Usually, political conventions make for terrible media events. They are staged, predictable, highly choreographed and pretty boring. Yet so far, the Democratic National Convention, while tightly scripted by the Obama campaign, has made for pretty decent TV.

Ted Kennedy's appearance was inspiring on many levels. You didn't have to be a Democrat to appreciate what the Senator from Massachusetts, who is struggling with brain cancer, did on Monday night. His voice was strong and his message was clear. He grabbed the hearts and minds of every Democrat in that crowd, but also had an impact on the millions watching on TV. Don't kid yourself, there is still a little bit of that Kennedy mystique hanging around, and many in the media— particularly older journalists and broadcasters— feel a connection to it whether they admit it or not.

As for Michelle Obama, she was well rehearsed, looked fabulous on TV, and delivered a damn good speech. Of course it was corny, and the thing with the two girls was cute, but no doubt over the top. The video connection with Barack Obama didn't really work. The timing was off, but it didn't really matter. Michelle Obama did her job. She was introduced to millions of Americans via television as a sharp, classy mom and wife who happens to have a pretty impressive career on her own. The only message that didn't resonate for me was the "we're just like you" routine. Both of them went to Ivy League schools, including top law schools. Barack made millions off his books, and has skyrocketed to national political prominence only a few years after coming out of the Illinois Legislature. So, they are not like most Americans, and I wish the Obamas would stop that routine. It's not necessary. Besides, I'm not convinced Americans want someone who is "just like us."

As for Hillary Clinton, she hit a grand slam Tuesday night. No doubt about it. I'm not a huge Hillary Clinton fan, and don't think she's a particularly great speaker, but she was awesome. She was passionate and energetic. She read the teleprompter like a pro, and looked just as good as Michele Obama on camera (albeit a bit older.) The media's love affair with the alleged "bitter grudge" between the Obamas and the Clintons is great theater. I also happen to believe it's pretty true, so in spite of Hillary's great speech, we are going to continue that theme, come hell or high water. We in the media love conflict. And, if Obama doesn't win in key states where Clinton is popular, guess where the finger is going to be pointing. Hillary has a lot of work to do to follow up her convention appearance, but she took a lot of pressure off herself and put it squarely on Barack Obama.

As for Bill Clinton, I'm writing this before he speaks, but I'm expecting him to suck up all the oxygen in Denver as well as in surrounding states. His ego is massive, and he loves the media attention. But he better watch himself, because if the Clintons wind up becoming the main story of this convention, the expectations for Barack Obama Thursday night will be off the charts.

Bottom line, as conventions go, the Democrats are doing pretty well. So, if we can stay awake next week for the Republicans, who clearly lack the "star power" the Democrats have, the political dog days of summer won't be half bad from a media perspective.