What Else is There to Say About Unity?

Unity.

It's a town AND it's a concept!

Finally, after months (or what seems like decades) of jousting and debating, arguing and countering, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama today became, according to one commentator, America's new First Couple in the town-let of Unity, New Hampshire.

As I write this, I'm trying to decide exactly what to say.  There really wasn't any news made, except that it was the first public appearance of Obama and Clinton together since she stepped out of the race.  Other than that, it really doesn't fall into the "breaking news" category, no matter what the cable networks call it.

Clinton commented on the fact that we need to create an "unstoppable force for change."  Obama agreed with one supporter who shouted out, "Hillary rocks!"  And Obama commented on how, for every presidential race in the future, our daughters will know there is no barrier that can stop them from doing "anything boys can do, but better .... and in heels."

Yet we all waited.  They pushed back the time.  And then they were late ... again. And we still waited.

The crowd hung on each word from both and I wondered why?  And I realized that for all the spectacle and hoopla, for the ten-foot-high letters that spelled out U N I T Y and the equally massive American flag, this, too, was an historic moment.

When I first realized I had a political addiction, I was still in high school and thought Mo Udall was the best thing since sliced bread.  While I might have pondered what a woman or African-American might look like in the White House, the only candidates for most political offices then were all white men.  Today, I get to show my eight-year-old daughter not only what two historic candidates look like, but also that they can fight and disagree in the most public and sometimes hurtful ways and can still get along to work toward important common goals.

I guess that's the comment-worthy part of the afternoon -- that at the end of the day, we need to keep our eyes on what's really important.  I know there are a lot of people who still are working their way through the steps of grieving, but Obama and Clinton have clearly spoken.

Whether they say it artfully or less tactfully, it's time.  So if that's the takeaway they were hoping we'd all get, I guess I can forgive them for having a theme party in Unity, N.H.

While Joanne ponders what the next good political theme party should be, you can find her at PunditMom, as well as at BlogHer, where she is a Contributing Editor for Politics and News, and on XM Radio POTUS '08 Channel 130, where she is a regular contributor.

Comments

[Bill Vroom]

Another thing about Obama - he'll fix your computer, and more! See http://obamawill.com

[Ted]

Now that we’re beyond Hillary, we can look forward to the first female VP, Sarah Palin, to become the first female President of the United States in 4 years!

[cynematic]

We can do this, people. We can win in November, and get our beautiful country back on track.

[Gunfighter]

No Prisoners!

[cynematic]

BTW, with Congresswoman Diane Watson bristling at the supposedly dismissive "Clinton supporters will get over it" remark from Obama: Representative Watson is my congresswoman.

I live in her district, and I'm personally sending her a letter reminding her that of the 679+ people in her district from my zip code alone who donated $695,786 to either the Democratic Party or the DNC or to Kerry, Edwards, Clinton, Kucinich and Obama, many of us put our money where our votes will go. And I'm sure all the staunch Dems in my district are now on board with Obama, so yes, she can with all due respect put her big girl panties on like the rest of us and get busy electing Obama and defeating McCain. Because we her electorate will expect nothing less of her.

And we want to continue to be proud that an accomplished, experienced, strong and proudly Democratic woman of color is our representative.

[Caroline]

Behind closed doors, I am sure things aren't entirely 100% between Obama and Hillary still but - BUT - it does my heart good to watch them together. I know its all for politics and of course its for the best of this party, but I am feeling it. I am there and completely caught up in it - hook, line and sinker. I love watching them together. I love what it stands for. They seemed comforatable, relaxed and READY. At last, our party is coming together and turning towards the real issue - keeping McCain out of office. I feel relief and true optimism. Even McCain has admitted he is the underdog. I'm with Cynematic - WE CAN DO THIS, PEOPLE!

[Lawyer Mama]

It was such a historic moment. And since no news was made, I can talk about the trivial - HRC looked GREAT! Better than I've seen her look in a long time. And quite relaxed. That was nice to see.