Bill Clinton defends Obama’s record, rallies Democrats on Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton rallied Democrat supporters on Day 2 of the DNC convention, delivering an electrifying speech in defense of Barack Obama’s record on economy, healthcare and jobs, while criticizing Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s agenda.
“President Obama started with a much weaker economy than I did,” Clinton said. “Listen to me, now. No president — no president, not me, not any of my predecessors, no one could have fully repaired all the damage that he found in just four years.”
He even offered a laugh or two, “And by the way, after last night, I want a man who had the good sense to marry Michelle Obama.”
According to Twitter, Clinton saw the highest spike in tweets per minute towards the end of his speech at 22,087.
Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention continued on the fashionable suede heels of Michelle Obama’s energizing speech. Notable appearances included former employees at companies controlled by Mitt Romney’s Bain Capitol, President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards, U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas and U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren.
- U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and former President Bill Clinton (L) walk off stage after Clinton addressed the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina September 5, 2012. (Rick Wilking/Reuters)
- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton stands with Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. President Barack Obama (L) on stage during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 5, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
- U.S. President Barack Obama (L) joins former President Bill Clinton onstage after Clinton nominated Obama for re-election during the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
- U.S. President Barack Obama speaks in former President Bill Clinton’s ear after Clinton nominated him for re-election during the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012. (Rick Wilking/Reuters)
- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (R) hugs U.S. President Barack Obama after he nominated Obama for re-election during the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
- The 42nd President of the United States Bill Clinton (L) bows to the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 5, 2012 on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton addresses the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012. (Larry Downing/Reuters)
- This photo courtesy of the US Department of State shows US Secretary Hillary Clinton watching her husband former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s nomination of President Obama during the Democratic convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the residence of the US ambassador to Timor Leste, on September 5, 2012. (Nick Merrill/AFP/Getty Images)
- Former U.S. president Bill Clinton addresses the audience at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 5, 2012 on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
- Elizabeth Warren, candidate for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, addresses the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina September 5, 2012. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
- Elizabeth Warren, candidate for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, addresses the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina September 5, 2012. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
- Delegates hold signs during the second session at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina September 5, 2012. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
- Austin Ligon, Co-Founder and Former CEO of CarMax, Inc., addresses delegates during the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
- U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) speaks during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 5, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
- Attorney Sandra Fluke speaks during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 5, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
- Attendees hold signs that say “1.1 Million Auto Jobs Saved” and union related signs during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 5, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
- U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) is applauded by fellow female members of the U.S. Senate after addressing the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina September 5, 2012. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)
- California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris speaks to the audience at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 5, 2012 on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
- A man waves a sign above the others at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 5, 2012 on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
- President of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Bob King speaks during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 5, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
- Auto worker Karen Eusanio of Ohio speaks during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 5, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
- A delegate sports sequin shoes while attending the second session of Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012. (Jim Young/Reuters)
- Priscilla Marquez and Evie Walls from Arizona pose in the Google photo booth at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 5, 2012 ahead of events on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- Saxophonist Branford Marsalis plays the National Anthem during the presentation of the Colors at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
- U.S. Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) speaks during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
- Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas leads the Pledge of Allegiance as the West Charlotte High School ROTC present the colors during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
- People pray during the invocation during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
- DNC Chair Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa stands at the podium to call the convention to order during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
- A delegate wearing wings waits for the start of the second session of Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jim Young/Reuters)
- Priscilla Marquez and Evie Walls from Arizona pose in the Google photo booth at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina ahead of events on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- Protestors march through uptown during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Police officers from around the country are in Charlotte to provide security for the Democratic National Convention, which began yesterday and runs through September 6. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
- Protesters carry a banner while marching outside Duke Energy in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
- Actors Patricia Arquette and Wayne Knight (R) are interviewed on the floor prior to the start of day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
- A woman wears a hat decorated with American flags during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
- Edward Baker Phillips wears a hat with a picture of Former U.S. President Bill Clinton on it during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
- People dance to music on the floor during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
- Supporters pose for a group shot at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina ahead of events on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
- Abortion rights activist Jessica, 22, from New Jersey argues with local resident Adriana Howard (L), about whether or not taxpayer money should be used for abortions, during a protest on day two of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
- A street vendor sells dolls depicting US President Barack Obama outside the Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
- US First Lady Michelle Obama speaks during a luncheon hosted by the Human Rights Campaign and Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund in Charlotte, North Carolina. Michelle Obama is in town for the 2012 Democratic National Convention where the party expected to nominate US President Barack Obama to run for a second term as president. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
- A man wearing a mask symbolizing the Occupy movement walks past a Pro-Life rally on day two of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
- A member of the “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals” (PETA) movement dressed as a pig demands for taxation of the meat products outside the Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
- Senior Adviser to the President Valerie Jarrett (C) poses with two women during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
- General Eric Shinseki attends a sound check at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina ahead of events on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
- Saxophonist Branford Marsalis attends a sound check at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina ahead of events on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
- A man holding a US flag leads an anti-abortion rights march and rally on day two of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
- Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) practices for his speech before the start of the 2012 Democratic Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/MCT)
- Abortion rights protestors Annah Shapiro (R) and Kat Enyeart (L), two women from Portland, Oregon, kiss in front of street preacher Alan Hoyle (far right) on day two of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
- Joseph Block wears an Obama ’08 yarmulke during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
- A street preacher in blue shirt on a step ladder holds a bible as he addresses passersby outside the Time Warner Cable Arena on day two of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
- Brother Peter (C) and Brother Pius (R) from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Monroe, North Carolina holds signs at an anti-abortion rights march and rally on day two of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
- U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate John Kerry (D-MA) tours the stage area ahead of the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
- A man vacuums the stage at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina ahead of events on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
- The Time Warner Cable Arena as seen through a photo booth window in Charlotte, North Carolina in advance of the second day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention. (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
- U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands after arriving at North Carolina Air National Guard base in Charlotte. Obama is in North Carolina to speak at the 2012 Democratic National Convention tomorrow night. (Larry Downing/Reuters)
- A female protester rides a float in a pond at Marshall Park during the second day Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. The protesters gathered as the park to use it as an encampment. (John Adkisson/Reuters)
- Workers dismantle the stage which was set for the final night of the Democratic National Convention 2012 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Weather forecast for the area forced a move to the Time Warner Cable Arena.(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
- US President Barack Obama walks on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, to board Marine One . Obama left Washington, en route to Charlotte, North Carolina, to attend the Democratic National Convention. (Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)
Clinton touts Obama and warns against Romney
The former president, in his nominating speech at the Democratic convention, says the Republican’s plans would ‘explode the debt and destroy the economy.’
By David Lauter, Washington Bureau | LA Times
September 6, 2012
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Declaring that “America is better off” than it was when Barack Obama became president, former President Clinton lauded the record of his Democratic successor and skewered his Republican rival, depicting the choice before voters as one between “a winner-take-all, you’re-on-your-own society” and a “we’re-all-in-this-together society.”
His voice thinner and raspier but his oratorical gifts unchanged, Clinton delivered a 48-minute address that alternated between lengthy discussions of policy and partisan jabs leavened with humor and admonitions that “this is important, I want you to listen.”
Mitt Romney, he said, would “double down on trickle down.” His own administration had balanced the budget four times, simply by “arithmetic,” he said. By contrast, Romney’s “numbers just don’t add up.”
Read More.
TRANSCRIPT: BILL CLINTON REMARKS FROM THE DNC DAY 2
Spelling Police
Sep 06, 2012 @ 09:55:29
sleighs??? Really?? I didn’t even see any snow!
Nick Tann
Sep 07, 2012 @ 09:25:42
Yeah, our bad. Busy week and minimal caffeine. All better now 🙂