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.

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Comments

[hlechols]

Bill once again restored why I liked him to begin with. Itis on a poppin now! I think that I will go out and try to register more voters and send my $$$ in.

[RButler]

Bill's speech was great, simple and elegant. I wasn't surprised that he and Hillary gave great speeches. That's what I admire about them. No matter what comes at them, they have an inner strength to keep going.

I never voted for him and didn't much care for the Clintons at first. But, during impeachment when he would get up everyday an do the job of president in that face of the worst onslaught of the republicans, i started to admire him. His job approval rating during that was in the mid 60s. Hard to believe. And Hillary was able to overcome whatever she went through to run a successful campaign for Senator from New York.

For all the criticizm he receives about ego, I recall his speech at Coretta Scott King's funeral. It was about her, no doubt.

[CynAnne]

Excellent summation, RButler, of how the Publicans tried to 'finish off' Pres. Clinton as his term wound down, and how he not only overcame them, but ended his service more beloved then ever (something that caused neo-cons to gnash their teeth in rage). Then, they turned their slimy daggers of 'innuendo and whispers' towards Hillary, only to watch in futile, impotent rage as she sailed right by them into the Senators office. And now, both Bill & Hillary have gone a long way to heal the wounds, salve the earth-scorching burns, and bring the Democratic party back together as a unified force..kudos to them both..! =)

[noapologies]

that was masterful. if he gives that speech three times a day out on the trail between now and november, it's a done deal. hope the Obama camp will give him that chance.

[Frenchy9]

Hope he is willing to repeat and extend it.

[BalconesFalk]

Bill Clinton will surely have the chance, but he will not get any credit if Obama wins. If Obama loses he will blame it on Hillary--it's just the way he is, but I don't think he has the capacity for gratitude. Obama thinks he is entitled to winning. He doesn't care how, just that he does, without having to earn it or show appreciation for those who help him along the way. He acted as though he had won it all the way back to February when the drumming started to get Hillary to "drop out." He barely made it, and wouldn't have except for the Clinton haters among the Democratic Party elite.

[NicoleW]

Clinton was right on point tonight. He said what needed to be said. I am not a Clinton fan, however the man does have the charisma and ability to give a speech that is believable and right on. I hope he keeps up his own lead.

[ESerafina42]

If only we could send the Big Dog back to the White House for a third term! But failing that, I'll take Obama, especially after that rousing endorsement.

[Fabienne]

Yeah, why not a Clinton dynasty? Big business would love it; so would the media.

[08politicaljunkie]

I enjoyed listening to Bill Clinton tonight. He was clearly toying with the crowd. At the end of every line when he paused, everyone would take a deep breath -- as if Bill was about to say something off-the-wall

I thought John Kerry was good too.

And Biden's son made me cry.

[WarrenPeace]

Yes!

[RepugsOut08]

What a night! Bill Clinton hit all the right notes. As I watched him repeatedly endorse Obama's readiness to be president, I felt the wind going out of McCain's Hillary ads to the contrary.
The Republicans have got to be a little worried after tonight. Speech after speech delivered the goods pointing out what a disaster the Republican years under George Bush have been, and successfully linking McCain to more of the same. Biden and Kerry took their friend McCain to the woodshed of history, and spanked him good. This is the fighting Democrat party we've been waiting for!
Any Hillary supporter who hasn't joined the call to unite against the party that will repeal Roe v Wade, and that has historically held back women's rights, will be finding it harder and harder to face their friends and loved ones.
Tomorrow Obama simply has to close the deal, and we all know he's every bit as phenomenal a speaker as the Clintons. Fear and lies are tough things to overcome, and we know the Republicans will will unleash all their flying monkeys, but history is on our side this time. You cannot fool all of the people all of the time.

[GrainOSand]

Bill Clinton did what was necessary and in so doing reflected what is good in him and the American political process. Ego ruins much, in the walls of doubt, fear, and anger it creates, and ultimately by the distance it creates between solution and problem. America has a problem. Either you are America or you are for America. Either there were rules and all parties knew the rules going in or the process is broken. Either there is a code of conduct and behavior or there is not. Either you believe Barack Obama is ready to lead or you do not. Mincing words leads to misinformed voters who do great damage and injury to country and self on a simple ego-driven decision not to do what is right.

Tonight Bill Clinton took us back to a different time and place. He stood as a glorious example of what is possible by how he stood and what he said. He reminded all of us of his gift for the game of politics. He exemplified greatness in his humility. Now I look for Mr. Obama to be able to cash the check that Bill and Hillary have endorsed, and not get insufficient support when he needs it most. Together we all win apart it is a McCain world!

Obama/Biden/Hillary and Bill Clinton/Millions of precious lives, supporters, and dreamers 08

[rageagainstmachine]

I have to say, Bill Clinton redeemed himself tonight. That speech was outstanding. "the power of our example vs the example of our power" was one of his best and most effective lines. He did EVERYTHING he needed to do tonight. He definitely rehabilitated his image with me, and I suspect for many people.

[CEKChuck]

As I have expressed much displeasure over Bill's conduct over the course of and after the wrapup of the Primary, I must also express that he hit this one out of the park. Thank you President Clinton.

[Rescisco]

Hillary and Bill gave the best two speeches at this convention thus far. But overall, the Democrats have not engaged the enemy with anything more than a glancing blow. Given his assignment, and the constraints of time, President Clinton built a lawyerly and skillful case that Obama is ready. Joe Biden had a few good lines as well, but everyone seems to flick a jab and back off. In the meantime, McCain is landing haymakers and causing damage. Is this 2004 all over again?

[johntal]

He did not phone it in! I feel that it was a surprisingly resprectfull effort , to not STEAL the show

[TRYKER]

Tonight he didn't have to steal the show...tonight, he was the show...and damn good too. He is redeemed and has restored his standing after having cavalierly debased himself.
From all accounts, the MSM has been trying to stir up a divisive struggle...and the Clintons have shown them to be wrong.
Not only wrong, but low, as in crude...and abusive of our party. How glaringly obvious is it that the MSM have done everything in their power to derail, obscure and ruin this democratic convention?
They thrust talking heads on every network to drown out and talk over the speakers...they broadcast FROM the convention, not COVERED the convention. Just a smidgen of difference and a grain of truth.
They ARE the show, holy anchors with endless talking points that are so hackneyed and familiar they're boring.
But, it looks like dems win this election, no matter the MSM.

[johnwinner]

Possibly the best speech of Clinton's career. The primaries are now officially over and Barack Obama is the nominee. Thank you Bill! Onto the election. Obama '08!

[Justsaynodeal]

And he did it within.....I haven't seen the official time, 15 minutes, if you take off the standing ovations. Bill is a master of words, as Hillary has become as well. I can't wait to see how 'inspirational' Mr. 0 will or will not be. He certainly hasn't measured up to the great rhetoric he spewed in the campaign before he nailed the nomination...this one has to be the speech of his life, and I hope he doesn't recycle the same words he used (which were used by gov Patrick) in the early primaries. Tonight we shall see the measure of the man. I hope he doesn't come off looking ridiculous between those Roman pillars. I wouldn't be surprised if the build a mountain like structure behind them today before tonight's acceptance speech....­..........­.Go 0bama. Give it your best shot!

[SpencersMom]

The Prodigal President, back home again!

No one can inspire and impassion quite like Bill, and as much as he p*ssed me off on occasion this year, I can't help still lovin' the man!

Bill and Hillary both did all they were asked to do and more, IMHO, and despite Tom Brokaw's partisan hackery that passes for reporting these days, America still remembers what a great president was like, and what a great president can be.

PEACE

[Fabienne]

The noun seems accurate; I suspect the adjective is too optimistic for many of us.

[jsinclair]

I heard part of it on the radio--unf­ortunately­, the part about McCain. I cringed.

Glad to hear it played better on television and in its entirety.

So sorry MSNBC and CNN didn't deign to show Kerry-or the video tribute to veterans.

They'll probably be working overtime next week to make McCain's convention seem exciting and relevant (especially CNN)

[notthistime]

actually cnn did show Kerry and the video. I watched it. It was great. They even panned to Stephen Spielberg the creator of the tribute.