Recapping Day 3 of the DNCC

by: Matt Glazer

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 10:01 PM CDT

While Bill Clinton continued the tone of unity and called for Hillary Clinton supporters to join him, Chelsea, and Hillary as they campaign for Barack Obama the reality is his speech focused on the failures of this Republican Party.

While they attack Barack Obama for being young, Bill Clinton reminded us, these are the same attacks they used 16 years ago against him.  It probably doesn't need to be said, that Bill Clinton served during one of the greatest economies we have ever had.  It probably shouldn't be said, but President Clinton put America in high esteem throughout the world.

On the other hand, our country is working harder for less.  Our standing through out the world is worse and worse every day.

The reality is, John McCain and George Bush agree 90% of the time.  The reality is that our country is not better off today than it was 4 or even 8 years ago.  

Once Bill Clinton was done praising Barack Obama's experience and letting the country know what is on the line. The Republican Party that pushes more for less. More work, less pay.  More war, less support for our veterans.  More drilling, less relief at the pump.  Or Democrats, who want a better tomorrow, today.

Where President Clinton left off, Senator John Kerry picked up.  His "flub" signaled the tone of his entire speech.  He confused George Bush with John McCain in his points about the failed Republican leadership.  He reminded us all why he was once our nominee for President.  While he was too cerebral at times in 2004, tonight, he was the attack dog a leader in the Senate needs to be.  He stood on stage declaring that John McCain's attack on the middle class is a clear sign that we would be giving corporate interest and lobbyist 4 more years of Bush/Cheney politics.  

Kerry made the point, "When we choose a commander-in-chief this November, we are electing judgment and character, not years in the Senate or years on this earth."  That is the aggressive campaign we must run this cycle.  That is the point we need to make.

While Kerry discussed veterans issues a little, Chet Edwards went full force on veterans issues.

He clearly articulated what Democrats stand for. Increased support for veterans facilities.  Increased support for our troops.  Ending pointless wars.  Increasing dialogue with international allies.  Congressman Edwards is a staunch supporter of our troops.

As Congressman Edwards said, "we are the land of the free because we are still the home of the brave."

As Joe Biden was nominated and selected to be our Vice Presidential nominee, we prepared to see whether Biden would transcend the tumultuous political climate or not.

Biden's appeal to the every man was immediately clear advocating for every American.  He, like John Kerry, mixed up George Bush with John McCain, pivoting seamlessly into critical attacks on McCain and genuine praise of Barack Obama. Ethics reform, keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorist, and increasing support for our fighting men and women, were just three major accomplishments highlighted in Biden's speech.

After highlighting Obama's strengths, the theme presented itself.  "That's not change, that is more of the same."   Biden made it clear that we need more than a good soldier, but instead, we need a wise leader.  

Pointed policy specifics that highlight Obama's strengths and McCain's weaknesses. He showed his foreign policy experience by showing how ignorant John McCain is.  Simply put, John McCain was wrong and Barack Obama was right on Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Georgia, and Russia.

As he closed, exclaiming, "This is his time, this is our time, this is America's time" a surprise seemed imminent.

At that moment, the convention went from a night of stark comparison.  It became a night outlining the cost to America if McCain were elected to a night of hope and change, a night of unity and a better tomorrow.  

Barack Obama joined his Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden.  A better tomorrow is on the horizon.  As Barack Obama said, "President Clinton reminded us, what it's like to have a President that puts people first."  

After a night of contrasts, Sen. Obama brought us back to a night of unity.  Tomorrow night, we join him and over 70,000 others to join together to close out this amazing Democratic Convention.