Eugene Robinson tells Dems not to worry:

People here complain that the polls are too close for comfort, forgetting that there is rarely anything comfortable about a presidential contest. When was the last time a non-incumbent Democrat cruised easily to the White House? Clinton, remember, won only a 43 percent plurality of the popular vote in 1992. You have to go all the way back to Franklin Roosevelt in 1932. Why would anyone think for a moment that Obama could win this without a fight?

Actually, that is sort of the worry Gene. There have not been many Democrats period winning Presidential elections lately. As for the polls, Jimmy Carter led by 30 and won by 2. Dukakis led by 17 and lost. Oh by the way, Bill Clinton won easily. The contest was not really in doubt in 1992. Gore won narrowly in 2000, with tight polls all the way. There you have the 4 "Democratic non-incumbents" of the past 32 years. Let's not discuss the other ones - McGovern, Mondale, Humphrey, Stevenson - you get my drift.

You see Gene, following YOUR advice, the Democratic Party seemed to be following a policy of trying to distance itself from the ONE GUY who actually WON Presidential elections. That worries some of us. Indeed, given your bad advice on this, I am not real happy right now with the political situation. I am worried.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Am I the only one who got a picture of Frank Sinatra's wife Barbara Marx? I took it at the Huffington Post Oasis today at the Big Tent site. (Added: It's Barbara Marx Hubbard.)

• Here's Arianna outside the Big Tent.
• Here's the scene outside the Big Tent.
• Here's Anita inside the Big Tent.
• Here's a profile shot of Arianna talking.

On to the Pepsi Center.[More...]

Michelle Obama did a great job I thought. It was important political work as well, as she improved her own image and the end, when Barack Obama appeared via satellite and the Obama kids were impossibly cute, was terrific political theatre.

The Teddy Kennedy segment was moving.

The rest of the Convention night, at least on television, was terrible. Just terrible. As bad as I have ever seen. Boring, aimless, pointless. I have no idea why this was done but it can not happen again. Of course Hillary Clinton's speech will likely be a highlight. But what about the rest of the night? No repeat of last night please. If a glove was laid upon McCain and the Republicans, I did not see it.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Here's some photos taken up close of Michelle Obama and Teddy Kennedy (and his son):

• Michelle
• Michelle
• Michelle
• Michelle and brother
• Teddy and Caroline
• Teddy and Son

The three women at Casa TalkLeft this week, me, Anita Thompson and Lynn Goldsmith, are all bone tired. There's no other word that says it better.

Lynn carries huge bags of cameras, lenses and whatever else from early am to midnight when she returns. Then she has at least another 3 hours of going through her hundreds of photos to send into Corbis.

Anita is much younger than Lynn and more like me in temperment. We're kind of like energizer bunnies. we go and go and go and then we drop.

Right now, all three of us are ready to crash. We have to get up early to get tomrrow's media passes and then I have a breakfast and Anita has a manuscript due. Lynn and her myriad of camera equipment will be long gone.

So if anyone wakes up early with things on their mind, here's an open thread to fill us all in.

I just got back from the Pepsi Center and will upload my photos and video and some thoughts as soon as I download and edit them.

It was an exciting night -- especially since I ended up with a floor pass and was able to roam the entire Pepsi Center, from the bottom-most level where all the production stuff was going on to the club levels and private suites and the floor where the delegates sat and news networks were recording.

Caroline Kennedy looked absolutely goregous, as did Michelle Obama. On the way out I saw Theresa Kerry and asked to take a photograph, but it came out completely blurry. She looked terrific as well.

I also have video (if any came out) and will be back soon to post it all, along with some thoughts and sightings.

I was very proud of Denver tonight.

Ships in the harbor are safe," someone once said,  "but this is not what ships are made for."  And sometimes relationships become not partnerships in life's great adventure but excuses to stop ourselves from growing, taking risks, and living life to the fullest.

This is the first page that I opened of Arianna's book that was being offered to bloggers that I picked up at her "Huffington Post Oasis: to unplug and recharge," a new age Yoga,  massage and meditation quiet zone on the third floor of the crazy zoo that is the Big Tent.

Jeralyn and I arrived earlier in the day, just as Arianna was swarmed by flashing bulbs, cameras, reporters and bloggers all wanting to talk to her about, well, everything. It was like watching the Marilyn Monroe/ Katharine Graham of the DNC. She maneuvered gracefully and through the crowd and gave her time and attention as if each reporter was the only one in the room. [more...]

Here's a thread for commenting on the Michelle Obama segment and speech scheduled to begin at 10 pm EDT.

Hmm, Republican Jim Leach to speak during the network hour? Bad idea. Scratch that, networks ignoring Leach. Guess that was the plan.

Michelle is on and showing great polish and skill. Looks like she will deliver a good speech. After Teddy, Michelle is the clear highlight of the night. She is doing good.

Chris "Tweety" Matthews asked Obama spokesman David Gibbs if Bill Clinton was a racist. He said no, Bill Clinton is not a racist. Good to know.

To be fair, Gibbs was incredibly effusive in his praise of President Clinton and Senator Clinton. His appearance was excellent. Struck the exact right tone in my opinion. But let's face it, it's not good when those type of questions are being asked.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Nancy Pelosi (booo! hisss!) comes on a few minutes. But the night belongs to Michelle Obama. She comes on at 10 after a biographical film and videotaped introduction from her mother. I hope she does great. I like her a lot.

This is a Convention Open Thread.

9:08 pm - Ted Kennedy is in the house reports CNN's John King. Maybe the first excitement of the night. David Gergen makes a good point, there has been absolutely nothing particularly interesting or effective so far in this night of the Convention, at least on television.

9:18 pm - Caroline Kennedy introducing the Ted Kennedy segment. To put it kindly, she is not a skilled speaker. On the other hand, loving the video, except too much John Kerry in it.

9:30 pm - Here's Senator Kennedy. Biggest roar of the night. Well deserved. He is a giant.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Chicago Sun Times reports:

The chief of Illinois’ National Organization for Women chapter today called on Barack Obama’s “political godfather” [Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones] to resign immediately from the Illinois state Senate for calling an African-American Hillary Clinton delegate an “Uncle Tom.”

. . . The Senate president added today to his version of what happened, saying he called Cobb a “doubting Thomas,” not an “Uncle Tom” in a Saturday night exchange in the lobby of the Denver hotel where the Illinois delegation is staying. Jones did not offer up that explanation when confronted by the Sun-Times late Sunday.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

If true, good on Obama:

When asked if there was any contention over Bill Clinton’s speech, Obama was quick to note what he told Clinton on the phone on Thursday. “I said, "Mr. President you can say whatever you like,”” Obama said. “Bill Clinton is a unique figure in our politics... It wouldn’t make sense to me to try and edit his remarks.”

I expect to here a lot about the economy if that is so. Definitely makes Bill Clinton's Wednesday night speech a must watch.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only