1984 Democratic Convention

It takes nothing away from the absolutely brilliant campaign that Obama and Axelrod and Plouffe ran last year to point out that because of Jackson's two incredible campaigns, they started closer to the finish line.

I am asking that you heed the lessons of 1980 and remain loyal to the party both candidates represent and to the legacy of the Clinton administration they seek continue.

Barack Obama dealt a bit in platitudes during the primaries so that he'd have less to disassociate himself from once he had the nomination in hand. But he held back on a few whoppers, too.