Convention Day 3

What a moment! None of the fighting and kicking and screaming that the Republicans were hoping for. The level of emotion was palpable, and many delegates, black and white and tan were seen teary eyes or almost bawling as Barack Obama was nominated yesterday.

But throughout the afternoon, while watching the process, I kept returning to the nominating speech. Michael Wilson, an air force medic, Iraq veteran, (did I mention he's a republican?), had the honor.


Although the economy is now the number one issue to voters, for years the unjust and unnecessary war in Iraq has been the headliner. Here is some of what Wilson said:

"I support Barack Obama because America needs a president who has the strength, wisdom, courage to talk with our enemies and consult with our allies."

"America needs new leadership in the White House and that leader is Barack Obama. A president who has the judgment to use war as a last resort, not as a first resort."

That can not be good for the Republicans, to have "one of their own" nominate the Democrat.

Michael Wilson, thank you for your service to our country, and for having the courage to speak up. We need more like you.

Rock Star

Bill Clinton takes celebrity to a new level. He was allotted 10 minutes to speak, and if you counted the three minutes of raucous applause that greeted him he would have only had seven minutes to speak.

He used about 22 minutes of convention time to make the strongest case yet for choosing Obama over McCain.

"He is ready to lead America and ready to restore American leadership in the world."

And he was followed by VP candidate Joe Biden. Fox must have watched this speech, because Fred Barnes said democrats "got the whole cake" from Biden.

"These times require more than a good soldier. They require a wise leader. A leader who can deliver change. The change that everybody knows we need."

Tonight

Barack Obama does not have an easy task tonight. The crowd won't bother him, he's addressed larger crowds than this before. But the pundits are saying he has to make the case tonight. The campaign says this will be a differnet type of speech than what people are used to and expecting.

I have no doubt that Barack Obama will bring the house down. And while waiting on the nominee, 76,000 people will be learning to be activists by calling and texting friends from the stadium.

Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson will lead the convention in the Pledge of Allegiance. I remember thinking when I saw her talking with Bob Costas that she could be a force outside of her sport because she had the guts to wear the peace symbol earrings in her interviews with Costas and others.

And before people start criticizing Obama for speaking in front of Roman columns, take a look at George W. Bush giving his acceptance speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention.

Those look like columns behind him, and besides, don't we have lots of columns all across America?

And the rain that Christian extremists were praying for will stay away. Instead, the big weather story continues to be Gustav heading for the Louisiana coast.

Update: Hurricane (now tropical storm) Hanna will likely be approaching Florida during the Republican Convention.