The article “What Was Clinton Saying? Caucus Readers Interpret” written Katharine Q. Seelye in The New York Times Politics Blog, discusses the closing lines of the Austin Democratic debate. When asked what her most difficult challenge in life was Hillary Clinton sort of chuckles that she has indeed faced many personal challenges. She goes on to say that none of these compare to the challenges that the soldiers and many ordinary American citizens face. Next, she declares that she is honored to run with Barack Obama. She states that no matter what happens in the election everything will be fine for her and Mr. Obama, but that she hopes the American people will be able to say the same. The article interprets this conclusion as her conceding and “going out gracefully.”
Contrary to the opinions of the article, I do not believe that Mrs. Clinton’s closing remarks in the Austin debate were in any way an indication that she was giving up. My interpretation of her answer is vastly different in that I see her finally succeeding in getting her point and story across to the American people.
First off she shows her down-to-earth side when she sort of smirks over the fact that she had gone through some crises in her life referring to her husband’s sex scandal. She then continues to say that this is nothing compared with many American’s lives, again showing that she in sensible and empathizes with many.
I think the most significant statement she makes is when she declares that the goal in her life is to give Americans the same opportunities she was blessed with. This is a very effective comment, only pulling voters strongly toward her and making her more likeable as someone who’s fighting for the interest of the people as a whole.
In her final comment she states that she knows that she and Mr. Obama will be fine despite who wins the nomination but she questions if the American people will be. I think this was a subtle, but successful way to promote herself to the voters. She is saying that there is a threat in choosing Mr. Obama and proving herself to be the better choice.
I felt that in her speech there was more of a sense of hopefulness in the upcoming primaries than that of valedictory. Furthermore, I don’t think the recognition of Mr. Obama served as her conceding to him, but moreover her feeling secure in her place in the election and confident in herself. If anything the friendly interaction with Mr. Obama was a way to show people her genuine side and sort of underdog status to sway them for her, not to give the voters to Mr. Obama.
First off she shows her down-to-earth side when she sort of smirks over the fact that she had gone through some crises in her life referring to her husband’s sex scandal. She then continues to say that this is nothing compared with many American’s lives, again showing that she in sensible and empathizes with many.
I think the most significant statement she makes is when she declares that the goal in her life is to give Americans the same opportunities she was blessed with. This is a very effective comment, only pulling voters strongly toward her and making her more likeable as someone who’s fighting for the interest of the people as a whole.
In her final comment she states that she knows that she and Mr. Obama will be fine despite who wins the nomination but she questions if the American people will be. I think this was a subtle, but successful way to promote herself to the voters. She is saying that there is a threat in choosing Mr. Obama and proving herself to be the better choice.
I felt that in her speech there was more of a sense of hopefulness in the upcoming primaries than that of valedictory. Furthermore, I don’t think the recognition of Mr. Obama served as her conceding to him, but moreover her feeling secure in her place in the election and confident in herself. If anything the friendly interaction with Mr. Obama was a way to show people her genuine side and sort of underdog status to sway them for her, not to give the voters to Mr. Obama.
