The day

Initially, I gave Bill Clinton's speech a B, because Bill is capable of great, soaring oratory, and I grade him on a curve.

Then I realized that Bill probably toned it down specifically because the night was not supposed to be about him. It's Biden's night, and Bill left some air in the room for Joe to use.

Biden did what I hoped he'd do: he came out strong and explained who he is and what he believed in, and then he began to sharply draw the lines and contrasts that need to be deeply carved into the national conversation over the next two months.

This administration has appallingly low approval ratings, holding steady in the high 20s-low 30s for about three years now. The only reason McCain has any footing at all is that his campaign has been able to keep McCain's image separate from McCain's actual policy judgments, which are almost identical to President Bush and Vice President Cheney's.

He has the same foreign policy advisers, essentially. His economic advisers advocate more of the same. And Biden's right: his judgment has been proven wrong on key foreign policy and domestic issues repeatedly over the past few years.

The Dems need to keep reminding everyone of where we're at, and who brought us here. Biden started the chorus off nicely.

Also, Angry Mouse. Angry Mouse sings a rousing chorus, too.