The Democrats are going to lose
I've been listening to the Democratic Party Convention this week, and I am not impressed. Or, I should say, I am impressed but in the wrong direction.

You read that right. I have been listening to the convention, on the local NPR station. I have not been watching it. I am not aware of any of the visuals at the convention. I have no idea of the bunting color they have selected. Listening is a different experience than watching. (Ask Nixon.)

My general impression is: "insider". One might say "beltway bandit", but I think of that term as referring to federal government contract workers in Washington DC.

The speeches have been amateurish, both in content and presentation. There have been various grammatical and rhetorical gaffes ('rhetoric' in the 'presentation' and 'convincing arguement' senses). The speeches refer to John McCain way too frequently -- has anyone told the Democrats that you never mention the opponent by name? The speeches focus on problems and the performance of the Bush administration, with little time for solutions (although speeches mention that Barack Obama has solutions) and little discussion of specifics.

Perhaps the Democrats think that they are at a party. (And perhaps they are.) Perhaps they think that they are entitled to a good time in Denver. Perhaps they are giddy with the feeling of unity, now that they have selected a candidate.

I think that they are throwing away an opportunity to reach out to the country. Everything I have heard is geared for the party believers and the inside crowd. It is scripted, predictable, and intellectually void. This week the Democrats have the attention of the press, not only to show off Barack Obama but other Democrats. And what do they do? They have a bunch of speeches that are either feel good simplicity or brain-dead attacks on John McCain.

The Democrats need to speak beyond the party faithful. That is, if they want to win the election in November. They need to present members of the party, to show that it is not Barack Obama that the country could elect in November, but the Democratic party. And they are flubbing it.

Of course, next week the Republican party gets their chance to show how good (or bad) they are at partying.