Barack Obama is a clutch hitter.  On days one, two and three the Democrats loaded the bases for him with hit speeches by Michelle, Hillary and Joe.  But would Obama leave those opportunities to score with the American voters stranded in memories of the previous evenings?  No-- he hit it out of the park.

And the park was a football stadium.  Again, not afraid of failure but willing to take chances, Obama was right in choosing Mile High Stadium as the site of his acceptance speech.  It was breathtaking.  All those people, so diverse yet so unified in the moment.  It looked like America. 

As for the columns-- Republicans might as well be wondering why the Yankees are going to play in an empty stadium next year where the whole field is dirt and a bulldozer covers home plate.  *The backdrop wasn't finished being built*.

And the speech-- the speech leaves me speechless.

And we now know Obama was right in choosing Joe Biden.  They look great together, like winners, especially with both families standing on the stage.  The Ruth-Gehrig one-two punch of presidential politics, though Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron mostly come to mind.

Obama is at his best in pressure situations: his VP pick, the venue for his acceptance speech, the speech itself, and the entire tone of the convention.  Like most great players in team sports, Obama made everyone around him better-- and couldn't have done it without them.  Gore, Richardson, Casey, Kerry, and so many others also gave the best performances of their careers.

End of baseball metaphors-- beginning of serious hard work in changing America and putting Barack Obama in the White House.