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Friday, February 8, 2008

Hillary Clinton at Seattle’s Pier 30

posted by on February 8 at 8:25 AM

Originallly posted late last night.

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Sorry, that’s the best I could do with the camera I had. For those more interested in listening than looking, here’s a digital audio recording of the speech Hillary Clinton gave at Pier 30 in Seattle this evening last night. It was tough, energetic, packed with policy, and 40 minutes long. Oh, and if that doesn’t get you to listen, maybe this will: She took a couple of pointed shots at Barack Obama.

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Here’s one of her shots at the Senator from Illinois:

We can find common ground, but it’s also important to have a president who knows how to stand our ground. There are many issues that we have to address together that aren’t going to be easy. I am hoping to unify the country, but to unify it to do the work of the country, not just to unify it for the sake of saying, ‘We’re unified,’ and in the meantime more and more people lose health care, more and more kids can’t go to college. We need to be unified with a common purpose. The purpose is progress. The purpose is making America better for our kids and for hardworking middle class Americans again. To lift people out of poverty and give them a better opportunity. I am absolutely confident and optimistic that we can do this together.

And here’s my favorite part of the speech, in which even Hillary Clinton admits to finding Washington’s Democratic nominating process confusing, with its meaningful caucus and meaningless primary. In this part, she manages to make a joke while lightly restating her dislike for caucuses in general (Obama tends to do better in caucuses) and her preference for primaries (Clinton has done her best in primaries). And then she wraps it all into a call for people to… caucus.

I can’t do this without your help. Washington is a bell weather state. It’s a state that has been inventing the future for America. You need a president who gets it. Who’s there with you, rolling up our sleeves together, making the changes that are required. And on Saturday you have a chance to pick that president. It is so important that you take time out to go to these caucuses. If you’ve never gone to one before we’ve got people in the back who can get you signed up, tell you where to go, tell you how to do it. It is different from a primary, and I know some people have been getting ballots in the mail and wondering, ‘What’s that about?’ I don’t know… (Laughter) You know, see, my theory about democracy is that everybody should participate. And I know that sometimes it’s difficult for people to get to a caucus. It may interfere with work and other obligations. And, you know, when we had this great sweep on Super Tuesday, people could show up all day long, they could make their views known, but you have a limited period of time on Saturday. That’s why I need you to find where your caucus site is and to go and stand up for me. And if you stand up for me for a couple of hours on Saturday, I will stand up for you throughout this campaign, I will be a winning candidate in November, and together we will change our country and make history.

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During the speech, a Clinton aide walked by the press riser holding a sign that read: # of people here tonight 5,000+

I don’t know about the “+” part, and in the minus column, at least for the Clinton campaign: Despite all the speculation, Gov. Christine Gregoire was nowhere in sight, which suggests she will endorse Obama on Friday. Also, Clinton’s two top Washington backers, Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, were apparently too busy in D.C. to attend.

Nevertheless, the place was packed and loud and hot, and no one seemed all that annoyed that the speech started about an hour and forty minutes late and lasted until 10:30 p.m. on a Thursday night. I’ll post more about the speech tomorrow today, I hope, but it may not be until the afternoon—I’ll be running around in the morning chasing Obama. Until then there’s always the unfiltered Clinton audio.

RSS icon Comments

1

What a great night! Hillary is fantastic - the room was so full! People just kept coming... She's such a great speaker.

Posted by bonnie | February 8, 2008 12:18 AM
2

If you care about the Iraq War, think before you vote.

For 3 years, Sen. Clinton had taken the same position on Iraq as Bush.

She said the same words as Bush:
Sen. Clinton: "Every nation has to be either with us or against us"
Hear her say this on YouTube

Sen. Clinton did not read the National Intelligence Report (NIE) which raised doubts about WMD in Iraq. Sen. Bob Graham even urged her and other senators to read the NIE before casting their vote on Iraq War but to no avail.

Sen. Clinton said that "intelligence reports clearly showed Iraq had WMD" even though she did not bother to read the NIE. (Senate proceedings Oct 12, 2002)

Sen. Clinton also said "Saddam had links to Al Qaeda" on the senate floor. This was a Bush talking point and no credible intelligence indicated so. Even several senators who voted for Iraq did not believe any such Al Qaeda link existed. (Senate proceedings Oct 12, 2002)

Sen. Clinton has not once admitted that her war vote was a mistake. How can she confront the Republicans saying that war was a mistake?

In Nov 2003, Sen. Clinton called for a "tough-minded, muscular foreign and defense policy." She urged "patience" and worried about the political will "to stay the course." She also said her vote for war was the right vote.

In Feb 2005, Sen. Clinton said that much of Iraq was "functioning quite well" echoing Bush once again.

In 2005, Sen. Clinton appeared on "Meet the Press" saying it "would be a mistake" to call for the immediate withdrawal of troops or set a timetable.

Only after the majority of public opinion turned against the war, and she started thinking about her presidential run, Sen. Clinton changed her position.

Are you sure, she would not follow a "tough-minded" foreign policy similar to Bush's once she is elected. She already voted to label Iran's National Guard as terrorists giving Bush yet another pass.

All the quotes attributed to Hillary Clinton in this post are accurate and taken directly from this NYT article.

Posted by Amy | February 8, 2008 12:35 AM
3

Amy, you keep posting that all over the place. Please stop spamming these threads.

Posted by stinkbug | February 8, 2008 12:36 AM
4

McCain is beating Clinton in most opinion polls but is beaten by Obama.

RealClearPolitics average of polls (includes 5+ recent polls by CNN, Time among others):

McCain 46.7
Clinton 45.3

Obama 47.5
McCain 44.2

RealClearPolitics

I don't know how Hillary would contrast herself with McCain favorably.

Iraq: Clinton supported the war for 3 years (longer than John Kerry did) before turning against it. McCain has consistently supported the war but criticized Rumsfeld for mismanaging it and advocated the surge. Obama has consistently opposed the war. All 3 have voted for continued funding of troops and compares favorably to him on economy as well.

Torture: Clinton actually supported an exception for torture in the ticking time-bomb scenario. McCain has been unequivocally against torture no matter what the circumstance. So has been Obama.

Ethics: Clinton leads all senators in the amount of earmarks - a staggering 2.5 Billion dollars including many to corporates. McCain has never done any earmarks in his entire career. Obama has 2 totaling $30,000 to non-profit organizations. Obama als has passed the toughest ehtics reform since Watergate and passed legislation resulting in creation of a website http://usaspending.gov/ that allows you to track how the government is spending the taxpayers' money.

Iran: Both McCain and Hillary voted to designate Iran's National Guard as a terrorist organization. Obama missed this vote due to campaign scheduling but gave a statement to oppose the move.

If you compare Hillary with McCain, she doesnt have a convincing record on national security or ethics. She compares more favorably on economy. Obama offers a clear-cut contrast with McCain on Iraq/Iran and compares favorably on economy as well.

Posted by Amy | February 8, 2008 12:39 AM
5

Ugh, and stop posting those polls. Polls as we've lately seen are often fairly meaningless when they're that close. Additionally, the general election is 9 months away. And the person won't win based on the popular vote.

Posted by stinkbug | February 8, 2008 12:42 AM
6

Sorry I think I did get a little carried away and posted it in other threads about Hillary/Obama as well. I wouldnt repost this in any other thread.

Good night

Posted by Amy | February 8, 2008 12:43 AM
7

Sen. Obama begins by criticizing Hillary on Iraq. Sen. Obama does not mention that -- with the exception of Hillary's opposition to the promotion of Iraq war architect Gen. George Casey -- Sen. Obama and Hillary have identical voting records on the Iraq war. Read more here.

Sen. Obama then misrepresents Hillary’s position on Iran. In fact, Hillary was one of the earliest and staunchest opponents of Bush’s saber rattling on Iran, and spoke out on the issue back in February:

Hillary made a floor speech declaring that President Bush must get authorization from Congress before taking military action against Iran. [Clinton Release, 2/14/07]
Hillary co-sponsored the Webb bill prohibiting use of funds for military action in Iran without Congressional authorization. [Clinton Release, 10/01/07]
Sen. Obama missed the vote he is now using to attack Hillary. He issued a release 9 hours later and co-sponsored a similar bill in April. The bill was also supported by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), a staunch anti-war Bush critic and prominent Obama supporter. Read more here and here.

Sen. Obama's comments on lobbyists come a week after Public Citizen released a report detailing ten bundlers for Sen. Obama who have registered as federal lobbyists.

Sen. Obama has also taken money from former lobbyists, partners of lobbyists, people who hire lobbyists, lobbyists' spouses, and state lobbyists.

Until he started running for president, Sen. Obama took money from federal lobbyists and, as a state senator, directly from corporations.

Tit for tat, "Amy".

Posted by hey amy! | February 8, 2008 12:43 AM
8

How's your meds holiday going, Amy?

Posted by tomasyalba | February 8, 2008 12:45 AM
9

Amy, in addition to the slog, you posted the same words on a PI thread tonight. Hard to escape you.

Posted by stinkbug | February 8, 2008 12:47 AM
10

no gregoire? my money is on the obama rally tomorrow for an announcement

Posted by Cale | February 8, 2008 12:54 AM
11

I thought it was a good speech -- but I'm a sucker for policy and details. My pictures didn't turn out much better (flickr).

Posted by josh | February 8, 2008 12:56 AM
12

I enjoyed being at the rally.

I really liked what she had to say regarding health
care and getting private corpations out of the
business of student loans. That affects me directly.
(Screw Sallie Mae!) She actually talked a lot about
specific issues which is one reason why I like her so
much.

Apparently there were over 5000 of us. There were
four Young Republicans with their "Hillary is Mean"
and "Bush -- Great President or Greatest President?"
signs. And there were the three LaRouche cult members passing out his literature outside. But mostly just 5000 Hillary supporters eager to see the Senator.

Anyway, all in all a good event. I liked how Governor Locke and Ron Sims fired up the crowd. And Representative Inslee's quip about how, after electing the least person capable of being president, surely we can now elect a woman.

I'm considering going to the Obama thang tomorrow, just to see if he talks about issues and specifics, or if it's just more talk about change and hope and healing. As Clinton noted, healing's good, but we need to make sure we heal in the right direction.

Universal health care is a good start.

Posted by PassionateJus | February 8, 2008 12:58 AM
13

Chris Gregoire is saving her endorsement for tomorrow - should be fun at Key Arena.

Posted by Will in Seattle | February 8, 2008 1:11 AM
14

i was moved and inspired. thanks for posting photos--it was almost impossible to see her from the other room without craning our necks and standing on our toes.


can we just note how many people there were NOT over 65!

Posted by kim | February 8, 2008 1:22 AM
15

Eli: thanks for the report. See you tomorrow.

Posted by kerri harrop | February 8, 2008 1:36 AM
16

Sorry woman Bill Clinton, my vote is with the future

Posted by markinthepark | February 8, 2008 2:59 AM
17

Great post. It inspired me to donate to Barack Obama's campaign at www.barackobama.com and I was an Edwards guy.

Posted by MyDogBen | February 8, 2008 6:24 AM
18

not a Hillary supporter but took my 3 children down there to see her - history and all, plus thought i might feel differently about her if i saw her firsthand. we didn't have a prayer of getting in - the people walking north as we were driving south was a pretty good clue.

pretty disappointing - especially when the candidate is someone who thinks "everyone should participate". isn't she supposed to be the uber-manager?

Posted by mks | February 8, 2008 7:37 AM
19

No Billary! We have had enough of the Clitons! No entitlements!

Posted by Lloyd Cooney | February 8, 2008 7:38 AM
20

It's spelled "bellwether" not "bell weather."

–noun 1. a wether or other male sheep that leads the flock, usually bearing a bell.
2. a person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront, as of a profession or industry: Paris is a bellwether of the fashion industry.
3. a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend; index.
4. a person who leads a mob, mutiny, conspiracy, or the like; ringleader.

(source, www.dictionary.com)

Posted by Andy Niable | February 8, 2008 8:00 AM
21

Why do Democratic candidates seem to have so much trouble maintaining a campaign schedule? Kerry did the same thing in 2004, leaving crowds hanging - I remember how, in his Tacoma rally, he left Garrison Keillor to sit there and fill time for a good hour or so. I wonder if Obama can pull off an on-time appearance today.

Posted by tsm | February 8, 2008 8:02 AM
22

@21--

Democrats

1) have larger, wider constituencies, hence more bases to cover

2) have a less disciplinarian/authoritarian basis to their political philosophy

3) believe in talking and talking about problems, so sometimes ramble on a bit past the alotted time, making them late for the next appearance

4) aren't afraid to take questions or discuss (when campus security isn't tazing the kids), rather than just arriving to dictate marching orders to supporters and talking points to the media, hence more schedule stresses

5) are, in a word, more "free form"

Posted by Andy Niable | February 8, 2008 8:26 AM
23

"Free form" is two words.

Posted by some bitch | February 8, 2008 8:42 AM
24

Regarding Iran, Hillary voted in support of the Kyle-Leiberman amendment which Jim Webb described as am authorization for war with Iran. You can check that in the Wapo as I'm too lazy to find the cite.

Find it very interesting that the Gov is going to endorse Barack as well as the Seattle City Council members going 6-3 in favor of him with their endorsements.

Last, easier to "pack" a smaller hall. Nice trick from the campaign trail.

Posted by Elmofan | February 8, 2008 9:05 AM
25

I'm supporting Barack because Billary is too devisive (and do we REALLY want another legacy candidate?! Bush was enough!) and I fear they'll restore the bipartisanship that was par for course in Washington during the 1990s. What's more Barack has a better chance to restore peace with other nations overseas. Visiting Barack's website can provide naysayers with more specifics regarding his policies.

Posted by Tish | February 8, 2008 9:17 AM
26

@22, I don't see how "a less disciplinarian/authoritarian basis to their political philosophy" has anything to do with a reasonable effort to show up on time. I know that candidates can get held up, but like Dan said in another post, the little things matter, especially with less committed voters. A lot of people were pissed off when Kerry took so long to show up in Tacoma. I suspect Hillary may have lost at least a few on-the-fence folk last night.

Posted by tsm | February 8, 2008 9:21 AM
27

all politicians are late. rudy got booed by a bunch of grandmas back in florida. is that really where we're at? generalizing punctuality based on political ideology? what's next, a debate over whether republicans or democrats make better monte cristos?

(btw, little known fact: obama has SICK kitchen skills--not only can he win the caucus, but he would clean up on top chef)

Posted by some dude | February 8, 2008 9:29 AM
28

What a joke of a rally.

It was held in a hard to get to place, was thrown together quickly, the venue was tiny, making it look "packed" but there was barely 3,000 people in it. The 5,000 estimate was an optimistic joke.

Hillary seemed old and tired. It was indeed quite a shock to see such few people at "rally" that is for the PRESIDENT. There should have been 10,000 + at a bigger venue.

I think the writing is on the wall...

She is already using her OWN $$$ to fund her campaign.... Her campaign center has asked for $6 Mill in donations in the next 48 hours...

The end of this nightmare is finally near...

Reality Check

Posted by Reality Check | February 8, 2008 9:46 AM
29

did she refer to herself in the third person as "hils"?

Posted by some dude | February 8, 2008 9:47 AM
30

when we had this great sweep on Super Tuesday

Huh? I thought she said Obama was the frontrunner now. How is that consistent with her sweeping Super Tuesday?

I am hoping to unify the country,

Sure, in opposition to her. She and Huckabee are the only candidates who mobilize people to the polls to vote against them. Obama's wide appeal comes in part from his running on her husband's campaign themes, which must really gall her. Imagine a Bill without bimbo eruptions.

Also, a wether is a castrated ram. So Washington is a castrated sheep with a bell around its neck.

Posted by obama fo' yo' mama | February 8, 2008 9:49 AM
31

Reality Check-

Ah, my friend, glad to see you have an opinion on this issue.

The end of this nightmare is finally near...

Yes, thank god. Soon we may see the horror of engaging & well watched debates, record turnouts, and unity ticket talk finally get killed like the zombie vampire era that it is. Stop the madness.

Clinton/Obama 2008.

Posted by Big Sven | February 8, 2008 9:53 AM
32

Follow her money:

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=076fd56f-4aca-4683-a9d1-3c55d748946e

Looks like she has the Lincoln bedroom booked for her entire first term...

McCain will be able to lasher her with this donor list throughout the general election. (And just imagine what he will find when he starts turning rocks over…)

Posted by You_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me | February 8, 2008 9:57 AM
33

@reality check

that is such bullshit. people were turned away due to space issues.

she's also had a huge turnaround on $$. She did ask for 6 million in 72 hours... and has already raised 7.5 mil.

Posted by craig | February 8, 2008 10:03 AM
34

i thought speeches were to be under twenty minutes?

Posted by infrequent | February 8, 2008 10:10 AM
35

Yay! I'm so glad she pointed out that caucuses disenfranchise people like me who have to work on the day they are held! It makes me want to vote for her even more.

I'm calling in sick tomorrow to caucus for Clinton.

Clinton/Obama 2008!

Posted by Babaloo | February 8, 2008 10:23 AM
36

Caucuses DO NOT disenfranchise people!!!

Do we not teach civics in school any more? You don't have a right to vote in a primary. And you don't have a right to pick the candidate for a party.

Yes, it totally sucks if you are an active member of your local District Democrats group, and you can't attend your caucus.

But if you're not a member, if the only political action you take is to vote in November every four years, then maybe you're not the most qualified person to be choosing the PARTY's candidate.

*SIGH* And then we still invite you to come participate in the caucus in hopes that you'll get more involved. But you only have rights when you exercise them, people!

Posted by Mickymse | February 8, 2008 10:48 AM
37

Okay, so what if, hypothetically, I am an active member of my local Democrats? And I work in healthcare or food service or law enforcement, or any of the many other professions that don't necessarily work 9-5 M-F? And the caucus is held on a Saturday, when I have to work? How am I not disenfranchised then?

Posted by Babaloo | February 8, 2008 10:57 AM
38

Mickymse, while you are technically correct, let me say as a former state level Democratic operative it behooves us to engage any and all Democrats in the process. Let involvement= less enthusiasm= less turnout= fewer wins.

Posted by Big Sven | February 8, 2008 11:00 AM
39

God damn it. I suck. "LESS involvement= less enthusiasm= blah blah blah blah..."

Posted by Big Sven | February 8, 2008 11:02 AM
40

@36,

What difference does it make if you're not an active member of your party? All people should be able to participate if they want to. Caucuses disenfranchise people who have to work on Saturdays or who have to be out of town.

Posted by keshmeshi | February 8, 2008 11:22 AM
41

Amy! THANK YOU FOR POSTING THESE!

Posted by josh bomb | February 8, 2008 12:00 PM
42

"Punctuality is the politeness of kings" - unless you're a presidential candidate with the vagaries of weather, transportation & previous engagements to be considered. Once off schedule - always off schedule.

Posted by RHETT ORACLE | February 8, 2008 12:08 PM
43

Mickeymse, Democrats, smart Democrats at least, want more people to participate, not fewer. You shouldn't have to be a precinct party wonk to count; you just need to be a citizen. The winner's going to govern everybody, not just people who like to go to meetings.

Posted by Fnarf | February 8, 2008 1:47 PM
44

She was so much better than I expected. Her speech was fantastic. Her personal assistant is so fucking sexy... so... vote for Hillary.

Posted by Carollani | February 8, 2008 3:34 PM
45

So I was the aide with the 5k + sign....there was an additional room behind the main room that looked at the side of Hillary on the stage that media couldn't see---had another coupla thousand in it--plus we had to turn away nearly another 1000 (SOOOO SORRRRY)

Posted by THE AIDE | February 8, 2008 4:22 PM

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