Obama Accepts Nomination

DENVER—My editor heard Barack Obama planned to accept the nomination in a Greek temple with smoke effects, and I was set to go all philosophical about it. Homage to the ancients and the noble lineage of democracy? Nod to our flashy infotainment culture? Clever appeal to youth?

But he didn’t. There were some columns on the stage, maybe Ionic, but no theatrical effects.

Deep themes and currents in the American soul were evoked.

Veterans and generals stood up for him first. John Kunniholm said “the best way you can thank me for my service and my sacrifice is to vote for Barack Obama.”

Wes Moore said his grandparents taught him to have faith, not fear. “Senator Obama is not asking you to have faith in him, but with him.”

Nathaniel Flick, a Marine who served in Afghanistan, said he was a registered Republican, and it took seven years to bring him to this.

The consensus of the warriors was that Senator Obama would be wise, analytical, not impulsive, and they trusted him.

Then Congressman John Lewis said, “Democracy is not a state. It is an act. We must march to the ballot box like we have never marched before.”

The soldiers said they wanted him for his rationality; incorruptible Lewis painted him as a continuation of the civil rights dream. What music did we get? Lots and none of it hip hop. Jennifer Hudson sang the anthem, and Stevie Wonder sang “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours,” dedicated to the Obamas.

I think many of us have deep feelings for soldiers. We are all aware that one of the glories of our nation was defeating facism in World War II. Another of America’s glories is the selfless, self-sacrificing process the civil rights people used to end our own homegrown apartheid. On a lighter note, soul music has become part our cultural DNA.

I guess those regular pundits will say the Obama team was on message. I say it was genuinely moving. The crowd responded overwhelmingly—stomping, cheering, listening intently, and at least two people shed tears, I saw them.

Obama spoke of his family, his history, and his policies. I won’t enumerate them here; but I’ll quote his reference to the famous speech Dr. King delivered forty-five years before:

“The men and women who gathered there could’ve heard many things. They could’ve heard words of anger and discord. They could’ve been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred.

But what our people heard instead—people of every creed and color, from every walk of life—is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one.”