Bill Clinton’s Speech

Bill Clinton’s Speech

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This started out as a comment, but morphed into a post. Last night I was asked a question on the DNC Convention post, "Was Bill Clinton's speech sexist?" No. Oh, you want more? Ok. Here are my thoughts on Bill's speech. I disagree with Maddow. It wasn't sexist, but it was a fascinating gender role reversal. Bill Clinton was the first man to give the traditional First Lady speech. The role of the First Lady speech is to share personal stories of her and the candidate's life together, to show what a good and loving parent the candidate is, to remind everyone of their spouses accomplishments, their strengths, etc.. Basically, the First Lady speech is an reminder and introduction to the candidate by the person who knows them best. Bill did just that.
Wednesday Open Thread [7.27.16]

Wednesday Open Thread [7.27.16]

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Ezra Klein said Bill Clinton's convention speech encapsulated how Hillary Clinton’s admirers see her, and why they think so much of the criticism she gets is unfair.
There was a moment in Bill Clinton’s winding, loving, and occasionally weird convention speech about his wife that encapsulated how Hillary Clinton’s admirers see her, and why they think so much of the criticism she gets is unfair. "Speeches like this are fun," said the former president, who clearly finds giving long, nationally televised speeches to be fun. "Actually doing the work is hard." That’s the view Hillary Clinton’s fans have of her. Hell, it’s the view Hillary Clinton has of herself. She knows she doesn’t give great speeches. "I am not a natural politician, in case you haven't noticed, like my husband or President Obama," she’s said. But then, she doesn't think giving great speeches is the real work of politics, even though the media and sometimes the voters mistake it for the real work of politics. That’s what her husband means when he dismisses speeches as "fun." He gives great speeches. But he’s also been president. And he knows the difference.