DNC Update: Day 1

So I've been basically anchored to the Big Tent all day. There were some solid speakers at the Digg stage, and hey, free beer. They aren't running sound out of the main tent area right now, but they should have it up for the major speeches. The traditional media is definitely pushing this PUMA angle here, although Chuck Todd pushed back. The Republicans are really skillfully ratfucking this convention and getting the media to cover it. The RNC is holding a "Hillary happy hour" tonight. They blanketed the area behind Chris Matthews today with McCain signs. They are managing the media response to this convention and doing it pretty well, honesty. But it doesn't entirely matter. What matters are the speeches - that's what resonates into November. Sure, the wingnuts will manufacture a hissy fit somewhere along the line, but if Sen. Clinton, Sen. Biden and Sen. Obama are powerful, I think we'll be fine.

Julia Rosen has some good pictures of the floor from the vantage point of the California delegation (where I'll be) here.

And Jon Stewart speaks for me.