Bill Clinton, Joe Biden have big challenge

Two veteran politicians face the same tough task tonight -- to try to equal, if not top, Hillary Clinton's performance Tuesday night.

Her husband, former president Bill Clinton, has to soothe her supporters as well -- then get them to fall in behind nominee Barack Obama as the best way to return to what the Clinton camp regards as the halcyon days of his presidency.

But his relationship with the Obama campaign was more testy than hers, as they traded accusations of playing the race card. And he has not stayed on message as well as Hillary Clinton in the unity push since she endorsed Obama in June, making remarks that could be construed as raising doubts about Obama's readiness.

In a memo setting up the day, Obama's camp called Bill Clinton a "unique and beloved figure in American politics: "As one of the most successful presidents of the 20th Century, he knows the challenges and choices that face our nation’s chief executive. He’ll talk about why Barack Obama is the right person to lead America—and why Senator McCain’s promise of more of the same is the wrong choice for America. Under President Clinton, the country experienced record economic growth and years of peace and prosperity. During his term the middle class grew, and millions of people were lifted out of poverty. President Clinton knows that Obama will bring about the kind of change we need to get the country back on track after eight disastrous years of George Bush."

Then later tonight, Senator Joe Biden, in his acceptance speech as the vice presidential nominee, not only has to promote Obama as a person and potential president, he has to find ways to go after Republican John McCain, his long-time friend.

But Biden must find the right balance between energizing Democrats, but not coming off as mean-spirited. And he has a history of both long-winded, sometimes incomprehensible, speeches and of committing gaffes. He doesn't need another "Barack America" moment. And there's always the "ladies and gentlemen" and "literally" count.

In the same memo, Obama's campaign said: "Joe Biden will show the type of campaigner he’s going to be as he lays out the case for Obama. Senator Biden and Senator Obama share middle class roots, a dedication to helping others achieve the American Dream and a deep understanding of the dangerous world in which we live. Biden will talk about how John McCain’s embracing of failed policies means more of the same for families who are struggling today and how Obama won't just repair the damage of the last eight years, but will stand with the middle class on every issue from jobs and wages to health care and retirement savings."

Clinton, in the eyes of most observers and pundits, succeeded in telling her supporters that Obama could follow through on her priorities -- and in warning that McCain would mean four more years of what Democrats say are failed policies of the Bush administration.