CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) â€" Convention Watch shows you the 2012 political conventions through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.
The crowd is thinning at the Democratic National Convention, even as the roll call of the states to nominate Barack Obama goes on. Obama has left, headed back to his hotel. And several spots in the arena are now empty as states cast their votes to nominate the president as their party’s presidential nominee. Though Obama has officially been nominated by the numbers, the roll call is expected to go on well into the night.
On Bill Clinton’s night to shine at the Democratic National Convention, his wife couldn’t have been farther from the action.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, who fought Barack Obama to the finish for the Democratic nomination in 2008, is in East Timor as part of an 11-day tour of the Asia-Pacific region.
Barack Obama’s secretary of state had this to say at a news conference there:
‘‘My husband read parts of his speech to me over the last few days. I received the as-prepared version,’’ she said, holding up a copy of what presumably was the speech, ‘‘which I am anxious, when I can, to compare with the as-delivered version. So it is a great honor for him to be nominating the president and I am delighted to be here in Timor Leste on behalf of the United States.’’
This is the first DNC that Hillary Clinton has missed since 1968. As part of federal law, she is legally barred from partisan political activities because of her current job.
The Clintons’ daughter, Chelsea, was in thet convention hall, though, watching her father from the seats.
BASKING IN CLINTON'S GLOW
Barack Obama popped onstage for an unscripted appearance alongside Bill Clinton, briefly sharing the adoration being showered on the former president by Democratic delegates.
After Clinton finished a rousing speech that formally put Obama’s name up for nomination, Obama walked over to give him a hug. The former president and the president shook hands, waved to the crowd, than grabbed the hands of Democrats to the side of the stage as they took their exit together â€" with Obama’s arm on Clinton’s back.
â€" Connie Cass â€"Twitter http://twitter.com/ConnieCass
Bill Clinton is one of the few Democrats to talk about the nation’s debt problem so far during the party’s national convention. At their convention, Republicans hammered away relentlessly about the damage the nation’s deficits and debt burden do. The GOP’s vice presidential nominee, Paul Ryan, has been pointing out that the nation’s debt has now reached $ 16 trillion.
But so far, the topic has been almost invisible at the Democrats gathering. Clinton, though, took it on. ‘‘We have to deal with it, or it will deal with us,’’ he told his audience.
Obama’s team hopes Clinton’s credibility on the economy â€" it soared during his years in office â€" and his record for balancing the nation’s budget could help the current president win over independent voters focused on such pocketbook issues.
Talk about a team of rivals. Former President Bill Clinton credited President Barack Obama with hiring Republicans, adding, ‘‘Heck â€" he even appointed Hillary.’’
Clinton told Democratic convention delegates Wednesday night that he was proud of his wife, Obama’s secretary of state, and proud of what the Obama administration’s national security team has achieved.
Bill Clinton said the work of Obama and Hillary Clinton together â€" two former rivals for the Democratic nomination in 2008 â€" sends a signal to the world that ‘‘Democracy doesn’t have to be a blood sport. It can be an honorable enterprise that advances the public interest.
â€" Donna Cassata â€" Twitter http://twitter.com/donnacassataAP
CLINTON PRESENTS HIS CASE
Bill Clinton says no president could have fully repaired within four years the damaged economy that Barack Obama inherited.
‘‘But he has laid the foundations for a new, modern successful economy, a shared prosperity,’’ Clinton told the Democratic convention Wednesday night. ‘‘And if you will renew the president’s contract, you will feel it. You will feel it.
‘‘Whether the American people believe what I've said or not may be the whole election. I just want you to know that I believe it. With all my heart I believe it,’’ Clinton said.
The former president, greeted by cheering Democrats like a rock star, acknowledged that too many Americans aren’t yet feeling the effects of recovery.Continued...
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar