Four days, hundreds of speakers, thousands of delegates, endless pontificating. So much that is memorable from the Democratic National Convention, so much that is forgettable. Seven AP reporters help sort it all out, by identifying _ in their humble opinions _ some of the week's best and worst: speakers, put-downs, seats, and more.
Four days, hundreds of speakers, thousands of delegates, endless pontificating. So much that is memorable from the Democratic National Convention, so much that is forgettable. Seven AP reporters help sort it all out, by identifying _ in their humble opinions _ some of the week's best and worst: speakers, put-downs, seats, and more.
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KENNEDY DELIVERS
Among the featured performers at the Democratic National Convention, the unexpected address by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was the best I saw and heard. And the long, programmed keynote speech of Mark Warner ranked worst.
What Kennedy said wasn't as striking as the fact, and the way, he said it. Stricken with brain cancer, not long past chemotherapy and radiation treatments that had taken their toll on him, the 76-year-old senator from Massachusetts was to have been honored with a speech by his niece, Caroline Kennedy, and a taped tribute. Instead, he came from Hyannisport, Mass., to Denver, and took the stage. He said nothing could have kept him away. Kennedy went from the airport to a hospital to be checked by his doctors, and one night later, on Monday, he was at the convention microphone.
His presence on stage was striking, a remarkable act of will. His seven-minute speech was more so. He delivered it in a firm, unwavering voice. He waved at the crowds like the Kennedy of old. It was, in all probability, his last turn at a national convention. It was a star turn.
Warner, the former Virginia governor now running for the Senate with a hefty lead in the polls, was chosen keynoter as the Barack Obama campaign catered to a state they hope to wrest from Republicans for the first time in 11 presidential elections. Warner delivered the standard lines of praise, support and calls for Democratic victory. But it was hardly the keynote of an aggressive Democratic campaign. He only mentioned Sen. John McCain's name twice. At least a third of the speech was about his business career and about what he did when he was governor of Virginia. This was no national Democratic call to arms. It sounded like a Senate campaign speech. Perhaps understandably, since he isn't running for keynoter, he's running for the Senate.
_By Walter R. Mears
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PUTDOWNS AND FOOLS
The best putdown of the Democratic convention came from Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.
He brought down the Pepsi Center with: "You know, it was once said of the first George Bush that he was born on third base and thought he'd hit a triple. Well, with the 22 million new jobs and the budget surplus Bill Clinton left behind, George W. Bush came into office on third base, and then he stole second."
The best headgear on stage?
Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar, who sported what looked like at least a 20-gallon hat.
The best chance for an embarrassing mistake on national television?
Michelle Obama giving a live microphone to her 7-year-old daughter Sasha _ on live television! _ after her speech. Sasha did fine, though, only interrupting her famous daddy a couple of times as he tried to speak to them by video. The Obamas had to let out a sigh of relief when Mrs. Obama finally got the microphone back, though. How many 7-year-olds would you trust not to embarrass their parents on prime-time television?
Worst song, themewise: Playing Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools" as Democrats paraded on stage for their convention speeches.
_By Jesse Holland
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THE VIEW
It turns out the worst seats in the house aren't necessarily the worst. It's all in the eye of the beholder.
Just ask Ray East, and his 18-year-old niece Heather, who sat at the top of the Pepsi Center, behind the podium, above the stage lights.
East, 57, couldn't see Obama and the other speakers' faces for himself, but he watched them on the large screens in the arena.
If he didn't hear one of the speakers' lines, he could read the words he missed on the TelePrompTer below.
"The enthusiasm up here was just as great as if we would have been on the floor," he said.
For East and his 18-year-old niece, just being in the stadium was historic.
They didn't have to see Barack Obama walk on to the stage; they "could feel his presence," East said.
_By Ann Sanner
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THE OSCAR GOES TO …
Best convention speaker in a supporting role: Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer.
Sandwiched between keynote speaker Mark Warner and headliner Hillary Rodham Clinton, Schweitzer did his best to steal the show. His enthusiasm was contagious as he bounced from one side of the podium to the other. By the time he began imploring state delegations, one by one, to stand up for the ticket, he owned the crowd. It was the best speaker-audience interaction of the convention.
Worst moment: Sunday afternoon, on the eve of the convention, when television screens throughout the convention work spaces suddenly displayed video of a huge tornado spinning through a sparsely populated area just 20 miles southeast of Denver. Fortunately, it headed in a different direction. No one was injured
_By David Pace
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A SINGULAR MOMENT
Worst: The crush of the crowd on the convention floor as Sen. Edward Kennedy, ailing but still vigorous, got a roaring embrace that was full of triumph, sentimentality and affection.
Best: Watching Sen. Edward Kennedy, ailing but still vigorous, get a roaring embrace full of triumph, sentimentality and affection.
_By Jim Kuhnhenn
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LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
For state delegations, it's all about location.
The worst seats at the Pepsi Center went to Rhode Island delegates, stuck high in the rafters, with a side view of the stage.
Delegates from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and American Samoa all had a better view.
"Maybe they think we're one of the islands," said Beth Noonan, a Rhode Island delegate.
Rhode Island's delegates took it in stride. They know their state is solidly Democratic, and won't be in play come November. They also know they voted for Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primary.
So who had the best seats? Illinois and Delaware, front and center at the Pepsi Center.
Delaware, right next to Illinois, got an upgrade after its senator, Joe Biden, was selected as Barack Obama's running mate.
_By Julie Pace
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COTTON CANDY!
From this point forward, every party should take place at an amusement park.
Nothing beats the feeling of feeling like a kid again.
This year's party to welcome the media to Denver was held at Elitch Gardens, an amusement park.
Not just free food and drink, but free rides and games, too. Funnel cake! Cotton candy!
Give the hosts a Pulitzer.
_By Darlene Superville
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