tag:www.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk/blogs/darrius//2494 2008-08-27T17:28:49Z Movable Type Pro 4.21-en tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk//17.210770 2008-08-27T17:28:49Z 2008-08-27T17:28:49Z

With all the attention Hillary Clinton has been getting is keeping the attention off of the true prize that is available at the convention, Bill Clinton's vote of confidence. With a single line Bill Clinton can destroy the entire Republican...

Darrius
With a single line Bill Clinton can destroy the entire Republican narrative against Barack Obama, make the public ready to accept Obama as President, eliminate all risk to his own legacy, virtually guarantee that Obama will win, and insure Hillary against any backlash from Obama supporters should he lose.  That line is this...

"Barack Obama is ready to be President."

If said by Bill Clinton, that line is the single best thing that could happen to Barack Obama in this convention.  It is even more important than having Bill Clinton constantly attack John McCain.  Moreover, Bill Clinton is the only person whose endorsement is more important than their attacks against the other side.  

There are 4 living people who are honestly qualified to give an opinion on what it takes to be President. Those people are Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.  Other those 4, Bill Clinton is the only one the public trusts to be able to do a good job.  If Bill Clinton endorses Obama's readiness, most of the public will go along because there is no one qualified to disagree with him.  

McCain's only defense against Bill Clinton saying "Barack Obama is ready to be President" would be to have George W. Bush say, "Barack Obama is not ready to be President." (By the way, George W. Bush is guaranteed to say this next week at the Republican convention, regardless of what Bill Clinton says.)  However, having John McCain be defended by George Bush plays into the Democratic narrative against John McCain.  It would unequivocally prove that John McCain is Bush's man.  

By adding a line or two Bill Clinton could do even more to help Obama.  For instance he could destroy the Republican narrative for John McCain as well.  For example he could say,

"All this experience John McCain is claiming is baloney; John McCain is no more ready to be President than anybody else. A lifetime in the Senate or as Governor doesn't make you any more prepared to be President, it is like no other office in the world. I know what it takes to be President, and Barack Obama is ready to be President."

Those three lines nullify McCain's years in the Senate, directly contradict the only argument McCain can make for himself; and validates Obama's readiness at the same time.  

Hillary has been getting all the press, but Bill Clinton's validation of Obama is what Democrats should be watching for.  Frankly, it is more important for Obama and it is the true sign of the Clinton's going all in for Obama.  If Democrats are to consider Hillary for a future Presidential bid then the Clintons have to prove that they are truly doing all they can to elect every Democratic nominee.  Barack Obama just happens to be the nominee now.  If Hillary wants the chance to run and win in 2012 or 2016, then Bill Clinton has to endorse and validate Barack Obama's ability and readiness.]]>