Of Bill Clinton, turning worms and the progs

Bill Clinton spoke at a hastily-arranged rally in Wisconsin, outlining the case against Scott Walker. By all accounts (here's one and here's another), the last Democratic president did a magnificent job.

What intrigues me is the reaction over on Daily Kos. Remember what the Kossacks were like back in 2008? The very mention of the Clinton name transformed these "progressives" into the left-wing equivalent of Glenn Beck's foamy-mouthed followers. They accused Bill Clinton and his wife of racism, murder, rape, drug importation and every other evil. (Well, I don't think anyone mentioned kiddie porn.)

My, how the worm hath turned! Suddenly, everyone (or nearly everyone) at Kos likes Clinton.

If you click on that link, you won't see much praise for Barack Obama. Oh, sure, maybe you'll see some pro-forma election year rah-rah, but that sort of thing is to be expected. Here's what they're saying about Bill Clinton:

Clinton gave an awesome speech in which he talked about shared sacrifice and responsibility instead of divide and conquer.

But we're glad for what we get, and for Bill Clinton to get here gave me reason to thank the gods again that we have him.  He understands -- not only the need to support the people of the party (and to "press the flesh," which he so loves to do and did today) but also what hit us here. In seventeen minutes, he summed up the last sixteen months amazingly well.

Sic'em, Big Dog!

Clinton was, as he usually is, charismatic and persuasive.

Big Poppa Bill has come out. Things are lookin up.

There was only one discordant note (this, in reference to Clinton's praise of Romney's "sterling" record at Bain)...

The older Clinton gets, the more he reminds me of Harold Ford.

Which, sad to say, comes fairly close to my own feelings. And I say that with great sadness because I've long admired the Clintons.

If you're interested in the Democratic Underground reaction, here's a sampler...

Bill is an icon, a great speaker, a smart and compassionate man.

Love the Big Dog!

I'm SOOOOOO glad he came to Wisconsin. Kudos Mr. 42nd President.

After he gave a few short remarks, Clinton, in pink jogging shorts, came down the rope line and grasped both my hand and my sons hand all at once in his big soft hands. We'll both never forget that moment.

I touched his wedding ring so almost like touching Hillary, too!

DU does feature one die-hard Obot, who is worth quoting...

Personally, I don't want to shake hands with an Obama hater, wish Obama would fail so Hillary can run in 2016 and Romney Bain Mittens supporter. No thanks!!

Nice bit of word salad there. Looks like Obama can always count on the schiz vote. Now let's see what's doing over on HuffPo...

Bill Clinton is the very best President the United States has ever had or will have.

Woah. Arianna allowed such words to appear on her site? Such praise of the despised Cleeeeen-tons was declared verboten back in 2008.

That said, most of the other comments demonstrate old-school Clinton-hate. You can count on Arianna: She doesn't turn. She may still be a worm, but she doesn't turn.

As for Walker: Although I'd love to be proven wrong, I predict that the recall won't work. Even though Tom Barrett scored well in the last debate, the right-wing propaganda machine will rule the day. These days, it's all about the propaganda.