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For the pasttwo weeks, the Republican and the Democratic party of the US staged theirquadrennial National Presidential nominating conventions respectively inFlorida and North Carolina. Although the nominees are well known before hand,this is the opportunity for each party to state their case and to try toconvince the American public as to why their party’s choice should be the nextpresident and vice president of the US. The convention is really what can becalled a three-days-long infomercial (i.e., an advertising commercial on TV tocarry an informational message). This year both parties tried to re-kindle theAmerican Dream using many speakers from all walks of life talking about theirlife experiences. Another new and possibly soon will become a permanent featureof the convention is that the wives of the nominee must deliver a speech. Thistime both wives of Romney and Obama did a good job. But Michelle Obama in herspeech last night in my opinion hit a home run. Shecaptured the spirit of dignity, decency, honesty, integrity, and humility of themiddle class.  Although she may not beaware, her speech also resonated with the gratitude only an immigrant is privileged to feel about his/her adoptedcountry. Many people in the audience and viewer all over the country were movedto tears.

I know these are all scripted and managedbut nevertheless are stagecraft at their best. I know the conventions arebroadcasted worldwide. I wonder if they were available and watched in China.

Notes added at the conclusion of the Democratic Party Convention 11:25pm Sept.6 2012:

In my opinion, it is the misfortune of the Republicans to have their convention two weeks early than the Democrats. They are in the position of two people engaged in an old fashion pistol duel. One fired first and did not kill his opponent. Now the opponent can take his time, slowly aim and then fire while the one fired first must stand and take it. Sure there are 60 more days to the actual election, but the Democrats clearly won this round. The Democrats also had far better and skillful speakers in the persons of Michelle Obama, former President Clinton and of course the President himself.

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