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American political conventions are by their nature, at least in the modern era, conventional. Every step is choreographed, banners are held high at certain moments, the balloons released on time and speeches gone through with a fine-tooth comb.
It was not always like this. In the pre-television days and even in the 1960s conventions could be the scene of rough, tough, political bargaining. However, not since the Democrats gathered in Chicago in 1968 has a convention slipped from the grasp of stage managers. But as the Democrats gathered in Denver there was a hint of possible turbulence. Would Hillary Clinton back Barack Obama, would her husband and the Clinton delegates be less than enthusiastic about Obama? These questions, by and large, have been answered. Hillary, Bill and the Clinton delegates put on a show of support that united the party. But the icing on the cake was Obama's speech. It was delivered impeccably and received rapturously.
He could have read out the Olympic medal table and he would have been received with the same thunderous applause. But questions remain about his candidacy.
While the speech reached heights of eloquence it was short on specifics. He pledged to cut taxes for 95 per cent of working families, but declined to say just how this would be done in an economy battered by the credit crunch and with government coffers stretched over military engagements. And how can a candidate who wants to bring about change really justify picking Joe Biden as his running mate? Biden will bring many things to the campaign, especially with his sharp attacks against the Republicans, but change may not be one of them.
Obama symbolises change but his message is short on just how this change will take place.
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