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The Democratic Strategist

Political Strategy for a Permanent Democratic Majority

Still the One

Just watched Bill Clinton’s speech at the annual meeting, and as always, was amazed at his ability to combine passion and wonkiness, and at how revered he remains in this and most other Democratic audiences.
Listening to him, I couldn’t help but think: is there any chance that when George W. Bush is seven years past his presidency, much of anyone would want to hear him speak? Hard to imagine.
The speech itself combined a very direct defense of the DLC from its current critics, and then a powerful talk focusing on globalization, energy, and health care. His accustomed rap on the accomplishments of his administration vis a vis that of his successor has been expanded and refined. And in defending the DLC, he basically suggested that the challenges faces the country, and Democrats, right now are not completely dissimilar from those of 1992, when the DLC had a lot to do with formulating his campaign platform and his initial agenda in office. He also did a good job of maintaining his role as ex-president, only referring to his wife in passing on very specific issues.
I’ll have more to say about his speech, and the entire event, a bit later.

2 comments on “Still the One

  1. edkilgore on

    JRB:
    Clinton did not use a text (best as I could tell from about twenty feet away, he wasn’t even using notes).
    But the DLC will transcribe the remarks and post it on their web site (www.dlc.org), probably in a day or two. I’m guessing they’ll podcast it as well, along with some of the other discussions at the conference.
    Ed Kilgore

    Reply

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