Masterful Bill Gets Convention on Track

Dem highlights also include best speech of Hillary's career

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 28, 2008 4:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – Bill Clinton has made the case for Barack Obama better than anybody else at the Democratic Convention, Peggy Noonan writes in the Wall Street Journal. "Crazy, red-faced Rageholic" Bill was absent and in his place was a masterful statesman, who delivered a "great tee-up" up for Obama's acceptance speech tonight, where the choice of an outdoor venue could prove risky, Noonan notes.

Noonan's highlights of the convention so far:

Hillary Clinton making the best speech of her career;
Ted Kennedy's speech—a "masterpiece of generosity;"
Ted Strickland of Ohio's riff on the old 1988 joke that George H. W. Bush was "born on third and thought he hit a triple." Strickland quipped that George Jr. "was born on third and then stole second."

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (2)]

Former President Bill Clinton responds to the crowd as he speaks during the Democratic National Convention yesterday. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

An unidentified delegate listens to former President Bill Clinton speak at the Democratic National Convention. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Actor Chevy Chase waves a flag as he listens to former President Bill Clinton speak at the Democratic National Convention. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The Florida delegation wave signs for Hillary Clinton during the Democratic National Convention. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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This was Deft Political Pro Bill doing what no one had been able to do up to this point at the convention, and that is make the case for Barack Obama. - Peggy Noonan

The change of venue Thursday night to Invesco Field, and the huge, open air Obama acceptance speech is one of the biggest and possibly craziest gambles of this or any other presidential campaign of the modern era. - Peggy Noonan

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Masterful Bill Gets Convention on Track