without uttering the name "Obama."

But she summed up that long segment of her speech by saying those were the reasons she ran for president and they're the reasons she is supporting Barack Obama.

"I want you to ask yourself: Were you in this campaign just for me?"

"We need to elect Barack Obama."

Hillary began to talk more about Obama.

He knows that government must be about "We the people," not "We the favored few."

She said the Dems know how to do this. She said we did this before when President Bill Clinton was in the White House.

Hillary complimented Michelle Obama, saying she'll be a great first lady. Hillary then mentioned Joe Biden and his wife, Jill. She complimented Joe Biden.

"He's pragmatic. He's tough and he's wise."

"They will be a great team for our country."

Michelle Obama and Joe Biden smiled politely.

"We don't need four more years of the last four year."

Again, Hillary stopped talking about Obama.

She went for minutes without mentioning his name.

Hillary talked about women's struggle to get the right to vote.

There were shots of Chelsea looking proud, but a bit sad, as she applauded her mother.

I think this really was what Hillary planned to be her acceptance speech, minus the nods here and there to Obama.

By my count in the AP transcript, she said "Obama" 12 times. That's a good amount, but the mentions of Obama occurred in just two portions of the speech and not throughout.

This was the speech she dreamed of delivering, minus the "proud supporter of Barack Obama."

Political differences aside, and they are dramatic, I think Hillary gave the best speech I've ever seen her give.

Her supporters had to be thinking of what might have been.
Bill was absolutely beaming, I'm sure believing she hit it out of the park.

Some Obama supporters probably aren't too happy. Hillary should have done more, less Hillary and more Obama.

The speech focused on her vision for America's future more than it focused on Obama being equipped to lead America to the future.

This was Ronald Reagan at the 1976 convention, minus the political and philosophical brilliance.

This was Hillary's night. She took the reins of the convention. This was her chance to shine. It was a velvet mutiny of sorts.

I don't think that she succeeded in unifying the party behind Obama, but I don't think that was her goal.

She didn't dispel all the doubts that she raised about him during the primaries.

That was totally missing from the speech.

This was about Hillary's political future. Hillary 2012?
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Transcript: "Remarks of New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, for her address to the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night in Denver"