Reflections on President Clinton’s Speech
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 3/19/08 @ 12:55 am - Filed Under 2008 National Elections, Featured, National Politics
It’s hard to describe tonight’s events - I hate using the word “surreal” but that does accurately describe what transpired this evening. As little as two months ago very few would have predicted that any significant Presidential campaigning would be taking place here in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Yet, tonight I watched a former President of the United States give a speech in our very own Grand Wayne Center. And this was not just any President, this was Bill Clinton - still a Democratic hero who commands as much respect as any Democratic figure since John Kennedy.
Now I, like many of you, have watched numerous Clinton speeches over the years and I doubt anybody would deny that he’s one of the best orators of our time but you truly cannot grasp this concept until you’re there live and in person. It’s similar to watching the Cubs on WGN versus being in the bleachers at Wrigley Field.
The ease with which Clinton arouses populist sentiment on a number of issues is incredible. He has the uncanny ability to make you feel like you’re listening to a friend or neighbor and not a past President. I mean he’s one of us right? A poor Arkansas kid that grew up to be the most powerful man in the world - truly the American and Democratic dream. But does that sentiment carry over to Hillary? That’s the $64,000 question.
The truth is if Bill Clinton can’t sway Democrats into your corner then it simply cannot be done. But I think this shows the problem candidates face with any surrogate. Bill was incredible throughout the speech but I just didn’t leave there feeling any different about Hillary. If Bill were running for office it would be a different story but I just think it’s difficult for voters to listen to him and make the transition to Hillary. And that’s certainly no criticism of Bill - he did absolutely everything in his power to tie his speech to Hillary - the surrogate bridge just seems nearly impossible to cross.
And maybe that’s how it should be - Hillary is a different candidate in a new political era and the people will want to hear from her directly. But a Bill Clinton speech is something to behold and tonight, if only for a short time, Fort Wayne was Clinton’s town…
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Jeff - wow! Lucky you. I definitly agree re: transition from Bill to Hillary.
Jeff - I agree with your assessment regarding the lack of a connection between Bill and Hillary. They have never seemed like a husband and wife, even before all of Bill’s escapades in the White House came to light. You never saw any genuine hugs or locked lips (a la the Gores)on stage and certainly Hillary was never pictured “standing by her man” during Bill’s problems like some of the more recent scandals. Maybe thats a good thing, but she certainly hasn’t gotten the benefit of the “first black president” rubbing off on her.
Jeff:
What a great night! You are correct on President Clinton’s oratorical skills. I had watched him on TV many times, but his speech last night highlights his amazing skills as a speaker. He truly has to be one of the great speakers of our times.
He connects with the audience. I felt differently, of course, when I left. I had determined a few weeks ago - after the departure of John Edwards - to support Hillary, and I left last night even more certain that I had made the correct choice.
While Bill is not Hillary, and she is the candidate, they are both intelligent, competent individuals. After hearing his summary of Hillary’s positions, I felt assured that he was repreenting her well. There is no reason I cannot research and learn more about her positions.
After all, that is what most interested voters will do - very few have the opportunity to attend an event such as last night’s rally.
I hope that Hillary makes it to Fort Wayne before our primary.
I completely agree with you Jeff. I was an Obama supporter going to the Grand Wayne Center yesterday to see one of the political icons of my lifetime. While so many of the things we said were very powerful and I’m sure he persuaded a lot of people last night - I’m not one of them. There are a lot of similarities bet. Obama and Hillary as well….
P.s. I sat right next to you…. :)
As a Cubs fan, I appreciated your WGN vs. Wrigley Field analysis; although, I can’t picture myself getting as worked up about a televised Clinton speech as I am apt to do for WGN Cubs games.
Per our discussion last night about using myself as a test case for Bill’s persuasive oratorical abilities, I think my initial post-speech reaction was right on: Great speech, great ideas…but how does that transfer to Hillary.
Upon further reflection this morning, it would be difficult to admit that, while he did not completely persuade me that Hillary is the right person for the job he made me feel that perhaps I haven’t given Hillary her fair shake.
Last night after the speech, somebody commented that they usually choose candidates by “who they like” rather than comparing candidates particular positions, and I think I typically follow that path. I don’t think that tendancy is due to any inate laziness in myself but more due to the fact that this may be the first election in my voting life where I could even POSSIBLY feel myself torn between two candidates.
So it seems nearly everyone agrees that the transition from Bill to Hillary is not automatic. If this is the case then is there a more productive role/approach Bill could have in the campaign?
Personally I think the Clinton campaign has hamstrung him unnecessarily. I think Bill is at his best beating back the right-wing talking points and challenging people/candidates on the issues. In other words he’s about the best “rapid response team” leader you could ask for.
Early on, around the South Carolina primary, Bill made some fairly benign yet controversial statements and they placed him on the back burner after that. I know this probably goes against the conventional wisdom but I think that was a mistake. Bill seems to thrive when he’s under the media gun and I think the Clinton campaign needs some of that.
Don’t get me wrong, Hillary’s great under pressure too but nobody does it like Bill and I just can’t imagine sidelining a personality like him after a few minor gaffes…
Almost forgot - it was nice to meet you Abby. Too bad you couldn’t get your picture taken with James Earl Jones. Maybe next time - heh…
If it were not tax season I would have taken the time to go and listen to Bill Clinton speak; however, he came during tax season.
Bill Clinton is a great public speaker.
There is most likely little that could ever make me vote for Hillary Clinton since I have no respect for her, she is an angry and bitter woman, and I believe that she is “crooked.”
My wife dislikes Hillary CLinton so much that, for the first time in her life, she is voting in the Democratic primary so she can vote for Obama. She has not yet decided who she will vote for in the General Election.
Mike Sylvester
Nice to meet you too.
It’s amazing to me how people are followers.
I love what you do Jeff! I wish I could have a louder voice but unfortunately I’m not allowed due to my dad’s position in the county…