Spin Cycle

Just to note the symbolism of what just happened:

Traditionally, Obama's home state of Illinois would put him over the top. Instead, things were arranged so that Hillary's home state -- New York -- would do it. And it wasn't only New York, it was Hillary herself, calling for acclamation, amid a fair amount of confusion about whether that would actually happen.

So, the symbolic unity was pitch perfect. But tonight, it will be up to Bill Clinton to carry it forward -- or, mess it up. Joe Biden's maiden voyage and the sharpness of his attacks on McCain should be the featured event, but Bill has a tendency to upstage. He isn't exactly predictable. He's been given 10 minutes to speak on foreign affairs, but as an ex-president and the spouse of Hillary, he'll probably feel free to say what he wants for as long as he wants.

The problem: Bill is said to harbor special resentments about the way he and Hillary were treated by Obama -- particularly, Obama's failure to pay proper respect to the Clinton administration's accomplaishments and to defend Bill against charges he was playing the race card.

But despite those reservations, what Obama needs from Bill isn't just a re-packaging of Hillary's speech. He needs more. He needs Clinton to counter the impression that he thinks McCain is better prepared to be president -- by going after McCain hard, and by vouching for Obama's readiness to be commander in chief. Hillary didn't. But as an ex-president, Bill's stamp of approval could be even more vital than Hillary's.