And the sun, amazingly rose in the east again this morning with the excitement building even further at the DNC convention. There were stories of wars between the Clinton and Obama camps, and rumors of wars, and rumors of rumors of wars. The tension in the air had to do with the roll call vote - and states boycotting the vote if acclamation (just calling for a "yea" or "nay" without tallying individual votes) was proposed. Gloria Allred, litigator gadfly of California, wore her scarf over her mouth most of the day to either symbolize the silencing of her vote for Hillary, or celebrate her recent conversion to another faith. In the end, with proper suspense and stagecraft, it was Hillary who introduced the acclamation motion on New York's turn to vote.

The day was lighter on substance than expected. The Wednesday theme  "Securing America's Future" was served by a parade of military supporters, foreign policy and energy speakers, and FOBs (Friends of Bill) tossing their support to Obama. Problems were restated, but the policy proposals were too vague to criticize or support. Obviously the Democrats feel it more important to preserve the lovefest than to explain the "whys" and "hows", and that is their right and prerogative. There is a whole election season to follow on details, and to compare and contrast.

The headliners this evening were also rans (Bill Richardson - Gov of NM), formerly rans (John Kerry - who in an amazing departure, was both funny and pointed - where was that when it might have served him in 2004?) and of course, Bill Clinton - Rock Star Emeritus - who did what he always does satisfies the crowd. Nothing new or particularly interesting to report except that Bill made the point harped on by the pundits last night (That Hillary never said that Obama was ready to lead...). Bill explicitly said that Obama was ready to lead, and used himself as an example of another person that charge was made against. Of course, if you are a Republican that's Bill Clinton making your own point for you. In an really strange but ironic twist, Bill's exit music was "Addicted to Love" the Robert Palmer hit of the 80's - go figure...

The centerpiece moment was the Joe Biden story, and it drove home his Obama offsets - where Obama is called inexperienced, Biden is an expert; where Obama is called aloof, Biden is a regular guy;  where Obama is called not a typical American (raised in Hawaii, isolated from the "real"world); Biden is everyone's American story. The message was drilled in, that together they are the perfect package to lead America. We'll see haw that works during the campaign.

Biden's speech was reassuring in his presentation of understanding America's problems, and at the same time provided the first real shots taken at McCain. This is another Obama offset - Biden is perfectly willing to take the fight to McCain. Obama has been reluctant to do so. In another lesson of the Kerry Campaign in 2004 - you can whine about the mud, but you do have to hit back or it sticks. In Biden relating a story about getting beaten up as a kid, he told how his mother told him to "bloody their noses" so that he could walk down the street undisturbed next time - not a bad lesson to apply to a political career.

And in a surprise guest appearance, Obama pranced out at the close of Biden's speech to tickle the crowd for tomorrow. Script / Scene / Print - keep the feelgood, wow them with oratory, and do a little spectacle for the TV - again, not a bad day for the Democrats - at the convention anyway...

On the campaign trail today in Montana, Obama gave a stump speech and took questions - not his best strength. He badly mangled an answer to a family member of a veteran denied benefits and who lost a child because of it. Truth be told, no one could have really answered the question well, but in an effort to lighten the mood, he reverted to a canned answer and moved onto the next question with a laugh. Not the most sensitive touch. An elderly Native-American tried to give his history to the Senator. Instead of using the opening to engage the crowd on his policies regarding Native-American issues (which are detailed and put greater importance on these issues than most candidate's ever have), he replied that he was an adopted Crow (true - he was ceremonially adopted into the crow nation last May) and that his name was Barack Black Eagle (not true - his name is "One Who Helps People Throughout The Land" - his sponsors family name was Black Eagle). For those familiar with the story, and those of the Crow nation this would trivialize the honor; and for those who are unfamiliar with the story, it will provide fodder for the right wing. No wonder Obama felt the need to get some applause this evening.

Tomorrow is stadium day - according to those who know, the Invesco Field is set up Greco-Roman, and has had many reporters commenting on whether that will serve him well, or add to the right wing story line of a coronation ceremony, rather than an acceptance speech. We'll see tomorrow-

RLB