The conventions are over, leaving me satisfied that our democratic traditions are alive and kicking. The parties have some liabilities—the Republicans’ more evident than the Democrats’—but I found it hard not to get excited about the strenuous, face-to-face character of the political action and oratory.
Blatant lies marred Paul Ryan’s otherwise impressive speech, leaving Ann Romney to claim the palm as the Republicans’ best speaker. She was not just interesting and animated; she did a masterful job of recasting her husband’s character, inadvertently proving that she’s a much better stump-speaker than he.
The Democrats not only had better hats and sexier women (let’s admit it: we all notice); their speakers were more thrilling, and their delegates more engaged and visually interesting. Democratic delegates were a real force in the proceedings, unlike their Republican counterparts, who, when they bothered to fill their seats, spent their time texting or listening warily with folded arms. I loved the Democratic delegates’ orchestrated use of placards.
As for the Democratic speakers, they offered resounding proof of the health of their party. San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, Massachusetts senatorial candidate Elizabeth Warren, First Lady Michelle Obama, and former presidential nominee John Kerry were all standouts, topped only by Bill Clinton, whose ability at once to enlighten and entertain is far superior to anybody’s.
Besides the political import of the convention, it was a treat to hear so many fine modern speeches that were by turns colloquial, fiery, affecting, and funny. Though Democrats still have much work to do ideologically, it was good to see them working successfully as a body to reassert the basic values of fairness and equal opportunity.
All images are screenshots from PBS coverage of the Democratic National Convention.
RELATED:
‘How Does Everyone Know When To Hoist Those Signs?’, Bloomberg Businessweek.
Facts? Who neeeds facts? Romney’s campaign manager said they would not have their campaign run by fact-checkers. Basically, Romney is an empty suit and will say anything: he actually said the economy is getting better the other day. One day he is pro-choice, then he isn’t; he opposes Obama’s health care law but says (now) he would keep parts of it. . . .He is a liar, and Ryan is worse and more dangerous: he seems to actually believe what he says, and he’s smart. . . .Obama’s speakers were great: Warren, Michelle, Clinton, and the president himself. . . . Are we better off today? Any sane person would say yes. . . .when he took office we were losing over 700,000 jobs per month. Obama will win the election. . . .
To me, the Dem convention had more energy and bounce, too. Many of the delegates were wearing colorful outfits and hats—the signs were numerous and large. And, yes, the Dem speakers were great! I liked all the “major” speakers very much, but my favorite talk was from Big Bill Clinton. He is now in a class of his own—Obama’s speech was good, but, wow, to me it was very serious. . . . Anyway, great images from the convention—thanks for posting them.