Thrilling Opening to Convention

(AP Photo)

The opening night of the convention was a blowout. The two great headliners were the "Old Lion of the Senate" Edward Kennedy and the next First Lady Michelle Obama.

Senator Kennedy's message was touching but true and it resonated with everyone hearing his voice. It was the passing of the torch from the past generation to the new generation. He used the same words used by his brother John F. Kennedy 48 years ago as a young man when he gave his inaugural address. Senator Kennedy symbolically passed that torch to Barack Obama who is now about the same age as President Kennedy at his election.

Everyone there was shocked to hear the Senator speak because the message was that he would try to make an appearance but not a speech. There weren't many dry eyes in the Pepsi Center during his presentation and particularly at the end when he promised to join us all in January at President Obama's Inauguration.

Michelle Obama was introduced by her brother and her mother. It was wonderful to gain an insight into her personality and family life growing up. We have all had the chance to listen to Barack Obama and be inspired by his powers of oration, but Michelle has not been heard often, and then only in short sound bytes. She was captivating; she spoke from the heart, without notes, and proved herself to be her husband's true equal in every way. I was most impressed by her down to earth attitude and dedication to family. I believe that she could win the hearts of anyone who would open their mind and ears to listen to her.

I was most surprised and pleased by a speech given by an unscheduled guest, Representative Jim Leach, Republican from Iowa. He gave a profound speech that recounted some of the political history of our nation and contributions of both the Democrat and Republican Parties. His conclusion was that his party, the Republican Party, had strayed from its roots, heritage, and proud accomplishments to take us into a war against a country that did not attack us, increase the national debt by trillions of dollars, legislating morality, etc. He ended by stating that our country needed a President that would take our nation back on track - that our country needed Barack Obama. The only problem with the convention was that my digital camera malfunctioned, so I had to borrow several photos from Kurt Bestor (another Utah delegate) to add to my blog.