Less Moore?

Writing about the reported ban on Bush bashing on the DNC podium, Josh Marshall reports a conversation with a Party functionary who told him that the Convention would not be a "Michael Moore event." As luck would have it, he later spotted Upper Left's favorite documentarian on a passing escalator and got in a quick Q&A.

So I ask him what he makes of all of this. No attacks on the president. Not even any mention of the man's name. It's like the anti-Michael Moore event. Or rather the non-Michael Moore event. (I caught myself the first time, realizing that hadn't come out precisely as I'd intended.)

Clearly, the guy didn't know what to make of me. And as he breezes by he says, "Oh, Really? I liked it. You don't even have to say it. Everyone knows how bad it is."

Think what you will about Michael Moore or evening one of the convention, I think that sums up precisely what this event is all about and the dynamic on which it's operating.

And that's it, isn't it. Everybody knows how bad it is. Simply laying out the facts is all that's called for, no angry rhetoric is needed.

Al Gore and Bill Clinton did that job admirably last night, telling America what happened four years ago and what the results have been. Now we just need to make the alternative clear.

America can do better. America must.

And there's no doubt. Our guy is better than their guy.