Former president focuses on renewal of American Dream
The Pepsi Center was alive with excitement and tension as Bill Clinton took the stage for his Democratic National Convention remarks Wednesday night.
“Sit down! We got to get on with the show here!” Clinton said, laughing. “You know I love this, and I thank you, but we have important work to do tonight.”
Clinton made it clear that he was at the DNC to support Barack Obama and prepare the stage for vice presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Former President Clinton also stated his pride of the presidential campaign that his wife Hillary Clinton ran.
Clinton’s speech, which was given shortly before Biden’s, centered on two main problems in America today.
“The American Dream is under siege at home, and America’s leadership in the world has been weakened,” Clinton declared.
The former president went on to say that the job of the next president is to “rebuild the American Dream and restore America’s standing in the world.Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world.”
Clinton discussed how Obama potentially would put America back on the map as a global power, such as rebuilding “frayed alliances” with other nations, fighting to reduce nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, fighting to eliminate HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and finding ways to help stop global warming.
Audience members beamed as Clinton said of Obama, “he will choose diplomacy first and military force as a last resort.”
Clinton then moved on to assure the audience that Obama potentially could also bring back the “American Dream.”
“Barack Obama knows that America cannot be strong abroad unless we are strong at home,” Clinton said.
Clinton went on to criticize presumptive Republican nominee John McCain for his “extreme philosophy” on rebuilding the “American Dream.” Clinton accused McCain of promising more tax cuts for the wealthy and more band-aids for health care that will “enrich insurance companies, impoverish families and increase the number of uninsured.”
Clinton concluded his speech by proclaiming that Obama is on the right side of history.
“[Obama’s] life is a 21st century incarnation of the American Dream,” Clinton said. “His achievements are proof of our continuing progress toward the ‘more perfect union’ of our founders’ dreams.”
Clinton’s speech ended with a wild round of applause and a standing ovation. Audience members said they felt he helped unify the Democratic Party with his speech.
“He was very respectful to his wife’s campaign but at the same time showed that he was really behind Barack and really helped to unite the party,” said Jaclyn Krimmel, a guest from Nashville, Tenn. “I thought [the speech] was great.”
Others said they agreed that Clinton successfully helped to unite the Democratic Party.
“Bill Clinton just capitalized on everything we should be about,” Vivian Wilhoit, a special guest from Nashville, said. “He took a moment to remind us that we must be together; he provided the unity. I have a newfound respect for him.”
Contact CU Independent News Editor Julie Ryan at ryanja@colorado.edu.
