The Hiller Instinct: Reflecting On The DNC

John Kerry, Democratic Presidental Nominee
"I'm John Kerry and I'm reporting for duty with a salute, Kerry made it official last night.This is more than a campaign…it's a war."

The war in Iraq justifies the metaphor. The battles there will be mirrored here in battleground states. And just as one side will ultimately win the war on terror, so will either the democrats or republicans declare victory in November. The military theme was obvious when Kerry arrived for the convention on Wednesday, accompanied by his crewmates from Vietnam, and an appropriate anthem.

John Kerry, Democratic Presidental Nominee
"Bruce Springsteen had it right, no retreat, no surrender"

Think of this convention as a call to arms…arms that will soon pull levers in voting booths. The democrats paraded their former commanders-in-chief to enlist Americans for their candidates:

WIlliam Clinton, Former President
"Their opponents will tell you to be afraid of John Kerry and John Edwards, because they won't stand up to terrorists--don't you believe it.

 Jimmy Carter, Former President
"When our national security requires military action, John Kerry has already proven in Vietnam that he will not hesitate to act."

John Edwards, Vice Presidental Nominee
"Decisive, strong. Aren't these the traits you want in a Commander In Chief?"

Max Cleland, Former Georgia Senator
"He is the captain of our ship of state and he will be the next president of the United States..."

Introduced at the convention last night by a close friend, whose body was broken in Vietnam, Kerry promised a change in direction if there's a change of command.

John Kerry, Democratic Presidental Nominee
"I will be a commander in chief who will never mislead us into war...and I will appoint an attorney general who will uphold the constitution of the United States.

The republicans have an army, too...that will mobilize next month at the GOP convention in New York City. As both parties prepare for the hand-to-hand combat that's coming, make no mistake this will be a brutal campaign; one ideology will die.