I couldn't say it better than Digby:
I know that it is fashionable among the cognoscenti to hate Bill Clinton, it has been since he came on the scene. But rank and file Democrats still love him and they were happy to see him tonight. Like Hillary, he's the ultimate pro, and he has a legacy to protect and a wife who is one of the most important people in Democratic politics still. There was never any chance he and Hillary would replay 1980. It's never been their style.
He did something important tonight by reminding Americans that he too was derided in 1992 as being too young and too inexperienced to be commander in chief, which to all but a few die hard wingnuts, looks pretty ridiculous in retrospect. In doing that he laid the mantle of his own credibility as president on Obama, which despite the cable babblers who've never gotten it, is substantial to the American public.
I hear that he's going to be campaigning alongside Barack in places like Ohio and Pennsylvania and that's smart. Say what you will about him, he's still a helluva politician.
The first two slides by the incomparable Alan Chin cover most of Digby's point. Clinton's eagerness and electricity radiates right through the battery of secret service. Shots 3, 4 and 5, however, really reveals the full spectrum of Clinton's political personality. In the third shot, we see his characteristic finger. But it's instructive rather than admonishing. In the next frame, we see a side of Clinton that has been painfully absent (and almost forgotten) since Lewinsky -- that gregariousness and playfulness.
In the last shot, though, Bill's expression is one that can't really be acted. And, it's is the image the Democrats and Obama really needed from Clinton last night: simply the look of joy.
For more of the visual, including our continuous coverage of the DNC live from Denver, visit BAGnewsNotes.com.
(Images © Alan Chin. Denver. 2008)
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Great that you found a way to bring up lewinsky even though it was not relevant. If you read (leap of faith) or follow international news he has showed his "that gregariousness and playfulness" at many of the international functions that he attends for his charity.
I was reminded after his speech why Bill Clinton became President. I thought it was brilliant and brilliantly delivered. His speaking style looks effortless, but is very difficult. He took complex issues and made them easy to underrstand. There are very few people talented enough to do this. In a few sentences he summed up what has befallen us, and how to remedy it. It was clear, funny, interesting and poignant. It is no wonder he is still adored by so many.
No one who knows or understands the real Bill Clinton doubts his powers at all. The man won the Presidency twice for good reason...though Obama's oratory skills are admirable, they do not have the honed precision of Clinton, who argued with conciseness why electing Obama is so important in November...he did it in a way that Obama has failed to do time and time again.
Though Obama does radiate star power, it's luminscence is very different than Bill's...Bill's radiates OUT, Obama's draws you in. Clinton's gregariousness is what drew a lot of people to him...no one can deny the man has the gift of gab...Obama is diffident.
Both men have uncanny political skills, and I defy anyone, despite her loss to Obama, to deny that Hillary's husband is not an encyclopedia of information...he trotted that out in his speech about Obama, not with dull recitation of figures, but incorporating them into the narrative to underscore his points...masterful.
I found deeply disturbing the MSM and many Clinton detractors who lapped up the false and misleading tension that was alleged between the Clintons and Obama. The real tension lay with operatives in both camps, many ex-Clintonistas in the Obama camp who sought to lambaste and attack their old boss and wife with silly accusations and childish petulance...naturally, knowing Bill and Hillary, the response was going to be full on slapdown.
Last night he talked the talk....let's see him walk the walk.....excuse me (or don't) for being skeptical....those of you in the Clinton cult.....wait till 2012......i am not counting on any hard core cultists to show up for Obama....would be very nice to be surprised....
Barack will win with or without their help.....and will owe them nothing......nothing.
As the Clintons in turn owe Obama nothing...if he wishes to win, no one will hold his hand...he had the pros make his case this week...now it is up to him show that he can live up to the hype...no Obama supporter will be able to toot his horn loud enough to compensate for the job he and he alone is now suppose to show he can do.
It is only fashionable among the fools to hate Bill Clinton.
Thanks for the pictures, we saw the same one last night !
As much as the Clinton years were better than Bush years, we can do better. I can imagine better. The deregulation, the corruption, the support of torture, a million Rwandans dead, attack helicopters sold to Israel for use on civilians--we can do better than the Clinton years.
I challenge you to show me one administration in American history that has not had its serious problems...
When you compare what Bill Clinton accomplished and brought to the nation compared to Bush, you will see that it was a far better time than the last eight years.
for many Clinton Cultists anything short of love is equal to hate.....no hatred here....just a condemnation of their awful behavior of the past year......they have done more to damage Obama since April (when he already had it won) than McCain is capable of doing....Had they done the right thing months ago, without the drama....Barack would be ahead of McCain by fifteen points.
again, the absence of love does not equal hate....sad that you need to throw that word around.
The old "It's the Clinton's fault" mantra...
In a political campaign, I hate to tell you, you aim to win...it's a fight, not a tea social.
The over the top criticism and parsing of the Clintons which had been the domain of the right wing conspiracy but has since infected the left is one of the reasons Obama has problems with the "old" Democrats, including this one. My vote's going to Ralph or Cynthia.
Let me get this straight: you have problems with the criticism of Clinton, but you're voting for Ralph or Cynthia? I have no problem with your choice. I might make the same one. But your reasoning is strange and defective. What would Ralph or Cynthia think?
Last night proved just how much Bill Clinton STILL commands the love and respect of the American people. (I'd vote for him again in a heartbeat. Damn that pesky "it's only a god damned piece of paper" Constitution.)
Maybe that's why the GOP hates him so much. They could never garner that kind of enthusiasm for Bush, McCain, or any other Republican candidate. Not in their wildest dreams.
I know if someone had tried to destroy me by calling me a racist I sure in hell wouldn't stand up and try to save his as*
PUMA
did you write this post while out of your strait jacket or did you dictate it to someone who already had their meds for the day?
For the record (you've heard of "the record," where we try to keep track of the truth?) Obama didn't call Bill Clinton a racist. In fact, we all have racist views and racist impulses. Clinton made racist remarks, and Obama supporters called him on it. If I teach you to care about the truth, you can call me a teacher, but that won't get me a job at Tulane.
Way to show your support by remaining hard headed. That will serve the country well in November.
As much as I hate to admit it, she has a point. I don't know that I could been that genrous in his place.
Grow up, will you? Hillary lost, Obama won.
Are you so blind with anger that you can't see (or don't care) what will happen to this country if we're saddled with another four years of the same under McCain?
Or maybe you're just another Bush clone. "I'm going to hold my breath until I turn blue because I didn't get my way!"
Bill and Hillary have put their own personal feelings and aspirations aside for the good of the country. That's the way RESONSIBLE adults behave.
Gotta give it the guy, he thrives in the spotlight. Nothing negative meant by that, I watched his speech last night, and I was on MY feet applauding and yelling.
I will not attempt to analyze any "hidden agendas". I'm giving both President and Senator Clinton the benefit of the doubt. No matter what came before, or who said what. they earned America's respect Tuesday night with Hillary and Wednesday night with Bill.....
Democrats, scratch that,.....AMERICANS are so ready to kick a** and take our country back.
Yes, it was good to see My President again. I missed him. What had really been scaring me was that something was going to happen to make me have to turn to the Neo-Cons and regular-cons I know and admit that they were right about the Clintons and I was wrong. Happily, the Clintons have proved this week that they put their country and their party above themselves. They both did what needed to be done in a spectacular fashion.
I was also happy to see that the Democrats at the Convention and the Obama campaign showed them the respect they have earned and deserve.
No regular cons left.
Bill gave a good speech, not a great one. He pulled some punches. No Keating 5 talk? Kerry made the best point about CANDIDATE MCCAIN. If you can compare the promises Republican candidates make with the opposite that the provide as Presidents and Senators. Then you win.
Gotta LUV Bill... =)
he FINALLY looks relaxed and back to his old self. :) YEAHHHHHH!
Now GO GET 'EM TIGER - WE REALLY NEED YOU NOW!
Bill and Hillary were great!!!! I pray that this is a new beginning for the Democratic Party. Last night just seemed really magical to me. He was the old Bill........connecting with the audience.
These pictures are great. Indeed, most of the pictures I've seen of him lately are of a red-faced, grim Bill. I agree with other commentators however, it's not up to the Clintons, no matter how much support they throw behind Barack. It's Obama that needs to win the *ehem* hearts and minds. Not have them won for him.
Yes, he looked relaxed and fit and I was impressed with both of the Clintons the last few days. The pressure of their campaign is off of them now and they can be themselves again. Gotta remember folks, in a lot of campaign rhetoric people say bad things about their opponents that they don't really mean. I don't think Bill and Hillary intended to go negative on Barack in the primaries, but it took a nasty turn that way because they were getting their hats handed to them and they REALLY didn't want to lose. It still sucks, the things they said. But if they carry on now with their support, it can only be good for Barack and the Party. In the end, they'll be rewarded. I'd love to see both of them as part of an Obama Administration. There are so many brilliant, talented people around him that would be perfect for Cabinet positions. I hope he chooses wisely.
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Posted August 28, 2008 | 01:11 PM (EST)