Thousands gather in Unity for rally
By Lisa Wangsness, Globe Staff
UNITY, N.H. -- The big moment came at 1:20 p.m. -- Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton taking the stage together, waving to the cheering throngs, his arm around her shoulder, even color coordinated -- she in a powder blue pantsuit and he wearing a tie of the same hue over a white dress shirt.
"Unity is not only a beautiful place as we can see, it's a wonderful feeling, isn't it?" Clinton, speaking first, told thousands of people gathered outside Unity Elementary School -- for this day at least the center of the political universe as the setting for the first joint rally of the former Democratic rivals. "And I know what we start here in this field in Unity, we'll end on the steps of the Capitol when Barack Obama takes the oath of office as our next president."
"We have gone toe to toe in this hard fought primary," she said. "But on this day and every day going forward, we stand shoulder to shoulder....Our hearts are set on the same destination for America."
Clinton declared that the 18 million voters she received and the 18 million Obama drew will form an "unstoppable force for change we can all believe in," using Obama's campaign slogan.
While John McCain and Republicans might wish for a divided Democratic party, "we are one party, we are one America," she said.
When some in the crowd started chanting, "Obama, Obama, Obama!" others started chanting "Hillary, Hillary, Hillary!"
Clinton then went on to state Obama's case that McCain would be more of the same on the economy, Iraq, and other priorities -- and told her supporters who might be considering staying home or voting for McCain in November: "I strongly urge you to reconsider. I urge you to remember who we're standing for in this election."
Obama, who sat on a high chair smiling and applauding, arms crossed as Clinton spoke, began by effusively praising her as good, tough, passionate, committed, and a "historic candidate."
"I could not be happier or prouder or more moved to be sharing this stage as allies," he said, as Clinton stood just off his right shoulder.
"I've admired her as a leader. I've learned from her as a candidate," he said. When someone in the crowd shouted, "She rocks," Obama repeated it.
He then said that he needs Clinton and former president Bill Clinton to win and to bring unity to the country.
Obama directly addressed the sexism that many of Clinton's supporters have complained about. Clinton, she said, brushed off the unfair attacks and "dealt with them with her usual grace and aplomb."
While the campaign has shown how far the country still has to go, he said, Clinton's success has also shown how far the nation has come and provided a historic example for his daughters and daughters everywhere:
"They can take for granted that they can do anything the boys can do. And do it better. And do it in heels."
Obama led the way as they both went through the crowd, shaking hands and signing autographs as people snapped cellphone photos, to the raised platform, surrounded by bleachers with a huge "Unite for Change" banner, an American flag, and "Unity" sign as the backdrop.
Sue and Lloyd Mills, who live in Unity and are in their mid 50s, said the town has been in high gear preparing since Obama's campaign announced the rally would be in the tiny town of 1,700 where Clinton and Obama received the exact same number of votes -- 107 -- in the January primary.
“5,000 people -- that’s tripling our population in a matter of hours,” said Lloyd Mills.
Many of those gathered said they were excited about this attempt to get the party united behind Obama.
“I think it's wonderful,” said Jennie Pollard, 59, a teacher from Windsor, Vt., who said she voted for Clinton but now is fully behind Obama. “We need to get together to support the Democratic Party.”
But not everyone feels that way.
Laura Smith, 55, who lives in Connecticut and New Hampshire, is carrying a sign that declares, “The Democratic Party is a house divided” and another that says “Puma: Party Unity My A**.”
She said she volunteered for Clinton during the primaries, plans to travel to Denver for the Democratic National Convention, and plans to vote for Republican John McCain in protest.
“I think it's important for everyone to understand that everybody is not falling in line for Obama," said Smith, who said she believes that Obama is far too inexperienced to be president. "There are thousands of us out there, we communicate on the Internet, we don’t buy his story.”
The Associated Press reports that after greeting each other with a handshake and a kiss on the tarmac at Reagan National Airport, the former foes settled into the second row of Obama's campaign plane for the trip to New Hampshire, Obama at the window and Clinton on the aisle. They smiled and gestured to one another as they boarded the plane and spent the entire flight, just over an hour, talking animatedly.
McCain, meanwhile, is still seeking Clinton's voters. "I do think we are able to attract some of Senator Clinton's supporters," he told reporters today in Ohio.
His campaign organized a conference call with former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift to discuss the Democrats' unity event.
UPDATE: "One of the reasons that I was compelled to support John McCain in the very difficult times was my admiration for his -- not only willingness, but his demonstrated willingness to reach across the aisle to address some of the most vexing issues facing our country," Swift said.
"I guess in looking at the event in appropriately named Unity today, it made me wish that Senator Obama had actually worked as hard to bridge the partisan divide in Washington, D.C., during his short time there, as he is working hard apparently to bridge the divide in his own party with Hillary Clinton voters."
Blair Latoff, a Republican National Committee spokeswoman, added: “The one consistency Barack Obama has going today is that he’s once again surrounded himself with Democrats. The problem he faces is that Democrats, like Republicans and independents, prefer a candidate who will work with the other party for the betterment of the country even when it isn’t popular.”
"Don't cut off your nose to spite your face!" Isn't that how the saying goes.
Senator Obama and his people can pitch Unity, New Hampshire and his publicly handing Senator Clinton a $2,300 check any way they want—after all, setting the tone and terms of surrender is the prerogative of the victor. Today Obama can couch it as reaching out to Hillary and her followers but tomorrow I suspect history will view it more like the Gauls who after suffering starvation and agony finally surrendered to the Romans with their leader downright prostrating himself at Julius Caesar's feet. Or maybe more like the chief of the Incas displaying the conquered chief of the losing tribe and then cutting his heart out on stage in front of thousands of followers. (Just how many of Hillary followers were bused to Unity to view the event?).
Indeed, history is rife with humiliating surrenders. Too bad Senator Obama is not instead looking to another New Hampshire example, the Treaty of Portsmouth that ended the Russo-Japanese War. In 1905, delegates from both sides met in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to hammer out an agreement. A treaty was reached and for his mediation efforts president Teddy Roosevelt was awarded the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize.
Sounds like Laura Smith is a sore loser
I feel the same as Laura Smith does and as a die hard democrat. I also will be voting for McCain just to cancel out an Obama vote. I feel he doesn't have enough experience and we as a country NEED someone who knows what the hell they are doing!! We are NOT in a position for an inexperienced president.
Wake up people!!!!
Hillary for VP or I'm writing in her name in the general election in Rochester, New York. This is the ONLY thing that would get me to vote for BO.
He had no business running for prez in the first place. This was Hillary's time and something she earned by working long and hard, not to mention being the most qualified, unlike BO who came out of nowhere, less experienced, but encouraged by the mostly male hillary haters politicians to campaign for the nomination because of his race, great packaging and smooth-talking ways. THEY are the real dividers of this party.
Anyone who says they voted for Clinton in the primaries but will vote for McSame is a complete fraud. Policy-wise, Senator Clinton and John McSame are on completely different sides of every issue. Just come on out of the closet Ms. Smith and own up to what you were trying to do as a Clinton volunteer and are trying to do now: Keep this country under the grip of a clueless, greedy, maniacal republical party!
Laure good go vote for Bush - means you never were behind Hiliary and what she stood for just say it you what your really are :-)
We the People of the Democratic Party are behind YOU OBAMA GO! YES WE CAN!!!
Laura Smith has SERIOUS problems
To Laura Smith. How anyone who's supported Hilary could even think of voting for McCain is beyond me. Does "cutting off your nose to spite your face" sound familiar . . .?
Shameful Reporting at its wost. The article actually says that McCain is "comparing himself to the legendary Democratic president." JFK's name or likeness appear no-where in the add. The globe put this up there just so liberal, left wing-nuts can get on their high-horse and say "McCain is no JFK." He sure isn't. McCain is actually faithful to his country as well as his family. JFK was at least faithful to his country (unlike most democrats); to his familiy....not so much. McCain is most favorbly compared to Ronald Regan. Exactly what this country needs right now.
i sure Hope Obama doesn't announce Hillary as his Running Mate
The party would be in deep trouble
OBAMA IS NOT ALL HE SAYS HE IS OR STANDS FOR MR. FLIP-FLOP NO RESPECT FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGANCE OR THE MILITARY AND NO CONCEPT OF WHAT IT TAKES TO BRING RADICAL POWERS TO THE BARGAINING TABLE, ALL THIS BECAUSE OF HIS LIBERAL OUTLOOK . HE ALSO WILL TAILOR HIS RHETORIC TO THE PARTICULAR GROUP HE IS ADDRESSING AT THE MOMENT REGARDLESS OF WHAT HE SAID PREVIOUSLY OR WILL SAY TAT HIS NEXT SPEECH.
Sen.John McCain is a liar! No self respecting Democrat or any sane person for that matter, would consider voting for him! This nation needs true change at the apex of her leadership seat. Sen. John McCain represents business as usual. Which none of us can afford!
Party Unity is fine and good, is Hillary going to run on the same ticket or not?
Many Americans are still weighing their vote out on this particular issue.
HillaryVPorBust!
Can't Imagin that Clinton & Obama are the best candidates the democrats have to offer. There must be qualified people that just refuse to get involved with politics. Remember when a good moral & honest person would be the only one that would have any hope of landing the highest responsibility in the land? look what it has come to.
Laura Smith and her ilk need to get a life. If you were for Hillary (as I was) you should now be with Obama...simple as that. Your 15 minutes is over!!
Hillary as presumptive VP? That makes it go from an election with two candidates that I could feel good about voting for for the first time in my lifetime, to an election with Hillary Clinton back in it.
Laura Smih........ Do you really want McCain as our next presidnt? It would be Bush for another four years. C'mon Laura think about it. You supported Clinton as president due to the issues. Obama and Clinton thinnk the same way on issues that concern us.
In case you have forgotten it is 2008 not 1968, I was hoping at the age of 59 you have grown up. Obviously NOT.
OBAMA 2008
yea...laura smith, u need to use that brain of urs, that is if u have one.
I knew it was coming... you knew we weren't going to rid of Billery that easily....Bad move Obama!!!! The ones that voted your way couldn't stand her, now your going to shove her down their throats! You should pick someone who is less out there, so to speak.
" Remember when a good moral & honest person would be the only one that would have any hope of landing the highest responsibility in the land?
Really?...good moral honest?......surely you jest?
you'd have to go back to gerry ford...since then we've had one loser after another!
I think that the Obama campaign should think smart and select Hillary for VP. 18 million people are not going to just get in line for Obama. 18 million people ignored the mysogeny of the press, the inuendos of racist remarks- are you kidding!- and the interminable smears on Hillary- and voted for her anyway. She is a formidable democrat, she is scrappy, extremely knowledgeable, knows how it all works, and she would make an outstanding VP. I hope the democratic party does not shoot itself in the foot as it has done in previous elections. Anyone other than Hillary for VP is surely a crap shoot.
How can they brag about change and doing thing different when you have puppet master Bill working behind the senes...Don't pick HER!!!
Interesting...you have to posted my comments. There was nothing obscene in the comments. Guess you are censuring any damning information on Obama?
I voted for Hillary and will not vote for Obama. I'll go McCain. This is NOT meant to spite anyone. I just want someone with leadership and experience in the White House. Obama is not qualified. To everyone who says he's better than McCain, I ask, how do we really know that? Obama has flip-flopped on FISA, campaign financing, and NAFTA. That's just in the past 3 weeks! What else is he willing to flip on? How can anyone trust his word?
I hope those saying they'll vote for McCain just to cancel out a vote for Obama realize, that's just another vote for McCain. Do you want McCain in office either? Go look at another cantidate. We're not limited to two parties you know. Or if you're going to vote with that frame of mind, stay home.
By the way, I'm undecided, so it's not like I'm all caught up in Obamarama
Are you people drunk? McCain is 500 years old and completely out of touch with reality. As are many of you it seems...
Are we really rehashing flip-flop? And in all CAPS no less.
Of course his speeches are tailored to the group he's speaking to. Have you ever heard a speech? That's kind of the point.
If these people vote for McCain due to their bruised egos then I fear America might actually head down an irreparable path.
"McCain is actually faithful to his country as well as his family."
Which one ? Carol Shepp's or Cindy Lou Hensley's ?
Democratic party is not my face and Obama is not my nose.
Obama is a singuarly unqualified candidate for the office of the presidency.
John McCain is a war hero, principles, and honorable and was willing to stand up to his own party in defense of his beliefs.
Obama has done what?
I am a long-time Democrat and a Hillary supporter. I will vote for McCain in the fall.
Go PUMAs!
I love the first comment made by Kelly about cutting off your nose to spite your face. That really sums it up. If you are a Clinton supporter and you vote for McCain you are simply delusional. There is no question. Why would you all of a sudden vote for the guy who is completely the opposite of Clinton's party in almost every way just because you're bitter? That means you are a selfish brat who really isn't concerned with our country's problems. Why did you support Clinton in the first place if you really weren't vested in her platform? And now that she is asking for your support to back Obama, you are still so bitter you can't let it go and will cast a vote for McCain in protest? Think about how dangerous that really is before you run off acting like a child.
LAURA SMITH AND Lisa Turcotte should have ran for the president. Reason: Loser experience.
I think it's impressive how much vitriol is still out there over this nomination process. I think they're both worthy candidates in their own ways; I prefer Obama based on this simple premise: more of the same doesn't do anyone any good. If you're in a maladaptive relationship (which I think the American political system is with most voters, especially given the 40% or so Independents out there who don't choose to follow party lines), the only way to alter the behaviors of the other party is to change your own. I think this election encouraged a lot of people to change their thinking and behavior around the election process, and I think Obama has a lot to do with that. I notice that most Hillary supporters are 50+...not surprising, as people tend to become more conservative (i.e., less prone to adapt) as they get older. Unfortunately, this lack of adaptability is what got George Bush (a man who had failed horrendously in every executive position he's ever held...just look at the Texas Rangers, perenial cellar-dwellers during his tenure) elected despite blatant incompetence...twice. People who self-identified as Republican made automatic, emotional choices rather than informed decisions. As someone who benefitted (didn't we all?) incredibly during Bill Clinton's presidency, I have a little bit of a soft spot for Hillary, particularly given the grace and aplomb with which she handled his, ah, "indiscretions." Heck, I remember 90 cent *premium* gas in '97, and I'm still glad that my med school loans are consolidated at a ludicrously low 2.7%, another product of wise Clinton-era budget management and choices for the future of our country's human resources. After growing up in a broken (5-room) home, scraping by in the 1980s (trickle-down my a**, more like too many coke-heads in power...oh, sounds familiar), I loved the '90s. It was a decade of prosperity and genuine change. Internet, music, home computers, automotive engineering, cell phones...amazing. And while I think Bill Clinton made an excellent executive, he didn't make all the choices...his power was offset by the legislative branch. Still, he was savvy enough to get quite a bit done, with the help of some *true* Republican thinking (e.g., fiscal conservancy). And I loved that he was a "liberal" guy, because it fostered that change. But frankly, I find that a lot of "liberal" democrats aren't even close to being liberal...they don't like anyone who disagrees with their way of thinking any more than the neo-cons do. I feel less of the brunt of it (hey, the PC revolution while I was in college in the early '90s was ugly, let's face it) because I tend to be socially liberal and fiscally conservative, but I think there are a lot of party Democrats who fit the pseudo-liberal profile, and I think it's fairly common thinking among east and west-coast baby boomers (NYC, CT, MA, SF especially). I think people, including this Lara Smith, and quite a few contributors to this string, might want to stop and reflect on what their core values really are. Me, I'm a big fan of the TJ's, and his quote that "I may not agree with what you have to say sir, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." I think this is where "liberal" needs to head, away from criticism and recrimination, towards open dialogue, and finally, doing away with the hypersensitivity and, frankly, whining that is rampant in our culture these days. When I hear Hillary speak, I hear the same views I've heard before, for years, and while I agree with some of them, I don't hear anything new. I don't like or need to be lectured, and I don't want someone lecturing conservative Republicans in TX, ME, KY, FL...you name it...on how their way of thinking is "wrong." How they think is how they think...let them think and say what they want, and if it bothers you or hurts you, say so, but don't expect them to change any more than you're willing to change for them. Experience is a double-edged blade, and the American public's been getting it from both sides for two long. I think Barack Obama's already shown he can address this issue (his response to the Wright fiasco was refreshingly honest, while Hillary's was, to me, offensively politicized and disingenuous), and that he's the guy who will yet again demonstrate the pen to be mightier than the sword.
No, are you an idiot? Anyone who would support an unqualified liar and con man as Obama srel is............
"Laura Smih........ Do you really want McCain as our next presidnt? It would be Bush for another four years. C'mon Laura think about it. You supported Clinton as president due to the issues. Obama and Clinton thinnk the same way on issues that concern us.
In case you have forgotten it is 2008 not 1968, I was hoping at the age of 59 you have grown up. Obviously NOT."
-----------------------------------------------
Just a general comment on all you bleeding heart liberals, if you don't want conservatives to call Obama inexperienced then don't generalize McCain as a mini-Bush. Clearly some of you have some growing up to do if you can't even read into the facts and issues and realize they are NOT one in the same. Stop being little boys and realize that people have a right to not want Socialism in this country. And to whomever wrote that women are acting like spoiled little girls, you are just ridiculous. Words cannot describe your ignorance.
All you people complaining that Obama lacks experience, please tell me how you conclude that Clinton has any more experience? Who has held elected office longer (not just nationally elected office, but ANY elected office)? How does Clinton's time as first lady count as useful experience when the first lady is basically a figurehead? As first lady she didn't have a security clearance so she couldn't read things like NIE's or sit in on any classified meetings. Sure, she may have discussed issues with Bill but she was still officially just a figurehead.
To all you Obama (who would not even know how to run a Grocery store..remember, he was going to bomb Pakistan..) lovers, get use to it Sen. John Mc Cain will be the next President of the USA..go go big John! Obama is a loser and so are all you Obama lovers..
Laura Smith - YOU GO GIRL!!!!
I'm right with you! See you in Denver and then see you at the voting booth pulling the lever for our next POTUS, John McCain!!
Obama is nothing but a disingenuous, unethical, politician. Obama isn't even qualified to be county dog catcher!!
P.U.M.A.
Randall, I'm quite certain that I'm not an idiot. Sweet ad hominem attack, though, and right off the bat. Maybe you should go into politics so you can spout more unsubstantiated, simple-minded insults and opinions as innuendo, or fact. If Bush can get elected on it, maybe you can too. While you're at it, just make a nice erroneous claim and say that I'm a terrorist too, and that I don't care about "our children's safety." REALLY dig at those emotional strings, so that if you don't have anything thoughtful or incisive to say, you can just convince by intimidation, coercion, or appealing to people's fear. It doesn't take any thinking, and it's pretty effective, until the people around you start doing the thinking while you marvel at yourself.
And as for the idea of electing another Ronald Reagan...people, the man HAD ALZHEIMER'S DEMENTIA for most of his presidency. OK, I'll admit, he was a great enough actor that when he told the Russians he was going to start picking of their leaders with floating laser space platforms (SDI...hah!), he essentially poker-faced them into economic oblivion. I've always stood up for him in that regard when talking politics with some of my more left-leaning friends. But his administration was corrupt. Very, very corrupt. Remember Iran-contra? The housing and urban development scandal? CIA support of Bin Laden in Afghanistan? Selling weapons to Iraq (including chemical weapons) to fight Iran? How about the market crash in 10/87? Or that nice little recession we had in '89-'91?Remember the Sandanistas? Grenada? THE COCAINE? For the sake of sanity, do you all remember the CLOTHING and THE HAIR? I still have nightmares...there are pictures of me out there, in the ether...and I have a mullet.
I cringe to think of a '10s revisitation of the '80s, although I have seen quite a few Iron Maiden T shirts these days...
Oh, and one more thing. People love to bring up "family values," questions of character, and such...folks, these people are politicians. They're people (flawed by nature) with power (which corrupts). They've all done things they're not proud of, just as we have. Holding them to a higher standard is important, but not perfection, because you're bound to be disappointed with any mistake they make. JFK had Marilyn and organized crime, BC had the college doobie (Bill, just admit you got baked, ripped down a few hostess chocolate cupcakes, and still managed to get your JD and become president), Monica and Whitewater, Nixon had Watergate ('nuff said), GW had his service-dodging, cocaine abuse, oil-lust (cha-ching!!) and a VP who probably fits the DSM-IV TR criteria for both narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders (e.g., "psychopath" or "sociopath"). Heck, Abe Lincoln had chronic major depression and he still did a heck of a job. And...(drum roll).....FDR HAD NO LEGS!!!! (well, none that worked anyway). Arguably the greatest president in US history wouldn't get a sniff of state office today, with all the media and TV...
Imagine the opposition ads for FDR... (they'll say anything these days, without a kernel of truth or a modicum of decorum)..."Do you want a dying cripple as your leader???!!!! (harrowing music blares, flag waves- maybe even burns-or an eagle falls from the sky)...If he can't beat polio, how can he beat OPEC? How can he beat Al Qaida??!!"
Sadly, thinking about that imaginary ad, I can see it coming from either party these days...no wonder this country is in a recession. Oh, and we have 14-yr old Miley Cyrus getting naked in major print media. And our biggest automaker is failing pathetically (not like those idiots running GM, Ford, and Chrysler figured, after the '70s and early '80s, that maybe the SUV was...I don't know...history repeating itself?). And the airlines never learned anything after their fat bailouts ('cept SW and JB...thank you so very, very much for giving me an alternative)**still** screwing people over royally. I could go on, but the worst is that there are new laws every day to further and further protect us from ourselves. Freedom of speech? Say the wrong word in jest to a friend, and you lose your job (or you get toted away by men in black and stashed at a secure facility, no charges, no lawyer, no chance at leaving). What are we coming to? How do we turn it around? You know what I think...
There are a bunch of people who faux voted for Hillary in primaries but are really Republicans and have been all along. They did it because they thought she would be easier to beat than Obama. These are the people squawking the loudest now. Any Democrats who are against Obama at this point can't honestly call themselves Democrats. Unless, they're Zell Miller types from the "Old" South. You know, the racist, slave-owning Democrats...so if you're one of those, please step up and admit it. Because your b.s is tiresome.
If Obama had won honestly I might have have voted for him. But I will NOT support the practice of overturning certified election results and redistributing delegates based on exit polls, wishful thinking, and crooked politics. Obama shouldn't have taken his name off the ballot, but since it came out that way, they should have resolved the issue fairly. A vote for Obama is a vote to legitimize corrupt elections and then we'll never have another honest election again in this country.
P.U.M.A.!
The mentality of people like Laura Smith is an example of why the democratic party is totally dysfunctional, delusional and incapable of getting its shit together to find electable candidates. Shame on Hillary for fueling that fire long enough to burn on its own. McCain is laughing all the way to the oval office on this one. Democrats are going to blow it... again!
Laura Smith is right in not voting for Obama because he is inexperience. She is wrong in voting for McCain 'in protest'. She should be voting for McCain because he is MORE experienced and knowledgeable, MORE qualified to be president. Obama is simply not fit to be president. PERIOD. It doesn't matter what Hillary or Bill Clinton says or does, because they cannot change the fact that Obama has little relevant experience and demonstrate little knowledge of what is needed in a president. The Democratic Party and the media should stop pressuring Hillary and Bill Clinton to endorse and campaign for Obama. It will alienate the independent voters further from the Democratic Party. I, for one, since this long primary process, have learned that the Democratic Party 'sucks'. Until they demonstrate fairness and competence, I would not vote for a Democratic candidate.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com
browse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com