THE Democratic National Convention has opened in Denver with a dramatic appearance by Senator Edward Kennedy and a major address by presidential candidate Barack Obama’s wife Michelle.
Mr Kennedy, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour earlier this year, drew thunderous applause and a standing ovation when he walked onstage without assistance following a video tribute to his life in politics.
“My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here and nothing – nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight,” he said.
Speaking in a strong voice despite weeks of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, Mr Kennedy delivered a powerful endorsement of Mr Obama for president.
“Barack Obama will close the book on race and gender and group against group and straight against gay and Barack Obama will be a commander-in-chief who understands that young Americans in uniform must never be committed to a mistake but always to a mission worthy of their bravery,” he said.
Mr Kennedy’s speech ended with an echo of his address to the Democratic convention in 1980, when he lost a nomination battle with Jimmy Carter.
“The work begins anew, the hope rises again and the dream lives on,” he said.
Mr Kennedy’s appearance was the emotional high point of an opening convention night that mostly avoided attacks on the Republicans, seeking instead to stress the quintessentially American nature of Mr Obama’s life story.
Mrs Obama, who faced fierce criticism from conservatives in February when she said she had never been proud of her country until her husband’s presidential campaign, drew a standing ovation when she declared "I love this country".
Mrs Obama recalled her upbringing on the South Side of Chicago and stressed her role as a wife and mother as she spoke about tucking her daughters Malia and Sasha into bed at night.
"I think about how one day, they'll have families of their own. And one day, they — and your sons and daughters — will tell their own children about what we did together in this election. They'll tell them how this time, we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears. How this time, we decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming," she said.
Mrs Obama was joined onstage by her children as Mr Obama appeared by video link to praise his wife.
"How about Michelle Obama?" he said. "Now you know why I asked her out so many times even though she said no. You want a persistent president."