The Clintons Front & Center : Right where they belong

There has been considerable push back by so many in the media as well as from other Clinton haters regarding The Clinton's prominent role at the Democratic Convention. Toby Harnden writes in his op/ed on Real Clear Politics "Fueled by an unholy brew of victim-hood and entitlement, Clinton's supporters threaten to steal the show at the convention" and Joe Gandelman writes on The Moderate Voice "But what is certain is that the pro-Hillary rallies, the Bill Clinton speech (which is likely to praise his wife and detail his own legacy rather than passionately urge Demmies to vote for Obama), the Hillary Clinton speech, the introduction of Hillary Clinton by daughter Chelsea will dilute the usual impact of a convention. Modern political conventions are now the best chance for a candidate to control the image and delivery of that image. Now it’ll be Obama by 1/2." What continues to amaze me is how so many people want to conveniently ignore the facts as to why the Clintons are such a force on the National stage. Since entering public life the Clintons have continually grown in popularity and stature - they are loved, admired, and respected by millions and millions of people across the country and the world. So what do all of us millions and millions of Clinton supporters see that other's can't or won't? Well for starters, the Clinton Administration presided over an unprecedented eight years of economic growth and built and maintained positive working relationships with countries across the globe. As Hillary would famously ask during the campaign "To those who say they don't want to go back to the 90's I ask which is that you don't like the peace or the prosperity? - paraphrasing." Secondly, before being the only Democratic President elected twice since FDR, Bill Clinton was a highly successful multi-term Governor of Arkansas and now in his post Presidency has worked vigorously to expand availability of HIV drugs to Africa and other parts of the world; expand economic opportunities for individuals, families, and small businesses in the U.S. through the Clinton Economic Initiative; and help 40 of the world's largest cities reduce greenhouse gas emissions - to name a few. Hillary Clinton's public service includes fighting school boards to fully integrate; reforming Arkansas's education system; to leading the fight for for Universal Health Coverage. Not only have both been life long dedicated public servants but life long and dedicated Democrats (despite the betrayals of those like Richardson et al and the Dean/Brazile DNC). To top it all off Hillary ran, and kept running despite the efforts of so many to push her out of the race, a historic and groundbreaking campaign, garnering nearly 18 million votes. Traveling the country and making her case for the Presidency, her supporters and fan base, or those that just generally came to admire her, grew exponentially - the more people learned about the real Hillary the more they liked her. So in a world where we respect experience, past achievements, salute our successful party leaders, honor the historic Hillary Clinton for President campaign and her legion of supporters the spot light will be exactly where it belongs on two great American heroes - Hillary and Bill Clinton.