August 27, 2008 Bill Clinton: America can do better than GOP Play video

(NECN: Denver) - This is part two of Bill Clinton's address to the Democratic National Convention.

To watch part 3 of speech click here

With Joe Biden's experience and wisdom, supporting Barack
Obama's proven understanding, insight, and good instincts, America
will have the national security leadership we need.

Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American
leadership in the world. Ready to preserve, protect, and defend the
Constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be
president of the United States.

He will work for an America with more partners and fewer
adversaries. He will rebuild our frayed alliances and revitalize
the international institutions which help to share the costs of the
world's problems and to leverage our power and influence. He will
put us back in the forefront of the world's fight to reduce
nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and to stop global
warming. He will continue and enhance our nation's global
leadership in an area in which I am deeply involved, the fight
against AIDS, TB and malaria, including a renewal of the battle
against HIV/AIDS here at home. He will

choose diplomacy first and
military force as a last resort. But in a world troubled by terror;
by trafficking in weapons, drugs and people; by human rights
abuses; by other threats to our security, our interests, and our
values, when he cannot convert adversaries into partners, he will
stand up to them.

Barack Obama also will not allow the world's problems to obscure
its opportunities. Everywhere, in rich and poor countries alike,
hard-working people need good jobs; secure, affordable health care,
food, and energy; quality education for their children; and
economically beneficial ways to fight global warming. These
challenges cry out for American ideas and American innovation. When
Barack Obama unleashes them, America will save lives, win new
allies, open new markets, and create new jobs for our people.

Most important, Barack Obama knows that America cannot be strong
abroad unless we are strong at home. People the world over have
always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the
example of our power.

Look at the example the Republicans have set: American workers
have given us consistently rising productivity. They've worked
harder and produced more. What did they get in return? Declining
wages, less than ¼ as many new jobs as in the previous eight years,
smaller health care and pension benefits, rising poverty and the
biggest increase in income inequality since the 1920s. American
families by the millions are struggling with soaring health care
costs and declining coverage.

I will never forget the parents of children with autism and
other severe conditions who told me on the campaign trail that they
couldn't afford health care and couldn't qualify their kids for
Medicaid unless they quit work or got a divorce. Are these the
family values the Republicans are so proud of? What about the
military families pushed to the breaking point by unprecedented
multiple deployments? What about the assault on science and the
defense of torture? What about the war on unions and the unlimited
favors for the well-connected? What about Katrina and cronyism?

America can do better than that. And Barack Obama will.