FOUR years ago when Barack Obama’s re-election was not a sure thing, a lacklustre Democratic National Convention in Charlotte was transformed by a long but mesmerising speech by Bill Clinton, arguing that Mr Obama had not enjoyed enough credit for saving the American economy from disaster. A grateful Mr Obama dubbed Mr Clinton his “Secretary for Explaining Stuff”.
On July 26th Mr Clinton took up the mantle of explainer-in-chief once more, but for his wife who hours earlier had been voted the Democratic presidential nominee. His task was harder this time. Four years ago Mr Clinton drew on his credibility as the president who presided over an economic boom to tell voters that Mr Obama had inherited problems so grave that he could not be expected to fix them all in a single term. Put simply, he was offering his expert view on a successor’s expertise.
In 2016—to quote a political leader of the campaign to pull Britain out of the European Union—voters “have had enough of experts”. That is especially dangerous for Mrs Clinton. At worst many voters think she is a crook who cannot be trusted. At best, loyal Democratic...Continue reading
Source: United States http://ift.tt/2a8oT7G
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