patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Poll: Did Clinton's Speech Help President Obama?

Former President Bill Clinton gave a rousing speech -- as evidenced by a cheering and chanting crowd. But, did it do its job?

 

Democrats wrapped up a second day of the national convention in Charlote, N.C., on Sept. 5. The keynote speaker was former President Bill Clinton.

Clinton and President Barack Obama have not always gotten along - take four years ago, for example. Then, Hillary Clinton wanted to be president, too, and there was a fiery battle to the nomination.

Nowadays, Clinton is behind Obama. And, he got a few comedic jabs to the Republican Party just to make sure it was clear.

"People ask me all the time how we delivered four surplus budgets," he said in a prepared statement. "What new ideas did we bring? I always give a one-word answer: arithmetic."

His speech lifted the audience to its feet a number of times and had them chanting "four more years, four more years," as Clinton focused on economic growth, health concerns and working together.

Sure, he said, the economy is not where many want it to be, but it is better and getting better all the time, and that if given more time, that change will be more evident. No president - not even him - could have fixed what Obama found "in just four years," he said.

"We believe that 'we're all in this together' is a far better philosophy than 'you're on your own,'" former President Bill Clinton told the Democratic delegation.

In the closing part of his speech, Clinton said "we champion the cause for which our founders pledged their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor."

Later ABC News commentators said it was a "powerful" speech, "part professor, part preacher.'" Others said it was "anti-Wall Street" and missing key details.

So, what do you think? Did Clinton's speech help his one-time rival? How should the campaign use him going forward? Let us know in the comment section and in our poll.

You also might be interested in:

  • Did Clinton's Speech Help President Obama?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Yes
        28 (71%)
    • No
        10 (25%)
    • Undecided
        1 (2%)
    Total votes: 39
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: Bill Clinton, DNC, Democratic National Convention, President Barack Obama, and President Bill Clinton

Patricia S

9:57 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012

It was an excellent speech. Great convention so far.

Reply

Jeff Haas

10:57 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012

An absolutely stunning speech, worthing losing sleep over. Fortunately for the Democrats, the Republicans are turning this election into a referendum on the Republican Party, and Clinton was able to take full advantage of that.

Reply

david

11:44 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Really hope people don't believe clinton supports obama!

Reply
Comment_arrow

M.A.Dawson

11:51 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Clinton would support Sandra Fluke but Elizabeth Warren is closer to his age.

Comment_arrow

Jeff Haas

12:20 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

That's all you've got, huh? If you watched the speech, which I doubt you'll do, you'd see a sincere, full-throated endorsement of Obama by Clinton. All you saw in the Republican convention was insincerity, sarcasm, and mendacity. I think the writing's on the wall, so all we're getting from rightwingers are snarky comments.

Comment_arrow

Steve R.

12:30 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Wah! Jeff haha, stop crying. It's to be expected.

The same type of comments were posted here:
http://loganville.patch.com/articles/do-you-believe-paul-ryan-is-qualified-to-be-president

Comment_arrow

Joseph W. O'Bryan

4:18 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

If you think Clinton would support a worthless scum-bag piece of crap like Rumpney
then you alswo believe the moon is made of green cheese.

vernay fitzpatrick

3:21 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

I did not hear the speech but president Clinton has always beeb the man, I hope that President Obama wins this election, He has my vote, because, the republican only care about the rich, They have not cared about anyone who do not believe in what they think, I dare them to want to take away women right, Just because they wanted to have so many kids thats up to them, If someone wants to have a abortion let them answer to God, its not there place to tell people what to do So thats one of the main reason all my friends any family will give our vote to President Obama vernay,Ga

Reply
Comment_arrow

Chris

5:47 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Another fine product of our government school system.

RL

3:57 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

The Dems jeer god but cheer Clinton.
The Dems support women's rights but cheer Clinton, a sexist fiend.
The Dems want to dump Israel but cater to Muslim thugs (the Brotherhood).
The Dems hate racism but if 94% of blacks vote for Obummer, no racism here.
The Dems have made abortion rights part of their platform so you better give women taxpayer provided contraception.
Fun loving crowd, those Dems.

Reply

Sean

4:05 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Wow, you people truly represent the Democrat voters. The (mis)spelling and grammar alone should disqualify you from voting. Too bad we don't have an I.Q. requirement in the U.S.A.

Reply

L. Kelley

7:21 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

No joke! They truly believe that Obama and Bill really like each other. How warm and fuzzy they must be (on air) - not. Neither one of them like each other except when they must appear to do so to further their own agenda.

Reply
Comment_arrow

Jeff Haas

8:44 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

And you truly believe that Romney will defeat Obama in November. ROTFLMAO.

Tammy Osier

9:33 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Clinton and obama have charisma. Unfortunately, in politics, that's a bad thing becasue they can sugar coat anything and make you believe it. It was only a few months ago that clinton said in an interview that obama's spending was wreckless and that he agreed with the republicans on fiscal issues. He also had a lot of negative things to say about obamacare stating that is was a disaster waiting to happen. He's also made a few nasty comments concerning obama totally opposite to what he said last night. Wonder which statements were true?

Reply

Tammy Osier

9:40 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Vernay - they "only care about the rich" is a clever line that democrats say because they know you'll repeat it without knowing any facts. Romney will cut taxes across the board. Bush did that (even in a war) and our unemployment went down to 5%. It's something that has worked every time it has been done. We didn't have these types of problems until democrats took over house and senate the last two years. Republicans were not in control at that time.
Can't agree with you on the abortion thing though. A full term baby is a real live human being. Somebody will answer to God alright. Good men defend the innocent who cannot defend themselves. You've already been born (allowed to live). Lucky you.

Reply

John Cook

4:02 am on Monday, September 10, 2012

I wonder how many people watched Clinton's speech at the convention and wished Hillary had won. Clinton joked about nominating himself--or was it really a joke? Clinton knew how to negotiate. And Clinton got things passed. Real solutions were passed. Clinton had a Republican House and a Democratic Senate--just like Obama has currently. Clinton didn't really like Newt Gingrich (Speaker of the House) and recently said Newt was an inflexible, "my way or the highway" sort of person. Newt hasn't been very complimentary of Clinton, either. Nonetheless, they managed to get a balanced budget passed, as well as welfare reform, and several other bi-partisan bills. Do you think the Republicans held a meeting and decided they were going to make Clinton look good? No, I think Clinton has the negotiating skills that Obama lacks. Clinton is a leader; Obama is a failure.

Sometimes if they don't do the job, you just have to let them go.

Reply

4 MER DUMB DEM

5:32 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Don't cha miss Bill and his economy, his statesmanship...it was a great speech and Obama can thank his affiliation with the party...Bill did his digs before the convention and it is only his loyality to the party that he delivered for this "AMETUER"

Reply

dan brimmer

3:03 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012

Bill has paid the president back for Hillary's appointment. A shame the party had to use an impeached president and disbarred attorney to nominate another disbarred attorney to be president.

Reply
Comment_arrow

NJ4America

3:22 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012

Dan, a gentleman you are for leaving out all the other disgusting acts of Bill Clinton. He's scumbag. But then, so is Barney Frank, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Anthony Weiner and on and on.

Leave a comment