Clinton and Biden close down Pepsi Center

What will Bill Clinton's speech be like tonight? One indication is the person introducing him is an African American Congressman from Florida.... I think he'll be great, will want to show everyone he still has it. Rep. Meeks isn't a great speaker, the contrast will be even larger.

Short intro too; the crowd roars as out walks old Bill, who Jim Lehrer says has spoken in every Democratic convention since 1988. Looks like he's in good shape for someone who's 62. Hillary in the audience, aqua pantsuit.

He gets a long ovation from the crowd. This will put him in a good mood, I think he's a little surprised. Laughingly tells everyone to sit down, repeats the first line of his speech, says please sit down, then says I love this, and I thank you.

Right off the bat, says he's here to support Barack Obama, more applause; and to warm up the crowd for Joe Biden. He recasts the primary race as being tight until the very end, praises Hillary and her speech.

Big roar, as he says he'll do everything he can to elect Barack Obama. Actually, that makes 18 million of us. Like Hillary, I want all of you to vote for Barack Obama in November.

Man, he's still magical, even after all the stuff of the past two decades. He's competent, smart, confident and passionate. And a great speaker. I hope he and Obama really spend some time together, Obama could learn a lot. Hmm, Theresa Heinz Kerry is sitting with Michelle.

Wow, he says everything he learned as president and since then has convinced him Barack Obama is the man for this job. He has the intelligence and curiousity every successful president needs. Has a unique capacity to lead our increasingly diverse nation. The long, hard primary tested and strengthened him....

Hmm, Bill is very clever. Which has always been his problem. Then says Biden plus Obama equals what we need on national security. Obama is ready to lead America, and restore American leadership. Some blacks in the audience are looking a bit skeptical, until Bill says Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States.

"When he cannot convert adversaries into partners, he will stand up to them." "He won't let the world's problems obscure its opportunities."

It's kindof odd for Bill to be speaking on national security night; but he sounds credible delivering these lines. Most important of all, we can't be strong abroad unless we are first strong at home. People have always been more impressed by the power of our example, than by the example of our power. Gets people to their feet. Not sure Saddam Hussein was ever impressed by anything.

This sure ain't no 10 minute speech; and now he's going off on economics. He's looser now, this is clearly what he loves talking about. Now hitting Republicans. Just listing a litany of abuses, ending with what about Katrina and cronyism. Gets the crowd all riled up. Standing ovation as he says Obama will do better than that. Crowd chants Yes We Can.

Yes he can, but first, we have to elect him. Obama couldn't ask for more. He says McCain is honorable, but he's wrong on the two great questions of this election, rebuilding the American dream and rebuilding our power overseas.

Now he's hitting the Bush administration on how they've destroyed the economy, reeling off a list of facts. Now McCain wants more of the same.

Man, what's Biden going to say after this?! Clinton's totally stolen the show; he's got the crowd in the palm of his hand. Let's send them a simple message--thanks, but no thanks. The third time is not the charm.

What great lines. Yeah, everyone's wishing he was running again. Total silence as he slows down, talks about 16 years ago it was his chance--GOP said I was too young, and too inexperienced to be commander-in-chief. Crowd cheers at that--sound familiar? It didn't work in 1992, because we were on the right side of history--and it will not work in 2008, because Barack Obama is on the right side of history.

Obama's life is proof of the American dream. Freedom, and equal opportunity will be what he also wants for all Americans. This is totally the most effective case for Obama's candidacy we've heard.

Obama will lead us away from division and fear, back to unity and hope. If, like me, you believe America must always be a place called hope, join me and Hillary and Chelsea in making Barack Obama the next president of the United States. Huge applause, off he goes.

Jim Lehrer says--to say he was well-received is an understatement. Yeah, off he goes, what a great speech. Too bad it wasn't live in prime time. Crowd is totally riled up now.

Now, John Kerry. How the mighty have fallen, not even in prime time. He's stumbling a bit, a hell of a speech to have to follow.

Some interesting numbers out of the tv ratings for the convention so far:

According to new figures released by Nielsen, Day Two of the convention -- anchored by Hillary Clinton's primetime speech rallying support for Obama -- delivered a huge audience: 26 million U.S. viewers. ...

Viewers older than 55 are glued to the convention coverage. More than 20 percent of Americans in that age group watched the event on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, BET, and TV One. ...

The Democratic convention is holding its own against the heavily watched Summer Olympics in Beijing, where 27 million viewers tuned in each night.

That's pretty amazing, that as many people are watching this as watched the Olympics. Don't think the Republicans are gonna get this type of viewership. The bounce for Obama may well be in double digits--it's especially great that older voters are watching, they'll have heard Hillary and Bill and Joe vouch for Obama.

Kerry is speaking as if there's a stopwatch on him. He says he's been friends with McCain for almost 20 years, but candidate McCain is no Senator McCain. Compares the two, but is speaking a bit too fast for us to soak in. Talk about being for it before you're against it! Odd, some audio problems, at least on PBS.

This has actually turned into a pretty good speech. Kerry's a good soldier. Tries to get a refrain going, recites a list of foreign policy things that Obama was right on, then 'Who can we trust to keep America safe?'

"How desperate to tell the son of a single mother who chose community service over money that he doesn't put America first?"

Oh wow, Obama's uncle, who served in WWII and helped liberate a concentration camp is here, sitting next to Michelle, he stands and the crowd gives him a standing ovation. Now that's great television. Nice touch, Kerry.

He's actually doing a very good job of acknowledging that what worked against him won't this time--I wish he'd been this strong attacking Bush in 2004 that he is attacking McCain now. It must be humbling to say some of these things, but he really does love the Democratic party and America.

A very different speech than Clinton's, but much more personal, vulnerable, and in some ways--hard to measure--better. PBS commentators say not a Kerry-like speech, the most hard-hitting speech of the convention.

And now the first and only female three-star general, Claudia Kenney; wow, and she was head of Army Intelligence. Man, this is a well-run, well-thought-out convention.

Rep. Chet Edwards now speaking; Sen. Evan Bayh spoke earlier. Both showed why they weren't picked to run with Obama. Neither were inspiring, seemed like lightweights. In comparison with the Clintons, and Kerry. They're showing a film by Stephen Spielberg on PBS, the networks are replaying and analyzing Clinton's speech.

ABC replays the roll call vote, when New York--with Hillary at the mike--put Obama over the top. A black woman is wiping away tears, as Hillary says she moves that by acclamation all votes cast go to Obama. Hmmm, with Nancy Pelosi presiding. Everyone seconds; no-one opposes--or is given a chance to by Pelosi's gavel, and the motion is adopted. George Stephanopolous mentions all the barriers being broken--Hillary to Nancy to Barack.

This really is like a dream for the Democrats. Great visuals, great speeches, and enough interesting things going on that people are tuning in. Maybe the whole Clinton-Obama thing was ginned up by Obama? Figuring may as well turn lemons into lemonade.

Everyone's run or is running a lot of Clinton. Hopefully Kerry gets some time too. NBC is speculating about who McCain will pick for VP, Chuck Todd talks about the Biden choice being a factor.

Wow, I think CBS is rerunning all of Bill's speech. NBC is running parts of their interview today with Michelle. She says she told them as they came out on stage that she had a surprise for them, Malia asked, is it the Jonas brothers.... Michelle says they really miss their daddy, Malia was crying backstage, then said well, that family [he was with] seemd pretty night.

Man. Now NBC will talk to Kerry after the break. I think ABC is coming back with Kerry. Hey, PBS has someone on a blonde woman who looks like Ainsley Hayes from the West Wing. The guest here was in the Marine Corps though; same kind of toughness, genuine in her case.

Hmm, Marc Ambinder says Obama is going to make a 'surprise' appearance at the end of Biden's speech. I think Clinton did this first, with Gore the first time around. Especially good idea here given that tomorrow night's speech will be at the football stadium, the visuals will be different, no risk of taking away from Thursday.

Man, CBS has an emotional interview with a black delegate from New Jersey, who's in tears, says her dad who has Alzheimer's now marched on Washington with MLK, when they couldn't drink at water fountains, she's just glad Democrats voted for the best candidate, regardless of skin color, wished he could know about it. Oh, man....

Kerry on NBC, Brian Williams says at the end of the interview perhaps the most forceful speech here so far. Ann Curry is now playing reporter, trying to grill an Obama foreign policy advisor, by asking very abrupt, bordering on rude, questions. Yes or no? Yes or no?

Everyone's showing the Biden bio video, except CBS, which consistently has skipped these. They've got Bill Richardson, who's looking large--smartly, Obama's got him speaking at the stadium tomorrow night.

Wow, what a classic-looking family. This should play well with the senior citizens. If Biden has Obama's organizational skills, he could've made a real run at these things. Vice presidency is perfect for him, no real duties except to advise the president. He looks a bit like Donald Trump.

Beau Biden, his son, who's going to be serving in Iraq in a few months. Wow, he was in that automobile audience with his mom, and his sister and his brother! The hall is transfixed, Michelle is just weeping as he tells the story, and how at first his dad didn't want to go to the Senate, wanted to stay with his kids.

My gosh, this is almost too good to be true. Such an understated style, but totally sincere. Michelle is totally weeping, they split screen it for a while. His mom's crying too. Highlights his writing the violence against women act, crime bill, called Milosovic a war criminal to his face. Mentions because of other duties, he can't be here this fall. So I have something to ask of you--be there for my dad, be there for Barack Obama, because this country needs him.

My friend, my father, my hero, the next vice president of the United States. Charlie Gibson interjects, the other duties are he'll be sent to Iraq, part of the Delaware National Guard.

Thank you, and thank you John Kerry. Biden is clearly thrilled, keeps saying thank you, crowd keeps cheering. Talks about his son, how proud he is of him, and his other son and daughter, and his wife. Oh man, this is gonna be good. He thanks President Clinton, words that'll warm his heart. Praises Hillary too, made history and will continue to make history. They stand for her.

Honored to represent the first state, my state, the state of Delaware. Yes, I accept your nomination.... I think one reason Biden was picked is because Michelle likes him.

Starts telling his story, his dad always told him, champ, when you get knocked down, get back up. God, I wish my dad was here, thankful my mom is here--says her entire Irish name, the crowd gives her a standing ovation, she clearly is very proud.

This is a very genuine speech. Talks about his mom's words to him as a kid--my mother's creed is the American creed, no one is better than you, and everyone is equal to you.

That American dream feels like it's slowly slipping away. He talks about the questions people have around the kitchen table every night, the worries they have--that's the America George Bush has left us, and what we'll get if John McCain is elected president.

John McCain doesn't seem to get it. Barack Obama gets it; he's worked his way up. He chose to go to Chicago, the South Side, to work as a community organizer. That's why Obama knows work is more than a paycheck; it's dignity, it's respect. Hmm, Biden seems to be slurring his words a little. Not sure I remember that from before.

Talks about his achievements in the Senate. You can learn a lot about someone campaigning, debating; he's tapped into the oldest thing in America, we have the power to change.

John McCain is my friend--I mean it. Personal courage and heroism demonstrated by John still amazes me. But I profoundly disagree with the direction John wants to take this country. Ticks off his Bush ties, his bad policies. He's skipping some words on the teleprompter, but I think that's good, he wants to be a bit rough.

That's not change--that's more of the same. He's getting worked up, into a rhythmn now. He voted 19 times against the mininum wage. He'll continue to spent $10 billion a month in Iraq. These time require more than a good soldier--they require a wise leader.

And that's the key line right there.

Ticks off what Barack Obama will do. That's the change we need. It's a slightly uneven speech now, keep feeling like he'll flub a line. Hammers home the equal pay for women.

Now, foreign policy, his area of expertise. We will hold Russia accountable for its actions, and we will help the people of Georgia rebuild. Bush administration's policy has been an absmyl failure.

McCain says Obama is not ready to protect our national security. Now whose judgment should we trust... John McCain was wrong on Afghanistan, and Barack Obama was right. On Iran. On Iraq.

Wow, a full-throated attack. The world will trust us again, we'll be able to lead again. Jill and I are honored to join Barack and Michelle on this journey. Here for the future of our kids, grandkids, everyone I grew up with.

A slightly odd speech, not quite in rhymthmn--unlike Clintons and Kerry. But--this speech is also targeted at a very specific audience, older white blue collar voters. I think it hit home with.

Big finish, standing ovation. They're waiting for Obama to come out. Stephanopolous says you saw why Obama picked Biden tonight. He's just pacing back and forth on stage, out comes his wife to hug him--she has a handheld mike. Hmmm....

Jill has the mike. A special surprise guest. Joe asks who? And now--out comes Barack. And the place goes nutso. Huge applause; Jill is in between them. The mike seems to still be live, as Jill goes off stage, in search of someone or something.

He's got the mike. Hello Democrats. This is why I'm so proud to have Joe Biden, and Jill Biden, and Beaux Biden, and Mamma Biden, with me. Michelle kicked it off pretty well. If I'm not mistaken Hillary Clinton rocked the house last night--huge applause. Praises Bill, and thank you President Clinton. See you tomorrow night!

Off he walks, hugs and shakes hands on the way out. Biden family out on speech, as Obama's on his way out. Split coverage here, not sure what's the focus. Ah, now he's mingling with the huge Biden family, this is great television.

ABC and NBC to local coverage, CBS still here as We Are Family plays. Delegates have connected tonight, PBS says, they feel energized, there's enthusiasm they had only seen moments of previously.

Michael Beschloss, who I like a lot, says this was a huge help for the Democrats, Clinton gave a great speech--including that Obama's ready to be president. Biden did a great job; Richard Norton Smith says it was classic populism, Hubert Humphreyish. And it was a values speech, a character speech.

Hmm, all the photos leading the sites are of Biden/Obama together. I think Biden was authentic tonight, which is quite a bit rougher than Obama, which I think is good. Jeff Greenfield on CBS' webcast is saying he thought Biden connected with those lost Reagan Democrats.

Schieffer says this is what the campaign is going to be--lack of experience vs. lack of judgment. I think if that's a wash, Obama wins in a landslide.

Katie says, Hey you guys, I have a Web question.... End of an era for the Clintons? Nobody knows, as Greenfield says, depends on whether Obama wins or not. Clintons want to make sure nobody blames them if Obama doesn't win.

Katie is like, Hey Byron, are you out there? She's actually really good in this forum. Fits her speaking style, her morning show casualness and personality. One of the delegates says Obama-Biden is the dream team. Other delegate says Biden's rougher around the edges, more working class. Hmmm, what is McCain gonna do about that?!

Byron Pitts asks a black delegate if Obama can connect with whites, the delegate says yeah, this is the Democratic party, this place is full of working class whites.

References the 'slips' where McCain got referred to as George Bush. Byron's very smooth, thanks everyone by name afterwards. Katie says yo, it's a webcast, not a miniseries; he says okay sis. This is kind of funny, actually.

I really like Katie in this role, CBS should put her in this kind of frenetic, seat of the pants vibe more often.

Now she's reading breaking news from the NYTimes--McCain has made his decision on his VP, Governor Pawlenty and Romney the favorites, with possibly Sen. Liebermann in there.

Katie's playing traffic cop, goes to Dean Reynolds, who I've always liked. He's saying Obama's speech will be stark and sober. The smiles will be replaced by a much more serious demeanor.

Afterwards, Katie says Dean, it's nice to see you smile on TV, you should do this more often; Dean says thanks, I'd like to. This is really fun.

Now Joe Biden's sister, Valerie Biden Owens. They shoot them from the back, you can see all the monitors. Katie talks about how cute to see your 91-year-old mom there, hearing Joe talk about her words, and seeing her say to the person next to her, "I said that, yes I did". Valrie's very good, too bad more people aren't watching this....

There's a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation about tomorrow night; I think an amazing number of people will be watching, if nothing else to see what those crazy columns look like.

Katie's telling us she'll take another Web question, then we'll go see the blogger's tent. She's very cute, trying to talk our language. Joe Trippi says in answer yes, he does have a chance in the South, he's spreading the field out on McCain. Audio problems, so Katie says hey Byron, are you out there?

He is, she's teasing him about a CBS staffer I think. Byron's good at this too, talking to people as he's walking about. He's showing the signs they held up, Katie is telling him to save them, as souvenirs. Pitts is just randomly talking to people, calling them brother, it's great--the heart of being a reporter is chatting up people.

Trippi and Dan Bartlett are joking back and forth. It's clear that all these people like Katie, and she has a good relationship with them; there's a looseness and familiarity that you very rarely see.

Trippi says the Clintons have laid the divide to rest, Obama didn't err by giving them so much time. Ha! Of course... Hmm, Trippi makes a really good point, he thinks Obama's going to spread the field, especially as McCain starts spending down his public financing--and I think the Clintons will be part of that.

Man, Katie looks so normal walking around the bloggers tent talking to people. Again, back to her journalistic roots, just chatting up interesting people. She's getting a massage at the YouTube tent. Wow, ex-gymnast Katie is impressing everyone with her yoga positions; it's hilarious and great.

Have got Nightline on mute, this is better. Well, until they run the Ted Koppel 'lost interview' with Obama. Lost? Or shelved?

Declan gives a long answer to a question about Obama and McCain's positions on net neutrality and copyright, at the end Katie laughs, says thanks. They talk next about the techiness of the Obama campaign.

Ah, now Marc Ambinder, whose blog everyone political reads religiously. Katie is showing hilarious buttons, Ask me how many houses I own.... Hmm, he's fatter than I thought he'd be, more schlubby. But funny, and very clever. He peeks into a donor's lounge, moves the curtain to peek in. Ah, talks to James Yee, the former Muslim chaplain at Guatanamo Bay. Talks to Bill Plante.

Katie teases him about going into TV, he says call that Ambinder Unhinged. Some actual stories here to cover. Katie calls a young reporter who's editor of the Harvard Crimson "Mr. Smarty Pants." It's hilarious.

Stephanapolous on Nightline is giving the Democrats an A for tugging at heartstrings, and A for attacking the Republicans, A for Body Language. Perfect political choreography says George, Obama's only problem--a "high class problem" as Bill Clinton used to say--is can he top this tomorrow night.

Ha! He doesn't have to; Team Obama has always been about doing the small things around the margins so it's not all swing or miss for the candidate. They could end the convention tonight and Obama would get a nice bounce; he just has to let people see him being serious and substantive, and then hit the campaign trail with Biden while the GOP goes crazy in the Twin Cities.

On the webcast, Katie says she needs a hand-held mike, as they wire up an angel and a devil, asks what's their deal. Ah, part of Trick or Vote--on Halloween, they're going to go out and sign people up to vote.

Back on ABC, Koppel grilling Obama. He's using the bus into the ditch analogy. Now, Ted says he was hugely impressed by him that day, he gave brilliant answers to what he thought were tough questions. So they dumped the interview that day to talk to Michael Moore... which Ted says further confirms his excellent news judgment.

Now that is an endorsement--from Ted Koppel, who's no pushover! It's amazing how young he looks; he's really gained some gray since then, seems to have filled out.

The only guy he's ever interviewed that he thought anticipated questions better and answered questions better--Bill Clinton.

"What an astonishing journey, unlike any in the history of American politics," says Terry Moran. Whatever your politics, that statement is worth basking in for a little while. And now ABC is pushing us to their website to watch the full interview.

Moran asked Donna Brazile to step back, the Democratic Party nominated a black man to be president of the United States. She said she never believed it would happen growing up in the segregated South, wanted to weep tonight. Matthew Dowd says it was like, as an Irish Catholic, John F. Kenney in 1960.

Yup, it's been that kind of night. Tomorrow will only be better.