In the overall scheme, it doesn't mean much except to those of us paying attention, all forty of us.

Both Bill and Barack are splendid orators, but each has his own set of skills. In fact, I'm probably wrong, but I think Bill set the bar so high with his remarks that Barack knew he had to work harder on his content for tonight.

Thus far, my impression is that Barack is a wonderfully inspirational speaker of abstract concepts like hope and change and improvement. Bill Clinton is far less inspirational but no less motivating about specifics, be it diplomacy with the Russians or Pakistanis or developing universal healthcare plans. The difference may be as simple as "someone who aspires" vs. "someone who has been there," but that's probably an oversimplification.

Bill's speech was so much more forceful than I expected, so much more specific and pointed, that I think David Axelrod could have written much of it. Still, it was just words until Bill gave it the "Clinton delivery" that sold it. No wonder he raises so much money for his charitable causes.

If I had bimeen Joe Biden last night, I think I would have accepted the nomination and walked off the stage--knowing how well Bill Clinton had "authenticized" (new word, I hope) Barack's candidacy.

Joe's no slouch when it comes too speechifying, but this one was written by the computer that had printed up all the hall signs (and my wife wants the sign concession next time, so we can retire).

Biden can--and probably will--do much better once the Denver show is over. This was way too much like what we expect from St. Paul next week: the June Taylor dancers led by Lynn Cheney: wonderful legs, interesting camera angles and about as much content as Lloyd Bridges on Sea Hunt.

LIKED Sea Hunt and they are the ones that get off their asses on election day and vote.

Still, that aside, I agree with you regarding the differences between Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, but I can probably narrow them down.

Bill actually cared passionately about an agenda but was also pragmatist enough to tone things down when the first two years of his presidency more or less failed to deliver.

Barack actually cares about BEING president as the be all and end all of his existence and is only backing the issues and the agendas that he figures will put him into office WITHOUT really giving a rat's ass about them . . . and many of the voters already sense this about him. Unlike Michelle Obama, Barack is no good at Faking Sincerity. There is no evidence that he passionately cares about any issues, which is why Hope and Change is both his political opium and -- so far as speechmaking goes -- his Achielles Heel.

Fortunately, Bill Clinton and a few other speakers over the last few nights have given Obama specific issues and a bloody damn campaign blueprint. It's up to Obama, however, to alter his speeches and figure out WHY he's failing dismally to connect with Joe and Joesiphina Average Democratic Voter and the swing voters.

The two Clintons cannot carry him on their backs one step further toward the presidency. Now he's going to have to do something very much real all by himself. Not even Joe Biden can do all that much for him there because voters will figure out REAL QUICK if only Biden talks with fire in his eyes and rage in his belly while Obama keeps things on a hands-off Ivy League basis . . . as he has to this point.