TWO WONDERFUL QUOTES COMMENTING ON THE POLITICAL SCENE

Quote of the Day I

"The air of unease at the Democratic convention this week was not just a result of the Clinton psychodrama. The deeper anxiety was that the party was nominating a man of many gifts but precious few accomplishments -- bearing even fewer witnesses.

When John Kerry was introduced at his convention four years ago, an honor guard of a dozen mates from his Vietnam days surrounded him on the podium attesting to his character and readiness to lead. Such personal testimonials are the norm. . . .

The oddity of this convention is that its central figure is the ultimate self-made man, a dazzling mysterious Gatsby. The palpable apprehension is that the anointed is a stranger -- a deeply engaging, elegant, brilliant stranger with whom the Democrats had a torrid affair. Having slowly woken up, they see the ring and wonder who exactly they married last night"

-- Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer.

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Quote of the Day II

"We got to know Barack and Michelle Obama, two tall, thin, rich, beautiful people who don't perspire, but who nonetheless feel compassion for their squatter and smellier fellow citizens. We know that Barack could have gone to a prestigious law firm, like his big donors in the luxury boxes, but he chose to put his ego aside to become a professional politician, president of the United States and redeemer of the human race.

We heard about his time as a community organizer, the three most fulfilling months of his life. We were thrilled by his speech in front of the Greek columns, which were conscientiously recycled from the concert, 'Yanni, Live at the Acropolis.'

We were honored by his pledge, that if elected president, he will serve at least four months before running for higher office. We were moved by his campaign slogan, 'Vote Obama: He's better than you'll ever be.' We were inspired by dozens of Democratic senators who declared their lifelong love of John McCain before denouncing him as a reactionary opportunist who would destroy the country"

-- New York Times columnist David Brooks.