In Denver it was clear that common decency is in vogue, but is loving kindness no longer à la mode? Gamal Nkrumah narrates his impression of the Democratic Party Presidential Convention Perhaps Americans are colour-blind after all. What a relief. The world, for once, watched an America to be proud of. The Democratic Party Convention in Denver, Colorado, that took place this week, was the acceptable face of America. The Colorado convention revised the pivotal points of contemporary American history and politics. The day of reckoning was at hand. "Bring our troops home," trumpeted a triumphant Senator Hillary Clinton. She graciously conceded defeat at the primaries, with not the slightest hint of fury or resentment. She pledged to support Barack Obama as the nest president of the United States. Senator Clinton gracefully accepted the fait accompli. "Barack Obama is my candidate and he must be our president," she thundered. And, the audience rose to a roaring round of applause, an unparalleled standing ovation. It was American political fanfare as we have never witnessed it before. Yet, the razzmatazz was genuine and speeches were heartfelt. Even Senator Clinton managed to come across as sincere. Clinton described Republican presidential candidate John McCain as a "dear friend and colleague" and praised his "wonderful wife Jill". But she did not mince her words making it abundantly clear that she abhorred his policies and explained why. "No way, no how, no McCain," She described how the administration of US President George W Bush pillaged the American economy, wasting vast sums on senseless wars. She decried the "public plunder" of the powers that be. She spoke of "failed leadership". She reminded the audience that the country faced the "biggest deficit" in its history, and that the Bush administration led America to economic ruin "borrowing from China in order to buy Saudi oil." Senator Clinton emphasised that healthcare provision should be for all Americans and not a privileged few. She recounted the story of the single mother battling with cancer who was raising two children single-handedly and who had painted Hillary's name on her shaven head. She pointed out that Bush and McCain are two of a kind. "It is awfully hard to tell them apart." She noted that McCain does not give two hoots about the fact that 47 million Americans do not have access to proper healthcare. A good point, if I may say so. She was candid, dignified and eloquent. "Together we make history," Clinton reminded her listeners. She spoke of "women's rights" and "gay rights" as prerequisite for a viably functioning democracy. She ended her speech by making reference to Harriet Tubman. "There is no chasm too deep in America," Senator Clinton said. "Keep going," she reiterated Tubman's famous mantra. Clinton declared that she was a "proud mother", a "proud daughter", a "proud American" and a "proud Democrat", but it was characteristic of the spirit of the Denver Democratic Convention. She could not bring herself to say that she was a "proud wife" and the audience, I believe, sympathised with her for that kind of frankness. Not that she did not praise Bill Clinton later in her speech. "We will do it again with President Obama" she stressed. In Denver, Senator Clinton's political correctness could not be questioned. I've been trying to remember the lines that Hillary Clinton spewed -- carrying on as if nothing had happened during the ugly nomination campaign. The Clintons had no right to browbeat the Obamas during the presidential campaign, but at least at Denver all was forgiven and forgotten. Then there is the prickly question of Michelle Obama. Her detractors dismiss her as the "first lady of grievance". However, in Denver she was anything but disgruntled. Some say that for once she did not speak her mind. Others that she spoke from her heart. Her comments sometimes brought opprobrium. There are many hardcore Republicans who do not want the real story of Michelle Obama to emerge. Dubbed the powerhouse behind her husband, she was never the subdued housewife type. As vice-president for community and external affairs at the University of Chicago hospitals, Mrs Obama earned more than her husband did as senator. As his presidential campaign took off, she cut back on her job commitments. Hailing from a typical working-class family, her heart-wrenching rendition of the struggle and personal pain of her father to provide for the family even as he suffered from multiple sclerosis hit a chord among her listeners. She is not desperately eager to be at the wheel. Dutiful, candid and stylish, Michelle Obama is the very epitome of the successful new African-American woman. Craig Robinson, her basketball star brother, introduced his baby sister. She, in turn, delivered the prime-time speech with such grace, poise and perspicacity. Trudging about in pursuit of political gain is not her style. She cannot contemplate being treated like rubbish. Perhaps some spectators expected the Obamas to wallow shamelessly in all the servility that blacks of that calibre can expect to receive. No. Michelle Obama wowed audiences and made a memorable impression in Denver. The Obamas were everyone's favourites. Perhaps their real nemeses were the Clintons. The Obamas are a paragon of virtue. One instinctively knows that Michelle, unlike Hillary, would never put up with a womanising William, no matter what. Not for all the promise and prestige of the White House. She cherishes her decent, steady family lifestyle, and she comes across as being straightforward and true to herself. Incredibly enough, after her impressive speech, she shrunk into herself like a snail. That at least is her story. Out of the blue, Caroline Kennedy, too, took up the challenge. She introduced her beloved uncle "Teddy". He spoke brilliantly, as always, in spite of struggling against cancer. He rose to the occasion and reiterated his backing of Obama. And so did Senator Joe Biden who was named as Obama's choice of vice-president. As chairman of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, Biden's Catholic, blue-collar working class roots will strengthen Obama -- or so we are told. It is now more a matter not of who will be the next president of the United States, but by what margin will he win the American vote. Blacks, whites and Hispanics will vote for Obama and so will Asian Americans. Muslim and Arab Americans? I am not entirely sure. Catholic to the core, Biden is a self- confessed Zionist. Publicly berated for his pro-Israeli posturing, Senator Clinton insisted that Obama was "fortunate to have Joe Biden by his side". It was almost as if she felt slightly humiliated to say "no, I would have made a better choice of vice president" -- as if she was caught out in an imposture. So no detour, as far as American Middle East policy is concerned.
