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PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvnia — Tension in the room! Michelle Obama blows the lid off the
convention floor!

Philadelphia heat in summer explains why the American
Declaration of Independence is so brief!

As hot as it was yesterday, no one would have been able to sit
in an unconditioned room and write some long story. I’m sure independence Hall
in 1776 was intolerable.

I can hear George Washington say, “Keep it short Thomas!”

Nevertheless the first day of the Democratic National Convention
was exciting, tension-filled, and ultimately gripping.

As the delegates, 5,000 of them, filed into the Wells Fargo
Center, sharp political conversations punctuated the sweltering Philadelphia
summer.

It was clear that Bernie Sanders’ 1,800 + delegates had no
intention of going quietly Into the night.

Since I was clearly recognizable as a Hillary delegate, it was
very interesting to be confronted left, right, and center by very committed and
serious people representing the Sanders political revolution.

As I’ve said many times, I admire the Sanders movement, and
appreciate what they brought to the Democratic Party in terms of energy and
enthusiasm. Additionally, they’ve made a great contribution to the most
progressive Democratic Party platform ever.

However, once the gavel came down, and as we well know that was
an adventure in and of itself, the underlying political forces in the
convention hall were in sharp display.

At the first mention of the fact that Hillary was going to be
nominated by this convention, segments of the Bernie Sanders supporters reacted
negatively with a classic Philadelphia chorus of boos!

In several instances, the enthusiasm of the Sanders supporters
for their cause made it difficult for the speakers to continue to say what they
had to say.

This was particularly disturbing when representatives of the
African American community, a critical component of the Democratic Party, were
addressing what are very serious issues of voter rights and voting
opportunities.

I think that this is an aspect of the political mood in the
country, and particularly inside the Democratic Party, that the Sanders
movement has failed to either address or simply understand.

The erosion of voter rights, and the Civil Rights Act, are
serious issues in the African American community. And, they are serious issues
to me.

I think the some Sanders people misunderstand that the party is
not just made up of the 99% movement.

Consequently, there were sharp differences and discussions on
all procedural matters including the committee report, credentials committee
report, and in particular the platform.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP trade agreement, remains a
strong issue in side the convention, both with the Sanders supporters, and with
the convention delegates in general.

Fortunately, as the night moved on the tremendous and highly
energetic, as well as formidable list of speakers, slowly moved the convention
towards the unity so vitally needed to defeat the dangerous and irresponsible
Donald Trump and reactionary Mike Pence.

For those watching on TV or on the Internet, I’m not sure how
the enthusiasm inside the hall was communicated across the airwaves, but the
convention was electric.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey had the convention off its
feet for most of his 20 minute speech.

Booker’s theme reminded me of the Eur Maidan Revolution. Booker
ripped it up as he urged the convention, and America, to Rise Up!

And indeed that is what we have to do.

But this night, organized to placate, mollify, and incorporate
into the Democratic Party campaign the important and critical Sanders movement
– this night belonged to First Lady Michelle Obama.

Michelle rocked the house as she brought to life the importance
of electing Hillary Clinton president directly to bear on the lives of regular
American families, bringing particular attention to the concerns of mothers who
have to face the future with young children.

If you haven’t watched or seen any of this convention, it is
worth it to go on to the internet and find Michelle Obama’s speech, and take
the 15 minutes to listen.

It will wake you up!

Joe Kennedy and Elizabeth Warren also had tremendous impact
inside the hall.

Warren reiterated the irresponsible nature of Trump’s business
practices, and the danger he poses to whatever gains have been made in the
economy during the Obama administration, as well, any efforts to control
irresponsible actions on Wall Street.

The closing act for the evening was an impassioned, purposeful,
and electrifying speech by Sanders himself.

Entering the convention hall to a five-minute standing ovation,
Sanders exhorted and urged forward his 1,800 delegates to join in the critical
effort to defeat the dangerous and racist Trump.

In a speech punctuated by long and rapturous applause, Sanders
made it clear that he intended to do everything he possibly could to make sure
that Clinton is the next president of the United States.

You have to give Sanders his do.

The 74-year old -Vermont senator has had an extremely successful
campaign, and has brought hope and enthusiasm to his millions of voters.

When the 5,000 delegates streamed out of the Wells Fargo Center,
we may not have left as a 100 percent unified political party at this point,
but we are well on our way.

The dangerous demagogic enemy is in our sights, and we are
sharpening our aim.

More to come, as the Democratic Party aligns its forces on the
battlefield that election 2016 has become.