Friday, August 08, 2008

Hillary, the Convention, and Women's Equality Day   [Byron York]

I was corresponding yesterday with a person who is quite knowledgeable about doings in the Democratic party, asking what Hillary Clinton will be up to at the convention.  Of course she'll speak. And guess what?  The second day of the convention, Tuesday, August 26, just happens to be Women's Equality Day, which marks the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment.  Seems pretty natural for all involved, so look for Clinton star in her own theme night.

As to the question of whether there will be an actual vote of delegates at the convention — not so clear. Clinton is certainly being cagey about it.  On a webchat yesterday, she was asked, "Is there any possibility of your name being placed in nomination for president at the convention?"  Her answer:

I know that there have been a lot of questions on this subject. Senator Obama and I share the goal of ensuring that the voices of everyone who participated in this historic process are respected. I want to assure everyone we are working together with Senator Obama's campaign and the DNC, and I am confident we will have a successful and unified Convention in Denver.

Nothing in there to tell you anything one way or another.  But look at it this way: Hillary Clinton speaks to the convention on Women's Equality Day, amid a big celebration of the role of women in the Democratic Party, and everyone is feeling good about how inclusive they are — and then, just hours after celebrating the right of women to vote, the convention denies a vote to the millions of women who supported Hillary Clinton?  How's that gonna work?  Might it be that the fortuitous occasion of Women's Equality Day will actually create pressure for a floor vote?

My Democratic source didn't agree, saying the occasion would be "inspiring, not divisive."  But I like my theory.

08/08 08:21 AMShare