Out of more of a feeling of obligation than anything, I watched last night’s opening of the Democratic Convention in Denver. To say I was initially unimpressed would be an understatement, particularly with Nancy Pelosi; to listen to her speak, she’s about as inspiring as the guy now occupying the White House, though more articulate and with a pronounced middle school principal demeanor.

The Ted Kennedy Appreciation Segment was predictably fluffy. I’m sure right-wingers across the country screamed into their TV as they watched: WHAT ABOUT CHAPPAQUIDDICK??? But the right-wingers will spend all week screaming into their TVs, which may be the best thing about the convention, right there.

Michalle Obama, on the other hand, was very good - America doesn’t know her, or didn’t. And she comes off as normal - I mean, I know this woman. She’s like the moms in Cub Scouts or the parents of the kids on the baseball team. The right-wingers have tried to make her out as some sort of America-hating alien. She maybe played up the familial thing a bit much - sister, wife, daughter, sure, though as Jason Zengerle over at TNR notes, she’s also a Harvard grad, attorney and hospital exec, and those aspects of her life have likely had a commesurate effect.

But if you watched her last night, you definitely came away with the idea that she isn’t the wild-eyed stranger right-wingers have tried to make her out to be - unless, of course, you’re invested in the idea of the wild-eyed stranger.

On the whole, I detest political conventions. Barack Obama is going to CURE CANCER! Barack Obama is going to CHANGE AMERICA!!! Yeah. And just wait ’til the Republicans convene and start talking about how they and only they will protect you from the cultural barbarians howling at your gates.

But evern now and then something real cuts through the yapping and the mindless sloganeering. I think Michelle Obama did it last night.

And is there any doubt that Hillary’s speech tonight might be single most dramatic moment in either convention?