No one ever had to say about Franklin Roosevelt, “You wouldn’t believe how buoyant he is – behind closed doors, ” or about Ronald Reagan, “He’s very amusing – when the cameras are off”.
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Former presidents often address conventions to boost their would-be successors; none had ever done so for a candidate who happened to be a spouse, much less the first woman ever nominated by a major party.
Former President Bill Clinton took the stage at the Democratic National Convention, making the case for his wife’s presidency.
Talking about women’s issues may be the norm now, but Clinton has been working on these issues her whole life.
It reflected her campaign’s understanding that this is a year in which a significant share of the electorate wants something different.
Wrapping up the report, Alexander proclaimed: “Aides to Secretary Clinton say that no one is better suited to speak on behalf of his wife”.
Older woman long lacked that optimism.
This was an audacious strategy, given that their marriage is one of the most complicated and contentious in modern politics.
“(Younger women) didn’t go through the women’s movement so they don’t appreciate the significance of this.
A politician in Britain, Larry Sanders’ voice grew thick as he discussed his parents, their hard life and how proud they would be of “Bernard”, the candidate for president. The word they say Bill Clinton likes to use in describing Hillary Clinton is “change maker”, what we expect to see tonight. A recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll showed that 52 percent of registered female voters from both parties support Clinton, but that number fell to about 35 percent among white women ages 35 to 64.
“Bill Clinton always seems to know how to sense what’s on the hearts and minds of its listeners and to be able to train his comments about where their needs are and that need be met”, Genth said.
“The fruits of our labors have made things better for our daughters”, said Bystrom.
“I think the more they hear about her between now and November 8th, the more they will realize that she’s human”.
Of course, not every woman fits the pattern. The convention is about Clinton’s character more than her gender.
Mary Hoyer, 67, supported Sanders in the primary.
“Having a temperament that is quick to anger, discounts study, is impetuous, (has) probably never been thought of before as a qualification for putting your finger on the nuclear codes”, Podesta said.
“It’s a first in America but it’s not a big deal anymore”, said Hoyer. Trying to understand what it is that bothers them, they look at Clinton and see a privileged woman who cuts corners, and gets away with it.
She could point out that, when thwarted in her 1990s White House health care overhaul, she took to the road as first lady to advocate for women’s rights around the world. “This is more about her”.
The state-by-state balloting, traditionally a chance for local boosterism and some good-natured bragging – the birthplace of pizza!, the home of tax-free shopping – briefly turned emotional when Sanders’ brother, Larry, cast his ballot as a delegate for Democrats living overseas.
“I’ve always known that there would be a female president in my lifetime”, Wroblewski said. I am younger so I didn’t live through the days when women could only be teachers or nurses. But it’s still historical and I’m so glad I’m here. Part of me thinks Obama was a fluke. Clinton’s supporters, in the hall and in the country, were mesmerized, moved and inspired. “And I really hoped that she choosing me and rejecting my own advice to pursue her own career was a decision she’d never regret”. “I’ve been active all of my life in the women’s movement”.
Some attribute that to him losing a step politically over time, others to the ascendance of Obama and Hillary Clinton as leaders of the party and still others to the All Star cast of speakers slated for this convention. In order to force change, her mom ran for and won a seat on the school board.
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Petersen added, “Don’t tell me they didn’t have a picture of her”.
