The Democratic Convention...a short take

I've never been a big fan of the convention. i never really watch. i've never been and i've never pursued my previous opportunities to go. Maybe i will in the future. I watched the convention off and on tonite. Al Gore was good. probably more relaxed than he ever was on the campaign trail 4 years ago. Jimmy Carter had one of the great lines of the night: "in the world at large we cannot lead if our leaders mislead."

Hillary Clinton introduced Bill. i like Hillary just fine, but her speech was nothing special. it was nice if you already liked her, but Clinton was great. He wasn't preaching a sermon, but he did everything that he should have and everything he didn't 4 years ago.

I was angry at Clinton's speech 4 years ago. as i watched (unless i missed something) it was a good speech but not once (in 2000) did he mention Al Gore by name or do anything that literally said 'elect Al Gore'. that was the whole point of the speech and it wasn't there.

Tonite was a different story. it was not an overly long speech. it was a complete call to action. it was very fact oriented in bites that were easy to digest. you listen and think. He made the case against bush in the most easy to digest manner i've seen anyone do.

a good swipe at Bush without being overt:
"Strength and Wisdom are not opposing values"

He did a remarkable job and got a great deal of applause. one can't help but wonder if the room did not wish he could 'come back and save us'. i don't know...maybe i do too. it did leave me to think that this party abandons southerners at its own peril.