Bill Clinton Rides Again

A commentary on President Bill Clinton's address before the 2008 Democratic National Convention

(Bill Clinton's speech, full text)

Once again Bill Clinton took the platform at the Democratic National Convention but this time he did so not as a candidate but to anoint his hopeful successor, Barack Obama. It was a speach relitively free of self-praise and long on the virtues of Barack Obama, putting an end to speculation that somehow Bill Clinton would throw a monkey wrench into the convention’s machinery by giving Barack Obama an endorsement that was anything less than enthusiastic.

"Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" played as Clinton ascended the podium; Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign theme song. He was greeted by a rousing standing ovation and a sea of American flags in the hands of the gathered Party faithful; he actually had trouble getting the crowd to shut up. He was greeted with more cheers when he announced that he was there to support Barack Obama and to "...warm up for Joe Biden." (Biden spoke later that night.)

President Clinton began by talking about how proud he was of Hillary’s campaign, but he didn’t dwell on Hillary’s bid for office. Tonight it was all about Barack Obama. Not that Bill ignored Hillary entirely; he pointed out that Hillary Clinton had said she would do everything she could to elect Barack Obama, adding "That makes two of us."

He gave an outline of the problems we face, accusing the President of ‘...a failure to consistently use the power of diplomacy" and saying, "The job of the next president is to rebuild the American Dream and restore American leadership throughout the world."

He praised Obama’s abilities, his policies, his heritage, and his choice of a running mate. He also praised Joe Biden’s experience and wisdom.

He talked about Obama’s much maligned readiness to negotiate, his preparedness to use diplomacy even with America’s enemies; something that has given the Right plenty of fodder recently. He said that Obama "will choose diplomacy first and military force as a last resort." He also said that "Barack Obama is ready to lead America and to restore America’s leadership in the world" and that "when he cannot convert adversaries into partners he will stand up to them."

Interestingly, President Clinton pointed out that the Republicans had also said, in the ’92 campaign, that he (Clinton) was too young and inexperienced to be Commander in Chief (Clinton was younger in ’92 than Obama is now). This is a good point, but one that isn’t likely to sway anyone who already thinks that the "experience" argument carries no weight.

In all, it was precisely the speech that the Democrats needed Clinton to make. Bill Clinton is almost deified among democrats, and he could have made the election far more difficult for Obama if he had given a lackluster endorsement. He didn’t. He made it clear that he gave his enthusiastic support to Obama, just as Hillary did last night. There were no sour grapes, no dwelling on bitter memories of the campaign just past except to breifly acknowledge Hillary’s achievements. But this was entirely Obama’s night, and Bill Clinton was happy to toe the Party line.

One thing bothers me...we are actually considering a nominee for President who is younger than I am. Damn, I feel old...

The Blues Viking

The opinions here expressed are mine and if you don’t like them you can get your own damn blog.