Kennedy Night

The major networks aren't going to convention coverage until 10pm tonight, but here it is 9:15, and Caroline is already putting the Kennedy hustle on the unsuspecting masses (who happen to be watching Fox or CNN.) I wonder why they wouldn't have waited until 10pm to lay on the Camelot.

"Now it is my honor to introduce a tribute to Senator Edward M. Kennedy."

Ted talks about the sea as a metaphor for life. Shots of family sailing with Ted at the helm. Vicki talks about how much he loves the water. Kerry talks about how much sailing means to Ted.

Then, right to the brothers and how much their legacy means to Ted.

Next, health care. Kerry talks about how many people have better lives because of Ted.

Quickly to national service. City Year.

A remarkably unemotional piece 5 minutes in, with weak testimonials from people who say they've benefited.

Kerry - A man of remarkable sensitivity. He's always beent here for the troops, for the families. Finally, some emotion.

Vicki - Ted is the pied piper of the family.

Then, a clip of a speech with Barack talking about Teddy.

Cut of Teddy - it's time to choose change. Cue the music.

Back to the sailing with the family to close.

I've never seen another, but I suspect this is the worst movie that Ken Burns has ever made.

Kennedy is introduced. He looks surprisingly good. The hair is thinning a bit maybe, from chemo, I suppose. But otherwise, you wouldn't know anything is wrong, although Vicki grabbed him and lead him to the podium when he was apparently confused about where he was.

Maria Shriver crying, but none of us watching TV. Although my wife says she got filled up a couple of times.

Teddy speaks:

Thanks to everyone, to Caroline, to democrats, to Americans. It is so wonderful to be here. Nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight.

I have come here tonight... to rise to our best ideals and to elect Barack Obama President of the United States.

As I look ahead, I am strengthened by family and friendship. So many of you have been with me in the happiest days and the hardest days.... We have never lost our belief that we are all called to a better country and a newer world.

I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate when we begin (interrupted by applause and chants of Teddy). For me, this is a season of hope. New hope for a justice and fair prosperity for the many... not just for the few.

New hope that we will break the old gridlock... and that all Americans will have decent, quality healthcare as a fundamental right, not a privelege. We can meet these challenges with Barack Obama. Yes we can, and finally, yes we will.

BO will close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, and straight against gay.

(Teddy sounds weak - concerned he might collapse at times.)

Brings up JFK = he didn't say the moon was too far.

Yes we are all Americans. This is what we do. We reach the moon, we scale the heights.... and we can do it again.

There is a new wave of change all around us.

Not merely victory for our party, but renewal for our country.

Our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on.

Teddy exists as the band plays "You're Still the One." And the singers sound like they're doing a commercial.

No convention bump from the Kennedy tribute. This was weak. An opportunity lost in terms of taking the emotional power of the Kennedy history and getting us all emotionally engaged.

David Gergen points out in analysis that there was a benefit here that the Kennedy family was reintroduced as a third force in Democratis politics, shifting from the Obama/Clinton polarity.