They built it and indeed they came in the tens of thousands. It would not have been possible without the pain that preceded what has to have been the most impressive, warmest, most hopeful and inspiring Democratic Convention any of us can remember.
Last November I wrote about "that Biden magic." And it's back. His magic is a rare combination in politics of sincerity, sensitivity, empathy, searing intellect, insight, abiding love of country, extraordinary experience and more than a pinch of charisma. There it was again when Joe Biden stepped to the podium, beamed with pride for his son and family, then told us why McCain simply can't be allowed to win the election.
And for the last seven years, the administration has failed to face the biggest -- the biggest forces shaping this century: the emergence of Russia, China, and India as great powers; the spread of lethal weapons; the shortage of secure supplies of energy, food and water; the challenge of climate change; and the resurgence of fundamentalism in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the real central front in the war on terror.
There it was, as if contagious, when each of the speakers boldly stepped to the microphone -- so many people suffering from far too many years of what has become repugnant Republican lack of leadership -- to share their heartaches now balanced by their hopes.
But it was Barack Obama's translation of hope into a reality he promised to provide as president that brought it all together, even for so many who have backed Hillary Clinton, and partly, as he graciously expressed, because of her avid support.
They've all grown and apparently did not leave us behind. When he essentially said disagreement is what we do in order to have a better America, he opened the tent to all.
In his book Stumbling On Happiness, Daniel Gilbert reminds us that the human mind typically forgoes imagination when reality is pressing down. It's as if reality has the upper hand in the human brain, a front seat ticket. Imagination, the foundation of hope, cannot function when reality insists on forging forward into consciousness. The up side: it keeps us from being hit by a train while daydreaming. But reality, by bullying, often precludes imaginings of better times.
Last night was an exception -- a time when it was possible to talk about reality and still dream about possibilities. We stumbled on hope, not in the sense of tripping accidentally on something we didn't know was there, but by finding ourselves in a moment when the reality of our dire circumstances and hope could exist side-by-side -- when the latter even surpassed reality as it does when people pushed down by loss or hardship see a light and rise to meet it.
Last night Barack Obama told us in no uncertain terms what "change" means. Even if you knew what he intended in your heart, by his final words his path was made clear. The joy silenced a media poised to pick him apart. At CNN a bevy of "senior analysts" sat mystified, sensing, it seemed, that we'd just as soon not hear from them.
Joe Biden said the other day, "You know, you can learn a lot about a man campaigning with him, debating him, seeing how he reacts under pressure. You learn about the strength of his mind. But even more importantly, you learn about the quality of his heart."
This week we saw into the hearts of both men and into the hearts of those who, no matter how rough the path, stood at their side. And what we found was magic.
Dr. Reardon also blogs at bardscove
For more Huffington Post coverage of the Democratic National Convention, visit our Politics @ the DNC page, our Democratic Convention Big News Page, and our HuffPost bloggers' Twitter feed, live from Denver.
And please don't tell me about Olbermann; MSNBC keeps him on because he's good for the ratings. People with more progressive views have few places to go other than MSNBC. Short-term profitability trumps even rightwing ideology for these people.
The media is speechless, because they just cannot believe their eyes.
As Obama said, this election is not about him, or any one person. This election is about the clash of civilization. There are two clear questions:
Do we want to go down the old road of self destructive politics that impoverishes the country, destroys the planet, ignores its citizens, and betrays what our forefathers codified in the Constitution?
Or do we hear the forward call of our children's children, to steward the planet, to honor the Constitution, and to uphold the dignity of free human beings?
We must together, bring about the greatest change on earth. Those who cling to the past will watch their children join us in our march toward the future.
it links to the ultra-right wing blog NewsMax.com and is a McCain v Obama "opinion poll". NewsMax says the results "will be shared with popular radio talk show hosts". So THIS is where Rush gets his "facts"!!
I urge everyone to vote in this 'poll' and slant it to the left.
(yes they will put you on their email list but you can unsubscribe right away)
This is a reality-based world view. Not the feverish faith-based fantasies of the evangelicals. I am sure that Obama is a closet atheist with the ability to empathize with certain believers. Fortunately there are enough of those to give him the edge he needs. I love the guy.
What a stupid senseless comment.
It is one thing to be without hope yourself. My condolences.
It is quite another to try to promote hopelessness to others. Shame on hopeless277.
Contrary to what many believe, pessimists are NOT "realists". But they are probably very unhappy people.
John McCain has *NO* respect for the American people or our beloved Republic, and Ms. Palin must not have any either, or she would have admitted she is not qualified for the V.P. slot, she's either all ego, or stupid. Jeeesh!
I think he choose her after seeing the success of Obama's convention and the record turn out and viewer 38M ratings. He's scared...
I was just simply amazed at the entire convention from start to finish. It was impressive at every step. The use of the Mile High stadium in my mind was perplexing. When I saw how impressive it looked filled to capacity, I just sat there and said "amazing" over and over again. Doesn't it feel good to feel good?
American, the American dream and it's citizens.