Bill Clinton’s speech to the Democratic Convention last night was a good example of “tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you’ve told them.” And with that structure, he clearly set up an agenda for Barak Obama (presumably the agenda Obama wants…). Here’s how it played out:

Our nation is in trouble on two fronts: The American Dream is under siege at home, and America’s leadership in the world has been weakened.

Then Clinton gave a quick summary of points he would cover under these two headings, followed by a restatement of the headings:

Clearly, the job of the next President is to rebuild the American Dream and restore America’s standing in the world.

Next it was time to elaborate on the various points under each heading, by stating them in terms of what Barak Obama will do, always being certain to add additional restatements of the two headings, such as:

Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world.

Most important, Barack Obama knows that America cannot be strong abroad unless we are strong at home.

Even his attack on the Republicans was put in terms of the two headings:

Now, in spite of all the evidence, their candidate is promising more of the same: More tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans that will swell the deficit, increase inequality, and weaken the economy. More band-aids for health care that will enrich insurance companies, impoverish families and increase the number of uninsured. More going it alone in the world, instead of building the shared responsibilities and shared opportunities necessary to advance our security and restore our influence.

If you didn’t come away from this speech understanding that Bill Clinton thinks Barak Obama will strengthen America at home and abroad, it was certainly no fault of the speechwriters.