“I don’t care how long I live. I’ll never be that good.” These were the words muttered by a shell-shocked Chris Dodd, after spending a few hours in the presence of Bill Clinton, by then several years removed from office.
Dodd is no one's idea of a political neophyte. A three-term representative who went on to become the longest-serving senator in Connecticut's history, he is also the 'Dodd' in the Dodd-Frank Act, which overhauled financial regulation in the United States following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.
But as Andrew Young, a one-time staffer to Senator John Edwards wrote in his tell-all book, The Politician, Dodd and other seasoned Democrats returned from seeing Clinton that day and "sat in stunned silence." The former president had been so impressive they did not know what to say. In a town of gigantic egos and partisan entrenchment one thing went unchallenged: Clinton was the greatest exponent of their profession.
So it was with an unexpected wave of pathos that I watched Clinton deliver his speech at this year's Democratic National Convention. It was still a powerful, coherent and at times moving address. But at 78 years – albeit younger than Donald Trump – age had diminished him.
I instantly thought back to Clinton's speech at the 2012 convention. The former president stole the show that night – that whole week in fact – with a 48-minute tour de force that demonstrated, in case anyone had forgotten, his once-a-century political gift.
That speech was remembered for one other incredible aspect: Clinton's ability to think on his feet. As this article from The Atlantic cleverly highlights, Clinton deviated from the written text scores of times. Each one served to sharpen a contrast or drive home his point that little bit clearer. It is a document of sheer genius.
Of course, it wasn't just Clinton on display in Chicago this week. The party's other living deities, Barack and Michelle Obama, delivered their own pep rallies and theories of the case. But two things became clearer as the convention progressed.
First, that this is a young party again. From octogenarian Joe Biden on day one to the Clintons and Obamas, we suddenly got to hear from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (51), Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (42) and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (34).
Second, that this is a party boasting a deep bench. Added to those names above were Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and far too many others to list. A party that until recently seemed frozen if not on the verge of senility suddenly revealed itself to be heaving with talented communicators who can stay up past 8pm.
Like Dodd, none are as good as Clinton in his prime. But that is to praise them with faint damn. This is a party in rude health and, were it not for the iniquities and idiosyncrasies of the electoral college and senate map, would be one of the most successful in the West.
