Analysis of Bill Clinton's speech

David Maraniss at the WaPo:

Next came the case against Sen. John McCain and the GOP. Here Clinton went into his professorial mode, biting his lip, jabbing his finger to make a point and throwing wide his hands as a means of inviting the audience in on his wisdom as he cited a litany of Republican failings in domestic and foreign policy. The longest ovation of his speech came after a slap at the Bush administration's foreign policy propensities to go it alone and rely on force first. "People the world over," Clinton said, "have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of power."

At the end of this riff, Clinton paused, gathered in the audience and said, "They actually want us to reward them for the last eight years by giving them four more," a bewildered expression crossing his tanned face. "Let's send them a message that will echo from the Rockies all across America: Thanks, but no thanks. In this case, the third time is not the charm."