Bill Clinton in DNC speech: "I'm still younger than Donald Trump"
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Former President Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday. Photo: Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images
Former President Clinton boasted that he's "still younger" than former President Trump more than three decades after winning the White House in his address to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday.
Why it matters: Age was a liability for Democrats when President Biden was on the ticket. Now, it's an asset.
- In a speech that notably lacked the youthful vigor of his addresses at past conventions, Clinton noted that he recently turned 78, but "I'm still younger than Donald Trump."
- Clinton is about two months younger than Trump. Both are also younger than President Biden, but a generation older than Vice President Kamala Harris.
The big picture: Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton swiftly endorsed Harris after Biden stepped aside, lending the support of one of the most powerful families in Democratic politics to the fresh ticket.
- Clinton also helped headline President Biden's star-studded NYC fundraiser with former President Obama earlier this year, before Harris topped the ticket.
- Both Bill and Hillary Clinton received prime speaking slots at the DNC.
What he's saying: "Kamala Harris is the only candidate in this race who has the vision, the experience, the temperament, the will, and yes — the sheer joy — to get something done," Clinton said.
- The former president took aim at the GOP nominee, saying, "Now, how does Donald Trump use his voice? He mostly to talks about himself. ... The next time you hear him, don't count the lies — count the I's."
- Trump is "like one of those tenors opening up before he walks out on stage ... by singing, me, me me, me, me, me," Clinton quipped.
Zoom out: Three generations — Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z — have only voted in presidential elections with a Bush, Clinton or Biden on the ticket.
- This race is the first since 1976 without a member of those three political families.
What we're watching: Clinton has a new memoir, "Citizen," coming out Nov. 19 — two weeks after the election — about his personal and political life after Jan. 20, 2001.
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