Reflections of Day One at the DNC

Day One of the Democratic National Convention is in the books, and we've already seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Well, I should say that bloggers have seen all of the above, since the national media isn't exactly going out of its way to highlight the protesters and rioters who decided to make a stand last night outside convention venues.

The protests and riots have already seen their share of violence. An Albany, NY legislator was among those who got pepper sprayed while police attempted to control the crowds outside one of the delegate hotels, the Sheraton.

It would figure that one of the 1968 protesters, Tom Hayden would be found to give a soundbite claiming that the police overreacted in using pepper spray last night. Police said that they used the pepper spray to break up a crowd of 300 people that were disrupting traffic. About 100 people were arrested last night, including several who were apparently carrying rocks or other objects that could threaten public safety.

Meanwhile, inside the Convention it would appear that the Obamas don't seem to have a problem using their kids as props. Again. Hey, that's their prerogative, but if they use them in the campaign, they become fair game especially when they've said that they wouldn't.


Ted Kennedy looks pretty good and probably was in better shape than he's been in years despite the cancer treatment. Last night was a swan song for him, and given that he's been a part of the DNC for over 40 years, he deserved it. It's also important to keep in mind that Obama was his personal pick and he moved behind the scenes to make sure that Obama got the nomination over Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Hope and change will not come easily to the DNC as the protesters took to the streets and back room deals are already underway to thwart a floor vote. Obama's people want to prevent a floor vote that might prove disastrous and highlight the serious fractures between the two camps.

Meanwhile, Obama is trying to block ads highlighting his ties to Bill Ayers and the Weather Underground terrorists. Never mind that everything in the ads is true, accurate, and verifiable. He doesn't want people to know that he associates with terrorists and considered them mainstream.