DNC: Monday night

Normally, it would take about 10 minutes to get from the Grand Hyatt to the Pepsi Center.  Tonight, it was at least half an hour. 

MSNBC is set up right on the convention floor, which is a sign of how much this is a media-driven event.  The DNC and the Obama campaign felt it was more important to give the media precious floor space than it was to have that space for delegates.

The convention hall looks a little cheesy to me.  The dais is so lit-up it looks like a videogame.  Some of the visuals are well done, but the podium itself looks like a graduate student's C+ attempt at a faux-moderne style.

Tonight's big moments were limited.  Caroline Kennedy got a nice reception and gave a speech which seemed modelled partly on her endorsement article for Obama that appeared in the New York Times.  From where I sit, I could see her feet and noted that she stood on one foot much of the time, which meant that she was gripping the lectern for support, which indicated she was nervous.  You don't expect the Kennedys to be nervous in public appearances, but Caroline has kept a low profile through much of her life and doesn't do many public speeches.

A short biographical video featuring Sen. Ted Kennedy followed Caroline's speech.  When Ted himself walked out, he was greeted with a warm ovation and signs of "Kennedy" throughout the hall.  ("Don't wave them until after the video," we were told.) 

Sen. Kennedy moved slowly and with some difficulty, but roused himself to give a vigorous speech, which ended with a variation on his famed words from 1980:  "...the work begins anew, the hope rises again, and the dream lives on."

Michelle Obama's speech was the closing highlight of the evening, and she gave a fine speech.  From where I sat, I could read the teleprompter and it was slightly weird to be reading what she would soon be saying.  The teleprompter also has a timer on it which lets the speaker know how much time they have left.

After Michelle's speech, Sen. Obama appeared on the screen behind the dais.  He was watching the convention from someone's home in Kansas City.  This clearly was reminiscent of Ronald Reagan's famed video appearance following Nancy Reagan's speech at the GOP convention in 1984--the one where he gave a little wave to Nancy and she waved back at him on the big screen.

Overall, outside of the Kennedys and Michelle Obama, the convention speeches lacked a clearly definable theme, and there was very little criticism of John McCain.  What little criticism there was lacked specificity. 

Mostly, it was boring, and, frankly, reminiscent of the Boston convention four years ago in which the Kerry campaign vetted all speeches to remove anything that might be critical of Republicans.  At that convention, Al Sharpton was the only speaker who departed from the script.  He gave the Kerry campaign one speech, then gave a different one at the podium.  Not coincidentally, it was one of the few good speeches at that convention, and I say that as a person who is not particularly fond of Rev. Sharpton. 

When did we think "bland" was a winning strategy?  At a time when the GOP brand name is at its lowest point in thirty years, the Democrats should be making a frontal assault on the record of the present administration and their minions in Congress.  We should be aiming for a party victory up and down the line.  It doesn't look like it's going to happen.  In fact, I'm trying to remember now if the words "Democratic Party" were ever even spoken last night.    

   

Comments

[June]

Well, there you are. Think about delegate responsibility if you are bored. What is your obligation to create enthisiasm for Democratic candidates - to create hope for the American people? What is your responsibility while at the convention? My thoughts on Michelle Obama's speech: hang on to the thread.

[John Petty]

"Delegate responsibility?" Other than supporting the candidate you promised others to support, what does THAT mean?

[June]

I think Senator Clinton summed up my point very nicely, don't you? What is your responsibility as a Democratic Party delegate? Just to go and cast your vote? No, it's much more than that...and she told you what it is in no uncertain terms.

[John Petty]

What is it about you Obama people that you demand absolute fealty all the time? :)