If the conventions are any indication of election winners, the Democrats have it by a landslide. While I contend that Obama is the one for the job, there are two key people around him who completely assure me that a vote for the Obama-Biden ticket is the right one. The DNC speeches by Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton prove not only that Obama is the stronger candidate, but also that the GOP is heavily lacking in support from two crucial people: the potential first lady and the party’s predecessor.

Many would agree that Michelle’s speech was an asset for the Democrats and key to her husband’s chances at victory, especially in an election where the female voice is important. Unfortunately, I cannot give the same accolades to Ann Romney’s speech or her general role in the Romney campaign. Their roles are displayed in respective quotes from the convention.

“It’s true. It’s true that Mitt’s been successful at each new challenge he has taken on. You know what, it actually amazes me to see his history of success being attacked,” Ann Romney said.

While First Lady Michelle Obama said, “For Barack, success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”
This latter statement summarizes the core of Michelle’s speech: affecting, humble, and highly valuable to her husband’s campaign by inspiring voters and appealing to the middle class. On the other hand, Ann’s statement is an example of boasting embedded in an overly defensive speech. Whereas Michelle’s speech is classy and unassuming, Ann attempts to create a façade in order to mask her and her husband’s lack of care for certain groups.

In addition to an immensely better, not to mention more articulate, first lady speech, the Clinton factor is worth mentioning. President Bush, along with many members of his administration, were not present at the RNC. Neither was Sarah Palin, even when Romney desperately needs the female vote. While Clinton’s speech was professionally fact-driven, it is the absence of these key Republicans that should say the most to an undecided voter. When it comes right down to it, Republicans are still trying to eradicate the past, while Democrats are facing forward, a word other republicans, such as Michelle Bachmann, have mocked.

So let me get this right: Republicans scoff at the campaign slogan “forward,” along with any policy having to do with progress, while simultaneously trying to conceal mistakes that happened in their own past. I am not blaming the GOP for asking Bush and Palin to remain at home; this was indeed a strategic move. I simply ask that any undecided voter listen to what the presence of Clinton at the DNC says about the Democratic Party as a whole: they’ve had success and are not ashamed of their past.
In placing our votes this November, let’s be the informed citizens that we are and remember the past policies that left us in a condition we are now climbing out of — slowly but surely.

A version of this article appeared in the Sept. 12 print edition. Ally Girouard is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].