Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 3, 2008 10:03:24 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Clinton Passes the Torch— or Does He?

Posted Aug 28, 08 10:00 AM CDT in Glossies,  Opinion,  Politics 

(Newser) – Pundits are raving over Bill Clinton’s speech at the Democratic Convention last night. Here’s what they’re saying:

  • Mark Halperin of Time gives Clinton an A+ for a speech seemingly untouched by primary bitterness. “Let's face it: while Obama is a marvelous speaker, Clinton is better,” he writes.
  • The LA Times’ Don Frederick agrees, saying Obama ought to hire Clinton as a writer and speech coach. Clinton seemingly effortlessly hit the themes Obama has struggled to articulate.

  • John Ibbitson of the Globe and Mail sees Clinton’s speech as a swan song, a beautiful, if unwilling, passing of the torch. “With this emphatic endorsement, Mr. Clinton surrendered leadership of the party,” he writes. “It must have hurt.”
  • But the National Review’s Mark Hemmingway begs to differ, declaring the speech not a genuine Obama endorsement but merely “a rousing partisan screed” with an obvious eye to 2012.

Sources Time, Globe and Mail, Los Angeles Times, National Review

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Convention Didn't Win Points for Obama: Poll

    Sep 1, 08 3:38 AM CDT
    Convention Didn't Win Points for Obama: Poll The Democratic National Convention and Barack Obama’s acceptance speech failed to boost his ratings despite their favorable reception, reports CNN. Obama and John McCain were in a dead heat a week ago, and remain virtually tied, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey. McCain’s well-timed announcement of Sarah Palin as his running mate—which was also favorably received—may have canceled out Obama’s bounce, said a pollster.
    More »

  • Obama on Warpath Pleases, Worries Pundits

    Aug 29, 08 1:39 PM CDT
    Obama on Warpath Pleases, Worries Pundits The chattering class saw strength—even Rovian aggression—in Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, for better or worse. A sampling of what observers are saying:

    • The Democratic nominee managed to be about voters, not himself, magnificently deflecting John McCain’s entire “celebrity” narrative, Michael Tomasky writes in the Guardian.
    • This speech is exactly what Democrats have been calling for: a bare-knuckled attack on McCain, challenging the Republican "not to stoop to questioning his motives," Dan Balz writes in the Washington Post.
    More »

  • Oprah on Obama: 'I Cried My Lashes Off'

    Aug 29, 08 10:44 AM CDT
    Oprah on Obama: 'I Cried My Lashes Off' Oprah Winfrey is leaving Denver with the candidate she wanted, but reportedly without her eyelashes. The talk-show host said she was moved to tears by Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the DNC. "I cried my eyelashes off," she said from Invesco Field. "I think it's the most powerful thing I have ever experienced," she added, calling Obama's words "transcendent." "He's not an African-American candidate, he's a candidate for Americans." More »

  • A 'Perfect Speech for a Skeptical Nation'

    Aug 29, 08 9:49 AM CDT
    A 'Perfect Speech for a Skeptical Nation' Barack Obama delivered "the perfect speech for a skeptical nation," writes Joe Klein in Time. Absent was Obama’s typical lofty oratory; in its place was a speech that was “lean, efficient, practical and very, very tough.” Obama’s goal was to prove that he was a pragmatist, not a dreamer, willing to take the fight to John McCain. More »

  • Obama Surprises With Grand, Joyless Speech: Noonan

    Aug 29, 08 8:30 AM CDT
    Obama Surprises With Grand, Joyless Speech: Noonan Barack Obama’s speech last night was a surprising gamble, writes Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal. Obama was stern, serious—even indignant—and unusually joyless.  "The speech itself lacked lift but had heft. It wasn't precisely long on hope, but I think it showed audacity."  She notes the lack of the usual Obama charm. "All in all, a muted affair. But not one without power." More »

Former President Bill Clinton speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Former President Bill Clinton responds to the crowd as he speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Bill Clinton endorses Barack Obama - and has trouble calming down the crowd.   (heroesanon)
Bill Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention (part 2).   (wehadrons)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

Mr. Clinton said goodbye to his party just as he had led it: with passion, eloquence and perhaps just a bit of dissembling. - John Ibbitson, Globe and Mail

It seemed to be the exact speech he would have given had none of the months-long Obama-Clinton soap opera occurred.
- Mark Halperin, Time

Clinton—effortlessly, it seemed—encapsulated the two themes that most experts think should make it a Democratic year, but that Obama has had trouble communicating. - Don Frederick, LA Times

The aim of Bill Clinton’s speech and Hillary’s the night before was clear: to do just enough that they can’t be blamed in the event of an Obama loss. - Mark Hemingway, National Review

Knowing Clinton, he likely spent the entire red-eye flight from Denver keeping people awake. But if Bill Clinton did manage to get any sleep on the flight, it’s a safe bet he dreamed of 2012. - Mark Hemingway, National Review

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

Bill Clinton • Democratic National Convention • Denver • speech


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Politics Stories