Bill Clinton Falls on Party Sword

The much-anticipated speech at the Democratic Convention by Bill Clinton was a stem-winder. No other term accurately describes his speech in support of Barack Obama. Clinton injected some badly needed enthusiasm into the convention with soaring rhetoric that had the crowd standing and applauding. Once again, Bill demonstrated his ability to inspire crowds like no other, including Barack Obama.

What happened to the bitter Bill that the press was hyping? The snide remarks prior to the speech by Clinton had the party loyalists worried about what he might say. The answer is simple.

The Clintons, both Hillary and Bill, realize that 2008 was not going to be her year to run for the presidency. They also realized that a fractured Democratic Party was not in their interest for a future run at the Whitehouse. So in the end, Bill chose to unite the party by giving a very supportive speech of Obama. Bill Clinton was not going to be the man remembered for dividing the Democratic Party.

Ambition is a force unto itself. Furthering ones ambition has historically been responsible for some unholy alliances. Ambitious people are seldom so rooted in any cause or idea, because entrenchment is a recipe for disaster. No, ambition demands that a person be nimble and quickly adjust to the situation in order to satisfy that driving force. Such was the dilemma that Bill Clinton was in last night. He played the only card available to him if Hillary was ever going to realize her ambition of becoming the first woman president. Being remembered as a Party uniter is much preferable than to be remembered as the man who divided the Party.

What Bill Clinton did last night put Hillary on the agenda for 2112. The Clintons know that Obama will not beat McCain in the general election, so by being publicly supportive of Obama in 2008, they improve their chances for 2112. This is just one man's opinion because the bitterness the Clintons feel toward Obama is real. Only ambition could make a person sidle up to someone that they dislike. Also, do not forget the millions of dollars that Hillary owes. It is only a hunch, but do not discount that a quid-pro-quo deal may very well have been struck between Obama and the Clintons for some or all of that debt.

Tonight will be Obama's big night to give his over-hyped acceptance speech. So like a child on Christmas night anticipating Santa's arrival, I await the big event.

Cheers,

-Robert-