Bill Clinton, the Boy Who Cried Growth

It’s true that the Democrats have bigger star power than the Republicans had in Cleveland. After all, George W. Bush hasn’t been invited to speak at three consecutive conventions.

Meanwhile, Bill Clinton has spoken at his party’s conventions over the last four decades.

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But frequency doesn’t always convey accuracy. Let’s review what he said at the last Democrat convention in Charlotte:

Now, look. Here’s the challenge he faces and the challenge all of you who support him face. I get it. I know it. I’ve been there. A lot of Americans are still angry and frustrated about this economy. If you look at the numbers, you know employment is growing, banks are beginning to lend again. And in a lot of places, housing prices are even beginning to pick up.

But too many people do not feel it yet.

I had the same thing happen in 1994 and early ‘95. We could see that the policies were working, that the economy was growing. But most people didn’t feel it yet. Thankfully, by 1996 the economy was roaring, everybody felt it, and we were halfway through the longest peacetime expansion in the history of the United States. But — (cheers, applause) — wait, wait. The difference this time is purely in the circumstances. President Obama started with a much weaker economy than I did. Listen to me, now. No president — no president, not me, not any of my predecessors, no one could have fully repaired all the damage that he found in just four years. (Cheers, applause.)

Now — but — (cheers, applause) — he has — he has laid the foundation for a new, modern, successful economy of shared prosperity. And if you will renew the president’s contract, you will feel it. You will feel it. (Cheers, applause.)

Folks, whether the American people believe what I just said or not may be the whole election. I just want you to know that I believe it. With all my heart, I believe it. (Cheers, applause.)

Now, let’s think about that statement for a minute. Four years ago, Bill Clinton promised the American people that if they would vote for Barack Obama, the economy would soon get much better. And they did vote for Barack Obama. So what happened? Does anyone — outside the donor class — think that we are feeling “a new, modern, successful economy of shared prosperity”? Certainly Bernie Sanders isn’t feeling it. Elizabeth Warren isn’t feeling it. Many (if not most) of the delegates at the DNC are not feeling it.

So it turns out that Bill Clinton’s promise was not accurate.

Just like his promises on NAFTA.

Just like his promises on letting China into the World Trade Organization.

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But don’t worry. He has more promises. When Clinton talks tonight, he’ll tell us that we just need to elect Hillary. Yeah, that will do it. Prosperity is always going to happen right after the next election.

• Just vote for us, and your job will be safe.
• Just vote for us, and we’ll get tough on trade issues.
• Just vote for us, and we’ll crack down on the fat cats who are funding our campaign.
• Just vote for us, and wages will go up.

This time we really mean it. Things are about to get great.

Right after you vote for us.

Really.

We promise.