The XX Factor: What women really think.

But Enough About Me ...

When Hillary asked in her speech tonight, "Were you in it just for me?" she crystallized for me why I wasn't behind her. I think if you are in it just for her, you're kind of throwing away the election for the Democrats. Hillary has always been polarizing—a lightning rod for right-wingers to organize, unite, and crusade against. Putting her at the head of the ticket would have been suicide for the Democratic Party. What she would have achieved for women becoming the first woman candidate for president would likely have cost the Democrats the election, unfortunately. And that's just not something at this point in history I, for one, am willing to risk. (Which is exactly the point she seemed to be making--that there's too much at stake right now not to unite as a party for this election--now that she's out of the race.)

That said, I thought she gave a good speech, and it was precisely because she asked the question "Were you in it just for me?" She appealed to her supporters to look beyond their own grudges and look out for the greater good of the party. She did what she needed to do to be the unity candle. I just could have done without so much of her own personal campaign catharsis. I'm glad she learned a lot, and now I'm sure her supporters feel better, having been acknowledged. But let's get on with the uniting part of it. Please, let the pity party be over.