Bill Clinton attempted to make clear to American voters that Hillary Clinton does not represent the status quo, particularly in an election year when angry voters are eager for a change.
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The Hillary Clinton of today is a more refined version of her 1992 self, as she has learned from the various trying times over the years, Acosta says — from the Whitewater and Monica Lewinsky scandals of the White House years to working across the aisle with Republicans in Congress.
“What an incredible honor that you have given me, and I can’t believe we just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet”, said Clinton via satellite after a video montage of shattered glass comprised of male presidents. “The story of generations of people who have felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation but who kept on striving and doing what needed to be done so that today I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves and I watch my daughters, two lovely, intelligent black young women, playing with their dogs on the White House lawn”, she said.
The New York delegation led chants of “Hillary!”
Before signing off, she offered a few words for any young girls up past their bedtimes watching from home. Clinton has met privately with the mothers and held events with them, and they’ve become an emotional force for her campaign.
In the main hall, the second night of the convention was featuring former President Bill Clinton, who was taking the stage to deliver a personal validation for his wife.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine joins the ticket as Clinton’s vice presidential nominee.
Sanders urged unity on Monday and said he stands with Clinton, but he also said he looked forward to the 1,846 delegates pledged to him casting their vote. “It is with enormous pride that I cast my vote for Bernie Sanders”, he added, earning cheers of support. As part of the ongoing push to bring Democrats together following repeated shows of dissent from disenchanted Sanders supporters, Sanders addressed the convention and moved for Clinton to be acclaimed the party nominee.
Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski nominated Clinton, saying she was acting on behalf of “all women who have broken down barriers for others”.
However after a tough battle with Sanders, Clinton is now the party’s standard bearer against Republican nominee Donald Trump in the November 8 election. Clinton secured the commitment of enough delegates last month, joking to her supporters that they weren’t going to smash the glass ceiling they were all standing under. Clinton has the freedom to change the platform or propose her own policies.
Clinton’s campaign hoped the night of achievement, personal stories and praise could chip away at the deep distrust many voters, including some Democrats, have of the former secretary of state, senator and first lady.
First lady Michelle Obama was a star of opening night, making an impassioned case for Clinton as the only candidate in the presidential race worthy of being a role model for the nation’s children.
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Hillary Clinton’s nomination was a milestone in America’s 240-year-old history. That’s what she did on Obama’s behalf in 2008 to indicate their rivalry was truly over. The evening included tributes from leaders in all those fields, from former secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former attorney general Eric Holder to mothers who lost their children to violence, inspiring the chant “Black Lives Matter”.
