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THE REACTION: Pride, support and misty eyes

BY CRAIG GORDON | craig.gordon@newsday.com

August 27, 2008

DENVER - Hillary Rodham Clinton's long-awaited and much-debated first appearance at the Democratic convention won a boisterous cheer from the crowd - and that was just the video.

But the loudest applause for Clinton came when she took the stage to speak of unity and supporting Barack Obama and beating John McCain - words that brought a "That's right!" from New York delegate Belinda Dixon on the convention floor. She supported Clinton all along but now thinks it's time to move on to Obama - and she said last night's speech told her Clinton is ready to do the same.

"She's going to bring the party together with this speech," said Dixon, of Staten Island, who held a Unity sign. "Anyone who doesn't support the party after this really wasn't supporting her."

There were misty eyes among the New Yorkers, to be sure, at daughter Chelsea's introduction, or when it sank in that this really was one of the final acts of Clinton's historic run. In all the coverage of the Clinton-Obama controversy, it's easy to lose sight of the deeply personal connection some of these women feel to Hillary - how they talk of struggles in their lives that mirror Clinton's against Obama - but the air in the hall was more appreciation than sadness as several said they just wanted the chance to recognize her achievement.

"It was important for me to hear her, to turn the page. I wanted the convention to honor what she has accomplished," said Hazel Rigby, a retired school teacher from Alexandria, Va.

Some Obama supporters pronounced themselves pleased with Clinton's efforts to mend the breach - cheering her "No McCain!" line and saying the speech was all they could wish for. "I think she's getting it done," Obama delegate Robert Allen, a retired judge from Cheyenne, Wyo., said. "We're going to bury the hatchet and make Obama the president."

Dixon, who is African-American, said she was glad for the chance for the party to move on. "We waited a long time for a woman to run and win, and she really came close," said Dixon, who now will celebrate Obama's milestone. "So it's kind of bittersweet."

RATING THE SPEECH

Newsday is asking four people to assess the major speech of the night during the Democratic convention this week.

Speech overview: Hillary Clinton got high marks from all four panelists, with the only main criticism that she did not talk effectively enough about herself. Undecided Democrat Marta Del Valle said Clinton made her cry and persuaded her to switch her allegiance from Clinton to Barack Obama. Former Suffolk County Republican leader Edwin "Buzz" Schwenk called it "a hell of a good political speech." Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf said Clinton's supporters now have "permission to be not only Hillarycrats but Obama Democrats." St. John's University speech expert Michael Hostetler said Clinton gave a "fine performance," except for her "laundry listing" of issues.

SPEECH SCORECARD: HILLARY CLINTON

Did she connect with her audience?

Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf: yes

Former Suffolk Republican leader Edwin "Buzz" Schwenk: yes

St. John's University professor and speech expert Michael Hostetler: yes

Baldwin resident Marta Del Valle, an undecided Democrat: yes

Did she have something significant to say?

Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf: yes

Former Suffolk Republican leader Edwin "Buzz" Schwenk: yes

St. John's University professor and speech expert Michael Hostetler: yes