(Bill) Clinton: 'Obama is ready to be president'

[sabra]

Source: MSNBC

Former President Clinton, setting aside his own criticism during wife's primary fight, delivers a full-throated endorsement of Barack Obama following his historic nomination.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

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more:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26420389/

DENVER - Former President Bill Clinton laid to rest any speculation Wednesday night that he would not enthusiastically back Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois for president by making a forceful call for voters to elect Obama because “Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world.”

“I am here first to support Barack Obama,” Clinton said, opening his address in characteristic fashion by deviating from the prepared text aides distributed to reporters ahead of time.

Clinton acknowledged that his “preferred candidate” — his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York — had not won the nomination. But he said, “Like her, I want all of you to support Barack Obama in November.”

Clinton’s speech at the Democratic National Convention had been as hotly anticipated as the acceptance speech later by the Democrats’ vice presidential nominee, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. Clinton’s support for Obama had seemed tepid at best coming in; earlier this month, he sidestepped a question on whether Obama was prepared for the White House by telling ABC News: “You could argue that no one’s ever ready to be president.”

But Clinton made it clear that he was now behind the nominee, declaring, “Barack Obama is the man for this job.”

[Malidictus Maximus]

1. Good speechwriting

Particularly liked the line about influencing "by the power of example, rather than the example of our power". And the part where he reminded that the MSM and/or Republicans had said *HE* did not have enough experience, yet look how much better of a job he did than President Bush. Very classy references to McCains love of country and service ..."but, on the TWO big issues of this campaign - he's wrong'.
Good Job, about what you'd expect from the best of the best. I do wonder if he was thinking "If I could only run for a THIRD term I'd whip either of them":-)

[blossomstar]

4. Stated so very well,

Absolutely the "best of the best". The man is truly inspiring. Obama will win with Bill & Hillary on his team! YES WE WILL!

[Wizard777]

2. Bill nailed it! That was one of the best speeches I have ever heard him give.

He made it very clear that Obama is the common sense choice for rational common sense policy.

[rayofreason]

3. Great speech delivered with verve. n/t

[martymar64]

5. He knew his reputation was on the line

He made the right choice. Good on him.

[StevieM]

7. Oh never mind...it isn't worth it. Self-delete (eom)

[Razorblade02]

6. I wonder If Randi, Malloy & Miller have changed their feelings now

...about Hillary and Bill. I hope so because they are just too important to our party to stay hateful towards them. I want to hear Randi and Mike Malloy especially take back theri hate feelings towards the Clintons and let's just move on.

[Alexander]

8. K&R. Go Bill!

[qwlauren35]

9. I've stopped feeling stupid..

about the fact that I can be all alone in my house, listening to a great speech and jumping up and down shrieking with glee and raising my fists in the air.

That was a D*MNED good speech. The progression we're seeing from Monday to Tuesday to Wednesday is so phenomenal... I think this is the first time that I've tuned in to a convention every night!

I think the convention is a Mission Accomplished. People are on board, fired up, ready to go out and get Barack Obama elected to the United States Presidency.

Thanks, Bill.