Here's your microphone, John Kerry. Your people have gathered and the whole world is watching - here's your chance. Here's your opportunity to change the world.
Beginning this evening, the 2004 Democratic National Convention will become the epicenter of our universe for four days. In that time, a platform for the most important election of our generation will be formally detailed and presented. The mission statement that the Kerry-Edwards ticket has been lacking will be revealed, to which delegates will formally nominate John Kerry to be the 44th President of the United States. In substance and in impact, may you make no mistake in realizing that these four days before us hold the potential to change the course of history.
The greatest blunder that the DNC could make, however, would be to not throttle that sentiment from sea to shining sea. To walk away from Boston with the polls and momentum on the left, it's imperative that the DNC be as dynamic as possible. Engage viewers, enfranchise those who are paying attention to their first presidential race or better yet, were disenfranchised by the 2000 election debacle. Reinvigorate the party from within, Democrats, and gauge its outward effect. The party unity is high enough and America is listening with rapt attention - wow us.
Tonight, that duty belongs to Bill and Hillary Clinton. At the 1992 convention in New York City, then-Gov. Bill Clinton delivered an electrifying nomination speech that propelled his third-place campaign into the White House. The Clintons offer the voice of experience and bring the tone of the neo-Kennedy Democrat that Americans have traditionally sought after finding a conservative administration unsatisfactory. A part of the audience still needs to be reminded of that.
Tuesday should belong to the vibrancy and enthusiasm that took root in the Democratic primaries and hasn't released its grip since. Howard Dean, whom many believed would be the Democratic challenger, needs to lend his talent of enfranchising activism to a core of voters that still need that encouragement. Dick Gephardt and Carol Moseley-Braun, two of Kerry's earlier opponents, will need to prove that the Democratic party is united in its approach and message. Part of the audience still needs to be informed of that.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jennifer Granholm needs to speak to Michiganians - and the residents of any swing state - to remind them of their importance in this election. On Wednesday, Democratic representatives of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Florida need to stress that hope for a Kerry victory lies in swing state support. Part of the audience still needs to realize that.
And Thursday, Kerry will have his opportunity to speak to Americans without employing sound bites from the campaign trail. Pending a defeat in November, Thursday could be Kerry's singular moment to articulate the concerns that many Americans have for the direction the nation is heading.
All voters in America - not just the audience - still need to be convinced of that.
