It’s Official — We Are Family

by John Adams

Dateline Denver…this really is a family affair, from the Kennedys to the Clintons to the Bidens to the Obamas — to the Democratic Party.

The theme for the Convention week is drawing a stark contrast between the More of the Same offered by McCain, and the Change We Need offered by Barack.  However, I’d say at least as important this week and especially tonight is the feeling of Convention participants that they are part of a family, with consequent family responsibilities, family pride, and a family’s sense of what needs to be done to bind together in adversity.

As Joe Biden said tonight, "Americans have been knocked down by the Bush Administration; now we have to pick ourselves up."

Everyone in the Convention Hall eagerly anticipated Bill Clinton’s speech tonight, and we weren’t disappointed.  It was as if he had a conversation with each of us in the audience…inspiring us to work together for victory in November.  He’s powerful and at the same time ingeniously witty.  At one point, in what had to be an unscripted response to the mass cheers of "Yes We Can" he remarked, "We’ve got to elect Barack Obama first."  He is the rhetorical master of turn-of-phrase, to wit:  "We must lead by the power of our example, rather than by the example of our power."  Bill Clinton’s going to be a huge asset to Barack Obama this Fall, and we’ll all need his wisdom and talents as we heal the destruction brought to our country by the Bush Administration.  We will incur incalculable damage if we allow this Administration to rule America for four more years.

In his acceptance speech, Joe Biden emphasized that we have a choice between the failed policies represented by John McCain and the prospect of positive change represented by Barack Obama.  The choices for the American people are stark — whether we’re considering foreign policy, the economy, energy independence, or the state of our educational system.  In all these areas, the Republicans — with John McCain as Bush’s sidekick — have failed the American people. 

It’s time to pick ourselves back up and seize the opportunity for change represented by Barack Obama.

Tomorrow night is Barack’s acceptance speech — I can’t wait!