Great Job Michelle

by Steve Soto

AP photo

Michelle Obama gave by almost all accounts tonight a great speech. She came across as an articulate, accessible, and compelling woman who would make a damn fine First Lady. I came away very impressed by the job she did addressing earlier concerns about her coldness and detachment from everyday Americans. I was also floored that she gave this wonderful speech while an active plot against her husband’s life was apparently intercepted.

Having said that, it was clear that tonight wasn’t aimed at doing damage the GOP, but to have Mrs. Obama address women and independents, and her solid speech opened that door. The party however now needs to spend the next three nights reminding the country why the GOP cannot be given another four years in the White House, and the tone for the next two nights must be sharper and paint the choices as clearly as possible. As such, I have changed my mind from earlier today, when I dismissed Bill Clinton’s pique at not being given the lead slot in going after the GOP on their economic record. Clinton is the best weapon the Democrats have to tear the bark off the GOP, and Team Obama should allow him to spend his time Wednesday night to not only address national security, but to also remind voters about how good things were in the 1990’s and why 80% of the country now thinks we are on the wrong track.

It is a given that Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton will have clearly defined agendas with their speeches, but Bill Clinton is the only guy the Democrats have who can effectively land knockout punches against the GOP on pocketbook issues here at home, and he should be turned loose to do that.