It’s time to take a look at how well the Democrats did this week at the convention:

• Knowledge that any possible future White House dinners the Obamas might have with the Clintons will inevitably break out in a fight-to-the-death between Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton: Check
• Party Unity via a craftily staged switch to acclamation at the last minute by Sen. Clinton (I so wonder if Obama knew this was coming): Check
• Bill Clinton asking Barack Obama to put the past behind them and become BFFs during a great speech: Check
• Mark Warner delivering a powerful and awe-inspiring speech and taking his place as the next rising star of the Democratic party: Ehhh…probably not.
• Joe Biden putting any doubt behind the party in his selection as running mate: Check
• Barack Obama finally explaining “change”: Check

More on the flip.

One quick thing about the last point.  The speech’s detractors are calling it “boilerplate Democratic positions.”  I’m not sure how they can call it this when he got at least somewhat specific on several issues.  Of particular note to me was his agenda in Afghanistan.  Whether he can deliver on a promise to “go to bin Laden’s cave” is a worthy subject for debate, but I thought he handled that part exceptionally well.

Also of note was his energy policy.  Once everyone (even Fox News) is over how awe-inspiring that speech was, undoubtedly they’ll turn to how Obama now seems to embrace the smorgasbord approach whole-heartedly (did you hear him mention nuclear?), but on energy he was also pretty specific

Look, this was a rally, first and foremost. Obama wasn’t going to stand there and give an essay on everything that he wants to do.  John McCain’s speech next week will be written in much the same way when he talks about his positions.  These speeches are glorified stump speeches.

Overall, I think the Democratic convention did what it set out to do.  The party is unified (more or less, there are still holdouts). Biden seems to be pretty much accepted as Veep.  Kum-by-ya and marshmallows for everyone.

Now we switch our focus to next week and the oncoming of Republicon 2008.