US:AS THE Democratic National Convention waited to hear from Hillary Clinton last night, John McCain released a new ad using the former first lady's words to attack Barack Obama. DENIS STAUNTONreports from Denver
The ad mimics Mrs Clinton's primary campaign commercial featuring sleeping children and a 3am phone call suggesting an international crisis. The new ad uses a clip of Mrs Clinton saying: "I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience that he will bring to the White House. And, Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002." A narrator adds: "Hillary's right. John McCain for president."
Democratic party chairman Howard Dean yesterday played down reports of tension between supporters of Mr Obama and those of Mrs Clinton.
"There is not a unity problem," he said. "Wait till you see Hillary Clinton's speech tonight."
As new polls showed the presidential race in a statistical dead heat, House speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed the surveys underestimated Mr Obama's advantage over Mr McCain.
"I think he is trouncing him. I want more of a spread, of course - I want it all," she said.
"We will get much more in the House and the Senate, and we have to have a Democratic president - nothing less is at stake than our economy, our constitution, our budget, our reputation in the world, ending this war - the list goes on."
The convention began on Monday night with a dramatic appearance by Senator Edward Kennedy and a major address by 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.
Mrs Obama, who faced fierce criticism from conservatives last year 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 Chicago upbringing 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."
Follow Denis Staunton's coverage of last night's events at the US Democratic Convention throughout this morning at www.irishtimes.com