Dear Commons Community,

Yesterday was the second day of the Democratic National Convention. Hillary Clinton officially became the first woman presidential candidate from a major political party.  Bernie Sanders showed remarkable party loyalty by calling for acclimation and having it officially recorded that Hillary was nominated unanimously.  In the evening, Bill Clinton gave the keynote and he was his vintage self.  Bill is much thinner these days and his finger shakes a touch when he uses it to make a point but he still has the gift of capturing his audience.   

He told the story of how he and Hillary met in 1971 and how together they were students, teachers, parents, and friends.  However, his basic theme was that Hillary was a change maker and that her whole life she used her talents and legal mind to help others especially poor children.  He told stories of her seeking to improve education opportunities for children with special needs. He told of her association with Marian Wright Edelman and the Children’s Defense Fund. 

He closed with assuring the crowd that Hillary was a doer and a “change maker”.  He also cautioned that the Republicans have tried to cast Hillary as a “made up cartoon”.  He said America has a choice between the “real Hillary” and the “made up one”.   You [the DNC audience] nominated the “real Hillary”.

He closed:

“I hope you will elect her. Those of us who have more yesterdays than tomorrows tend to care more about our children and grandchildren. The reason you should elect her is that in the greatest country on Earth, we have always been about tomorrow. Your children and grandchildren will bless you forever if you do. God bless you. Thank you.”

The audience rose to its feet in a standing ovation.

Tony