6:00 pm: Getting ready to watch all the speeches including the one everyone has been waiting for. Unfortunately, I could not come down to Denver and see it live but will instead settle for watching it in HD in the company of fellow political junkies. The question is where were you when it happened?

Here is the schedule of speakers:  

Gov. Bill Ritter, DNC Chair Howard Dean, Rep. John Lewis, Gov. Bill Richardson, Gov. Tim Kaine, Stevie Wonder performance, Al Gore, Susan Eisenhower, Sen. Dick Durbin, Barack Obama.

6:45 pm: The number of people that are present at this acceptance speech is unbelievable. I saw some of the people I met while campaigning in West Virginia in the crowd shown on CNN.

7:50 pm: Great speeches by the offspring of Martin Luther King. The symbolism of this moment and the anniversary of the “I have a dream” speech is truly historic. We also heard the performance of one of the most popular YouTube songs, “Yes We Can.” For a few minutes, the entire crowd, who is still trying to get to their seats seemed to have stopped and listened.

8:35 pm: Bill Richardson was alright, his appeal to latino voters will be very important. Now, watching Stevie Wonder performance, apparently Obama is a big fan of his music.

9:00 pm: Al Gore has just spoke. Funniest line, when referring to McCain’s commitment to continue Bush’s policies: “I believe in recycling, but thats ridicules.” The speech started with what would have been if he got election to demonstrate that elections do matter. Global warming came next highlighting the fact that McCain is backpedalling on the issue by withdrawing his support for mandatory caps. He then talked about big oil and the misleading ads that try to convince the American people that they are actually doing something to fix the problem. Ironically, Exxon Mobile is sponsoring CNN’s coverage of the Democratic Convention and plays their commercials during in-between breaks. Its hard to compete with a half a billion advertising strategy.

9:15 pm: Susan Eisenhower, a granddaughter of a Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower who was probably more progressive then some democrats today. The famous speech about the future dangers of the “military industrial complex” could not have been more accurate. This speech meant to appeal to independents from the start and it adds another character judge to Obama’s line of endorsements.

9:30 pm: Biden just spoke: “This is what we meant by an open convention.” pointing to the 90,000 in the open stadium. CNN also reported there are over 50,000 events to watch Obama speak across America. A short speech by Biden, probably to meet the 10pm time of Obama’s speech.

9:45 pm: Switching over to PBS, one of the best lines from a worker who’s job was sent oversees named Barney Smith: “We need a president who will put Barney Smith over Smith Barney.”

10:00 pm: Durbin is introducing Barack Obama. The number of people estimated in the stadium is now at about 90,000-100,000 people with thousands standing outside. The visual impact of this many people excited about a political speech is overwhelming. Time to witness history.

12:00 am (The Speech): “A speech of a lifetime.” The speech was brilliant. Obama was honest and got straight to what he will do as president. He acknowledged his faults (have you ever seen a politician do that?) and turned them around. He got tough with McCain and nailed him from national security to the economy. Obama also touched on the issues that have been used as a wedge against Democrats and offered a common ground, issues like abortion, gun rights, immigration, and gay marriage. So here is summary of what I think he accomplished with this speech: 

- Brought in Clinton supporters, united the party and put that issue to rest. 

- Defined McCain and countered virtually every attack republicans will throw at Obama next week.

- Rallied the base and offered a common ground to those that are hesitant to support him. 

- Outlined exactly what an Obama presidency will change about America by going through issue by issue. It wasn’t all hope and tears, there was plenty of meat on the bones on this speech.

I think Obama has made a believer out of millions with that speech tonight and it will go down in history as one of America’s turning points.