Convention Day 1

If the next three days of the convention are as good as the first day (they will be), this is going to be a fantastic week!

What was the highpoint last night? That’s almost hard to say:

Caroline Kennedy – President John Kennedy’s beautiful daughter - gave a stirring speech about both Obama and her uncle, Ted Kennedy. She said: "Some people say Barack Obama inspires them as much as my father did.” I was moved by that. It brought it all together, the traditions of the Democratic Party that are being fulfilled by Barack Obama. Her homage to her dear uncle was homage to 50 years of Kennedy leadership stretching from JFK to the present.

When Senator Ted Kennedy appeared, the love-fest began in earnest. He is suffering from advanced cancer, and he is not young, and it clearly as not easy for him to walk. He began his speech by saying: “NOTHING would keep me away from this celebration.” And the crowd went wild. We cheered the man who has fought hard for the right causes for decades. We cheered the Democratic leadership we respect and want more of.

But Michelle Obama was definitely the star of the show. Her closing speech was personal, political and philosophical. She told the story of her family’s roots as working people who struggled to survive, but who succeeded with deeply-rooted principles and a belief that:

- If you want something, you have to work very hard to get it.
- Keep your word. Keep your promises.
- Have faith in the future.

Deeply American values of hard work, honesty and optimism.

She told the story of how she met Barack, of her parents’ lives, of her work as an attorney, of her children who she loves so very much. It was a heart-rending speech, and hard not to love her at the end.

She brought out her two daughters, sweet little girls.

Barack himself appeared by video, from the house a family he is visiting in Kansas. He asked his daughters, “How did Mommy do”, and they told him! He told of his first date with his wife. They shared their family with us, in a way that was wonderfully genuine and simple.

Also stirring speeches from Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Obama’s sister Maya Soetero-Ng, Michelle’s brother Craig Robinson,

And an appearance by President Jimmy Carter and Roslyn Carter.

And the music was great, too! A large band with great singers playing music you can MOVE to. Apparently, CNN got a shot of yours truly dancing in the aisle, and it flashed around the globe. I’ve gotten emails from Australia, California and New York from friends who saw it.

Looking forward to tomorrow,

Bob