ATTACK DOG

So they trotted out the Big Dog last night to respond to the entire Republican convention--and he did it point by point with exquisite clarity and timing.  A classic Bill Clinton performance, clocking in fifteen minutes longer than his allotted time but so far as his audience was concerned, it could have gone on longer.  He succeeded in skewering every policy put forward by the Republican speakers and their plank, restoring the history of the past four years to its proper perspective, and touting the accomplishments of Obama and his administration.  He did so with a light touch, and open heart and a generous humor that entirely avoided the bitterness and anger we have heard so such from the other party.  It was a great performance.

As was the passionate speech from Elizabeth Warren, who understands so clearly how the economic game is rigged against all but the already wealthy and successful.  I trust that her convention speech will give her the boost she needs in her own campaign for election to the US Senate.  We need more smart, articulate, outspoken people to stand up for the liberal principles of the democratic party.

Best of all is the audience at this convention.  Their enthusiasm is unmistakable.  The genuine warmth of their compassion is infectious.  By comparison with the small-minded, jeering crowd at the gathering in Tampa last week, whose main interest seemed to be to make the President look bad and whose single avowed purpose was to "fire" him, these people seemed authentically good-hearted, caring of others, looking for the best, most reasonable solutions to the country's continuing challenges.  Is this just my bias showing?  I like to think I try to understand and respect views other than my own.  But the truth is there are some I can simply neither understand nor respect.

I won't be around to hear Obama live this evening, but I will record his acceptance speech and listen to it before bed.  I'm hoping that he will manage to give voice to his old mojo, and top even the speeches by Bill Clinton and Michelle.