The Hillary effect at the Democratic National Convention

August 26, 3:38 PMDenver People ExaminerErnie Tucker

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Lady Liberty...Pro-Choice?

Today is women’s day at the DNC, with more than a little Hillary vibe.

From the vendors unloading tubs of pink Hillary Clinton merch – such as “Hillary Rocks” buttons – to delegates shaking plastic Lifetime TV tambourines during frequent shout-outs to Hillary and Michelle Obama – there was estrogen in the air at the Women's Caucus in the Colorado Convention Center.

Among the day’s highlights:

• Planned Parenthood Action Fund president Cecile Richardson, daughter of the late Texas Governor Ann Richardson who was defeated by George Bush ("history would have been much different" she said to applause), praised Clinton -- but backed Barack Obama at the caucus, calling for Democratic unity. She mentioned Hillary's 18 million supporters, and alluded to the 18 million "cracks in the glass ceiling." Richardson also reprised a line from her Huffington post about women who might be tempted to vote Republican:"Elections are about choices, and Mom would have said that women voting for John McCain would be like chickens choosing to vote for the Colonel."
• “Nanny” TV star Fran Drescher, a cancer survivor and author of Cancer Schmancer as well as founder of a uterine cancer nonprofit of the same name, praised Obama for his choice of a wife, and his backing of health reform.
• Hillary delegates showing their colors and anticipating Sen. Clinton’s speech at the DNC. The Women’s Caucus helped bind old wounds. “There were a lot of strong women coming together today,” said Angela Acree, an at-large Clinton delegate from Missouri. “We expect that she’ll call on her supporters to work for Barack Obama tonight. We’re all Democrats, and we’re in this together."Acree said that the feeling was that this speech would strike a tone similar to Clinton’s concession speech. As for the tambourines? “They were a cute [gimmick] that allowed us to make some noise.”
• Lady Liberty was there, too. At least in spirit. Jessica Rudman, who works for NARAL in Washington, D.C., had a green-hued Statue of Liberty costume on, and was busily handing out Pro-Choice, Pro-Obama stickers. Rudman enjoyed her role, and was easily among the most photographed people there.
• Unpacking cartons of DNC-merchandise, Jenn Morrison of Tampa, Fla., clearly was hoping for a big night of Hillary-phernalia sales. Pink hats, Hillary montage buttons and stickers were displayed near other Democratic merchandise. And while Obama gear has outsold Hillary stuff so far, “I think we’ll do very well tonight.”