I've watched both nights and thought so far it has been OK. Some in the past have been exciting too, but this has been good.

All the emphasis on Teddy Kennedy yesterday had more to do with the fact that he is dying and will probalby not be around for another convention --- and he is the very last of that generation of Kennedys. I never cared that much for him, but he is a long-time fixture in the party and very popular with the party faithful, and they found his speech inspiring. I guess it was important to "hand the torch" to the next generation.

I liked the little tribute film to Teddy, and I liked Carolyn Kennedy's speech to introduce Teddy, and her commentary afterward during the CNN interviews. Carolyn Kennedy was invloved with the VP vetting, and I really liked it when Wolf Blitzer asked her to "walk us through the process" and why Hillary Clinton was not vetted, and she told him, "No. I'm not going to walk you through the process. It's a confidential process." I can't stand Wolf Blitzer, and I like it when anyone tells him off.

Michelle Obama's speech yesterday was good, as was the intro film about her. She did a good job introducing herself and Barack to people who have not tuned in till now. It was well done, and she gave a good sense of herself as someone you can relate to. Her kids were cute and funny when they were talking to their dad via satelite after the speech. She would be a very different and interesting kind of first lady.

Tonight was a better night. Former governor Warner of Virginia did a good job drawing the differences between McCain and Obama. I thought the governor of Montana (if that is who he was) was sort of odd --- kind of used-car-sales-man-like --- he had some wierd way of emphasizing his points with over-the-top gestures. Strange. But the crowd seemed to like him.

And I thought Hillary did a great job. I don't actually like Hillary that much, but I thought this was the best I had ever seen her. She is not that great at delivering speaches, but this one she delivered very well. Sometimes it seems with the Clintons, it's all about them, even if it SHOULD be about something else --- given that kind of expectation, she did a great job of throwing her support behind the party and behind Barack Obama, and only made it a little bit about herself. Pretty good for her. She was able to thank her supporters and then basically tell them to get over it, she's a good Democrat, and she supports the party and supports Barack, and they should do it too. She made the point several times and fairly strongly that the race was not about her (which is not totally true) but was about the Democratic ideals, and they need to get over her, and get on with winning for the sake of those ideals. I'm not a big fan, but I thought she did a great job.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow with Bill Clinton --- he always delivers a great speech. And Joe Biden --- he is a tough campaigner and he is likely to tear McCain and Bush a new one. He and Bill will be the pitbulls this year.

And I'm looking forward to Thursday with Barack Obama --- he always gives a great speech.

Given the really strong "performers" that the Democrats have put up so far and those yet to come, I am wondering what the Republicans will be able to do to match it. Do thay have anyone who can deliver the "zazz?" Conventions are a lot about spectacle and energy, and I don't see the Republicans being able to match this show. Certainly when McCain takes the stage on the final night, it's going to blow-your-brains-out dull --- like watching your grandpa muddle through some joke he forgot the punchline to 40 years ago.