Clinton Passes the Torch— or Does He?

Clinton passes the torch - or does he?

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 28, 2008 10:00 AM CDT

(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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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Clinton Passes the Torch— or Does He?

Clinton passes the torch - or does he?

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