Well, my biggest memory of this convention will be the fact that I have been fired up and motivated to start my own blog.  Feel free to visit it and before you start thinking bad thoughts know that I'm simply stating that I'm an opinionated Democrat ;^)

My favorite speakers were each of the headliners obviously (While Bill and the new love of my political life, Barak Obama, were amazing and inspiring I cannot place them above our future President and Vice-President).  I also thought quite the opposite of the right wing fascist pundits on the cable networks...Al Sharpton was a powerful force that didn't take away from the convention and only added that little bit of spice that was needed.  I forget who the idiot was with the black hair and glasses who said "As an outsider I'd see this as turning off the black vote" (it was featured on the Daily Show), but for cripes sake!  I mean WHAT!!!

Anyway, as for the bad speakers, you could see them somewhat interspersed throughout the convention and they were normally people who were there because they were candidates (such as Ret. Colonel Steve Brozak [OMG that guy was boring]), Reps that are facing challenges this Fall and needed "airtime", or other random action group leaders who had to be featured at a party convention.

Overall it was a rousing convention and visit my blog for my thoughts on the pundits criticism of "preaching to the choir".

-AA

P.S.-I checked the convention website and whaddya know... Steve Brozak (by far the worst speaker that I saw at the convention and the only speaker during whose speech I willingly unglued myself from the TV) was right before Al Sharpton... a "wishful thinking" planning attempt by the organizers to get butts OUT of the seats for a few minutes?

Favorites:  Sharpton, Obama.

Least favorite: Rendell - sounded like a used car salesman.  

I think my favorite moment was the national anthem by the native american tribe on the second night. It gave me chills.

Kerry needs the independents (and some Republicans) who respond to an upbeat and moderate convention, so that's what and why the Kerry/DNC team gave the country.

What is remarkable is that the party's left seems to understand this need and fell in line.  No major intra-party conflicts was good for the party image.

I expect Kerry to govern in the middle, but on some issues he may be able to exercise his more liberal views.  

This isn't the more liberal Democratic party I'd like to see, but the realities of the demographics and media trumpet probably don't allow for this for another 10 years.

I'm satisfied that the court appointees, cabinet positions, federal commissions, and policy apparatus will be in good hands.

I sure hope and pray to the gods that we can have a Democratic majority in the Senate and effective control of the House (with those few Republican moderates).  We need to work harder at real control of the House - whether in 2004 or 2006.

Great candidates, a good convention, some great speeches, and party unity.  What more could we ask for?

My favorite moment was when Mike Dukakis got up on stage and gave his speech...oh...wait...no...

YYYEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

There were so many good moments, its hard to choose. I loved Obama's speech for sure. I can't wait to vote for him someday. Clinton was great, as expected. Edwards and Kerry both gave good speeches. But if I had to choose, I'd go with Carter's speech, cos I didn't expect as much from him. He didn't pull punches, and he has gravitas to back up his statements. He doesn't have the speaking chops of the others, but he gave us lots of red meat for us to chew on.

I was also impressed by Teresa's son Chris. It wasn't really a political speech, but he spoke better than a lot of the pols. He definately has his father in him. I'm glad he's using his powers for good and not evil. I didn't see any of other kids speak.

For least favorite: Maya Angelou. I wanted to like her speech. My wife is a big fan of hers. But she just didn't connect with me.

And my overall least favorite convention moment: Seeing Chris Matthews and his panel talking almost exclusively about the cadence of Kerry's speech afterwards. ARRGH! Worse than Fox in this case.

I missed most of the convention, but I managed to hear the two Johns on the radio.  After I first heard John E., I thought, "Gosh, he is good!", I kinda wished HE was the nominee.  

I was expecting a wooden, senatorial performance from John K., perhaps not connecting with the voters, and maybe over the next 3 months blowing the election to the lazy, dishonest and smug stooge currently in the White House.

Wow, was I impressed with Kerry! What a fighter!  Very smart focus and sharp wit.  I loved the opening salute "I'm ready to serve"  A great reminder of someone else who failed to show up for a drug (oops) a medical test in 1972 and went AWOL.

I can't wait for the next 3 months to watch the Evil Twins fall apart. Maybe Dick will give us more colorful language if he keeps getting rattled. Bush tends to get nervous and stumbles if he falls off message or is put on the defensive. Just the kind of opponent for a former top-notch prosecutor.

Let the battle begin!

For 4 nights I was glued to my TV watching C-Span while at my computer reading the blogs and listening to Air America. It was the best convention I have ever experienced. Knowing the bloggers, seeing their pictures, hearing the speeches, getting everyones impressions, well it was just great.

I love Bill Clinton. It makes me happy to listen to him. Barack Obama lived up to all the hype, and that made me glad for him. No one has mentioned Dennis Kucinich and I thought he was great. Of course John E was inspiring. I was thrilled that John Kerry kept me interested and waiting on every word for his plans and ideas. I hope they all had the same effect on many Americans.