I have no trouble saying that the architects and organizers of Democratic Party convention brilliantly and strategically did what they had to do this week. They assembled a coalition of social and political constituencies of great breadth and depth, which is exactly what is required to beat Trump and gang in November. It rightly ranged from Bernie Sanders to Colin Powell, while impressively including lots of grassroots activists and popular culture. What I won’t do is damn it with faint praise or pick it apart for this or that weakness, while occluding the larger achievements of this convention. There is, in my opinion, nothing radical about such a posture.

Michelle Obama’s speech tonight was extraordinary and riveting. She is a political and moral leader with few if any peers in our country. No one touches so many hearts and rattles so many minds in good ways as she does. If our country has a north star in our political firmament, it is her. Tonight she made a lot of “good trouble.” Bravo, Bravo!

That was the best Joe Biden speech I have ever seen. It was a home run, not a broken bat single. It was well crafted, well presented, and heartfelt. It hit all the right notes, without trying to hit every note. The challenges that he highlighted were the right ones: ending the pandemic with science, national coordination, and compassion, turning the country’s attention to addressing and ending systemic racism, rebuilding the economy and creating jobs, seizing the opportunity to attack climate change, restoring decency in public life, and protecting our democracy. A wise movement lives, first of all, in the present, gives people and politicians space to change and when they do welcomes that change, and, not least, recognizes the new dynamics, pressures, and possibilities of the times in which we live.

I find this article well intended, but so misguided. The writer, for example, makes no mention of mobilizing or protecting the vote. As hard as that is in present conditions, I can’t think of a more crucial task. But not a word! How can that be? The writer is also mum about the imperative of responding to the avalanche of lies that will be directed at the Biden-Harris ticket and the Democratic candidates generally in the hope of dampening turnout. The article fails as well to capture the changing dynamics across and at all levels the Democratic Party. One would never know that the election platform, for example, is the most progressive in its history. Finally, the writer damns Kamala Harris with faint praise. More could be said, but my lawn is telling me that it needs a mowing.

What a great debut by Kamala Harris. She did it with grace, confidence, and determination. She had a lot to do in this speech and she did it superbly. Joe Biden has a great running mate and we have a chance on election day not only to save our democracy, but also to make history in electing Kamala Harris Vice President.