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

Sooo, maybe I am not supposed to write this, but, this Convention thing? Incredibly boring. I know Obama will light it up Thursday night, and Bill and Hillary Clinton are must sees. Joe Biden should be interesting, but already he is the forgotten man. Mark Warner? Come on. And having to listen to talking heads all day and night? Ugh.

They say politics is show business for ugly people, and I must say conventions are to politics what the Oscars Awards Shows are to show business. Except they last for 4 days, not 4 hours.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Via corrente, David Sirota demonstrates how to do the most harm you can to Barack Obama:

The Clintons are doing everything they can to make this convention all about them - and to absolve themselves from the substantive criticism of both Clintonism and Bill Clinton's behavior on the campaign. . . . No, Bill Clinton was not "painted as a racist" - he was a racist during the campaign.

Nice work David. John McCain thanks you.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Here's the video:

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

CNN Reports:

Sen. Edward Kennedy is expected to make a dramatic appearance Monday night at the start of the Democratic National Convention, his office said, marking his second public appearance since brain surgery in June. . . . Sen. Edward Kennedy, who endorsed Sen. Barack Obama in January, is "itching to go," a source says.

Good to see Kennedy is well enough to come speak. It will be a highlight tonight.

By Big Tent Democrat

As Anita and I make our way through downtown, here's another open thread for you.

TalkLeft is getting traffic spikes that are making the site run slowly. Remember, if it goes down, I will switch to the backup site here. Bookmark it now as you won't be able to find it if the site is down.