The Democratic National Convention - Day 4

With the eyes of the world media on him, he stepped up! Obama's speech in Denver was everything Democrats could have hoped for. He was authoritative in his content, Presidential in her appearance and his family look like so picture perfect it's a wonder we haven't seen them more.

In terms of content, Obama stuck largely to the same points that he has been making for the last 19 months, but he brought it together in a new way. Citing Martin Luther King Jr., 45 years to the day since his 'I have a Dream' speech, among others, he explained why he stands for what he does in a way that he hadn't up until now. He made it a real challenge for anyone watching to disagree with the ideas that he was proposing.

The one negative of his speech, in my opinion, is that they did little to dispell the questions that had been raised about him being too much of a superstar. Set on a fake Athenian stage, in front of almost 75,000 people at a sports stadium and with fireworks heralding the end of his speech, it certainly seemed to affirm the thoughts of many doubters. Nonetheless, it has to be asked whether America really regards superstardom as a negative.

There is no doubt that the last few days have created many positives for the Democrats. With a bump in the polls surely imminent, we must look to see if they can hold onto it as the Republicans hold the return leg.

Washington

The Democratic National Convention - Day 3

If the Clintons' popularity within the Democratic Party was being questioned in the build-up to the Convention, that assumption was allayed by Bill Clinton's welcome from the crowd. For the first 3 minutes all we could hear from him were "thank you"s and "please stop"s but it is surely one of the more enjoyable problems he has had to get around over the past few months.

Once he began speaking he was supportive, emphatic in both his support for Obama and his belief that Obama is ready, and engaging.

Vice-Presidential nominee Joe Biden looked and sounded the part. It seems clear that he is carving out a role for himself as the questioner of his "friend" John McCain's potential qualities as a President.

Naturally he talks authoritatively about foreign policy and the conciliatory way that he talks about it makes him seem more of an statesman than John McCain. Though I believe there would have been greater positives to naming Governor Sebelius to the ticket (not least appeasing women voters), Biden certainly seems to be able to fulfill his envisaged role.

And so it goes to the final day and Invesco Field, where we get to see if the superstar can wow a stadium filled with 76,273 people without looking too "Hollywood". Doubt him at your peril.

Washington

The Democratic National Convention - Day 2

It was Hillary Clinton's day to shine and shine she did. Almost as heart-warming as her endorsement of Obama, however, was the reception she received from those in the audience at the Pepsi Center.

Having seen her battered by the media on both sides of the political spectrum and digging herself in to a significant amount of personal debt, it is only right that she receives the credit for being able to turn around and put the party first. This she did with honor, passion and grace.

Now it is time for her supporters to show the same characteristics as her in putting the party first and ensuring that the Democratic Candidate for President receives the full weight of their support. Anything less than that will surely not be enough against a resurgent McCain . . .

Washington

The Democratic National Convention - Day 1

As I sat at Dulles International and watched the opening speakers at the Democratic National Convention, set against the backdrop of the dramatic stage at the Pepsi Center, I could barely contain my boredom. True to form, the Democrats opened their rally for party unity by showing viewers why they have struggled for power over the past decade: they fail to impassion people who are sympathetic to their policies. In this age of political apathy, it is no longer enough to just have the right answers, you must inspire people to act.

Whilst the Republican Party has turned "getting out the vote" into an art form, the Democrats have been stuck in the 20th Century, one of the main reasons behind their lack of political success since 1994. It is in this area where this election should be different: Obama inspires Democrats like no leader they have had since JFK.

As if to prove the point, the inspiration of the night came during Michelle Obama's appearance on stage. Sure they may have gone a bit to far with the "I love you" bit at the end, but nobody was bored. Praise is deserved for Michelle for saving an otherwise mind-numbing opening day!

Within her speech, there also seemed to be clues as to the kind of first lady she intends to be. As someone who believes that a spouses involvement in politics should stop at handshakes and pillow talk, I was relieved to see that she seems to see her greatest task as First Lady to be supporting the President and their children. There is nothing wrong with a First Lady holding their own opinions or even publicly expressing them, but abusing their proximity to the President by pursuing their own political agenda (Hillary) is shameful.

And so at the end of the night, the point that stuck with me was just how much the Democratic Party needs Barack and Michelle Obama right now.

Washington