Democratic National Convention: Night 1

All right, so I will admit I watched everything from Harry Reid to Michelle Obama, and I wanted to figure out a way to blog it, though it's a little difficult.  Mainly because, unlike most movies or TV shows, politics can be a bit, well, dry.  I may agree with most of the people (or taking last week, disagree with them), but Clint Eastwood aside, it's difficult to really strike up an interesting chord in a political speech.  And yet, I did track some of the best moments of the night.  They are below.  And for those Republicans reading here, keep in mind that I gave you a strong film festival of your best actors last week, and will be as non-partisan as is humanly possible once the DNC is over, at least until Election Day, so don't abandon me just yet!  I'll still be doing predictions, and if anything I'm a little harder on the Democrats than the GOP when I do those, and will be grading the debates.  And we'll be back to movies in a few days.  But now, it's Democratic Week at Many Rantings of John, and if you're a Democrat, celebrate with me some of the best of Night One (and if you're feeling particularly enthused, I provided some links to learn more about the speakers):

Carolyn Maloney (Congresswoman, NY): Her “where are the women?” question was the source of one of the best political commercials of the year, and she created a moving moment as she shouted “where are the women?” as the women of the audience stood and cheered.  In fact, the entire presentation by the House women (including promising candidates Tulsi Gabbard and Joyce Beatty) was a big win.

The Ted Kennedy Tribute: The Kennedys are the reason that I got into politics in the first place, and Teddy has a photo on the wall of my library as a result of that.  The laundry list of issues that he has championed successfully for makes you almost wonder why people become cynical about politics in the first place.  In particular, watching Sen. Kennedy take on Mitt Romney was a particular joy.  And of course, watching the Kennedy legacy slowly transform into the Obama legacy had me in tears.

Nancy Keenan (Current President of NARAL and former State Superintendent, MT): Keenan gave an impassioned speech to thrown in her tag with Barack Obama.  You have to also deeply respect a woman who acknowledges the moral complexity of some of the issues she addresses every day.  She's the sort of politician that respects both sides, and yet continues to fight vehemently for her values.  The kind that every person always asks for, but rarely gets the opportunity to vote with.

Stacey Lihn (Mother of Two Affected by Obamacare): Anyone who didn't end up sobbing through this speech seriously needs to check their tearducts.  It's nice to see the convention backing perhaps the most significant achievement of the President's term, despite it's tepid approval.

Lilly Ledbetter (Women's Rights Activists): "Maybe 23 cents doesn't sound like a lot to someone with a Swiss account..." getting one of the best lines of the night, and one of the most rousing ovations during her speech.  Pretty impressive for someone who has never held political office.

Deval Patrick (Governor of Massachusetts): You want to see a room full of Democrats at the top of their seats, excited to cast votes?  Check out this speech-Deval Patrick just made himself a 2016 frontrunner.

Julian Castro (Mayor of San Antonio): He's been called the next Obama, and this speech isn't going to dampen those sorts of comparisons.  He can sure work a room, and with that force on the pulpit, a million-dollar smile, and a brother headed to Congress, it's highly possible that we may see the Castros join the Kennedys and the Clintons and the Obamas in the great families of the Democratic Party.

Michelle Obama (First Lady of the United States): A deeply felt speaker, there's a reason she's the most popular figure in American politics today.  An eloquent, elegant woman of immense belief and purpose, she always delivers.  And I love that the GLBT Americans got a quick shout-out.  Click that button if you want her for 4 more years! 

Famous Faces Spotted (Non-Political): Wayne Knight, Beau Bridges, John Leguizamo, Tony Shalhoub, Alfre Woodard, Kal Penn (though he's admittedly pretty political)

What'd you think of the night?  Did you have a favorite speech or a least favorite speech?  Remember-intelligent political debate is always welcome, but I don't want this to become a bash Romney/bash Obama site, so any inflammatory comments will not be welcome.  And if you aren't feeling political or having anything nice to say about politics, which of those famous faces do you most wish would have been in a film review for tonight (or what sort of film would they all make together)?