We just got done watching the Democratic National Convention: Night of the Elder Statesmen. Al Gore spoke, and both Tiffany and I wondered why he didn't pull this speaking style out when he was campaigning for President. So much went wrong with his campaign, but so much seems to have gone right for him since then. He was looking elder-statesmanly, was glib, unforced, funny, and rousing.

Jimmy Carter also did his best, though he really doesn't have the timing or the chutzpah that Gore seems to have found in the last four years. He spoke, as he does these days, about a compassionate world screwed up by George Bush... then we fast-forwarded the TiVo.

But last among the elder statesmen was Bill Clinton. And again, we only wish he could run against George W. Bush, because he would clean up. He was articulate, homey, incisive and encompassing. He blasted George Bush and the Republican Congress, and hit on all the things I (we) hate about the current Administration. But just by being himself, intelligent, calm, appealing to our better side, he reminded us both of how much we hate George W. Bush himself.

Tiffany had to go to bed she was so worked up about the Right. I think I might have actually seen flames in her eyes.

I hope John Edwards is giving his running mate some tips on public speaking.