Andrew Sullivan makes a critical observation missed by most of the 15,000 journalists covering the Democratic convention:
"If the first night is any indicator, the Democrats have played the smartest, strongest card of the campaign so far. First off, they put 9/11 front and foremost, insisting that this is their catastrophe too, and the center of their concerns as well. A vital move. And it was done movingly and well."
"Ironic, isn't it, that the Republican convention was placed in New York in early September precisely to evoke memories of 9/11, and yet, by coming first, the Democrats may have dented that advantage with their innovative commemmoration."
Update: Shawn Chen notes that RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie said "last night's tribute to victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks means that talk of the tragedy -- for better or worse -- is now a 'legitimate part of the conventions.'"