Clinton speech reminds Dems of what might have been

In March I wrote a column saying that a "dream ticket" would be THE ticket to sweep the Democrats into the White House: Either way would work: Hillary/Barack, or Barack/Hillary. Many of my friends and associates regarded it as a "sellout" opinion article. Last night Hillary Clinton proved that this writer was right, the critics were wrong.

Anyone who watched--either in the Hall, or on television thousands of miles away--knows that the speech Hillary Clinton delivered to some 20,000-plus Democrats in Denver's Pepsi Center, was about as presidential as they come and even more so. She got in references to Harriet Tubman and slavery; the women's right to vote; a salute to Democrats running the government in better times (a goodwill gesture to her husband, President Clinton, who waved to the applause from the VIP box); a solemn remembrance of two deceased power-house Democrats: Cleveland, Ohio Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones and Bill Gwatney, the Arkansas Democratic Party Chairman; and she ended with a "God Bless America" salutation, too. 

I have to wonder, how many people sat and had private thoughts of: "Wow, this woman should be the nominee." Of course, not many delegates will ever say that aloud, nor should they if they are true Democrats and want to reclaim the White House. Hillary has moved on and her delegates and her 18 million voters should too. That was the sentiment of her passionate and very selfless speech. 

However, the reality of it all is, because she was so good at being a "gamer" and stepping up for the team (Team Obama), the performance was but another reminder of how good she may have been in the fall campaign either at the top, or at the number two spot on the ticket. 

The other reality is Hillary may not be able to persuade the diehards in her campaign. A new CBS poll shows that only six percent of the delegates wanted Sen. Joseph Biden, (D-Del.) to be the veep running mate. More than 23 percent wanted Obama to pick Hillary. 

Clinton Delegate Ann Price Mills, a middle-aged black woman who normally calls her neighbors and relatives reminding them to vote, is a classic example. She was in tears on the floor after the speech telling reporters that for the first time in her life, she may stay home. 

"I won't vote for McCain," Mills said. "But for the first time since I was 18 ... I may be faced with something I don't want to deal with .... (someone) may have to call me and tell me and remind me." 

Clinton delegates (and for that matter, Obama delegates who choose to do a last-minute flip flop) will get a sentimental roll call vote Wednesday and put her name in nomination, but that's only to lay a nominal historical claim. 

So it is Hillary has done what the "playbook" called for: 

1. Come out and show strong support for Barack Obama. Check, done. 

2. Tell 18 million Hillraisers (voters) to get over their loss and join Obama. Check, done.

3. Beat up on Republican presumptive nominee John McCain. Check, done.

In the previous article referenced above, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), the former Atlanta Councilman and civil rights icon, endorsed the idea of a dream ticket. He said it would be "unstoppable." 

But now the dream ticket remains just that--a dream. And no one is certain if or when a good block of those 18 million Hillary fans will awaken from it and vote the Democrats new reality in November. That is change Barack--and his loyal followers--best not only believe in, but pray for.