The Ross Report: Closing Time


1219415931The Democratic National Convention is over, and we witnessed it all on television. Lucky for us, Boston City Councilor Mike Ross attended as a member of the Massachusetts delegation. Throughout the week, he’s provided you with an insider’s view of what happened in Denver.

Today, we hear about Barack Obama’s cinematic speech, the musical acts, and the bargains that can be had in Denver this morning. Take it away, Mike.

“Enough!” Barack Obama shouted. Before a record-breaking convention crowd, Obama aimed to expose McCain’s “big election about small things.” At times, Obama sounded eerily similar to Michael Douglas’ character in The American President.

From the movie:

Bob Rumson is not the least bit interested in solving [your problems]. He is interested in two things and two things only: Making you afraid of it and telling you who’s to blame for it.

From Obama’s speech:

Because if you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters. If you don’t have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from.

Obama definitely did not play it safe—calling on Americans to find common ground on hot-button issues like abortion and gun control. When the speech was finished, the Obama and Biden families, enveloped in a sea of confetti, waved from the stage as the theme from Remember the Titans boomed from the speakers. It was a good night for Obama.

Prior to Obama’s oration, ordinary Americans testified as to why they were supporting Obama. It came off a little hokey—until Barney Smith approached the microphone.

Speaking in his Indiana drawl, the former Republican who lost his factory job told the crowd, “We need a president who puts Barney Smith before Smith Barney.” INVESCO Field erupted to chants of “Barney! Barney!” I’m sure we’ll see this accidental spokesman again.

Just where were Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen? The early reports that the Jersey rockers were going to play at the convention proved false. Instead, we got Michael McDonald. Thankfully, Stevie Wonder got the crowd hopping with “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”

What exactly was the deal with the backdrop? Home Depot meets Rome? It was certainly scrutinized by the McCain campaign (this is what Obama means when he talks about McCain’s “big election about small things.”) It looked like a little house where at any moment an old lady was going to come out and tell everyone to keep it down.

Even the Democrats were anxious to learn the identity of John McCain’s running mate. Sadly, with the announcement of Governor Sarah Palin, we won’t get to ridicule Mitt Romney—for now, anyway.

Just what do you bring home from the convention? Bumper stickers, buttons, shirts and any other gewgaw you can imagine. But some delegates got truly one-of-a-kind souvenirs. WCAP Radio’s Sam Poulten was savvy enough to make off with the giant MASSACHUSETTS sign from the convention floor. As everyone prepares to leave Denver, I’m thinking the doo-dads will be 50 percent off, like Halloween candy on November 1.

Mike Ross is a Boston City Councilor, pledged delegate for Barack Obama, and one of our MySpace top friends.