Clinton's DNC Speech Delivers the WOW Factor

Carolyn Kaster AP

Bill Clinton delivered a rousing speech late August 25, during the Democratic National Convention, often sparking thunderous applause and standing ovations.  As a native of Arkansas, he injected his good ole country boy persona to make the point that reducing the deficit and balancing the budget is a simple matter of "arithmetic." He purported that tax cuts will add to the problem and not solve it.  Hallelujah!



It doesn't take a genius to understand that wisdom; however, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan believe otherwise, despite historical data that proves them wrong.  Romney proudly announced that he has paid a 13% tax rates for several of the tax years prior to 2010?  Are we supposed to celebrate that fact?  His plan to have a 20% tax cut for all means that to reduce the deficit, he must cut from programs.  One might conclude that the defense budget would offer a logical choice.  Au contraire!  Republicans want more money in that budget than the DoD has requested.  Perhaps if members of Congress were required to serve in the military, their perspective might change.

Clinton's prepared speech was slotted for 28 minutes; however, it lasted for 48 minutes when he frequently digressed from the text.  He referred to the current Republican political view as a "bloodbath" and lamented the absence of reaching across the aisle in Congress. Clinton spoke of the cooperation that existed previously among members of both parties and called for a return to a shared vision and a team mentality that will allow American to remain competitive and a world leader in the 21st Century.

Specifically, he stated, "We Democrats think the country works better with a strong middle class, real opportunities for poor people to work their way into it and a relentless focus on the future, with business and government working together to promote growth and broadly shared prosperity. We think 'we’re all in this together' is a better philosophy than 'you’re on your own'.”

"Who’s right? Well since 1961, the Republicans have held the White House 28 years, the Democrats 24. In those 52 years, our economy produced 66 million private sector jobs. What’s the jobs score? Republicans 24 million, Democrats 42 million!"

"It turns out that advancing equal opportunity and economic empowerment is both morally right and good economics, because discrimination, poverty and ignorance restrict growth, while investments in education, infrastructure and scientific and technological research increase it, creating more good jobs and new wealth for all of us."

J Scott Applewhite AP

While a few political commentators disagreed, the vast majority gave Clinton high marks for his speech. It accomplished its purpose and injected a higher level of energy into President Obama's re-election campaign. Adding that speech to Michelle Obama's speech the previous night, the DNC has established its mission in a positive light that focuses on what Obama has accomplished and what he can do in the next four years.

The November election will be the final arbiter.