History is on Obama's side: Bill Clinton
Posted
Updated
Rallying cry: Former US president Bill Clinton acknowledges the crowd (Reuters: Larry Downing)
To a rapturous reception before a sea of waving American flags, former US president Bill Clinton has taken another step towards healing the rift in the US Democratic Party.
In his much-anticipated speech to the Democratic convention in Denver, Colorado, he threw his political weight behind Barack Obama to be the next US president and went further, asserting Senator Obama's credentials as commander-in-chief.
The speech came shortly after the conference officially nominated Senator Obama as its candidate to take on Republican John McCain in the November presidential race.
Forced to plead for silence from the adoring crowd so he could begin his speech, Mr Clinton first paid tribute to Hillary Clinton then fell into step on the central message for which the party's leadership was hoping.
"Last night Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she is going to do everything she can to elect Barack Obama," he said.
"That makes two of us," he said, to rousing cheers and a standing ovation from the floor.
He added: "Actually that makes 18 million of us," again drawing thunderous adulation from the crowd.
Referring to Hillary Clinton, Mr Clinton declared his pride in the campaign she ran.
"I am proud that she never quit on the people she stood up for, on the changes she pushed for, on the future she wanted for our chidlren."
"I am not so grateful for the chance to speak in the wake of Hillary's magnificent speech last night, but I 'll do the best I can," he said in self-effacing tones, drawing yet more cheers from the flag-waving crowd.
"Like Hillary, I want all of you who supported her to vote for Barack Obama in November," he said.
He went on to assert his own credentials as the only other Democratic president on the floor apart from Jimmy Carter, declaring that America was in trouble on two fronts.
Dream under siege
"The American dream is under siege at home and American leadership in the world has been weakened," he said.
He strongly asserted Senator Obama's credentials to rebuild America on both fronts.
Most importantly, he endorsed Senator Obama's capacity to be commander-in-chief, a still festering wound left over from Hillary Clinton's campaign against Senator Obama in the fight for the nomination.
Senator Clinton's campaign had specifically targeted Senator Obama's lack of experience, running an advertisement questioning whether Americans want the relatively inexperienced Senator from Illinois answering the White House telephone in the small hours on matters of international importance.
That advertisement has now been turned on the Democrats by Republican frontrunner John McCain.
Mr Clinton addressed the issue.
"He has shown a clear grasp of foreign policy and national security challenges and a firm commitment to rebuild our badly-strained military," he said.
"With Joe Biden's experience and wisdom supporting Barack Obama's proven understanding, instincts and insight, America will have the national security leadership we will need," he said.
Mr Clinton then strengthened that endorsement, referring to his experience as a presidential candidate when he was told he was too young to be commander-in-chief.
"Sound familiar?" he asked rhetorically.
"It didn't work in 1992 because we were on the right side of history. And it won't work in 2008 because Barack Obama is on the right side of history."
Referring further to Senator Obama's choice of running mate in Senator Biden, Mr Clinton again drew accolade's from the crowd.
"The long hard primary tested and strengthened him (Obama). And in his first presidential decision, the selection of a running mate, he hit it out of the park," he said, using a baseball analogy.
"Everything I learned in my eight years as president and in the work I have done since in America and across the globe has convinced me that Barack Obama is the man for this job.
"He has a remarkable ability to inspire people, to raise our hopes and rally us to high purpose."
Search for news
Comments (26)
Comments for this story are closed. No new comments can be added. If you would like to have your say on this issue, you can do so via the Emails section of our Opinion pages.
-
ready:
28 Aug 2008 1:06:11pm
it won't make a difference whether obama or mccain - RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT!
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Fred Ferdelberger:
28 Aug 2008 1:08:09pm
We must get one of these thingamejig Presidents in Australia. This is better than watching the Olympics and an AFL grand Final all at the same time.
Go Obama, Go McCain keep on trucking good buddies.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
It:
28 Aug 2008 1:11:52pm
It may be an unfortunate omen, for Bill Clinton to say that history is on the side of Barrack Obama.
With him having said that, I wonder how many years it would be, until Obama says to the world, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman", as history influences the outcome.
I would probably be at about the same time as Obama nukes Iran, like he has said that he, like Hillary Clinton, intends to do.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
dragon:
28 Aug 2008 1:13:11pm
A firm affirmation from Bill ?
Can anyone remember anything from the Clinton admisnistration, other than the Monica Lewinski Affair ?
Bill's basically saying he hopes Obama does a beter job than he did !Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Hugh Jampton:
28 Aug 2008 1:43:16pm
I think a lot of Americans remember that their economy was in better shape under Clinton than Bush
Agree (1) Alert moderator
-
Neal:
28 Aug 2008 1:50:42pm
He was the world leader who pretty much brought the middle east the most stability it had enjoyed in the last century, and he didn't need troops to do it.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
dragon:
28 Aug 2008 1:58:07pm
The Middle East ?
Stable throughout the nineties ?
Better get that Almanac out or the back issues of Time magazine methinks !Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Philip T:
28 Aug 2008 1:53:00pm
Lowest Unemployment, Lowest Poverty, Middle Class earning more, booming Economy, better relations with the world.
1992 till 2000. That is what Americans remember. Look it up.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
nicholas:
28 Aug 2008 2:11:32pm
I have a slight recognition of.. reparations to native Americans and black Americans, 30 million people brought out of poverty, 10 years of sustainable economic growth and plenty plenty more.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
D.MacSwan:
28 Aug 2008 2:16:15pm
Well, yes, I can. The US budget was in surplus, America may have been imperfect on its foreign policy but it contributed a heck of a lot more than under this bilious idiot (G.W.Bush) The peace settlement in Northern Ireland. There was no spurious invasions of other countries, there was a commitment to diplomacy rather than reactionary macho militarism. Seems like quite a big difference to me.
Whatever deplorable state his provate life was in it didn't effect his capacity to be a rather good president all things considered. Considering how horrendous things have become under the neo cons and theo cons, I think it matters a great deal who wins this election.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Brad:
28 Aug 2008 1:14:06pm
History is on his side because of the mess Bush has made.
I really hope the KKK and all the other white supremacist nutters can be kept away from him, or at least out of line of sight.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
derek409:
28 Aug 2008 1:24:07pm
They have already tried. The guy arrested looked like something that crawled out of a swamp and could hardly string two words together. Why do people like that feel so superior.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Brad:
28 Aug 2008 1:38:04pm
There are at least 20 white supremacist groups in the USA. And unfortunately their racist beliefs are constitutionally protected speech, as is their right to bear arms. Some choose to exercise both rights at the same time.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Them:
28 Aug 2008 1:25:43pm
I thought that the majority of the USA population were nutters.
After all, someone over there voted the burning bush ( "nuke the world! isn't pressing these red buttons, fun! let's drop some of these luvly nukes on our friend and ally, Austria, so they can share in having them") in as president - twice!Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Joe:
28 Aug 2008 1:27:21pm
Obama is an inspirational character, but there is also much mettle behind the man. I read an essay on his economic theories, carefully considering both left and right and looking for the pragmatic benefits of both - beliveing in markets but also careful Government spending in the strategic priorities of the future, such as renewable energy. I really hope he wins.
Wish we had this calibre of person in Australian politics.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
John:
28 Aug 2008 1:51:55pm
Totally agree Joe,
Whilst hope, goodwill, dreams and national pride dont necessarily make good public policy, they unit a country under a common cause and renew a population.
Australian leaders are boring, and preachy. A leader does not just need to cover all topics and dot the is and cross the ts. That is what the party does, a leader needs to inspire and stand for something greater than the policy of the day.
I think we miss this in Australia, and I think that sadly reflects allot of the social disconnection our great country has.
This is not saying the America is perfect, or that they are united. But imagine if Australia had this proud leader.
Well thats my two centsAgree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Philip T:
28 Aug 2008 1:27:47pm
Once again, Bill Clinton has brought his charisma to the people, and the people have responded. When Bill talks, we listen.
The last time Australia had such a masterful, charismatic politician was the Paul Keating days, but they are long gone.
If there is one thing we take out of the U.S Elections, it is how much better they do it all then us here in Australia.
On Lateline last night, Julia Gillard was asked why there is a difference between the American Speech Presentation type, which is loud, meaningful and something not read off word from word from a sheet of paper, and an Australian speech which is usually read off a script, said with lil authority and generally light.
Her response was that the Americans are different to us in many ways. I respond with, no, we are the same, however they work harder then us to remember there speeches, to sell there message much more stronger, with conviction, then just reading it off a script word for word.
It is time for a Republic, and a Bill of Rights in this Country.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
James Mason:
28 Aug 2008 1:53:00pm
Yes, Philip T. It may even be time for a 'blackfella' as Prime Minister of Australia!
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Spider Dijon:
28 Aug 2008 2:01:39pm
Wouldn't that be interesting. I think we're a fair few years away from that yet, but that will be a day to remember. An indigenous Aussie leading the country would be fantastic.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
-
Gary:
28 Aug 2008 1:32:33pm
Why should we really be so concerned with what Clinton thinks. His reputation was disgraed when he lied under oath and deceived the American people. It's time for him to stop trying to claw into the limelight and let whoever is elected run the country.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Philip T:
28 Aug 2008 1:43:10pm
Yes and that is what he just did by backing Obama (which this whole article was about).
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
burke:
28 Aug 2008 1:32:48pm
I have a funny feeling that Americans will not elect him - he is no JFK. Looks like McCain to me and he has to be a severe health risk. So the person he picks as his running mate could be in the Oval Office quite soon - and who the heck is that?
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Harry Jackson:
28 Aug 2008 1:38:43pm
I pray to God, Allah, Buddha and Ricky Ponting that the Democrats win this time. The current governemnt is killing the American consumer by employing policies that widen the gap between rich and poor. There funding their tax cuts to the rich and big business by running massive defecits and borrowing from the Chinese. If the US economy, by far the largest in the world goes under then were all in trouble. I read the full transcript of Bill CLinton and VP Joe Biden's speeches. Great stuff. If the American's don't vote in Obama then I'm going to quit defending them to the anti-Americans and concede they have rocks in the heads.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Adam Efimoff:
28 Aug 2008 1:50:46pm
anyone who can poke fun at themselves anyone who can say pick me who has a lot against them should win will win he is a amazing human bean god larger than life citizen just play Mccain out h will loose you don't need to be so 60's anymore get with the times anyone who thinks he will not win should be helped
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Adam Efimoff:
28 Aug 2008 2:06:12pm
I am also going to say you should not dismiss a man because of his colour or up brining and I think Obama personally has every right to not stand this crap about hime not being american enough . America represents everyone it is about time that this was fixed and remember New Orleans Obama destory Macain he is old and weak
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Ron T:
28 Aug 2008 2:10:37pm
Any talk of a republic or bill of rights should be shelved until after Melbourne Cup Day. There is no way the Australian public will take to this style of politics of blatant waste of money and would prefer to keep Lizzie there than put up with all this hoopla and nonsense.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
