After two long, star-studded days, delegates to the Democratic convention finally got to hear an undiluted attack on George W. Bush and John McCain. And it was delivered by Hillary Clinton. Just two days ago almost nobody would have predicted that.

Sceptics will parse every line in Mrs Clinton’s 25-minute speech for any hint of disrespect for - or lack of commitment to - Barack Obama’s nomination. But most others will conclude that Mrs Clinton exceeded the minimum threshold of support for her one-time bitter rival to have removed any Clinton fingerprints from an Obama defeat – should that happen in November.