I had about the same amount of interest in watching the first day of the Democratic Convention as I did in watching day one of the Republicans, which is to say nil.  I made an effort to watch the GOP and did not last long.  I didn’t even try with the Dems, although in fairness, I was watching the last episode of Breaking Bad.  It’s not just the predictable partisan rhetoric which ranges from mildly inspiring to distasteful, but the carefully packaged infomercial nature of it.

Then I read the reviews of Michele Obama’s speech, and watched a replay on YouTube.  Wow.  I once observed that Barack Obama’s most effective surrogate was Bill Clinton, and after tonight he may reclaim the title.  But no one will be able to mix Michele Obama’s personal comments with the President’s political views so effectively.  And, she did it with a charm and warmth that made many of the subtle comparisons with her husband’s challenger (without ever mentioning him) so devastating.  As one commenter observed, “Today is the first time Mitt Romney woke up with a hangover.”  I don’t know who wrote the speech, but it was an effort of genius.