Feeling Bill's Pain - And Anticipating his Retribution

By Marc Sheppard

You've really got to feel Bill Clinton's pain.

Already peeved over what he perceives as myriad "dissings" by the Obama camp upon himself and his family, he arrived at last night's Democratic National Convention only to be dissed again -- this time by the DNC and, to a lesser extent, his own wife.

One can argue the validity of Bill's April accusations that Obama "played the race card" on him. Or that the "Obama campaign ran against and systematically dismissed his administration's accomplishments." Or even his outrage at being asked to speak tonight on matters of national security, rather than on those he feels truly represent his legacy - his economic achievements.

But there's no denying his resentment of Obama's cavalier handling of Mrs. Senator Clinton - who received over 18 million votes in the primaries -- in snubbing her for second chair. Reports have it that she was never even vetted. Translation -- despite cries for "party unity," the runner-up was never considered in earnest for the position. Heck, she wasn't even afforded the common courtesy of a heads-up call before Biden was announced.

So into the Pepsi Center strolled the already miffed erstwhile leader of the free world last night. And there he smiled and mingled and charmed and did what Bill does best. And there he joined the packed auditorium - along with millions of television viewers - in watching his wife's pre-speech introductory video. And on that giant Hi-Def screen he saw himself referred to as not our nation's 42^nd president, but rather as "Hillary's Husband."

And following that acutely rousing intro-mercial, he watched -- beaming and often wet-eyed - as his daughter proudly introduced her mother to an eagerly awaiting audience. And he heard the pumpkin-colored-pantsuited Hillary then introduce herself as a proud Democrat; a proud mother; a proud American; a proud U.S Senator, and a proud Obama supporter - but he never heard the words "proud wife." Yes, last night's mission -- at least hypothetically -- was to appease her sisterhood of the babbling pantsuits, but et tu Hillary?

Let's face it, Bill's dreams of wandering the halls of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for another 8 years have been dashed- or, at the very least -- postponed. And an Obama victory would not only stretch that delay, but also strip Bubba of his de facto party leadership. And if there's one thing we all know the Clintons will never sit still for, it's irrelevance.

Surely, night two of the convention held more tribute to Hillary and the "18 million cracks in the glass ceiling" she credits herself with than it did Obama. And just as surely will the slighted ex-president attempt to honor the politician he admires most tonight -- himself.

Buckle in and prepare to enjoy some of the most compelling political theater we've seen in decades.

I, for one, hope he brings the house down.