Bill Clinton forcefully endorses Obama at DNC
By SCOTT LINDLAW
Associated Press
August 28, 2008
Page 2 of 2
McCain's campaign sought to turn the Clinton speech to GOP advantage.
"It is indicative of the concern among Democratic voters about Barack Obama's inexperience that after three full days of the Democratic National Convention, President Clinton was finally forced to testify that Senator Obama is ready to be president, despite his previous arguments to the contrary," said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds.
Clinton's address elicited some nostalgia of its own among the delegates.
"He can still mesmerize a crowd," said Oregon delegate Sam Sappington.
Standing nearby, Lloyd Henion, who came to Denver as a Clinton delegate from Oregon, said the former president "hit a 500-foot home run. He hit all the points."
Clinton's challenge Wednesday night was tall, because he himself had questioned Obama's credentials.
During the primary race, the former president tried to raise doubts about whether the first-term Illinois senator had the experience to lead the country. He said Obama's opposition to the Iraq war was a "fairy tale."
Last fall, he dismissed Obama as totally unqualified.
"I mean, when is the last time we elected a president based on one year of service in the Senate before he started running?" Clinton said on "The Charlie Rose Show. "In theory, we could find someone who is a gifted television commentator and let them run."
Last winter, Clinton said that after "all the mean things" the Obama campaign had said about him, "I should be the last person to defend him. (But) if he wins this nomination, I'm going to do what I can to help him win."
Clinton was departing Denver on Thursday morning, hours before Obama gives his acceptance speech.
Aides said this was standard practice for Clinton, and not a snub. Clinton did likewise at the 2000 and 2004 conventions, they said.
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