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President Obama's Sizable Legacy

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The Obama legacy and the 2016 presidential race, as the president prepares to speak.

President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks about the attack in Nice, France, Friday, July 15, 2016, during a Diplomatic Corps Reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
President Barack Obama pauses as he speaks about the attack in Nice, France, Friday, July 15, 2016, during a Diplomatic Corps Reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Twelve years ago tonight, Barack Obama, Illinois state legislator, made his epic "We are Red States or Blue States" national debut at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. Eight years ago, he beat Hillary Clinton and took the White House. Four years ago, he was bailed out by a great Bill Clinton convention speech in Charlotte. Tonight, as President, Obama goes to bat for Hillary. This hour On Point, Obama's legacy, Hillary Clinton's future. Plus: Donald Trump plays a wild Russia card. — Tom Ashbrook

Guests

Peter Baker, White House correspondent for the New York Times. (@peterbakernyt)

Bryan Monroe, professor at the Temple University School of Media and Communication. (@bryankmonroe)
Mary Frances Berry, professor of American social thought and history at the University of Pennsylvania. Former chair of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. Author of "We Are Who We Say We Are." Co-author, with Josh Gottheimer, of "Power in Words." (@DrMFBerry)

From Tom’s Reading List

New York Times: Yes, Slaves Did Help Build the White House — "When Michelle Obama said in her prime-time televised address to the Democratic National Convention on Monday night that the White House had been built by slaves, she was citing a little-discussed fact that dramatized her own African-American family’s place in history."

POLITICO: Obama on Clinton: Qualified and tough but not 'flashy' — "President Barack Obama argues that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate for president in history, but 'flashy' isn’t part of his case for her. 'She's not always flashy. And there are better speechmakers,' Obama said on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” in an interview airing Sunday. 'But she knows her stuff. And more than anything, that is what is ultimately required to do a good job in this office.'"

Washington Post: Obama’s mission: Do unto the Clintons what they have done for him -- "Four years ago it was Bill Clinton bailing out Barack Obama, delivering a speech in Charlotte that explained the Obama presidency and framed the issues against the Republicans in a way that the president himself could not do. His voice hoarse, his message clear and aimed directly at the white middle class, Clinton dominated the stage and energized a convention crowd that had seemed frustrated and confused, searching for the winning case. The mission of the Obamas this week has been to return the favor for Clinton’s wife, Hillary, marking a new phase in the uneven relationship between the two first families of the Democratic Party."

This program aired on July 27, 2016.

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