But I thought the Olympics were over...

The Democratic Party convention concluded in Denver this past week, just on the heels of the Olympics in Beijing. It occurred to me that one seemed to flow right into the other. The Convention was held in sports stadium, vending booths served hot dogs, and there were pyrotechnics and fan spirit that would make Monday Night Football proud. My confusion from listening to the various speeches came, I believe, from the fact that I was looking for substantive policy information and hints about how and when it might be implemented. But what was being said was more general, really more of a pep rally.

My view of the Convention was mainly through CNN's eyes (HD of course!). A formula became apparent. Pro-democrat pundits would talk about all the "issues" ongoing, such as bitterness of Hillary supporters and who McCain might choose for VP, then the scheduled speakers would do their thing, then back to the same pundits who would analyze each speech and invariabley declare it a winner and a boost for the Democratic cause, then pro-Republican pundits would analyze each speech and invariably declare it not a winner and not a boost for the Democratic cause, and...repeat. I swear it was watching high diving or gymnastics. Commentators gossiped leading up to the event, then the event, then there was scoring and analysis, and...repeat. The Convention should have arranged to ship all the score cards from Beijing and get double-use out of them. "Hillary has to nail the double-axle 2 and a half twist and...she does it!" Hurray!

Now I do think there was a lot of valuable content that did come out, but my mild cynicism I think is due to just not ever paying much attention to conventions. Pageantry and pep is a big part of the show, and a show it is. I was impressed with the governor of Montana's enthusiasm. I was largely unimpressed with Biden, to the point where I don't really remember what he said. Bill Clinton's speech reminded me just how great a communicator he is and how smart he is. Obama made a lot of promises that don't seem reasonable to actually pull off. A little over the top, but classic politic-ing, no? I would have harped on fewer things but harder and in more detail. The pro-Republican critics had a few valid points on this account. Mostly what I liked from Obama was emphasizing that he had been against the war and McCain had been for it, look what happened, and who's really the shrewder foreign policy guy. That and the mano-e-mano challenge over what is supposed to be his weak point; experience.

I guess the important result for me was that there was a strong message that recent Republican approach to governance is largely bankrupt when it comes to good ideas. What is troubling is the lack of specific criticism about how the Bush administration place such a premium on power consolidation, stiffling dissent and debate, secrecy, prioritizing partisan power plays over common good, manipulating the principles of the Constitution, politicizing public offices, and distorting facts. After all, the most far reaching damage from 9/11 is self-securitization and suppression of optimism and freedom of our own country by our own government.