Press "Enter" to skip to content

50 Glorious Minutes: Bill Clinton Shows How to Make a Speech

So how about that speech by Bill Clinton last night?

You can read the transcript, but the prepared text was 3,136 words. The speech Clinton delivered was 5,895 words. You need to watch the video.

You could listen to the audio on your drive to work... if you commute from Madison to Sioux Falls or Spearfish to Rapid City. But you won't see the fire in his eyes, the force in his face and hands. Clinton gave a full-body speech. You need to watch the video.

Twelve years ago I hated Bill Clinton. I cheered his exit from the White House. Had Twitter existed then, I'd have been responding to all his policy talk with the same whining South Dakota Senate Majority Leader Russell Olson was whining during the former President's speech last night:

Clinton lied to his wife and our congress and everyone in this country! Is this the best Obama can find as a credit reference [Sen. Russell Olson, Tweet, September 5, 2012].

Twelve years ago, I'd have gone there with Russ because, like Russ now, I couldn't grapple with a real policy debate. I'd cling to the personal and sloganly because it was much easier than confronting the success of Clinton's policies... and it is much easier for Russ and other Republicans now than confronting the power of Clinton's rebuttal of everything the GOP said at its convention last week.

Much is being made of the length of Clinton's speech, even by his biggest backers. But Clinton had a lot to say. It was important that he say it. It takes time to untangle the many tricky lines Romney and Ryan and Rush have spun. And you know, Clinton was President. If a former President wants to speak to his own party's convention, not to mention the nation, 50 minutes doesn't seem like all that much time to yield to the former leader of the free world... especially when he's that darn good at speaking.

Should I have the pleasure of teaching speech again, I will cite Bill Clinton's 2012 nominating speech for President Barack Obama as an exemplar of good speechmaking. Even when the political issues of this moment are forgotten (which, for high school kids, was five minutes ago), I will point to his hands, his eyes, his mix of quips and policy details, his constant sense of the urgency of reaching his audience, and his tremendous crescendo at the conclusion as examples of good speechcraft.

And I will tell my speech students that above all, like Bill Clinton, you have to own your speech:

If Clinton sounded sincere in his delivery, consider this as a novel possibility for why: He really believed the arguments he was making. And he was stating them in language that felt natural to him. With just a couple exceptions, you could pick just about any speech at random at either Tampa or Charlotte to find examples of the way many politicians do not own their own speeches. The consultant-driven lines — suburban women between 35 and 40 want you to say this — stand out like neon. So do the swollen, rhythmic passages that looked good on a speechwriter's laptop but obviously do not sound anything like the politician delivering the lines. Clinton gets plenty of speechwriter help and staff input on his speeches. But he never ends up being herded by the help into saying something that he doesn't actually think or that doesn't sound like the way he would put it [John F. Harris and Jonathan Martin, "How Bill Clinton Does It," Politico, September 6, 2012].

Say what you mean; mean what you say. Don't cheat on your wife ...but when you're making a speech, be like Bill.

87 Comments

  1. Thad Wasson 2012.09.06

    Clinton cut taxes on capital gains from 28% to 15%. Removed taxes from the profit you realize from the sale of your home and removed Glass-Stegall for our finance industry.

    Clinton was a benefit for our nation.

  2. Dougal 2012.09.06

    Russ Olson's dorky tweet exposes his own shortcomings. But let's be fair. Compare Russ Olson's lifetime achievements to those of Bill Clinton before Clinton became President. [Crickets]

    Compare Russ Olson's lifetime achievements to those of Bill Clinton while Clinton was President. [More crickets.]

    Now compare Russ Olson's entire lifetime achievements to those of Bill Clinton since Clinton left the Presidency. [No more crickets. They fell asleep.]

  3. Steve O'Brien 2012.09.06

    Clinton's speech serves as a gauge to how history is judging our former presidents. In his speech, Clinton shows himself the thoughtful, knowledgeable, well-spoken politician. In contrast, the GOP's exclusion of their former President, George W Bush, reminds us all what steps backward the US took under Bush2.

    Not only at the candidate from president level, but at the deeper philosophical core, the DNC Convention is showing their new conviction to fight and speak for what is right. The time for cowering is over.

    Let the shamed hide and the proud speak.

  4. Rorschach 2012.09.06

    Bill Clinton's speech was nothing short of brilliant. He said what Democrats should have been saying to the American people. Maybe some Democrats were saying some of the same things, but Bill Clinton said it all. And nobody else makes people (and the media) listen and take notice like Bill Clinton does. American people just want to hear what Bill Clinton has to say. Russ Olson wants to hear what Bill Clinton has to say (and he can't dispute the content of it). Bill Clinton is a master speaker and a master persuader. All of his skills were on display last night. Send him out on the campaign trail!

  5. Justin 2012.09.06

    Thank YOU AJ!

    I couldn't play the part of a stooge nobody wants to be caught agreeing with better if I created my own new persona and said the the dumbest things I could imagine.

    I think all perceptive Dems here probably feel the same way. It's the little people that make a difference in elections. I'm not sure I've ever encountered anyone smaller than you.

  6. Becca 2012.09.06

    My husband, a conservative Republican who hates long political speeches, was very happy to sit and listen to President Clinton last night, right up to the very last word (even though I made him turn the tv away from his favorite show). He laughed at the little jokes, he listened and he was honestly captivated. It takes a really great speaker to get my husband to sit and listen to long political speech.
    I would recommend any speech teacher out there use last night's speech as a wonderful example of a captivating and entertaining speaker. I actually wish he would have gone on a little while longer, as it was so wonderful listening to him give that speech :)

  7. Jana 2012.09.06

    Clinton, Obama and the Dems are fighting to make the country a "better" place.

    Russ and his party are fighting to make America a "bitter" place.

  8. Steve Sibson 2012.09.06

    "be like Bill"

    So will Obama respond tonight with "Rape is Rape"?

  9. Steve Sibson 2012.09.06

    "Russ and his party are fighting to make America a "bitter" place."

    So who is promoting the idea that we should hate the rich and take the money so we don't have to pay for the stuff we want?

    Who promotes the idea that men oppress women?

    Who promotes the idea that whites oppress colors?

  10. Steve Sibson 2012.09.06

    "Bill Clinton is a master speaker and a master persuader."

    master propagandist, master womanizer

    Paula Jones didn't fall for it.

  11. Douglas Wiken 2012.09.06

    Contrary to what seems to be a common opinion, I do not think Obama is a good speaker. He made a couple mood altering speeches at a convention and on religion.

    He has been dreadful on explaining policy and issues. Clinton did what Obama has needed to do for years. Not string together rhetorical nothings, but do the 1,2,3 issues enumeration and explanation. Obama gives speeches that are nearly instantly forgotten. They sound good as he gives them, but they are too much like whipped egg whites. Way too much fluff and way to little information that can be remembered.

    As suggested, Clinton gave a speech that should be evaluated not just be speech teachers and students, but by all politicians who need to communicate with voters and provide useful information. Politics has an education function and cooperative function. As Clinton indicated, it does not need to be a blood sport.

  12. Jana 2012.09.06

    Hi Sibby! Good to chat with you again. You use the word hate and I think you might be projecting a little. Do us a favor and look up the words 'bitter' and 'hate'...they are different in meaning.

    1. The Dems don't hate the rich...ask Warren Buffett or Bill Gates.
    2. Google the 'war on women' and then get back to me on men oppressing women.
    3. Not all whites oppress colors...although bigots and racists most certainly do exist in far too many numbers. (By the way, where did that come from...are you projecting again?)

  13. Steve Sibson 2012.09.06

    Jana, so do colors ever oppress and/or hate whites? And do women ever oppress men? Did Clinton oppress any woman?

  14. Justin 2012.09.06

    "Colors"?

    Was Taft or TR President when you were born Steve?

  15. Jana 2012.09.06

    Try and stay focused Sibby...I've got my good dress up clothes on and won't be going down any rabbit holes today.

    You are sounding rather bitter though ;^)

  16. John Hess 2012.09.06

    But who wrote the speech, and wasn't the content likely coordinated with the DNC and the White House?

  17. larry kurtz 2012.09.06

    W and the Dick, Cheney killed women by the thousands. How is that not rape?

  18. Justin 2012.09.06

    I see Bill Clinton has the crazies running scared because they think the election is over already.

    Keep running, kids.

  19. larry kurtz 2012.09.06

    President Clinton is likely the best President of the 20th Century: Reagan was the worst.

  20. larry kurtz 2012.09.06

    The DNC bounce is already showing up: it's making the RNC's false witnesses look like the earth haters that they are.

  21. K. 2012.09.06

    A. Johnson sounds eerily familiar to Julie Gross(NE). Anyone ever see the movie "the Thing" with Kurt Russell?

  22. Justin 2012.09.06

    Bazinga!

    That is probably the first time I've heard a woman use that brand of slam. It works SO much better that way!

  23. Jana 2012.09.06

    Oh and A. Johnson, it's not just Dems that see the GOP war on women as a bad thing.

    Heck you can ask GOP Senators Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Kay Bailey Hutchison have criticized the GOP’s push for legislation to restrict access to contraception and other basic health care services for women.

  24. larry kurtz 2012.09.06

    Cory will delete 'Johnson's' comments when he gets a minute.

  25. larry kurtz 2012.09.06

    Newt Gingich, the Alinsky guru of the earth hater party, held court for their pliant apparatchiks and taught them what we already know.

    We Dems must stand up to the bullies and no longer be passive Liberals.

  26. Jana 2012.09.06

    A. Johnson, I would get your money back from that special google machine you bought, the normal version will bring up many examples.

    You're not intellectually incurious are you?

    I'll give you a little hint to get you started. H.B 3, H.B. 212, , and the Blunt amendment.

    Here A. Johnson, plug - GOP Bills on contraceptives and personhood - into your google machine and see what you come up with.

    My search came up with 263,000 entries...you don't have to read them all.

  27. G-Man 2012.09.06

    Hey Russ Olson: The whole Clinton Affair thing was in the 20th Century. Most people don't care about it. But, they do care about what's happening today. Russ, you need to come to the 21st Century.

  28. PrairieLady - Gayle 2012.09.06

    Bill did an outstanding job. Michelle nearly brought tears to my eyes. For months I have watched the mud, no it is more like concrete blocks, being thrown by the GOP, and have been wondering if the Dems were going to just keep dodging the blocks or pick them up and throw them back.
    Personally, I have been concerned we have become a nation without compassion, morals or ethics. I am ashamed we have dropped so low as a nation. To live in a nation who puts big business concerns above the welfare of the citizens, has laws made by politicians who have sold out to the highest bidder, and accepts lie after lie from those who are to represent us, etc., makes for a morally bankrupt country. To have Bill and Michelle address those issues….maybe, just maybe, there is hope.
    Old twisted adage: Everyone has a right to their opinion, and I will defend to your death, your right to tell such lies.

  29. Mike Armstrong 2012.09.06

    Clinton did pretty well. I thought Sandra Fluke was the best. I enjoyed it when she politely skinned, gutted and hung Romney and Ryan.

  30. G-Man 2012.09.06

    I liked the "cooperation" concept that he discussed. We all know it's true and it's the only way we are going to move forward as a nation and truly get things accomplished :)

  31. larry kurtz 2012.09.06

    Thank a Democrat today. BREAKING: Nasdaq-100 index closes at highest level since December 2000 RT @BloombergNews

  32. Steve Sibson 2012.09.06

    Jana is bitter because she does not want to admit that Bill Clinton was a pervert who say only one purpose for women...sex. And he nominated the supposedly pro-women rights Democrat for president last night. Which proves just how far the media will mislead the masses, because they are the ones fostering the myths.

  33. G-Man 2012.09.06

    Steve: it's 2012 by the way. Welcome to this year because you've missed alot in the past 14 years.

  34. SuperSweet 2012.09.06

    I fell asleep watching the speech. It was a hard retirement day.

  35. larry kurtz 2012.09.06

    Think South Dakota Dems are engaged in a Sisyphean task? "Spoke to Wyoming delegates at the DNC today. Dems from other states keep telling them to hang in there. Lol! #Redstate" RT Bob Beck, News Director for Wyoming Public Media.

  36. larry kurtz 2012.09.06

    Bumper sticker in Santa Fe: "Republicans for Voldemort."

  37. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.09.06

    SuperSweet: seriously? Your retirement? You're not that old, are you?

    Sibson and Johnson prove my point: Given a great speech that they can't rebut, they have to drag up the 1990s sex scandals, which by not one whit diminish the quality of the speech itself or the points it makes.

    Gayle, I'm glad you found inspiration in both Bill's and Michelle's words. They were both good.

  38. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.09.06

    [A. Johnson is Julie Gross (NE)/Robert Johnson. Done.]

  39. Jana 2012.09.06

    Back to the convention if we can...Representative John Lewis gave a much shorter speech than Clinton. But he's driving home the point that it wasn't that long ago that people were beaten and killed to have their right to vote...just because they were black. Yet those people are now forced to keep fighting for that right.

    That message won't be a problem for people with no sense of justice or very recent history (or more likely, a character and moral flaw) that want to create new reasons for people not to have the right to vote.

    That message should haunt those old enough to remember that history and still advocate the opportunity to throw a legal beat down on that right to vote. Only instead of Jim Crow it is now called James B. Crow III, Esquire.

    Given the change in American demographics and, according to Senator Lindsey Graham, there is a growing shortage of Angry Old White Men ...you can hardly blame those that want to make our vote a country club privilege.

  40. Bill Fleming 2012.09.06

    Yeah, I see Bill Clinton has Sibby bouncing off the walls over in the padded cell area. But not really any more than usual. That's kind of a good sign, huh?

  41. Owen Reitzel 2012.09.06

    Senator Olson-And the best Romney could offer was an old actor talking to a chair? How about a Vice Presidential canidate who lies?

  42. Jana 2012.09.06

    Russell should have at least followed up with a thoughtful discussion on the issues...oops...what word doesn't belong in that sentence?

    What's sad is that so many Republicans don't or won't accept that dishonesty is becoming part and parcel of who they are. Look for that to be an issue in the presidential race that will get picked up in the states.

    We know that Thune doesn't mind lying...ask the Mitchell Daily Republic. Kristie...well she just says whatever soundbite platitude she can remember at the moment. The good old boys in Pierre...well they have their own track record to deal with.

    Sure hope the SD Democratic Party leaders can grab some of what is happening and like the Governor from Massachusetts said...grow a spine and fight back.

    I'll fight with them.

  43. Justin 2012.09.06

    Congratulations on your retirement SuperSweet!

    What did you do on your first day? I'm guessing sleeping in was part of it, it would be for me.

    Here's hoping your FICA payments all these years will come back to you as you were promised.

  44. Jana 2012.09.06

    Michelle Obama's words meant something:

    "We learned about dignity and decency – that how hard you work matters more than how much you make...that helping others means more than just getting ahead yourself."

    "We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters...that you don't take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules."

    Those words need to mean something in South Dakota again!

  45. Jana 2012.09.06

    Justin...I think those FICA payments that SuperSweet made are considered an entitlement....you know...like a gift or something. At least that's what the Republicans are saying.

  46. Jana 2012.09.06

    Oh no...I've had posts deleted from Madville!

    Now I'm crushed that those thoughts are kicked to the trash bin I have to share with Julie/A. Johnson/Robert Johnson...

    I threw up a little in my mouth thinking I'm in the same trash bin with them.

    [CAH: It's nothing personal. But that portion of the conversation is done.]

  47. Jana 2012.09.06

    No worries Cory and I knew that is what you were doing. But you gotta admit the synonyms for Johnson was fairly funny...maybe a little...not so much?

  48. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.09.06

    Sweet, that Silver analysis is interesting. One point that jumps out: Mondale managed to tie Reagan coming out of the 1984 DNC. Romney managed to tie Obama coming out of the 2012 RNC.

  49. SuperSweet 2012.09.07

    First day of retirement was a 100 mile bicycle ride, the first of two since June 30.

  50. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.09.07

    100 miles on the bike, interesting political reading... sounds like my kind of retirement! Next up for the retired super: a blog of his own?

  51. Steve Sibson 2012.09.07

    "which by not one whit diminish the quality of the speech itself or the points it makes"

    So Cory, you are going to believe the speech of the one one who said, "I never had sex with that woman"? How about what he said about Obama during the 2008 primary? Which Bill do you want to believe?

  52. larry kurtz 2012.09.07

    Mitt's penile implant was paid for by RomneyCare, Sibby.

  53. Steve Sibson 2012.09.07

    "What's sad is that so many Republicans don't or won't accept that dishonesty is becoming part and parcel of who they are."

    All the while you Kool Aid drinking Dems glorify a speech made by a lying pervert.

  54. larry kurtz 2012.09.07

    Democrats=safe sex, Republicans=cheap sex.

  55. Les 2012.09.07

    Honesty, integrity that the truth matters.

    Yes these words need to have value in SD. How about DC? Her words have little value, rusted out car, Harvard. Obviously there were 20thousands floating in their life as well as Mitts.

    While I do believe BC might be the most intelligent pres in our lifetime, I hope all you liberal thinkers can explain GH and W's close relationship to BC. It's not about the money you say?

  56. Les 2012.09.07

    Larry you are right. It has been recommended if a woman knows she is going to be raped, she has a lesser chance of contracting aids asking for oral(safer sex) rather than vaginal sex. This appears to have been Monica's choice.

    I'd prefer the cheap sex any day.

  57. Justin 2012.09.07

    Can anybody provide subtitles?

    I got that raped women are less likely to get AIDS. But it apparently isn't true, just recommended (whatever that means). Given that, I'm not sure I want the rest translated into English.

  58. larry kurtz 2012.09.07

    Because you read like Larry Mann.

  59. Les 2012.09.07

    The recommendation I used in my less than humorous reply to Larry's ongoing sitcom(something to do with Larry sitting on his hand) was passed on to us by an MD raped in her home in Bismarck.

    You get the twistit

  60. Les 2012.09.07

    award for your continual twisting of others thoughts and words Justin.

  61. Les 2012.09.07

    Your daughter tells me I shouldn't trust you with m y real name Larry.

    I don't know Larry but I will look him up if he exists.

  62. Justin 2012.09.07

    I could never do as good a job of twisting your words as you have done. I still can't understand what you are trying to say.

    But if you ever try to rape somebody I wouldn't recommend you stick your wang in their mouth. There is a pretty natural self defense mechanism available in those pearly whites.

  63. larry kurtz 2012.09.07

    Which daughter said that, 'Les?'

  64. Les 2012.09.07

    Sara. She is a good kid.

  65. larry kurtz 2012.09.07

    I have no daughter named Sara, 'Les.'

  66. Les 2012.09.07

    There goes your compassion again Justin. You just can't imagine can you, how it must feel to have a gun, knife or just a powerful person controlling you while you minimize women saying they have control in rape.

    Compassion: being able to put your self into that persons situation and see it from their perspective.

  67. Justin 2012.09.07

    I'm the one that lacks compassion? You are the psycho that claimed women can avoid getting AIDS when they are raped.

    I bet you are also in support of the GOP platform that says women that are raped still can't have abortions.

    Don't wage war on women and point your finger at me for your words. You own that ugly mess you typed.

  68. Justin 2012.09.07

    Do you also believe raped women can't get pregnant?

  69. Les 2012.09.07

    Who am I to believe Larry?

  70. Les 2012.09.07

    As Jana said, dance with a pig and besides getting some of it on you, only the pig enjoys it.

  71. larry kurtz 2012.09.07

    Do what you and Sibby should always do: believe the voices in yer head, 'Les.'

  72. Steve Sibson 2012.09.07

    "I bet you are also in support of the GOP platform that says women that are raped still can't have abortions."

    So children of criminals deserve to be killed?

  73. Justin 2012.09.07

    You are clearly the pig in that analogy.

    Tell us more about your views on women.

  74. Justin 2012.09.07

    Steve, we all know where you stand. You supported Todd Akin's comments. I'm happy to let Les stand with you if he wishes.

  75. larry kurtz 2012.09.07

    Dems: joy of sex. 'Les' and the Sibbsonoids: the joy of sects.

  76. Roger Elgersma 2012.09.07

    At least dems are proud enough of their past pres to have him speak at the convention. If Bush had showed up we would all be reminded of the cause of the economic mess.

  77. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.09.08

    Roger, how would an appearance from Jimmy Carter have played at this week's convention?

  78. Nick Nemec 2012.09.09

    While Carter didn't speak in person a video taped address to the delegates was played and well received.

  79. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.09.09

    Oh! Cool! Thanks, Nick! The full video is available online courtesy of News 14 Carolina.. President Carter says President Obama, with his policy knowledge and integrity, can lead us to "a fairer, stronger, more prosperous, and inclusive America." Nice low-key, sincere speech.

Comments are closed.