Hillary Clinton calls for unity at DNC

Hillary Clinton’s speech was probably the most anticipated speech so far — her challenge was to unite those who passionately supported her througout her campaign and might be reluctant to now give their support to Barack Obama.

Andrea Bernstein, "The Takeaway’s" Political Director was at the DNC, and says going into Clinton’s speech, there was a lot of tension — there were supporters of Barack Obama who’ve seen some of her speeches before, and who were anxious that she would take away with one hand, what she gave with the other. There were also lots of delegates who had come there to vote for Clinton, who she had to turn around.

Clinton’s speech began with a dramatic introduction by Chelsea Clinton , and a video showing highlights from her campaign. When she finally spoke, she said right out of the gate that those who support her should support Barack Obama:

"I haven’t spent the past 35 years in the trenches advocating for children, campaigning for universal health care, helping parents balance work and family, and fighting for women’s rights at home and around the world … to see another Republican in the White House squander our promise of a country that really fulfills the hopes of our people."

She echoed Ted Kennedy’s earlier pledge to "be there" for Barack Obama, and went directly to the argument that here delegates were making:

"I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?"

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