On Wednesday, at the Pepsi Center, Bill Clinton invoked the attacks on his supposed lack of experience in 1992 as a way of defending Obama against the current charges that he isn’t experienced enough to be commander in chief.

And just now, Al Gore offered another strong defense against the inexperience charge:

A century and a half ago, when America faced our greatest trial, the end of one era gave way to the birth of another. The candidate who emerged victorious in that election is now regarded by most historians as our greatest president. Before he entered the White House, Abraham Lincoln’s experience in elected office consisted of eight years in his state legislature in Springfield, Illinois, and one term in Congress—during which he showed the courage and wisdom to oppose the invasion of another country that was popular when it started but later condemned by history.

Sounds familiar? Gore, to strong applause from a crowd that at this moment is doing the wave and preparing to listen to singer Michael McDonald (whoever he is), made sure everyone made the connection.