Democratic Convention Day 1

I had to watch it with my wife. My perceptions were just totally off. I thought the whole thing was fake, I thought Michelle was fake, I felt that everything was focus-grouped, artificial, boring. I was not stirred by Kennedy. Perhaps I was just in a bad mood? I couldn't get into it, which surprised me.

My wife thought Michelle was a success. Not huge, but a solid success. She projected confidence and normalcy, and her dress was perfect. I didn't get any of this out of it.

Until the end. Giving the kiddos the microphone was brilliant. It was awkward for Obama. Brian Williams made a comment like "Anyone with kids can identify with this when they go in public." So what if it's shilling for Obama; he's right. It was a great use of the girls to humanize Obama. It was awkward to watch, but real people are awkward. Obama looked too uncomfortable for it to be a smashing hit, but so what. I liked the kiddos more than anything else.