In his prime-time speech last night, good old Bill was “vintage” and sharp.

After a 4 minute standing ovation, he delivered what I consider the best speech since the end of his two-term presidency.

So far in this convention, Clinton has done the best job in framing the reasoning why the Republican THUGS led by John McCain must not be allowed to retain power for another four years.

Mr. Clinton offered an enthusiastic and unstinting endorsement of Mr. Obama’s credentials to be president.

Clinton said: “Last night Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she is going to do everything she can to elect Barack Obama.”

“That makes two of us.”

“I say to you: Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world.”

“Barack Obama is ready to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States.”

“With Joe Biden’s experience and wisdom, supporting Barack Obama’s proven understanding, instincts and insight, America will have the national security leadership we need,” he said.

“The Republicans will nominate a good man who served our country heroically and suffered terribly in Vietnam,” he said, “He loves our country every bit as much as we all do. As a senator, he has shown his independence on several issues. But on the two great questions of this election, how to rebuild the American Dream and how to restore America’s leadership in the world, he still embraces the extreme philosophy which has defined his party for more than 25 years.”

“They actually want us to reward them for the last eight years by giving them four more,” he said. “Let’s send them a message that will echo from the Rockies all across America: Thanks, but no thanks.”

Flashback: Bill Clinton totally mutilates and Slays George Bush Snr. (1992)

To me, the most striking part of Clinton’ s speech was when he said: “Obama’s family heritage and life experiences have given him a unique capacity to lead our increasingly diverse nation and to restore our leadership in an ever more interdependent world.” “The long, hard primary tested and strengthened him.”

Clinton’s statement reminded me of the following quote by author Philip Ochieng from Kenya:

Clinton’s speech should act as a springboard for Obama, when he delivers his nomination-acceptance speech tomorrow.

   [Enlarge] [Cartoon by -- Jeff Stahler]

I can only hope that the Clinton’s are one hundred percent behind Obama, and have put their defeat behind them.

If affirmative, all should be forgiven, and all should move forward, for prospect of having another Republican THUG, the neanderthal McCain in the White House is utterly disgusting.

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….after Clinton finished, in trotted John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic Nominee for president. The Vietnam vet was armed to the teeth, and wasted no time in unloading bomb after bomb at the ReTHUGlicans.

I loved watching Kerry fight, as he ripped into McCain and his THUG party with abandon.

Kerry called out McCain as “insulting,” “desperate” and “pathetic” for questioning Barack Obama’s patriotism, and for his continuing support for Bush’s failed policies.

Said Kerry: “Voters should elect a president based on judgment and character, not “years on this earth.” “The Bush-McCain policies have left “Hamas, Hezbollah, the Taliban and dictators everywhere…on the march.”

“Let me tell you, before he ever debates Barack Obama, John McCain should finish the debate with himself.” “Candidate McCain says he would now vote against the immigration bill that Senator McCain wrote. Are you kidding? Talk about being before it before you’re against it.” “McCain has nothing left but personal attacks,” added Kerry.

Next to speak was Joe Biden, Obama’s Vice-President to be:

In his speech, Biden offered a glimpse of the scrappy attack dog he can be. He did show flashes of that scrappy kid from tough Scranton, PA — and that is why he’s on the ticket: to follow his mother’s advice – pick yourself up and give the other guy a bloody nose.

   Obama-Biden 2008

   [Cartoon By -- Gary Varvel]

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