I am out in Denver for the Democratic Convention.  Last night the convention opened with a dramatic speech by the great champion of justice Sen.  Ted Kennedy, who made it a point that America needed to get past the politics of division that pitted “straight against gay.”  I know I wasn’t the only one whose eyes welled up watching this incredible man who has fought the good fight for us for four decades in the Senate, coming to Denver despite recent brain surgery for his malignant cancer, to try one last time to inspire our nation to be a better place, just as his older brothers did before him.

Then I saw the future.  The evening closed with a moving personal speech by Michelle Obama, in which she talked about her own journey, growing up in a family with a Dad with MS who nevertheless managed to work for 30 years at a municipal water treatment plant and inspire Michelle and her brother to go to Princeton.  I saw a potential first lady unlike any other we have seen before, one who — with her husband — represents a dramatic turn in our nation’s history which, in many ways, the Kennedys help inspire four decades ago.  I saw a literal passing of the torch from the great liberal heroes of my childhood to a new generation that presents the fulfillment of what they fought for.  I was particularly touched when Michelle quoted Barack saying, “The world as it is just won’t do: we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be.”  That says it all

During the day I, like everyone else, find myself running from pillar to post attending different meetings and receptions.  But I had about an hour free so I went souvenir shopping for friends who couldn’t be here.  I went into one store and found my jaw hitting the floor when I found a t-shirt on display with both Barack and Hillary’s photos, with the legend beneath it saying “Bros before Hos.”  I was so stunned at the raw, visceral sexism of the t-shirt, in what seemed to be a perfectly respectable souvenir shop that I was literally rendered speechless (and people who know me, know that is a rare moment).  I looked around at the dozens of other customers, none of whom seemed to even notice the shirt.  I didn’t know what else to do but walk out, so I did.

Then tonight Hillary spoke, giving a magnificent address (my favorite line?  “No more, no way, no McCain.”)  I was never a Hillary supporter, having first (seemingly foolishly, in retrospect, given what we know now) backed John Edwards and then Barack, but tonight she made a believer of me.  I was particularly touched when she pointed out that, when her own Mom was born, women did not yet have the right to vote, and in this past primary her own daughter got to vote for her Mom to be President.  A wonderful symbol of progress.  But, as I was reminded in the T-shirt store today, we still have a ways to go.

I hope some day Hillary Clinton is President.  But I hope that day doesn’t come until 2016, when President Obama is term limited out.

Posted by Kevin on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 1:34 am.