My Wednesday column looks at the new and fully-backboned Democratic Party we watched last night:
I've been following politics for most of my life, and while I've always felt energized by the potential and history of liberal policy-making, I've never felt like my chosen party reflected that energy or lived up to my expectations for it. Frankly, the Democrats have tended to disappoint more than they've impressed, and I'm not the only one who's noticed. Evidently Deval Patrick has, too. More on that presently.
The party has struggled to shake an almost sleepy, flustered attitude, more interested in the noble even strain than the passionate barn burning many of us have wanted it to be. It's been disorganized, crumpled, fumbly and hopelessly off message -- almost out of breath -- and all too willing to fearfully bend over backwards to avoid saying anything that might incite a counterattack from the other side.
But the Democratic Party on display last night is decidedly a brand new Democratic Party, if not in substance, almost certainly in style. The line-up of speakers presented on the first day of the convention was an extraordinary breath of fresh air -- and a much needed shot of enthusiasm and electricity. Throughout the proceedings, I literally kept thinking to myself, what the hell party is hosting this convention because it certainly doesn't sound like the Democrats of four, eight or twelve years ago? Who are these people? They're razor sharp; they're unafraid to seize the initiative and stick it to the Republican nominee; they're energized; they're inspired; and, chiefly, they sound strong. Surely they can't be Democrats. Continue reading here.