Ted Danson and his wife, Mary Steenburgen, appeared on stage at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night and introduced themselves to the audience like this:
“I’m Mary Steenburgen, a train conductor’s daughter from North Little Rock, Ark.”
“And I’m Ted Danson, an archaeologist’s son from Flagstaff, Ariz.”
The actress went on to talk about her lengthy friendship with Hillary Clinton.
“I’ve been blessed to call Hillary Clinton one of my closest friends since 1978,” she said. “That is a whole lot of life. How would I describe her? Loves to laugh, especially at herself. World class listener. Quick to forgive. Sensitive. Empathetic. But like her mother, Dorothy, if she gets knocked down seven times, she will get up eight.”
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Steenburgen then recalled one night in Arkansas, when she was with the Clintons, sitting on kitchen counters, and they were talking in deep nuance about health care for children.
“As they were talking, I remember looking at Bill and thinking, “I wish you could become president someday.
“Then I looked at Hillary and I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it say something to our daughters, our sons, to all those people whose lives I know you could touch if you became president? Because I know you. And I know you will never stop working your heart out for them!’
“That was 38 years ago. And then, it seemed like too much to dream for. But tonight, it seems very, very possible.”
At that point, Danson chimed in.
“Anybody can brag,” he said. “Anybody can talk. Hers is the poetry of doing.”
Steenburgen continued: “When people ask us how she’s still standing, we say, ‘It’s very simple. She’s got more guts than anybody in the room.’”