The Dems' turn

An outstanding and poignant opening for Michelle Obama--in speaking about the "American spirit," she demolished the idiotic Republican assault on her husband's "apologies" for America.

In talking especially about her father's burdens and triumphs, she's connecting the "real" men in her life, men who, in their own determined ways, overcame life's struggles. Brilliant.

She's folding good government into family values and vibrant individualism--the necessary dualism in America that Republicans seem to miss entirely.

Smart. Michelle returns to her husband's keynote theme of 2004: this president "doesn't care if you're a Democrat or Republican"--a genuine appeal aimed straight at independents.

Hers was a blockbuster. Real, honest passion delivered with real and manifest emotion. Again I come back to the contrast between tonight's measured hope and last week's immeasurable dreariness. If this election is decided on the basis of positiveness, it'll be a slam dunk for the Obama campaign.

***

The overall contrast between the Dems' gathering and what little I saw of the Republican convention is striking. For a party wishing to unseat a presidential incumbent--which should mean upward and forward, right?--the GOP was surprisingly busy with passing out barbituates; what an ungodly downer, the whole dreary thing. Tonight is upbeat, all the way.

***

O'Malley had to follow Patrick by eight minutes and now Mayor Julian Castro has to follow Barack Obama by only eight years--both, rather tragic timing.

Terrific riff on healthcare, though, as well as Castro's "Gee, why didn't I think of that" slam on Romney's educational advice to impoverished students.

Nice contrasting, too--Romney's bleakness and negativity versus Obama's past progress and future plans. Castro's doing a yeoman's job now, mixing the old needed hope with the honest realism of today.

B+/A-

***

I see Gov. O'Malley finally read a newspaper.

... he also learned to fake sincerity.

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Republicans may soon regret--if they don't already--ever ginning up the old chestnut: "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" The Dems are nailing that one tonight. Need I say it? Gov. Deval Patrick ... Won't let President Obama "be bullied out of office." Great line.

Barn-burner.

... Matthews agrees.

***

MSNBC's coverage would have been improved with Chris Matthews moderating, in my opinion. Paradoxically, ideological convention coverage is inherently flat, which is how Rachel Maddow's commentary strikes me. Matthews, on the other hand, is a fierce advocate in a non-ideological way; he emphasizes Democratic "values" through a political pragmatism, which lends credibility and objectivity (which, further, is important to many viewers).

***

A crushing disappointment. I waited all throughout Rahm's speech for him to bellow, Now let's get out there and beat these motherfucking Republicans!

Nothing.

Rahm, you've changed.