Bill Clinton to play a starring role at DNC

Former US President Bill Clinton will play a major role in the upcoming Democratic National Convention, formally placing Barack Obama's name into nomination after delivering a prime-time speech to make a forceful economic argument for why Obama deserves to win a second term.

Clinton's speech is supposed to highlight that while he was president he left the GOP a surplus, which was subsequently erased by his successor.

The address is intended to offer a strong contrast with the Republican ticket, but it will be closely watched especialy given the string of blunt statements (and retractions) that Clinton has made when talking about the Obama administration. 

“There isn’t anybody on the planet who has a greater perspective on not just the last four years, but the last two decades, than Bill Clinton,” David Axelrod, Obama's campaign manager, said to The New York Times.

According to CNN, because Clinton is speaking on Wednesday, Vice President Joe Biden will make his primetime speech on Thursday night – the final evening of the convention, when Obama will also give his address after accepting the nomination. 

According to The New York Times, Biden is expected to remind Americans about the last four years and the administration’s accomplishments in a difficult economic climate.