The Short Answer, Dave, Is Not a Hell of a Lot

reason Associate Editor Dave Weigel asks below, "What did I miss?" The short answer is: Nothin so far.

Sitting here in the real America (that is, Ohio), watching the Democratic convention on a Duraband tube purchased at a Wal-Mart, and having just suffered through the Ted Kennedy-a-palooza, I'm just getting a sense of dread for the political process. The Kennedy tribute was at best bizarre and at worst embarrassing. Really, do you have to emphasize Teddy's love of the water, which has been no friend to his political ambitions?

It's a given that these conventions are media spectacles devoid of real drama. So far this one is even devoid of design.

Michelle Obama hits the floor in a bit—but only after former GOP Rep. Jim Leach of Iowa, wahoo—and maybe then this show will pull equal in general interest-level with a rerun of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. But I kind of doubt it. 

Comments

[Elemenope]

I was able to avoid watching it until the S.O. (who is a fire-breathing democrat) came home from work.

Damn it.

[Franklin Harris]

I was able to avoid watching it until the S.O. (who is a fire-breathing democrat) came home from work.

I've ended relationships for less.

[thedifferentphil]

When did it become standard to bring in "B" string pols from the other party to speak at conventions?

[Glenda, the Good Witch]

"When did it become standard to bring in "B" string pols from the other party to speak at conventions?"

When you know you're in deepshit?

[thedifferentphil]

This guy was boring. Joe Lieberman will speak at the Republican convention, and he is boring too. And the Repubs gave a top slot to the insane Zell Miller in 2004. Has this been going on for decades, or did it only start with Zell Miller?

[joe]

Sure, like Lieberman and Zell Miller.

[Baaa...Baaaa...]

I will Never beleive that Michelle Obamama "momrized every episode of The Brady Bunch"

[Sheep Kant spel]

but they mean well

[David H.]

"The Short Answer, Dave, Is Not a Hell of a Lot"

I don't know. Listening to Ms. Obama makes me happy to know that the former writers of Baywatch are getting work again.

[Mr. Creosote]

Somemoron on "The News Hour" just compared Michelle's speech to Rosa Parks. Better get a bucket.

[Dane]

Mr. Gillespie, where are you in Ohio?

[Mike Laursen]

Watching No Reservations happens to be exactly what we were doing instead of watching the convention.