The Clinton factor

The success of the Democratic National Convention, during which Barack Obama was confirmed as the presidential candidate for the Democrats, depended on Hilary and Bill Clinton.

A staggering 18,000,000 democrats voted for Hilary during the preliminary internal battle for presidential nomination (primaries).

As a confident Hilary saw the Obama snowflake develop into a huge snowball that gathered strength as it rolled down the hill, as desperation set in, her campaign strategy changed. She broadened her focus to include personal attacks on Obama himself. It was “do or die,” and she had to take off the kid gloves, dip into the political bunker and shoot from the hips with all the ammunition she had. Naturally, this included her husband Bill.

Obama survived and prevailed, converting every crisis into an opportunity to showcase his political dexterity and natural talent. He beat Hilary by a significant enough margin. Many felt Obama had won the battle, but the Democrats would lose the war. Hilary’s attacks against Obama were bound to boomerang and hurt the party.

Unification of the party was imperative, and the Clinton X-factor was worrying. Not any more. No doubt disappointed at not being chosen by Obama as vice president, Hilary rose to the occasion and delivered a masterful speech during the convention. She was gracious, dignified and compelling. She endorsed Obama, but remained faithful to the issues she raised during her campaign (healthcare for all, liberation through education, women’s rights and equal pay for equal work).

She credited herself with nearly breaking the glass ceiling that prevents women from reaching the top in politics, and successfully targeted and connected with the powerful female vote.

Enthusiastic crowd

Her connection with the audience was genuine, as she did not read from a prepared text, and made a lot of eye contact. Most importantly, Hilary managed to do all of this without upstaging or overshadowing Obama.

She seamlessly weaved her unconditional endorsement of him as the party’s presidential candidate into her speech, so that it was well-punctuated by references to Obama’s strengths and ability to lead. She cleverly linked him with the issues that were important to her supporters (“I can’t wait to watch Barack Obama sign a healthcare plan into law that covers every single American”), and hailed his wife as a good first lady.

Die-hard Hilary supporters who were reluctant to support Obama were reminded of what was at stake and sternly warned: “I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me?” she asked. “Or were you in it for that young marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids?”

If Hilary was good, her husband was great. Bill Clinton has a charismatic appeal and rapport seldom seen in politics. The thunderous applause and electrifying welcome continued endlessly, and threatened to steal vice presidential nominee Biden’s (who had to speak later on) thunder, until he firmly stopped the enthusiastic crowd from continuing.

At a time when politicians in the US seem to be resigning every day over sex scandals and indiscretions, Bill’s popularity is incredible. One African-American delegate sought to correct history by reminding people that Obama was going to be the second black President of the USA, as he (Bill Clinton) was, in fact, the first black President of the USA.

This underscored the special connection and love Bill had with the black community—one of his strongest support bases during his tenure as president.

Unite party

Whether it’s the rumoured child he fathered with a black woman, or his ability to play the sax, Bill’s legendary relationship with this community was sincerely obvious.  Bill sought to neutralise the attack on Obama’s inexperience (a point he himself made in support of Hilary’s campaign) by reminding the crowd that this was the very criticism made by the Republicans against him when he ran for president.

He hailed Obama’s diplomatic skills because he understood that America needed to lead “not by the example of power, but by the power of example.” He attacked Obama’s Republican opponent frontally, saying he would simply continue the failed policies of the Bush administration:

“More tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans that will swell the deficit, increase inequality, and weaken the economy...

“More going it alone in the world, instead of building the shared responsibilities and shared opportunities necessary to advance our security and restore our influence.”

The Clintons have succeeded in uniting the party. Hilary has made herself critical to Obama’s presidential campaign and demonstrated her value to the White house if Obama wins.

The McCain camp has already started running advertisements with clips of Hilary’s attacks on Obama. The damage this will do can only be overcome by genuine unity.

It is left to Obama now to seal the cracks the Clintons have filled and sell himself as the next leader of the American people. As Bill said, “History is on his side.”