While many agree that First lady Michelle Obama's speech at the opening of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina went rather well, few have the ability to speak with such conviction, preciseness and affability as former president Bill Clinton. Wednesday night, Clinton delivered a speech that was classic Clinton, as Reuters describes Clinton's speech described Obama's achievements more justly in the 49 minutes "than the rest of the speakers at the Democratic Convention could muster in the 11-1/2 hours that preceded him."
Clinton highlighted details of Obama's 2009 stimulus plan, the Affordable Health Care Act, energy strategies, economic policies, defense tactics and student loan policies. However, the strongest undercurrent of his speech was his urging for a bipartisan support to rebuild the country and its economy.
"No one's ever gonna be right all the time," he said, "and a broken clock is right two times a day." Clinton urged that only through cooperation can any of the nation's problems be solved.
"Listen to me now...No president - not me, not any of my predecessors - could have fully repaired all the damage that he found in just four years...The old economy aint coming back, we have to build a new one."
Clinton elaborated on Obama's ability to cooperate with Republicans, Democrats and Independents in resolving the nation's crisis. "Obama even appointed many Hilary supporters in 2008," he said, " Heck he even appointed Hilary."
Clinton addressed all criticism launched against Obama by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and VP nominee Paul Ryan at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida last week in a style that is characteristic to Clinton. "Arithmetic," Clinton said, as he explained factual and numerical details of Romney's polices. According to Clinton, Romney's economic plan violates that first rule of "fiscal responsibility." "We cannot afford to give the reigns of the country to a government that doubles down on trickle down."
The ease of addressing complex issues, friendly personable tone, and subtle humor of Clinton's speech was so effective that CBS News says after Clinton "Obama has a tough act to follow."
Watch the entire speech here:
