Michelle Obama

I haven't felt much like blogging for a while. Last night I received an injection of spirit, and so here I am.

It was good to see and hear Ted Kennedy, a man whose contributions to social justice and progress in this country have inspired hope for many people, for many years. Makes me proud to call myself a liberal. I wish him well in his tough fight with cancer, and I hope he will be back with us in January.

I was impressed with the moderate, thoughtful, principled tone of Jim Leach's remarks. What better reminder can there be of Barack Obama's belief that we are one America. If you missed it, it really is worth reading.

Of course, the highlight of the evening was hearing from Michelle Obama. I generally have a low regard for the opinions and public statements of politician's spouses - we don't vote for them, and mostly I wish they would remember that. But this election has seen some nasty personal characterizations, false stories, and appeals to racial resentments and suspicions. We heard the charges of elitism, and suggestions of un-American values and disloyalty. It all called for a rebuttal, and that is what this very classy future first lady gave us last night.

Michelle Obama also gave us something else. For those of us who teared up during the tribute to Ted Kennedy, Michelle's words were a heartening and inspiring reminder that Kennedy's commitment to fairness, opportunity, compassion and justice does indeed live on in a new generation of leaders. In ways that Barack so far has not done, Michelle connected the lofty dreams and core values of liberalism with our hearts, with our families and neighbors, with our children and their future.

I am so very proud of Michelle Obama, and I approve her message.

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