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Clinton to play important role at DNC

Bill Clinton will play a leading role at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
Former President Bill Clinton (file)
Former President Bill Clinton (file)

Bill Clinton will play a leading role at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. The former president will formally nominate President Obama for another term in a primetime speech on September 5, one night before Obama is scheduled to accept the nom. The invite to speak came from directly from Obama, who personally called in the favor."There isn't anybody on the planet who has a greater perspective on not just the last four years, but the last two decades, than Bill Clinton," David Axelrod, strategist to the Obama campaign told The New York Times. "He can really articulate the choice that is before people."This move bumps Vice President Biden's speech to Thursday, September 6. Typically, veeps get their own night to shine. Instead, he'll introduce President Obama inside the Bank of America Stadium. According to a new Gallup poll, two-thirds of Americans have a favorable view of Clinton. And that star-power will come in handy on because he’ll be competing against the NFL season kickoff game on NBC at the same time. Clinton, who now regularly doles out strategy advice to the Obama campaign, will make the case for Obama's economic plan and remind voters of the good old days of a booming American economy (ie. when a Democrat was in the White House). 


Unlike the Dems looking to play up the nostalgia card, Republicans seem to want to leave the past behind. Former President George W. Bush does not plan to attend the GOP convention in Tampa and former Vice President Dick Cheney will be on a "fishing trip." No one seems to be encouraging them to do otherwise.Cheney's still not over 2008. Sen. John McCain's decision to put Sarah Palin on the ticket in 2008, calling the pick a "mistake" on Sunday.