How Has the Country Changed

++The Tampa fete claims that President Obama has changed the country and made it feel not as exceptional. There was only one mention of Iraq today and that was from Florida's Attorney General saying that "No one in Iraq died for affordable healthcare." But I'm certain some of their families are glad they did. Better than to die in vain.

++We don't have the phony terror alert codes that came about during the 2004 conventions. The gas seems to have gone out of the war like drumbeats of the past ghosts. Even though McCain revved up his calls for a no-fly zone in Syria and criticized Obama for his policy toward Iran, Richard Williamson, the Romney man, quickly informed the press these were not Romney's positions. Even Rand Paul got in his digs at McCain, who vowed to fight the defense cuts, by saying not all defense spending is worthwhile. There was a sense they wanted the United States to lead but knew that no one had the stomach anymore for war.

++The Bush video was an homage to old man Bush with his son chiming in. Both dutifully said Romney was a fine man. 

++This is a train wreck of a convention. It is clear from everyone's body language they aren't into their nominee and that don't have any ideas. Today, Chris Christie said he was interested in running in 2016, Rick Perry said he was interested and people like Senator Thune invoked his Norwegian parents as a narrative for the race. In fact, you could tell who was running by their invocation of their immigrant roots. Mitt Romney is already an afterthought. Yes, they have a burning hatred for President Obama but when Jan Brewer slips and says she hopes Obama is re-elected you know things are funky. 

++Tonight we are to segue from the small theme of We built this all our own to restoring America. God knows what tomorrow's theme will be. 

++It's pretty obvious the GOP doesn't have a lot to argue against President Obama. It is all emotive. The whole campaign is now just lies targeting most groups. But when you come down to it the major beef is that the Black Man didn't clean up the white boys' mess fast enough. Maybe lightning will strike. But ,boy, this has been a dull and dreadful affair. 

++I finally got to see Ann Romney's speech. What a godawful voice and almost Stepford Wife presence. I know it is very hard to give such a speech but the enthusiasm from the audience was just to cheer her on. I did not get any keen sense of Mitt Romney from it. In fact, I was turned off by the tone. Yet, Ann Romney's speech so far was the only one truly in favor of the man. He has been kicked to the curb so far.

++Tomorrow I will see if Paul Ryan turned a dying affair around.