Arkansas Blog

Both Hillary and Bill hit the ball out of the park. Kerrey is speaking right now, and dammit, he would have been a good president.

Bill Clinton has always been a convention magic boy. When he walks out, his chin and lower lip clinch up and down, and he seems to make direct eye contact with everyone in the audience - at home and in person.

The chin movement is something I've watched closely for years. It's a little tick, perhaps, a sort of trademark move signaling that the wheels of politics are turning mightily in his head.

Bill always steals the show.

His role tonight isn't what he thought it would be, though. Bill no doubt felt that he'd be standing next to his wife introducing the Democratic nominee for president.

That didn't happen, and nerves are still raw, especially considering the harsh banter Bill and Obama traded during the campaign.

At one point, Barack's campaign suggested that some of Bill's remarks may have had racist undertones. They were referring, of course, to Bill's statement likening Obama's impressive victory in the South Carolina primary to Jesse Jackson's win in the state in the 1984 and 1988 primary season.

It was all blown out of proportion. Still, many surrounding Bill believe that he truly has a grudge against Obama because of this incident.

Tonight, Bill Clinton, like Hillary last night, will have a chance to do the classy thing and endorse Barack Obama with sincere words of praise.

I thought Hillary, orange power suit and all, presented herself better than I've ever seen her before.

In fact, I kept thinking throughout the speech that if she'd done this all along, then maybe she'd be the nominee instead of Obama.

She was genuine, spoke from the gut and held her head high with class and dignity.

Bill should rubber stamp that tonight during his speech. I have no doubt that he will send the rafters of the Pepsi Center in Denver into the stratosphere. Wherever he goes, whomever he meets, Bill is a charismatic political crooner.

And as soon as that bottom lip and chin begin to move together, look out.

As for tonight's speech: M-A-R-V-E-L-O-U-S. I wish he were still our president. Barack Obama can be. Please, vote OBAMA!!

Triple bingo! If you know anyone who's still planning to vote for McC--or worse, who's not voting because HRC is not on the ballot--give 'em hell. It's now or never.

THERE is a President.

Of course this thread will immediately devolve into tired old Monica Lewinsky jokes by bloggers here who've nothing of substance to say, about anything.

But there is history and there are facts, about past administrations' accomplishments, or lack of them.

There are reasons President Clinton is in the top five most admired Presidents in our history.

There are reasons President George W. Bush is in the bottom tier.

I'll just say it again, about President Clinton.

THERE is a President.

Why the hell are the big three offering me SUPER NANNY, AMERICA'S GOT TALENT and some other bullshit show instead of the convention?

Yeah old bill is a blow hard and if you didn't know his past you'd be blown off your feet with his speach. What he said and stands for is not what America needs mostly.
Sucks!

The best thing going for the republican party is the democarps!

That's the best speech Bill Clinton has given since he left the White House. I'd vote for him tonight.

YES YES YES,,,,what DBI wrote below.............

so proud tonight.

clicky

The best thing the Democrats have going for them is the Republicons.

It was evidence against term limits.

And chasv, you mite want to no that the guy is a grate spelar two.

Of course Bill was superb. Who expected anything less from one of the greatest presidents in US history?
Kerry, though - what we were able to hear through the best whatever in television's expert analysis - was great too. I liked the part about the flag belonging to all of us.
Question: when we claim it (the flag) in November, do we have to share it with those
America-Hating, war-mongering, poor-trampling REpugnikuns? If they wear little flag pins on their lapels after this election, does that mean they support Obama?

Yes, THERE is a president, Norma - I'm with you. And we're fixing to elect another one.

But just to be a wee bit off-topic - who thought it was cute to play him off stage with "Addicted to Love." I rather suspect the bandleader is somewhere backstage right now having the smart-aleck beaten out of him right now. That might be funny somewhere sometime, but not tonight and not there.

Bill's a baby. He is about the emotional equivalent of a thirteen year old. Is old news in the great schme of things. Read today's New York Times for all the little things--but important things-- that are in play that are related to the Clintons that are probably going to be the things that in the end wind up derailing any chance Obama may have. There are about three or four articles, discounting Maureen Dowd, that get at the heart of why this isn't going to end well unless something drastic happens to put all the pieces together. But yes, Bill gives good speech. Would that was all it took.

I shudder to think what the missed opportunity costs are with the Republicans in office for four or eight more years. Though we must all remember, the Democratic controlled Congress squandered their opportunity.

Ah, the post convention rush. Like young love. All things seem right with the world and all is possible.

I wonder if Monica was down front?

No one loves bubba better than bubba.

He is the only elected president in modern history to have been impeached. He certainly does have his unique distinctions.

Good god, IABL, blaming the Clintons for am anticipated loss in November is just stupid. (Tried to be nicer about it...'stupid' is the nice version.) Obama will win/lose on his own merits...and on a whole host of other factors.

Anytime I hear Bill speak I can't understand how our country when from informed eloquence to redneck ignorance in one presidential race. Oh yeah...'cause the right wing evangelicals wanted a godly 'real' man in the White House. Sure wish they had gotten one.

Whoever advised Obama that a Greek Temple setting placed in a football arena was a great way to win those mythical 'centrist' voters, should be fired. It plays to his weaknesses and many of McSame's ads...arrogant and out-of-touch. I WANT A NOVEMBER WIN...not Las Vegas shows.

Mean and Stupid. Typical Republican.

I have enjoyed watching the convention. Today I was in a Backyard Burger in Hot Springs taking a break from my motorcycle ride when Hillary came on the tv and gave her delegates to Obama. Everyone in the resturant was watching intently and there were no snide remarks. There is an energy in this convention that was not in the last convention.

I also think all this talk about the Clintons derailing Obama are silly. For all of you who think this, why don't you go back to the last election and see how the Republican Party shamed McCain. Have you forgotten that they made that ex P.O.W. look unpatriotic?

At least the Democratic Party has a unified front and it is refreshing to see a Hillary, Bill, and John Kerry presenting themselves as intelligent, thoughtful, and dedicated people.

One last thing, someone made a joke about Obama hiding behinds skirts...there are far worse things a man could have in his life than strong-willed intelligent women willing to speak as a voice for his election and his political party.

Not blaming the Clinton's. It's Obamas to win or lose but not so simple when you consider the details that are in pay, and that connect back to the Clintons and their hold on some of these vital things. Read the articles, that's all. Just saying that succes is in the details. And the details are complicated. I'm not making this up. Merely commenting on what is out in the national media front and center and to make doesn't bode well. I'm for Obama by the way.

obamayomama's problems with the silliness of a Greek temple will be minuscule next to challenges of his ability to meet constitutional qualifications for President. It could get very embarrassing for you demos when he has to produce a birth certificate (that he has closed to the public) to prove that he is a native born American.

Here is what being a Repub is all about. Click on Cato

Strange (perfect name,)

You guys can't come up with an argument that makes sense. Well, that won't sell anymore. You have ridden that horse and this country into the ground. Either way, that is over.

Either you win and stupid finally comes home to roost or, America is not spooked, and we start to rebuild our country.

strangelove, click my name. then go away.

STFU, strangelove. (Thanks, spinsouth.)

The two tax plans.

Select your preference.

(Click on Cato)

Jesus....listen to Joe Biden! What Republican has ever given a speech as good as this? How sad it must be tonight for people like strange and chasv who know they have to get up tomorrow and pretend a million good fantasies about a pack of sorry-ass criminals. No wonder they're bitter, no wonder they can not see. Shame shame on you. Go Joe go!

Seems I read there was a copy of the birth certificate made public by the Obama campaign, even though it's just about the stupidest non-issue I've ever heard. Closed to the public by Obama? Nope. By state law. Same thing here in Arkansas. Try getting your grubby hands on a birth certificate in Arkansas unless you can prove you are the subject or the parent.
Go on to the next step in Campaign Stupid. Obama was born in Hawaii and it was even a state by then (not that would make any difference -- see Marshall Islanders or Puerto Ricans), but his mother was only 18 and hadn't been a citizen for the requisite number of years after age 16, so baby Obama outta luck, not U.S. citizen. Like I said, Campaign Stupid.
A lotta folks either never studied civics or slept through it.

Here is something called truth that you can put in your pipe and smoke it. hillary and bubba have one aim and one aim only----sabotage osamayomama. This is the ONLY way that she can be president. If he gets elected then she is shut out until 2016. She will be too old for the democratic party which goes for youth. She knows that so she has to go for broke. Don't rule out her providing McCain with dirt on your guy. She will do whatever is necessary to put your guy down. Bubba can't stand him.

I posted the info for strange about Obama's birth/citizenship from Snopes. It means nothing to him. Forget it.

First of all son you need to have a history lesson He was born in 1961 and Hawaii was a state then. Secondly, he can authorize the release of a birth certificate. It belongs to him. Get your facts straight.

Also, for the umpteenth time, I am not voting for John McCain.

felons can't vote eh?

I want Bill back.

I want Chasv to disappear.

I want Obama to win.

I want America back.

Vote Democratic...you'll never be sorry.

Barack in the house!

Strangelove, go click on spinsouth's name and then stop talking about absolutely nothing at all. Your just keep proving how small and silly you are, like a little puppet. It's cute.

Well, good show. We got one more night, then we get to rest up for, what, a week, and think up all kinds of stupid insulting things (ala our very own REpugs here) and post them about the Grampa Munster convention. Boy, I can hardly wait. That'll be an exciting (snort) night.

There is a suit that has been filed in Federal Court challenging his status as a natural born citizen. It alleges that he was born in Kenya not in Hawaii.

Tonight was awesome: Clinton, Kerry, Biden, everyone. I'm still in a state of semi-euphoria after hearing everyone nail the points they needed: the awesome years of Clinton, the terrible list of failures by Bush, and how American needs to lead the world on all fronts: morality, technology, hope--a better tomorrow in general.

If there IS a benevolent God......

:)

Although Bill preached to the choir, he uplifted the congregation and the visitors with his oratorical skills.

Someone forgot about the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. Like Johnson, Clinton survived because the Senate voted to acquit him with 5 Republican senators casting the key votes. All votes for impeachment in the House & Senate were exclusively Republican votes. It was cast as a witch hunt.

The key factor is that it probably helped get Bush elected. According to the America's Future Foundation:

"In the wake of the Clinton scandals, independents warmed to Bush's promise to 'restore honor and dignity to the White House.' According to Voter News Service, the personal quality that mattered most to voters was 'honesty.' Voters who chose 'honesty' preferred Bush over Gore by over a margin of 5 to 1. Forty Four percent of Americans said the Clinton scandals were important to their vote. Of these, Bush reeled in three out of every four."

As we know, Bush failed to deliver on the honesty and dignity promises. His use of presidential signing statements to override legislation, his overt croneyism, the dismantling of laws to protect Americans from financial mis-dealings and from environmental mismanagement, his diplomatic failures, and his false assertions to lead us into war with Iraq make him the leading candidate for worst president ever.

As to Obama - tomorrow night will give us an idea whether he will get into the ring and fight or just dance around trying to avoid his opponent's punches. If he takes one or two key close states away from McCain and it is very possible, then he wins the November election.

There is a suit filed by a wingnut every minute of the day, none will hold water. McCain was born in Panama......and why am I wasting my time with you? felon be gone!

I look forward to the Republican Convention....I will watch as much as my stomach can stand. I want to see how they spin a sea of shit and misery into something pretty. I just don't think it can be done. It will be a joy to watch them sweat and die a thousand deaths on camera. Just think of the celebrities they'll have on stage! Just think of the legendary, beloved Republicans from the past they'll parade around. Wait for that 90 foot banner of proud accomplishments they'll display!

They should rent out the last 4 days of air time to the Ginsu knife people and call it good. They're going to skip the National Anthem and have Mark Foley sing Johnny Are You Queer, Boy! It's gonna be a laugh riot!

Doigotta and Strangelove,
Here is your civics lesson: It doesn't matter if Obama was born in Kenya (although his mother believes she was in Honolulu when he was delivered!). His mother was an American citizen, making her child an automatic American citizen, "natural born." I don't understand the comment about her not being a citizen "long enough" since she apparently was the child of American citizens and grew up in Kansas.

If this is the best you have to throw at Obama, bring it on!

DBI;

We are not worthy! We are not worthy!

Rent the airtime to the Ginsu knife people -- instant classic.

In two simple sentences above Strange shot his wad of anti-Clinton bullets.
Bet your wife is tired of that style too.

The best speech was last nights Dennis Kucinich's "Wake Up America"

It was also the shortest speech given so far and likely will be the shortest of the Convention.

You may watch it on my blue name

One of my favorite lines from Bill's speech--

"People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power."

That was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. When Bill is on, he does a speech better than anybody.

Never,

That was right up there with lines like, "We have nothing to fear. . . ", and, "Ask not . . ."

After watching Bill's speech tonight, I realized how much I have missed seeing (a) him speak, and (b) an intelligent and articulate American President speak to the nation.

Bill's speech tonight provided a stark contrast to the last 8 year's of incoherent mumblings from Bush's coke and alcohol addled brain.

strange - please remember that little storm that is churning in the Gulf tonight. When it hits the warm waters of the gulf, it could move from a Category 1 to a 3 or 4 in a matter of hours.

And if it by chance hits New Orleans, all eyes will be on the Republicans next week.

According to FindLaw.com, which is cited by Geraghty, the requirements that were in force from Dec. 24, 1952 to Nov. 13, 1986, encompassing the time of Obama's birth, state, "If only one parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth, that parent must have resided in the United States for at least 10 years, at least five of which had to be after the age of 16."

His mother was 18 at the time it was born so she could not have met the requirement.

Strange is trying to discredit Obama's status as a citizen because there is a question about whether McCain is a citizien --click my name for the background.

Bet there won't be any speeches at the Republican convention that can compare to any of the main speeches from the Democratic convention--Michelle Obama, both Clintons, John Kerry, Biden etc. Doesn't matter--I won't be watching next week anyway! Don't have the stomach for it.

Strangelove, I think I have a crush. It's so damn cute how you try so hard for nothing. You are nailing the important issues with every post! awe-inspiring, simply awe-inspiring.

I'm not worried about New Orleans in terms of the state's response because the clown that was governor, blanco, is no longer. Now Louisianna has a real governor that won't be whinning and will do something about it. Ray 'choclate city' nagin won't be any different.

I have yet to meet a demo that had any earthly idea of what the 'issues' were. You are too busy figuring out you can separate the voters from their money so your politicians can spend it on earmarks. Where is the promise that nancy 'savethe planet' pelosi made that she would end earmarks when the demos took control of the congress? That was in 2006. Your liberal buddies talk a lot but they don't deliver. Just more yak, yak, yak.

Obama is a citizen because he was born in the United States. Hawaii was a state since 1959 and he was born in 1961. It doesn't matter how old his mother was. The item strange quotes refers to a citizen born "outside" the US. The 14th Amendment states that all persons born in the US are US citizens. Which means even if their parents are both foreign, the are US citizens. More info at my name.

Oops "they are US citizens" is what I meant to type in the previous post

Stranglove, oh, you're just too sweet for words! Have I said I was a Demo(?) or a Liberal? Anybody breathing that can read words and watch moving pictures on the television could make you look foolish. You assume so much in your little world. Don't worry, you're still being cute.

NVR, that was my favorite line from Bill's excellent speech, too. And eLwood, thanks for the link to DK's speech, which I missed last night.

Wow, what a lovefest. I admit to being disappointed when Barack announced Biden as his running mate, but I feel great about it now. Great speeches by Clinton, Kerry, Tammy Duckworth, Beau Biden, Joe Biden. That was the best speech I remember Kerry ever giving.

And how about Barack's uncle, the old WWII vet, and Biden's sweet old Mama? Did I miss Bill Richardson, or did he not speak as scheduled?

I noticed both Kerry and Biden had freudian slips over the names Bush and McCain. If those weren't planned they should have been. Works for me!

Barack was a nice surprise, but I kept wanting Michelle to go down and join him. ALTHOUGH...was Barack getting pretty close to other women's lips with his cheek kisses, or was that just from my angle?!

(*Please* stay out of crosshairs at the big stadium tomorrow night. And every other minute until you're a very, very old former President.)

I mentioned this on one of the first threads after the selection of Biden, and I'm surprised I haven't already seen them. Watch for the Republicans to come up with copycat signs which, instead of reading ...

OBAMA
BIDEN

... they just switch an S for a B in the top name and put "NLA" in the middle of the bottom name to come up with...

OSAMA
BINLADEN

Kinda like they did with

Sore*Loserman in 2000.

You know those in the flock who believe the Muslim bit will fall for that one. Poor stupid bastards.

I don't know which is going to be more fun...the RNC or the P and VP debates. Depends on who Grampa Muster picks. Either way...pop the corn and sit back!

Gloves said of strange " You are nailing the important issues with every post"

Strangelove replied by saying "I have yet to meet a demo that had any earthly idea of what the 'issues' were"

Obviously sarcasm is above your level strangelove.

Hugh--I loved the "Freudian" slips on McCain & Bush too. I think since it was Biden's night, Michelle did the right thing and stayed where she was so it was just Biden's family and Barack. I'm sure she'll join him on stage after his speech tomorrow night. Doubt we'll see them do a Al/Tipper kiss though!

WE CAN'T AFFORD 4 MORE POSTS BY STRANGELOVE!

get a life deathbyinches.

you are an idoit.

None of the speeches were memorable, the Clintons' included. But no major gaffes occurred either.

This convention will be remembered for it's style, not substance.

Yur right about the Bin Laden thingy, Hugh. I thought of that before they ever picked Biden. But, surely, the REpugs wouldn't use schoolyard taunts like that. I mean, they're all adults...........right?

I love it when dumbasses do stuff like this:

"you are an idoit."

Posted by: Maxwell Smart

A smarter person would have taken care to not misspell a word when trying to insult another person, by calling that person an idiot.

i-d-i-o-t

DBI is an "I do it"?
Damn. Who knew?

"WE CAN'T AFFORD 4 MORE POSTS BY STRANGELOVE!"

Au contraire my friend DBI. We need so many more posts like strange's. I can not think of anyone who argues in circles as stranglove who could drive more people away from the Repubs. I hope he continues.
What better argument for mid-road Rs to vote Obama than it's a vote against Hillary and Bill?

I hope strange stays on the meds. Get that fellow to the pharmacy!

sigh.
I miss Bill.

Hey, it's about time for the Little Debbie factory to change shifts. Where's LARGEASSHOLE?

.

Apparently my tongue was not planted firmly enough in my cheek, rocker.
I'm not sure exactly what the law was and I'll defer to Never Vote Republican for his reading. However, I remember a family whose children were born outside the United States to American serviceman and his foreign wife. I understood that the children held dual citizenship which they later renounced.
In any case, I have no doubt that Barack Obama was born an American citizen in Hawaii and that there never was a legitimate question about his citizenship.

Well I will remember Bidens speech for a very long time.. It will be hard for the Republicans to threaten more wars than Biden did tonight.. (with the exception for talking with Iran)

Ya know Doigotta....at this point, I wouldn't care if Obama had been born in Iran. He's a million times better than these Republicans who were obviously born of stray female dogs.

The way things are going Cheney-Bush are going to be laughed out of office....dragging McShrimp with them. Goodbye to bad rubbish I say!

"Au contraire my friend DBI. We need so many more posts like strange's.''"--eLwood

Absolutely...remember how proud prouster is to have strange out there marketing the Republican Brand...so eloquently, too. I'm hoping the Repubs fill their convention stage with lots of strange clones.

I hope Obama opens up his ranks and lets some of Bill's (or someone who's actually beaten the Republicans) political wisdom in......'cause he needs it. Obama has our votes; he needs middle America's votes. 'They' don't like rock stars. Oh never mind...I'm just befuddled over tonight's setting. Keep talking, strange.

I miss presidential eloquence...and competence, compassion, intelligence...

But dbi...there are a lot of those so-called centrist voters who do care about Obama's pedigree. And I'm not referencing the bigots/haters who wouldn't vote for him regardless. I'm talking 'bout people who've never moved away from the missionary position and take years to cotton up to new ideas, new people. Good people who want to do what's right, but who are easily fooled...in the short term, at least. It wouldn't be any big deal if the Truth was readily available to them, but the evil Republican weavers are busy spinning all kinds of untrue crap about Obama. And, stirring crap has worked in the last two elections...else it would be President Kerry.

>>It was all blown out of proportion. Still, many surrounding Bill believe that he truly has a grudge against Obama because of this incident.<<

I would be very disappointed in the Clintons if they didn't have a grudge against Obama because of those charges of 'playing the race card'. I would also have been disappointed if he hadn't found the strength to do what he did last night and knock it out of the park one more time. Obama didn't deserve what Clinton did for him, but America deserves it, and I believe that along with future political plans, the Clintons also believed the country didn't deserve 4 more years of Bush.

I'm just sorry that I only really got to understand and appreciate the Clintons at this late stage. They are all politicians, even the sainted Obama, but some are effective and some aren't and therein lies the challenge for the next four years.

I feel better about Obama's chances to win this morning - he's been lifted up and set on the playing field with all that both Clintons, Kerry, Biden and many others could do for him. Now he needs to shake off his doldrums and get in the fight. It's a fight for America, after all, not just Obama's political career!

McCain was born in Panama if I'm not mistaken. I know he's an American citizen but what's the law regarding him becoming President? Doesn't the Constitution say you have to be born in the US? Just curious. I think Mitt Romney's dad ran into the same questions when he made a run for President because he was born in Mexico to American parents.

Moxie--see my post last night about McCain for a link that explains the Panama issue. It's rather complicated but Snopes explains it well.

Doigotta--it is true that some countries allow children of parents from 2 different countries to have dual citizenship. I believe I read somewhere that in Kenya, where Obama's father is from, you cannot have dual citizenship so to be a citizen of Kenya like his father, Obama would have had to renounce his American citizenship.

Zelda said--"I miss presidential eloquence...and competence, compassion, intelligence...". Amen Zelda!

Double, triple, quadruple AMEN! Zelda.........

It remains to be seen if Obama will produce anything memorable tonight.

So far, there hasn't been an Ann Richards-style sound bite that everyone will remember in future years.

To those who rapped Hillary's knuckles for not quieting down the audience immediately and launching into her speech, please note how quickly Bill was able to get the audience quiet so he could speak. Kinda like the quarterback quieting his partisan fans when he has fourth-and-two at the two, right?!

Click or cut-and-paste:

http://gallery1.demconvention.com/Default.html?VideoID=511

[Proof red]

ArkBlogger,

Just standing up in front of 80,000 that haven't been pre-screened by White House spin doctors for suitable silent sheep-like character will make a huge statement.

According to the Dayton Daily News, McCain Still Trying to Find Spectators

Click

When I said the democraps were the best thing going for the republicans I didn't mean I am all for the GOP.. they definitly have big problems but Like I said as long as the scum in the democrap party still floats it is dead to the bone.
God hates do gooders.. and the democrap party is full of 'em!
Old blue eye don't you forget it.

Gallup Daily: Obama Moves Ahead, 48% to 42%

Is it the Clinton bump?

"God hates do gooders .." chasv

chastityv, you don't seem to be real clear on the concept of 'god'.

sound by that question I know your concept of God isn't what it should be.
Have you been born again?