THE DEMS LAUNCH – AT 8:34 A.M. ET:  The latest polling shows that the Republicans got, or retained, only a small bounce from last week's convention.  That's understandable because convention viewing is so small these days.  Now we'll see how the Dems do.

The president's party put on a reasonably good show yesterday.  The star, of course, was Michelle Obama, who gave her usual heartfelt "I love the guy" speech.  The problem, of course, is that Obama already has a record and the country is in abysmal shape.  I think the Dems yesterday were preaching to the converted.  If you still have faith in Obama, you loved Michelle.  If you're fed up and disillusioned, you admired her speaking style.

Tonight, as our excitement builds, we will have the honor to hear three former employees of Mitt Romney's Bain Capital, who presumably will gossip about their former boss.  Nothing like loyalty.  I think it will backfire.

We'll also hear Elizabeth Warren herself, no doubt talking about the folkways of the Cherokee.  Maybe she'll tell us how she always admired the Lone Ranger.  As we reported, a group of Native Americans has asked to meet with her to discuss her claim that she's one of them.  We have no late word on whether that meeting will take place. 

The main event will be Bill Clinton, placing Obama's name in nomination.  In a way, it's humiliating from Obama to have to call on Clinton, whom he despises, for help.  But Clinton isn't doing it out of party loyalty.  He's doing it to set his wife up for 2016.  Pundits will be watching for little signs, little winks, that he knows Obama is an inadequate president, or little phrases that kill with kindness.  I think they'll find them.

Most people who watch conventions these days are already partisans of the party holding the affair.  I don't think independents, who are the target voters, will be much swayed, even by Bill Clinton.  Voters are usually more astute than pundits think, and they know who actually is running, and it ain't Slick Willy.

We understand Joe Biden, with tape covering his mouth, is being escorted to the convention.

September 5, 2012