LAST NIGHT IN DENVER

Posted at 7:10 a.m. ET

The Democrats had a good night last night.  John Kerry spoke and no one listened, which is good news for the Dems.  Bill Clinton gave a solid political speech that inspired the hall, if not the audience at home.  His ego, of course, was on full display.  He reminded listeners that he, too, just like Obama, was called inexperienced when he ran for president in 1992.  The implication was that he'd proved himself wonderful, and that Barack will as well.  The problem is that many American didn't think "wonderful" described his tenure in the White House.  Most presidents don't get themselves impeached over lying to a grand jury.  Most don't respond to terrorism by taking out an aspirin factory and some weed patches in Afghanistan.  And most don't sell the Lincoln bedroom to the highest bidder.

Still, Clinton's speech was politically effective.  He still knows how to feel our pain, although, at his current astronomical income, he probably feels less of it than before.  Or, maybe he just hires someone to feel pain, or describe it to him.

Joe Biden also passed muster with a classic Democratic speech portraying the nation as sinking under the weight of special interests and sinister forces in the White House.  But Biden also committed the greatest blunder of the night - going after John McCain on national security.  He didn't make the case, and suggesting that Barack Obama has better judgment on securing the nation is not an argument that should be advertised.  Also, the viciousness of Biden's attack on his "friend," John McCain, may come back to haunt him.  While Biden has some admirable qualities, the fact is that he opposed most of the Reagan policies that led to the successful end of the Cold War, opposed Gulf War I, is incredibly soft on the Iranian mullahs, and actually suggested chopping Iraq into little pieces.  The words "Biden" and "visionary" are not usually placed together.  By attacking McCain so strongly he opened himself to equally strong attacks. 

It's a fact, though, that conventions rarely matter all that much.  The soaring speeches and stinging attacks are usually forgotten within a few days.  It's only when something goes very wrong that a permanent impact might be felt.  The Democratic wreckage in Chicago in 1968, when the convention was surrounded by violent demonstrators and less-than-disciplined police, did not help the party's image.  Nor was it polished four years later, when the Dem convention became so disorganized that George McGovern was forced to make his acceptance speech at 3 a.m.   

Tonight, though, may count.  Barack Obama accepts the nomination in an outdoor setting that already is making some Democrats nervous.  Outdoor political rallies are not exactly an American thing.  I don't know, maybe he got the idea when he visited Berlin, where that sort of choreography was perfected decades ago.  Obama tried to explain yesterday that he wanted the outdoor event in a huge stadium so that all common folk who wanted to attend could do so.  That is complete nonsense, of course.  You can see it better on TV.  The planned rally just reminds us of the grandeur that is The One.  He has come to save the world, and a world-sized rally suits his style.

But Obama has to deliver.  The public has already tired of the empty rhetoric and grand flourishes.  Other speakers at his convention seemed larger than their candidate.  Now he gets a chance to reintroduce himself.  He has sagged in the polls, and he needs this night.

August 28, 2008.