Hillary et al

My impression of Hillary Clinton's historic speech last night was not as reflexively rhapsodic as Keith Olbermann's, though I do think she hit the proper notes and did it more or less sincerely. (Note to Keith: a little less fawning, a little more analysis; though I agree with your sentiments, you are losing your journalistic credibility with your unvarnished favoritism).

This was a very well-crafted speech. I believe that much of the text had been preconceived, for except for the shoehorning of Barack's name, it well could have been an acceptance speech--and is certainly a template if the occasion ever arises again for Hillary, which is a 50/50 possibility. She started tentatively, and her first endorsement of Obama was almost begrudging, as she did not lift her voice and turned her head a bit askance. But buoyed by the swooning of her supporters and the import of the moment, she built momentum, and had spellbinding flourishes at the end. I am not a fan of the rather lame "No way, no how, no McCain" mantra. The Twin Cities remark was appropriate, although it seemed that apart from yoking McCain to Bushonomics, she followed the pattern of most speeches so far in not raking the old guy over the coals. Please, Bill and Joe, in your talks today, start the attack. It's not as though a polite Democratic Convention is going to deter the Republicans from amping up the smear campaign. It will just encourage them more.

What her delivery lacked were real specifics about Obama. Besides being the apparent standard-bearer there were no other clear reasons given to vote for him. All right, his record is rather skimpy, but she could have given him more credit beyond his humble beginnings. Perhaps she could have mentioned how his charisma galvanized people and reintroduced so many cynics into the political system. Or would that have offended her adherents? And she also could have been more precise about the problems that would ensue in a McCain presidency, especially regarding the Supreme Court and the threat to Roe v. Wade. Unless I missed it. That would have provided a compelling argument to those bad-sport gals who need to be shaken up a little as to their right to choose.

By speaking in shimmering generalities, Hillary saved herself for the future, which is all she could realistically salvage, though as I watched her beaming daughter I began to wonder if Chelsea would be entering the fray and be a major National political figure in the 2020s, perhaps accomplishing what her mother could not.

There was another standout moment last night, and it was not the Keynote address by Mark Warner, an instantly forgettable bit of blather that did little to enhance his national profile, as it had for previous stars like Obama and Clinton. His voice was reedy, and he did not fare well in HiDef. Nor did he say anything to rouse the convention. However, he was followed by the unheralded governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, who did precisely what was needed.

Had his not been the warm-up act for Hillary's address, it would have been the evening's most memorable moment. In his unbuttoned, cowboyesque mien, he was the epitome of the independent Republican stalwart--oops, but he's a Democrat. And a homey one. And a funny one. And his approachability was just the ticket for winning over independent voters, which is why he was able to win in the traditionally Republican state he now guides.

Watch out for this guy. He has the appeal to draw a huge part of Middle America into the fold, if given the right seasoning and the proper exposure. He could well be a future Vice Presidential candidate, although he, like Biden, is unlikely to contribute a lot of Electoral help. But if the electorate, in their infinite wisdom, decided to vote for Bush because he's the one they'd most likely enjoy sharing a beer with, they would surely enjoy attending a chuckwagon feast hosted by Schweitzer. And he could even provide the beef.