Democratic Convention - Day 2 Review

Yeah, now we're talking (and people are listening, even CNN).

First, unexpected star of the night was Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer who had a captivating, energizing speech, getting delegation by delegation to stand up and cheer. Even CNN talking heads listened. Expect to read more about him at some point in upcoming years.

A nice video on Hillary Clinton narrated by daughter Chelsea (who may wind up being the most significant beneficiary down the road of her mom's run for the nomination). Then a pretty well written, and exceptionally well delivered speech from Hillary Clinton. Lots of praise from the Obama camp and most news outlets on the speech. There are also the scattered rants trashing the speech like here, that have some points, but none that matter. People who were looking and listening to Hillary's speech through a similar lens are pre-disposed to never vote for Barack Obama. Although it is true that Hillary didn't provide any personal reference of support for Obama, if she did, she would have been trashed by the same groups as not being sincere.

Hillary did provide energy. She did make it clear who she supports and who she is against. Perhaps most importantly, she threw down some memorable 1-liners that we are sure to here again. "No way, no how, no McCain", will live on for some time. Another one was "We don't need four more years of the last eight years". Also a great line about the Repubs holding their convention in the Twin Cities being appropriate because it is tough to tell John McCain and George Bush apart. That one may not be repeated by people outside the media because Dems still want to keep Minnesota blue and too much of that line could insult Minnesotans.

As for Hillary's "sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits", some are never going to vote for Barack Obama. Of those, there will be a split between those who vote for McCain and those who stay home. Some may even write-in Hillary where that is possible. However, this speech created the path for the overwhelming majority of Hillary supporters to find their own way to complete their grieving and getting on with supporting the Democratic ticket. Once they can accept the results of the primaries and convention, they may look at Obama and realize he is a man with a very liberated wife, is raising two spirited little girls and supports the same slate of women's issues as Hillary Clinton. Barack Obama might be the most feminist candidate of a major political party in history and that fact should not be lost on any Hillary supporter.

One last thought - despite what was said around the time that Hillary Clinton conceded to Barack Obama shortly after the last primary, her Presidential aspirations and opportunities are still far from over.