Clinton Passes the Torch to Obama

The Big Dog still has his rakish charm. Bill Clinton walked out on stage last night and basked in the delegates' love and chants of "Bill, Bill, Bill." Clinton's pleas for the delegates to "please stop" and "sit down" were as sincere as his lip-biting.

There reportedly is bad blood between Clinton and Barack Obama. But a Rasmussen poll found that 57 percent of Democrats don't believe the hype. Most Democrats think any problem between Obama and Clinton is manufactured by the media. Only 21 percent believe they are frenemies.
For three days, delegates were walking on pins and needles. There was more concern about Bill's speech than Hillary's. You could see the wariness on Michelle Obama's face as Clinton stepped up to the microphone.

But in the end, Bill came through:

I am here first to support Barack Obama.

After reminding folks that Hillary got 18 million votes, Bill made a strong case for Obama:

And here's what I have to say about that. 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.

Now, he has a remarkable ability to inspire people, to raise our hopes and rally us to high purpose. He has the intelligence and curiosity every successful president needs. His policies on the economy, on taxes, on health care, on energy are far superior to the Republican alternatives.

Clinton addressed Obama's readiness to lead:

And so, my fellow Democrats, I say to you: Barack Obama is ready to lead America and to restore American leadership in the world.

Barack Obama is ready to honor the oath, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States.

He also reminded us of of how Republicans in 1992 were adamant about Bill Clinton's lack of experience.

Clinton sought to reassure undecided voters by noting that old Joe Biden will be by his side:

With Joe Biden's experience and wisdom, supporting Barack Obama's proven understanding, instincts, and insight, America will have the national security leadership we need.

So on Day Three, the Man from Hope passed the torch to the man who has the audacity of hope. But let's not get too carried away. Clinton reportedly will skip Obama's acceptance speech.