Dear Editor,
Most Guyanese I spoke with were glued to their television sets Tuesday night anxious to hear what Hillary Clinton would say about her former rival for the Democratic nomination, Barack Obama, and how they should vote. Hillary gave the best speech they had ever heard, saying even Obama would have a hard time topping it when he accepted the party’s nomination this evening.
Although Clinton urged her supporters to vote for Obama in November, the Guyanese I spoke with are still divided because half of them feel Hillary was disrespected by the Obama team and the American media. They also insist that Obama should have selected Hillary as the vice presidential candidate. Many Guyanese indicated to me they would not vote in November.
The consensus among Guyanese was that Hillary’s speech was great. She was really energetic and fun. Her speech was laced with oratory, humour and touched on all the right points (on issues) in promoting Obama and attacking John McCain. Had she delivered such a fantastic speech months ago, she would have won over voters who voted for other candidates in the Democratic primaries.
She gave Obama the seal of approval on health care. She can’t wait to watch Barack Obama sign a health care plan into law that covers every single American, she said. Hillary was really likeable and down-to-earth.
She fired up the crowd which went wild when she was introduced by her daughter Chelsea. She drove many to tears. Even her husband Bill, vice-presidential pick, Joe Biden, and Michelle Obama all had watery eyes. She was repeatedly cheered receiving several standing ovations even from Michelle Obama who had condemned Hillary during the campaign.
She opened her remarks about being a proud mother, Democrat, American, and supporter of Barack Obama. And later she talked about her support for immigrants which received thunderous applause.
She told the nation it was time to take back the country, whether they had voted for her or Barack, and that they should unite for a single purpose. We are on the same team, she said, and none of us could afford to sit on the sidelines; “No way, no how, no McCain.”
Hillary is an inspiration to all Americans and the world. Her speech shows she does not plan to give up being President one day and of being a role model for women. She reminded the world that 18 million voters supported her, almost the same amount who voted for Obama during the primaries.
She said there were 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, suggesting that a woman would soon completely break the ceiling to become America’s president.
I should note that nearly a third of delegates polled at the convention said they felt Obama should have selected Hillary as his running mate. Only 6% prefered Biden. After Hillary’s speech, nearly every delegate felt Hillary should have been the VP, if not the presidential nominee. Some Obama strategists, privately told political pundists, the campaign made a mistake in not selecting her for the ticket. It could be a costly mistake in the fall.
Hillary delivered a perfect speech which came from an opponent that Obama needed to convince Americans to give him a chance. But it is still too early to tell whether voters will heed Hillary’s urging. Many Hillary delegates told reporters they were still undecided on whether they would vote in November. The race between Obama and McCain has tightened. I believe with Clinton’s endorse-ment of Obama and the brilliant appeal she delivered at the convention floor, Obama’s poll numbers will climb during the next round of polling which will come before weekend.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
