That's Why They Call Him 'The Comeback Kid'

Sixteen years since that first Presidential campaign, and Bill Clinton still knows how to stage a comeback. During Hillary's campaign he seemed to take on the role typically filled by a Vice Presidential candidate. He hit her opponent over and over, hard - so hard, in fact, that it hurt Clinton's image among some Democrats and left scars of bitterness on the party's psyche.

After tonight, those scars will probably heal. After this speech, any lingering bitterness toward the former President will probably be replaced by a 'come home, all is forgiven' glow. Obama supporters may differ with Bill Clinton on somepolicy issues, but Bill Clinton has restored his position as the patriarch and elder statesman of the Democratic Party.

"That makes two of us," Bill said of his endorsement and Hillary's. "In fact, that makes eighteen million of us." That was the punchline, the payoff line, and it delivered the emotional wallop everyone was waiting for. Bill went much further than Hillary did in praising Obama, and it made all the past rumors of bruised Clinton/Obama egos feel like nothing more than a dramatic build-up to a satisfying denouement.

Bill may have also been putting out a little "this is how it's done" vibe toward his successor, too. He was the old master, nailing line after line. Well, fine. Obama's going to have to step up his game anyway to nail that 80,000-person crowd. He could do worse than to deliver a line like Bill's about showing the world "the power of our example and not just example of our power."

Bill Clinton endorsed Obama's ability as commander in chief in unequivocal terms, and he laid out a strong argument about his ability to fix the economy. Sure, we could nitpick. The line-parsers are already jumping on his praise for Biden's experience, although I thought that the balance between "experience" and Obama's "insight" was well-nuanced. I did think he was too soft on McCain, overpraising his independence and failing to note the flip-flops and reversals that have marked McCain's campaign.

But these are minor quibbles. Will this speech help Obama in the general election? Almost certainly, and Obama would be wise to draw on Bill extensively in the coming campaign. Will it help heal the Democratic Party? Definitely.

I suspect this speech will fully restore President Clinton's personal stature within the party. After a bruising and bitter campaign, Bill Clinton is on his way to once again being a unifying Democratic figure. The more he helps Obama, the more he will renew his own reputation.

Tonight Bill Clinton did what he had to do - for the party, for Obama, and for the Clinton franchise. You gotta hand it to him: He just made one more comeback.

For more Huffington Post coverage of the Democratic National Convention, visit our Politics @ the DNC page, our Democratic Convention Big News Page, and our HuffPost bloggers' Twitter feed, live from Denver.

Follow RJ Eskow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/rjeskow

Comments

[InfiniteShibumi]

Welcome home, Bill. We missed ya.

[NABNYC]

I didn't see anything about Bill Clinton's speech that was more than perfunctory. The reality is that this is four days of TV coverage, four nights of primetime, that's supposed to be dedicated to getting Obama elected, getting Democrats in control. But because of the self-absorbed Clintons, we instead have spent most of the convention listening to speculation about whether Hillary will tell Democrats to vote for the Democratic candidate ("Oh, she was so noble, so courageous to do so"), and whether Bill would trash Obama or just make nice.

As for the Democrats having a National Security night, I wish they'd had a job night. I wish they'd had a truth night. How many of us could come up with a litany of crimes by the Bush administration that need to be brought to justice? Starting wars based on lies, smothering science, letting their friends loot the treasury, rigging elections, packing the courts, letting people in Katrina rather than do something, bankrupting the nation, sending our jobs to other countries, cutting taxes so that rich people and businesses don't pay any taxes and the rest of us can't afford to eat.

We had 4 hijackings. Not an invasion. Democrats need to stop this militaristic pro-empire deadly fanaticism and get back to running the country. How many speeches have ended with We'll WIN the war, God protect our troops, and God Bless the U.S. What is that if not the battle cry of a military dictatorship?

[got2Bkidding]

Folks,
I've got a secret for you.

These people that are still bashing the Clinton's or Obama, they ain't democrats. Some of them are probaly republicans. Probably a bunch. Thinking their doing Lord Rush's and Duke O'Reilly's work.

But some may very well be instigators of another sort.

They know that there are two sides of the democratic party. They know that almost half supported Hillary. They know it was a toughly fought primary.

If they can appeal to the emotions of one or the other group, they can "stir" the pot.

There is no news here. Bill and Hillary were wonderful. They gave beautiful speeches. Hillary specifically addressed her supporters. It wasn't about her. Bill comes out and says first thing "I am here first to support Barack Obama". They both committed to working to make sure that Barack was the next president.

There ain't no news here folks.

It's the conflict that is the news. The conflict not caused or created by the Clinton's or Obama. It's the people stirring the pot. All of them. The I won't vote fors, the PUMA's, the I hate Clinton's, the make me mad and I won't vote's. All of them.

They're making news by stirring the pot.

Don't listen to them. Take the spoon away. The soup is done.

[bpowell1]

I totally agree with you. These people are not Democrats. These are the same people that went out there and voted in the state's where they had open primaries and tried to fix an election. And why is it all of sudden the Republicans have so much compassion for the Clinton's? Use your head people they are trying to play on your emotions.

[elizaW]

You think if you keep saying" they're not democrats, they're not democrats," it'll make it true. Not everyone thinks of John McCain as four more years of Bush. A lot of people respect the man and more importantly, trust him. These Democrats, or Independents haven't jumped on board with Obama yet and maybe never will. If you want to deny their existence, go ahead. It doesn't hurt them but they could hurt Obama's chances in November.

[Myrell002]

I agree!!!

[ballewb]

I'm glad to hear someone else say that.

The media need a story to fill space and sell ad time.

The Republicans need something, because they having losing positions on all the issues.

[banats]

Methinks that you are correct about "others" stirring the pot. I always felt that if you supported Obama, you would follow his example and not trash Hillary and Bill with the abusive language that I read in many of these posts during the primary season. The Clinton administration had two major successes in my opinion: The US was generally respected by the world and the administration balanced the budget. No person or administration is going to be perfect.

[SouthernBlueBelle]

I think you are right. They could get real jobs and not have time for us.

[calpoet]

It was Bill's best speech in a career filled with outstanding speeches. What a moment. Hopefully he will campaign hand and hand with Obama and take back the country from the thugs who have stolen it.

[barackobama4prez]

Bill can come up with one-liners that are instant reminders of why he was elected twice. I wish O would try to add more of that to his rhetoric, it really drives home the points.

[bpowell1]

I would love to see Obama and Bill Clinton campaign together. I bet that would be something you wouldn't forget.

[Myrell002]

I hope they do!

[leftoflennon]

Ol' Slick Willie is back and I couldnt be happier.

THIS is the Bill I loved and missed.

Welcome back !

U did a great thing last night.

[jtmoney]

They don't call him Slick Willie for nothing. Say what you will about both of the Clintons, I thought they gave an honest effort to back Obama the past couple days.

I thought Hillary did a fine job in her own right. Then Bill was able to listen to any critique given to her speech and fill in any gaps they think she may have missed. And Bill can talk with the best of them. Well done as a team I thought.

[renatam]

Barack/Joe should not be complacent about the Clintons, who left w/their loyal "friends" before his speech tonight. Not even a token presence -- like Charlie Rangel (D-Harlem-NYC) is "permitted" to stay on behalf of his constituency. The Clintons ALWAYS force you to choose between your interests (or your constituents) -- or them. They left w/their supporters.

That is what I would watch before deciding how/where or IF to use them going forward.

The speeches were performance art -- for what they believe is Hillary 2012 Campaign.

Barack/Joe should watch their backs -- and I know Barack knows this, having managed this challenge from a running start w/zero dollars or influence -- against Hillary's still unvested $100 million and 200 delegates start.

The speeches were a pragmatic decision on the part of Clinton Inc. to perform for a Party who had had enough -- and, retire to fight another day. Another day -- is TODAY.

[jtmoney]

No doubt she will run again in the future. I don't think that Hillary would consider running in 2012 for the same reason she didn't run in 2004. She would have nailed the Democratic nomination over Kerry and run against a very unpopular president. She doesn't want to run against an incumbent which is very hard to do. She is probably looking at 2016 regardless of how this election turns out.

[boogygran]

I've enjoyed reading your comments in this thread - Thought provoking and down-to-earth for sure.....thanks so much.

[Jellybelly]

As a Hillary supporter I think both Clintons did great to help Obama and will campaign strongly for him to win. But I also believe she did it for herself so that if Obama does not win in November she will have the upper hand in 2012. No one will be able to say she didn't try her hardest for Obama to win.

[riverhippie]

The Clintons have made a career out of people believing in their "honesty."

Fool me once, shame on me.

[renatam]

These old hacks - who we loved in their time, stuck in a time warp of personal/family/friend self-interests, only mirrored what was being done at the top of the food chain -- Bush/Clinton/Cheney/McCain Inc. They bought into the corrupt status quo. For Charlie, a fitting end to the man who ended the career of Adam Clayton Powell -- who needed to go, but w/his dignity -- because he LOVED HARLEM and its people. For Bill Clinton, who loved black people -- for what they could do FOR him and as long as we stayed in our place -- the same. Hacks from the apex through the middle, to our local Tammany Hall local governments.

Charlie Rangel, heir to Adam Clayton Powell -- left w/the Clinton Inc. Today is the 45th Anniversary of the MLK speech, and the Congressman from Harlem will not stay to see/hear it. So wedded to the Clintons - and not his own constituency. Americans no longer will leave their interests in the hands of powerbrokers and political bossess. The Clintons knew where to come. They had the appearance of supporting a blacks, w/out really doing so. The Foundation-as-PR cover? The $1 BILLION fortune remains unvetted.

Americans (and boomers, in particular) are maturing. We want better because we ARE better. We also want better for our children as we (finally and belatedly) enter the 21st Century - Republicans and their flipside, Clinton Inc. -- tried to stop. The 1990s are over.

[renatam]

Bill and Hillary Clinton jumped the shark and will only be shells of their former influence. They didn't understand the zeitgeist -- and their performances this week, followed by early departures -- only reinforces what they lack. Even if Barack/Joe lose, Americans (and Democrats, specifically) will never go back to the late 20th Century standards, political warfare the Clintons thrive with/in -- and, New York City politics is about to belatedly shift -- where pol bosses like Charlie Rangel in Harlem (who delivered them ZERO votes for Barack in his District, which was subsequently and belatedly "corrected" to be 50/50 -- AFTER the NY Primary) -- is SO OVER.

The $1 BILLION Clinton Inc. organization owns some NY politicians, and the AA -- 125th Street Office and Charlie as the anchor and strong man Clinton friend -- speaks volumes about how Clinton Inc. sees African-Americans, leverages AAs -- and really believed that a 70 year old pol hack w/5 subsidized apartments in one building, represents ALL African Americans current thinking about ourselves and our place in the 21st century America. We are not Jesse Jackson, another Clinton hack. Alot of us are going to have to give up more -- to get more. We have to look beyond our particular special interests -- for the greater good. We all have to conduct our affairs responsible to one another.

[bigkay]

Looks like age discrimination is alive and well in your post. How soon you forget what the Clintons, Jacksons, Rangels did for the African American community.
Your" going to give up more to get more"? What the hell are YOU talking about?

[classc 1]

Well, maybe the Clintons are that good, or maybe I am that gullible, but after being absolutely FURIOUS with both Bill and Hillary for their behavior in this campaign, they are redeemed in my eyes. Whatever their motives, whatever the reasons why we got to this place, I do not see how anyone can say that Bill and Hillary gave Obama anything less than their best in an attempt to make this right. Thank you Mr. President. Thank you for being the man that I have long admired...I am willing to put these past few months behind us. Much success, love and good will to you and your family.

[vinny]

Same here. I would say also the Obama camp may be the only one holding lingering grudges. To say "Hillary rocked the House" is a gross understatement. For as much as I was disgusted with her "kitchen sink" antics, I am not so dense as to not recognize that Hillary made HISTORY that evening. Her speech spoke to the issues and expressed the interests of 18,000 million people. It was one of the best, uplifting political moments we have had in a very long time.

[ballewb]

Their behavior was typical primary actions. Did you expect them to not fight their hardest? Besides, their actions were far less vitriolic than in past primaries (see the daisy commercial and what Bush did to McCain in 2000). I understand that you disagreed with them and did not like what they said, but honestly it was not all that bad. Sure the media hyped the hell out of it, but the media has its own interests in mind (an increase in drama/controversy = an increase in viewers = an increase in ad space sales and prices).

That said, I think Obama and the Clintons will work well together in the campaign. To tag the Clintons with motives other than getting a Dem in the whitehouse is a Republican talking point and not worth more time than to note that fact and dismiss the comment.

[Jellybelly]

As a Hillary supporter I think both Clintons did great to help Obama and will campaign strongly for him to win. But I also believe she did it for herself so that if Obama does not win in November she will have the upper hand in 2012. No one will be able to say she didn't try her hardest for Obama to win.

[jerseywolf]

Clinton gave a brilliant speech.

[renatam]

Bill's future relevancy (and international rep for his DEALMAKING) depended upon it.

Hillary's future as a NYS Senator - is not secure and will be less so if Barack/Joe win -- because this is seen locally in NYC as an opportunity to BREAK up the Clinton fusion w/local pols cartel. This year's Campaign has exposed vulnerabilities and their HUGE fortune, amassed during a downturn in less than 7 years -- remains UNVETTED.

[Justsaynodeal]

I think it is time for you to grow up................want to destroy the Clinton's, for whatever selfish reason you are motivated by............it ain't gonna happen. I not only say an enthusiastic response but a respect from blacks and other delegates, but there may have been a hint of buyer's remorse permeating that convention hall.

[S1m0n]

Stature in the party?

He and his wife just hijacked the convention to proclaim their support for Obama. When you do that, what you're displaying isn't 'support" -- It's the opposite.

If either Clinton really supported Obama, they'd have allowed the convention to be about Obama. Instead, we've had 72 hours of non-stop Clintonian psychodrama. Take a look at the coverage here, or anywhere: nearly every story is about Bill or Hill. Remind us: who was supposed to be the candidate, again?

Unless Obama give a miracle of a speech tomorrow, he just let the Clintons poison the chalice.

[jerseywolf]

That isn't how it played. It played like a passing of a torch. And that's fine. Remember this is the Democratic convention. And Clinton is still respected by most Democrats. You can't deny him. That's a mistake. With drama and tension comes catharsis. Obama showed wisdom in giving the Clintons a large role in this convention.

[wildflowermaven]

Bill C has spoken at the convention every time since 1988. If he didn't speak this time, can you imagine the talk that would have caused? And how could Hillary not have been given a good length of time to speak, given how many voted for her? I think it went fine, the Clintons did themselves proud and also helped Obama at the same time.

[ballewb]

Swing and a miss. More republican talking points. The speeches were about Obama and the Clintons in that they drew parallels between them as a way of endorsing Obama to a wider Dem. base and proclaiming Obama as a continuation of the policy priorities that made the U.S. proseperous in the 1990's.

[renatam]

Thank you, Bill -- for doing what, in the end, was for your benefit and Hillary's. Excellent performances. They, and Terry McAullife - and their other cartel members left Denver before your historic speech. Speaks volumes.

Now, Barack and Joe -- watch your backs, w/the passive-aggressive Clinton Inc., placed throughout Fox "News" and, Mark Penn's new hire-Karen Hughes (chief Bush propogandist and Rove surrogate.

The American people got your backs, too.

Bill nailed it when he said Barack is "on the right side of history."

We might be on the precipice of a political renaissance -- where pithy comments, mockery, ambush tactics and other frat-boy, juvenille discourse will be replaced with ADULT MANAGEMENT of our Nation's affairs -- domestically and internationally.

Tax dollars might be leveraged on behalf of the American people -- instead for an elite, connected, nepotism, cronyism cartel and Bush/Clinton dynasties of people and influence.

[ballewb]

Defaming and proclaiing Clinton in the same post?

Their leaving speaks volumes? Of what?

[Texanna33]

Really, talk about "can't win for losing". I have never seen so many people who can't just say the Clintons did great without taking it back in the next breath.

Be grateful they spoke, it WILL make a difference in the election.

[nellie]

Bill's speech last night was the coup de grace for what was undoubtedly Karl Rove's puma gambit.

Thank you, Mr. President. Your speech reminded us what a strong, clear democratic message sounds like.

[3rdCitizen]

I agree that Bill Clinton regained his stature in the Democratic party last night. (This guy handles his reputation like a kid with a yoyo!) I originally had mixed feelings about Hillary's speech the night before since it did little to dilute the venom of her kitchen-sink attacks on Obama that the Repubs have been happy to replay, but I can understand that her most agrieved supporters may not have been ready to hear her refute them. So, having Bill do it for her, and with all the authority of the last effective president we had before the current disaster, may have been the smartest move after all.
Of course, most of the solid, eloquent case for Obama that's been laid out by Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Joe Biden & others will have little effect on the masses of undecided voters since most people don't watch political conventions. Last night, I talked to a right-of-center friend of mine who knows Bush is incompetent & has doubts about McCain, but he's bought in to almost every concern that the MSM pundits have raised about Obama. I realized, as the Repubs have, that fear is a very effective shield against the truth.

[Texanna33]

Bill never lost his stature within the Democratic party . You may have fallen for all the something out of nothing the political pundits tried to make out of his remarks on the campaign trail but Democrats know that Bill Clinton was the most effective president of the last 2 generations and remains the most politically astute mind out there today.

As far as the "kitchen sink tactics", just another sound bite thrown out there by the media, namely MSNBC. Why shouldn't Hillary have fought as hard to win the primary as any other contender?

The unfortunate thing is that most ardent Republicans don't even listen to any one with a different view point so they don't really have any alternate ideas to think through and compare to those of thier party leaders. All of thier decisions are based on sound bites thrown out by other Republicans most of which are based on fear. And you're right, it is effective.