1980 and 2008: A Contrast in Concessions

Aaron Rutkoff reports from Denver on the Democratic convention. Two of the most dramatic moments from the Democratic convention have featured featured members of two dominant Democratic families: Sen. Edward Kennedy and Sen. Hillary Clinton. But beyond shaping the narrative of the current convention, the two political icons share another defining historical experience: both were compelled to give de facto concession speeches on the second evenings of the conventions after primary races they were thisclose to winning. The speeches themselves, however, could hardly be less alike. Clinton opened her address Tuesday night with a plea for her reluctant supporters to rally around Barack Obama. “Barack Obama is my candidate,” she said. And while she, like Kennedy, filled her speech with praise for the legions of supporters that gave her strength, she took pains to push even the most diehard to Obama. “I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me?” she said. ... (link)