8/27/2008

 

The rumor mill has been silenced. Wednesday night former President Bill Clinton told Democrats Senator Barack Obama is ready to be Commander in Chief. This ends months of speculation about the level of support he will give Obama. Some believed he would be hesitant to support Obama after he had beaten out Clinton's wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, for the party nomination. During that heated race, former President Clinton had aggresively questioned Obama's experience and ability to lead.

 

But now is different. Bill Clinton has followed in his wife's footsteps and has told millions Obama could lead "a place called hope." It was a play on Clinton's own presidential nomination speech when he stressed his birthplace of Hope, Arkansas and his campaign theme of hope for America. Specifically, Clinton said Obama can restore the American Dream with his knowlege of foreign policy, charisma, and the strength of his running mate, Senator Joe Biden. Bill Clinton made the crowd laugh when he reminded them that he, like Obama, had been criticized for being too young when he ran for president. 

 

Former president Clinton also compared Obama to GOP presidential candidate John McCain. He cited specific issues and repeatedly said Obama was right and McCain was wrong. He was very clear and definitive about his support for Obama and urged the crowd to join him and his family in working to put Obama in the White House. His words culminated in a proposition to Americans that like himself in 1992, Obama is on the right side of history.  

 

When Bill Clinton had first come on stage, the crowd gave him a three minute standing ovation and refused to listen to him when he repeatedly told them to sit down. They were just as enthusiastic when he finished and his signature campaign song "Start Thinking About Tomorrow" filled the Pepsi Center. It seemed the Clintons have accomplished their mission to unify the Democratic Party behind Barack Obama.