DNC begins

I’ve just finished watching tonight’s speeches at the Democratic National Convention. I was blown away by two in particular, Jimmy Carter’s and Bill Clinton’s. I also really liked Barbara Mikulski’s speech, and the ode to women senators. I wouldn’t have been able to see this latter piece, had I kept watching television, because the silly talking heads did “commentary” over it. Early in the process I got annoyed by Channel 17’s coverage, which was being anchored by Jim Lehrer, and decided to watch it via streaming internet video from C-SPAN (we don’t have cable).

It's amazing to me the difference being able to watch without talking head commentary or commercials can make. Even when the streaming video periodically breaks up, or the picture is too pixelated to make out. I suppose I should know this by now, but because we don't have cable and I rarely resort to watching C-SPAN's streaming video, I just haven't experienced it much. I'm really glad I did tonight, however, and I'm even more pleased that I watched it with our sons.

Bill Clinton was charming, funny, direct, and to the point. I hope they keep the speech up in streaming media somewhere. If I can find a link for it (I haven't been able to, yet), I'll post it. Even more to the point: I hope that people who aren't convinced that John Kerry is the one we should elect, watch the speech. We're facing a very clear decision this year, and we ought to make it an informed one. That's one reason why I will also watch the Republican Convention with our sons. It's only fair and reasonable to do so. As Bill Clinton pointed out -- if you want to continue to support an administration who gave the wealthiest 1% of Americans huge tax cuts, funded on the backs of all the rest of us, then by all means, vote for Bush. But if you disagree with that policy, and believe in shared responsibility, then John Kerry is your man.

I'm fired up tonight, and not just against Bush, but FOR something -- and that's a precious political gift.

POSTSCRIPT: It looks like the NYT will be putting the speeches up in both text and video.

POSTPOSTSCRIPT: Well, I take that back. All the NYT has put is a very short (1 minute 20 seconds) excerpt of Clinton's speech. Give me a break! I'm still looking to see if it's anywhere else.