Based on some media coverage of the Democratic National Convention two weeks ago, some people might have had the impression the most important story was the "angry" Clinton supporters who were not planning to back Obama. But we know from first-hand experience that these reports were blown way out of proportion.

We both attended the convention, one of us as an Obama delegate, and one of us as a Clinton delegate. We both experienced the convention and a party committed to winning this election and being united in changing our country.

Sen. Clinton ran an historic campaign that put 18 million cracks in that highest and hardest glass ceiling. And at the convention, Sen. Clinton with grace and eloquence made it clear that this campaign is not about her or Sen. Obama, but about the choice between changing the direction of our country or another four years of failed Bush policies.

Clinton asked her supporters, "Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? ... Were you in it for all the people in this county who feel invisible."

The answer to Clinton's question is clear. The stakes are too high in this election and the issues are too important - issues of the economy, energy, health care, foreign policy and national security, and civil rights. On those issues, our party and our convention were completely united.

This is especially true when it comes to issues important to women.

Sen. McCain might hope that by nominating a woman as his Vice President, Clinton supporters will flock to him. But if McCain thinks that women will mistake Sarah Palin for Hillary Clinton, he seriously misjudges the intellect of America women, a grave mistake. The fact is that both Clinton and Barack Obama are united to end the last eight years of failed Bush policies important to a majority of American women.

Clinton spent 35 years fighting for women and for our country. Sarah Palin has spent her time in the public arena fighting for abstinence-only sex education, creationism taught in our public schools, and banning books from the libraries of Alaska.

Clinton, Obama and Joe Biden will be on the front lines of the battle to provide affordable, accessible health care for all. Palin has been on the front lines of the battle to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Obama, Biden and Clinton believe that women have a fundamental right to choose how and when to start a family. Palin wants to overturn Roe v. Wade and outlaw abortions, even when the mother's health is in jeopardy.

Obama, Biden and Clinton believe that men and women should receive equal pay for equal work. Palin's running mate has opposed any and all efforts to combat this gender inequality in the workplace.

Over the course of the campaign, Clinton brought together millions of men and women who supported a strong, smart woman who shared their values. This support cannot and will not be transferred just because another woman is in the race.

While the selection of Gov. Palin is a recognition of the importance of women's support and votes in this election and an acknowledgment of the leadership capabilities of women, her position on issues of fundamental importance to women would be a step backwards for Clinton supporters and for Americans.

For these and many other reasons, we are confident that the addition of Palin to the ticket will help unite the Democratic Party and bring women across the country together to support the Obama/Biden ticket.

This was expressed clearly at the women's caucus we attended at the convention. We heard from speakers like Ellen Malcolm, President of EMILY'S List, Donna Brazile, CNN commentator, Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood, and others. Richards put it best when she said that her mother, former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, would have said, "Women voting for McCain would be like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders."

We are confident that the convention brought welcome closure to the primary season. The Democrats are now a united party under Obama/Biden, and Senator Clinton will be fighting alongside them to win this election and bring real change to America

We could not be happier.

Jeanne Kohl-Welles was an Obama delegate and is the State Senator from Washington's 36th Legislative District.

Linda Mitchell was a Clinton delegate and is head of the National Women's Political Caucus of Washington State.