Michelle wows the crowd at convention

By Libby

Thank goodness for CSPAN. If I would have had to make it through the event listening to the cable news pundits interpret the proceedings, while they desperately searched for signs of dissent, I wouldn't have made it. But thanks to CSPAN's commentator-free zone, I saw it all unfiltered and I came away impressed.

Pelosi's speech was the weakest of the big name speakers but she did all right and was mercifully brief. The Kennedy tribute came off well. Caroline's introduction might have been a little overlong but I expect that was to allow Ted to keep his own remarks brief in deference to his current medical problems. The mini-documentary was very good, sentimental but not maudlin, and the Kennedy family's gift for lofty rhetoric was fully apparent in his speech, which had many viewers reaching for the kleenex.

However, it was Michelle Obama who stole the show. One would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by her story. She looked elegant but came across as geniune and unpretentious and although we know the speech was scripted, she delivered it in a manner that made it feel extemporaneous. Americans could feel very proud to call her our First Lady. And the unscripted exchange between Obama and the children afterward, ended the event on a perfect note.

I hear Carville is complaining that the Democrats didn't draw enough blood on this first day. Not surprising coming from a card carrying member of the lazy pundits who seek to gin up meaningless controversy where none exists in order to avoid having to do any real analysis. In any event he's wrong. The lesser known speakers did fine with drawing a clear line between the choices in November and the Obamas did what they needed to do. Introduce themselves as a typical American family who are striving for and reaching their dreams. I'd say the Dems are off to a great start.