Nice to see the cablers have effortlessly found a new Clinton convention theme to hammer; the fact that Bill Clinton is reportedly leaving Denver before Obama's Thursday night's address. CNN talking head: “I think it's bad form. He needs to be passing the torch onto Obama as the nominee of the party.”

We thought some media context might be helpful here. And that context is that at the 2000 Democratic convention, the media harped incessantly on the fact that Clinton was staying too long at the convention; that he wouldn't get off the political stage and let the party's new standard-bearer take over:

-“But Clinton is still hogging the spotlight. He'll be in Los Angeles longer than Gore.” (USA Today, August 14, 2000)

-“Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton have been roundly accused of hogging the spotlight from his vice president.” (New York Times, August 14, 2000)

-“For four days, Clinton hogged the spotlight.” (Boston Herald, August 15, 2000)

But now in 2008, the press is convinced that Clinton must stay at the convention longer. That he must remain in the spotlight for as long as possible.