Mile-high hopes for Democrats

THIS TIME, there isn't any excitement deficit. Unlike the last two Democratic presidential conventions, which were tasked with giving sizzle to the fairly pedestrian John Kerry and Al Gore, the party will get all the soaring rhetoric and inspiration from Barack Obama it can handle. In fact, there is some danger of overkill: scenes of Obama accepting the nomination before 75,000 adoring fans can be made to look like vanity - something Republicans already are trying to exploit. As the Democrats open their presidential convention in Denver today, they need to balance glamour with grit.

Fortunately, there is no lack of material. Obama and his running mate, Senator Joe Biden, have their pick of issues that show the opponents in an unfavorable light, from the mess in Iraq to the subprime scandals. But Obama needs to present a clear, pragmatic alternative that connects with ordinary voters in their everyday lives. In other words, it's the economy, smarty.

A second obvious task is to secure the enthusiastic support of Obama's vanquished rival Hillary Clinton, the party's other history-making figure. When she releases her delegates to vote for Obama, it needs to be a goose bumps moment.

This year's event has a green patina, promising to be the most environmentally sustainable political convention ever. The party even gave caterers voluntary guidelines for healthy food choices, including locally grown and organic options, with at least three different colors on each plate. (Presumably, less wholesome fare will also be available.)

This isn't just PC run amok. The Democrats are making an appeal this year to the Intermountain West, trying to win over Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada. Energy issues, including conservation and renewables, top the list of voter concerns in all three states - not to mention for the young people galvanized by the Obama campaign.

Indicators are pointing up for the Democrats. The nation is practically frothing for change. The disaster in Iraq is exceeded only by the accelerating danger in the lawless areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The economy is moribund, with some 3 million Americans facing home foreclosures, a credit squeeze that is strangling growth, and price spikes in necessities from food to fuel. The healthcare system threatens to bankrupt the country and still isn't delivering care fairly or efficiently. The nation's reputation is tarnished everywhere. Even the recently completed Olympics extravaganza was a hint that it may be time to make way for the Asian Century.

Still, voters don't elect "change." They choose a person. Starting today, Obama needs to introduce himself and learn to ask to be the One.