THREAD: Looking forward to @BillClinton's speech tonight on the economy. He knows how to frame the choice, as he did for @BarackObama at the 2012 DNC. Looked back on his '92 convention speech, (which I worked on.) Much more progressive than he's given credit for. 1/23

Some '92 excerpts: "And so, in the name of all those who do the work and pay the taxes, raise the kids, and play by the rules, in the name of the hardworking Americans who make up our forgotten middle class, I proudly accept your nomination for President of the United States." 2/

"I am a product of that middle class, and when I am President, you will be forgotten no more."

"Just as we have won the Cold War abroad, we are losing the battles for economic opportunity and social justice here at home."

3/23

"I have news for the forces of greed and the defenders of the status quo: Your time has come and gone. It's time for a change in America."

4/23

"That’s why I’m so committed to make sure every American gets the health care that saved my mother’s life and that women’s health care gets the same attention as men’s."

5/23

"I want an America where family values live in our actions, not just in our speeches. An America that includes every family. Every traditional family and every extended family. Every two parent family. Every single-parent family. And every foster family. Every family" 6/23

"And I want to say something to every child in America tonight who is out there trying to grow up without a father or a mother: I know how you feel. You are special too.

"You matter to America. And don’t you ever let anybody tell you can’t become whatever you want to be." 7/23

"For too long those who play by the rules and keep the faith have gotten the shaft, and those who cut corners and cut deals have been rewarded."

"Meanwhile, more and more of our best people are falling into poverty even though they work 40 hours a week." 8/23

"Our people are pleading for change, but government is in the way. It has been hijacked by privileged private interests. It has forgotten who really pays the bills around here." 9/23

"George Bush won’t guarantee a women’s right to choose; I will.

"Listen. Here me now. I am not pro-abortion; I am pro-choice, strongly. I believe this difficult and painful decision should be left to the women of America." 10/23

I hope the right to privacy can be protected and we will never again have to discuss this issue on political platforms. But I am old enough to remember what it was like before Roe v. Wade, and I do not want to return to the time when we made criminals of women and their doctors.

[I want] "an America in which the doors of colleges are thrown open once again to the sons and daughters of stenographers and steelworkers." 12/23

"An America in which health care is a right, not a privilege, which we say to all of our people: Your government has the courage finally to take on the health care profiteers and make health care affordable for every family." 13/23

"An America, yes, in which the wealthiest few, those making over $200,000 a year, are asked to pay their fair share.

"An America in which the rich are not soaked, but the middle class is not drowned, either." 14/23

"The end of the Cold War permits us to reduce defense spending while still maintaining the strongest defense in the world, but we must plow back every dollar of defense cuts into building American jobs right here at home." 15/23

"Tonight every one of you knows deep in your heart that we are too divided. It is time to heal America.

"And so we must say to every American: Look beyond the stereotypes that blind us. We need each other - all of us - we need each other. We don’t have a person to waste." 16/23

"And yet for too long politicians have told most of us that are doing all right that what’s really wrong with America is the rest of us- them. Them, the minorities. Them, the liberals. Them, the poor. Them, the homeless. Them, the people with disabilities. Them, the gays." 17/23

"We’ve gotten to where we’ve nearly them'ed ourselves to death. Them, and them, and them.

"But this is America. There is no them. There is only us: One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 18/23

"But I can’t do this alone. No President can. We must do it together. It won’t be easy, and it won’t be quick. We didn’t get into this mess overnight, and we won’t get out of it overnight. But we can do it- with commitment, creativity, diversity and drive." 19/23

"Somewhere at this very moment a child is being born in America. Let it be our cause to give that child a happy home, a healthy family and a hopeful future. Let it be our cause to see that that child has a chance to live to the fullest of her God-given capacities." 20/23

"Let it be our cause to see that child grow up strong and secure, braced by her challenges but never struggling alone, with family and friends and a faith that in America, no one is left out; no one is left behind." 21/23

Let it be our cause that when this child is able, she gives something back to her children, her community and her country. Let it be our cause that we give this child a country that is coming together, not coming apart, a country of boundless hopes and endless dreams, 22/23

"a country once again lifts its people and inspires the world. Let that be our cause our commitment and our New Covenant.

My fellow Americans, I end tonight where it all began for me:

I still believe in a place called Hope." 23/23