That's what the world learned on Wednesday night, when former US President Bill Clinton pulled a rabbit out of his hat and delivered a knock-out speech on the third day of the Democrat National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

Earlier criticised for his alleged ambivalence and reticence over the Barack Obama presidency, Clinton finally provided his full-throated endorsement of the US Senator from Illinois, saying he is convinced that Obama is "the man for this job".

What made Clinton's task even more Herculean was backtracking and explaining his own severe criticisms of Obama during the primary component of the Presidential race.

In interviews, speeches and advertisements, Clinton had questioned Obama's preparedness and experience, saying in a fall 2007 interview, "I mean, when is the last time we elected a president based on one year of service in the Senate before he started running?"

The Republicans have even go so far as to use Hillary and Bill's harsh words for Obama in their own advertisements, in an effort to cull wavering Democrats into their fold.

But with Clinton's classy, enthused recommendation, Democrats across the country can finally breathe a sigh of relief. After two days of supposed dilly-dallying, squabbling and inertia, the Convention sprang into action last night, rallying behind 'President Obama', as Clinton himself called the younger man.

In what can only be interpreted as a clear message to frustrated Hillary Clinton supporters, Bill said Mrs Clinton had told the convention Tuesday night that she would do everything possible to get Obama elected. For emphasis, he added: "That makes two of us."

Additionally, and what should not go without note, for the first time in the United State's 232 years, a black man is the nominee for President of a major political party. Despite gleeful accounts from conservative operators, who insisted that embittered Hillary Clinton supporters would attempt a coup meant to tear the party's fabric to bits and torpedo Obama's chances, the official nomination process went smoothly.

Text: Matthew Schneeberger

Image: Bill Clinton delivers his knock-out speech at the Democratic Convention

Photographs: Paresh Gandhi

Also read: Barack Obama, in his own words

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