It's official... No more "presumptive." The Democratic party has nominated an African-American for the most powerful office in the world. I sat in my office, occupying myself with busywork as the nominating speeches began. Clinton's nomination was introduced by Dolores Huerta, an activist great grandmother who worked with Cesar Chavez for worker's rights. She passionately spoke of her work and Clinton's commitment to their shared causes. In a telling moment, she revealed one of those causes to be support for Obama as the presidential nominee. It was a pleasant surprise and harbinger of better things to come. Registered Republican and Iraq war Veteran Michael Wilson presented an emotional nomination speech for Obama to thunderous cheers. He spoke of generations of his family's military service and his upbringing in a small Tennessee town. He talked of struggling to save a group of Marines targeted by a suicide bomber in Northern Iraq. His heartfel...

Passing this torch has been a long time coming, but Hillary Clinton showed her mettle and simultaneously dampened the faux furor about Democratic division. Much has been made of the "millions" of "outraged" Clinton Democrats since the close of the primary season. However, recent revelations about falsified fund-raising estimates and pathetically anemic attendance at PUMA conventions have revealed these charlatans for what they are... GOP operatives vainly trying to sow dissent. There were many strong passages in her speech last night, but for me, none so effective as when she challenged her voters to look beyond their support of HER in favor of the Democratic agenda. Hillary made the point that McCain is not going to champion the issues that defined her campaign. Her persistent refrain was that electing Obama was the only way to get the job done. Some have said that she was less than enthusiastic in her praise. I disagree. Her speaking style has never been as c...

Michelle Obama is a lawyer. Last night, she made opening arguments in the most important case of her life. The client, Barack Obama. The jury, only the United States of America. Barack has a GREAT defense attorney at home. She looked impeccable. Consultants know that juries are all too human. They respond to attractiveness just like everyone else. Top to bottom, she was stunning. A+ on that score. Then there's the speech... Seventeen minutes is a long time. But the speech was written and delivered well. Wisely, they chose to reinforce themes that have been weak spots for Obama. Elite? Michelle's dad bravely soldiered through a debiliating physical ailment to provide for his family. Her parents scrimped and saved to provide an educational opportunity for their children that was denied them. Barack's single mother struggled in the same fashion, passing on rock-solid American values that the Obama's share with us all. The speech also served double-duty to comp...

Biden is a solid pick. Here's why... Foreign Policy experience is impeccable . 'Nuff said. Biden's son deploys RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION . McCain's POW advantage just lost some of its shine. Biden is a working class, Irish, Roman Catholic from Scranton. Delaware was a gimme, but his PA roots make him a twofer. Mrs. Biden is a working teacher , unlike a certain stretched-face, pill-popping, beer heiress with two estranged, half-sisters and more homes than she can count. CHAIR, Foreign Relations Committee . McSame isn't so sure where countries are or if they even exist anymore . Member, Judiciary committee (Chair of the Crime and Drugs subcommittee) Adjunct Professor in Constitutional Law . Now, we have TWO guys who can fight for our Constitution. All candidates talk smack about their competition (the GOP was using Hillary quotes in their ads). Biden's debate answer must be viewed through that lens. Romney has some choice quips of his own. Can you pic...

I don't know which one is " cooler ," but I was stunned at how " Triumph of the Will " the GOP effort looks. The seats are arrangement oddly over deep red carpet--the sharp geometric angles hearken eerily to the British flag (or swastikas if you're less generous). Low lighting blankets the auditorium in deep shadow, punctuated by kleig lights on the dais... with an animated flag backdrop of Pattonesque immensity. A single podium indicates that McCain with take on the world BY HIMSELF!!!! The DNC's layered, curved screens seem created for vibrant motion, dynamic graphics and multiple messages and themes. The stage feels like it wants lots of people on it. It has ramps and levels. On the one hand, it tends a little on the SuperBowl halftime show side, but that's more interesting than McCain's "Gymnasium from the Pit of Hell" theme. UPDATE: The "finished" version of the DNC stage is posted and it looks amazing. Everythin...

Edwards scandal + Roll Call vote = Political cover for a Hillary Veep Slot. Edwards was a factor in the early race. He sandwiched Hillary between his "earnest" populism and Obama's "Change" message. Plus, he recanted his war vote, shining focus on her refusal to do the same. Biden/Bayh/Kaine cannot compete with the overt endorsement of the Roll Call vote. She'll pull respectable (if not significant) numbers so picking her looks like "the runner-up getting the second slot." That feels right and just and completely defuses the "Obama/Clinton strife" narrative that continues to dog his candidacy. Finally, imagine the impact of 100% of the convention votes being cast for a unified ticket of the two leading lights of the party. What a headline making picture! Obama, Michelle, Hillary and Bill. America's next President and his lovely wife posing with America's next Vice President and her Former President Husband... Bill st...