Boy, do us Democrats sure know how to throw a party. Personally I think last night was the best so far and did way more than it had to do. Opened by a historic and well-choreographed nomination of Barack Obama and concluded with devastatingly effective speeches by Bill Clinton and Joe Biden, the event reminded Democrats and all Americans that we are a nation with unlimited promise and unprecedented ability to self-correct.

And with the nomination process finished, it was up to former President Bill Clinton to get the ball rolling and unequivocally declare his support for the Democratic ticket. Given Hillary Clinton’s superb address the night before and Bill’s known animus toward Obama, many thought the big guy might not be able to measure up to his wife. But boy did they think wrong. Met with a thunderous and protracted applause, the President was reminded that his party and his country still love him. This undoubtedly made it easier for him to segue into a blistering series of attacks against John McCain, each time echoing his confidence in Obama’s readiness for the job. Declaring that “people have always been more impressed by our power of example than our example of power”, Clinton launched a barrage of indictments against neoconservative imperialism and hubris, reminding Americans all the while of their inate ability to see problems and change them. Probably his best line was his comparison of the 1992 campaign talking points of Bill Clinton as young and inexperienced with the 2008 attacks on Obama. I was thrilled he drew this parallel, because comparing the candidate to himself was the strongest possible endorsement he could have given. Leading the audience with the declaration “Thanks but no thanks, this time the third time is not the charm!”, Bill Clinton put to rest any doubts of his support for Obama, and made everyone love him again just as many of us thought he could.  It’s good to have you back, Mr. President.

No doubt Joe Biden had a hell of an act to follow after that marquee appearance. But if he was nervous, it sure as hell didn’t show in his speech. After a heartfelt and probably unscripted homage to his family (which also served the purpose of underscoring his all-American upbringing), Biden wasted no time getting down to brass tacks. His rumination on the questions families are asking each other during this recession no doubt resonated with a lot of people out there, many of whom are inclined to vote Obama but aren’t yet sold on his qualifications. Biden helped assuage these concerns by trumpeting his own experience and reminding voters of the alternative: an administration who not only mirrors Bush in its policies, but fails to even acknowledge the ongoing economic struggles facing so many American families. With the infectious call-and-response chant of “That’s not change, that’s more of the same!”, Biden underscored McCain’s similarities to Bush while simultaneously reinforcing the urgency with which we as a nation need to address these problems. Biden ended his speech with an on-stage union of his family and a surprise appearance by Obama, which gave Americans a perfect image of the Bidens and energized Democrats for Obama’s hyped up and high-pressure speech at Mile High Stadium tonight.

I feel like McCain will leak his VP sometime this evening in an effort to try to dampen the enthusiasm and interest for Obama’s speech. Given what a stupid idea that is, I wouldn’t put it past him. I’m sure the Obama team would love another target to lambast tonight, and there’s no better way to drown out news than putting it out right before an unprecedented and manifestly historical moment like the one we’ll all be watching tonight.

So enjoy the speech tonight and try not to dissect it (that’s my job). Instead, just appreciate what you’re watching, and know that millions of people never thought they’d see this. I know we say this alot, but this really is history.

Tags: Conventions

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