The most important two moments at the Democratic Convention, ironically, will be the speeches by Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton. That this is the case says a lot about American politics.
For the past 20 years, Presidential politics have been dominated by two families -- the Bushes on the right and the Clintons in the center. One family, thanks to the utter incompetence of the son none of them wanted to be President, is finished.
There will never again be an American President named Bush.
But the other family is still kicking. With 65-year-old Joe Biden as his running mate, Barack Obama has given the Clintons a gift. If he should lose this election, or if he proves to be a one-term President, Obama will probably cede the White House to Hillary Clinton in 2012, when she turns 65.
That, therefore, will be her last best chance. Obama knows that, she knows that, and the best politician in our time, Bill Clinton, knows that.
So, in this context, what do Hillary and Bill do in their speeches in Denver this week? They have got to have deeply mixed feelings as they speak to the loyalists, with so much at stake.
This is the most important political question hanging over the Democratic Convention. Obama's ability to bring people together will be tested, and revealed, in Denver. It all starts at home.
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