Clinton says Bush ruined legacy

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BOSTON -- Bill Clinton accused President Bush of wasting the advances of his eight years as president in a rousing opening-night speech to the Democratic National Convention yesterday, urging the election of Sen. John Kerry to restore his legacy.

"The president had an amazing opportunity [after September 11] to bring the country together under his slogan of compassionate conservatism and to unite the world in the struggle against terror. Instead, he and his congressional allies made a very different choice," Mr. Clinton said.

"They chose to use that moment of unity to try to push the country too far to the right and to walk away from our allies," he said.

Mr. Clinton, who received a rapturous reception on the first night of the four-day convention, said Mr. Bush walked away from the Democrat's legacy on the environment, public safety and education.

"If you like these choices and you agree with them, you should vote to return them to the White House and the Congress," he said to ironic boos from the crowd. "If not, take a look at John Kerry, John Edwards and the Democrats."

Mr. Clinton was introduced by his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, and the two drew, by far, the loudest applause of the evening.

In her short introduction, Mrs. Clinton likened Mr. Kerry to her husband.

"I think I know a great leader when I see one and so does America," Mrs. Clinton said. "He showed Democrats how to win again. And so will John Kerry."

The Kerry campaign said the theme was the "Kerry-Edwards plan for America's future," but yesterday's lineup was heavy on the party's elder statesmen, including former President Jimmy Carter and former Vice President Al Gore, who focused on the past.

"Take it from me every vote counts," Mr. Gore said. "Let's make sure that this time every vote is counted. Let's make sure that the Supreme Court does not pick the next president and that this president is not the one who picks the next Supreme Court."