Okay, the convention is over. It was my first experience of such a national gathering. Of course it had its warts, both in terms of logistics and politics.

Not all constituencies were wholly pleased with Obama’s big speech, which offered something for everyone in the newly enlarged Democratic tent but also left some believing they deserved a bigger piece of the whole.

But the overwhelming sense underlying all the differences, regional and ideological, is a common understanding that the last eight years of W have beggared the country while further enriching the wealthy, and have put the country further at risk in unnecessary wars and an abandonment of international alliances.

The show last night was staged and finely choreographed, the speeches driven by the huge teleprompters arrayed in front of the stage, but the excitement of delegates, family, and friends, the anticipation, the welcoming of this opportunity for moving the country in a different direction, the desire to make a difference, and the commitment to work towards this end over the next 60-somthing days, this was real and fundamental, and reflected in people’s faces, their tears, their shouts of approval.

I heard many people, including both Obama and Clinton supporters, crediting both of the Clintons for masterful speeches that should bring their grassroots into the campaign during this key period.

I admit coming away with an appreciation for how many articulate grassroots Democrats I met from all parts of the country, coming different circumstances and life experiences. I met people on the streets, on the trains, in the convention center, who were the best promoters of the Democratic agenda because it was/is part of their lives.

If the purpose of this convention was to recognize, reward, and foster that underlying spirit, it was a big success. It’s success at moving voters outside of the Democratic Party remains to be seen.

I can understand the anger of the anti-war protesters outside the convention at the political compromises that have been made and continue to be made. But even the somewhat watered down results reflected in Obama’s campaign rhetoric and the party platform appear to be way better than where we’ve been for the past eight years.

To tell the truth, I’m most concerned about foreign policy. If Obama is elected, I can foresee a Lyndon Johnson kind of era, with progressive social legislation moving through Congress but bookended by continuing wars as the macho posturing of both parties continue to trap us in military responses to international problems.

Last night, I heard contradictory signals. On the one hand, there was a line about not being able to fight an international terrorist network active in 80 countries via war in Iraq. On the other, a call for escalation of the war in Afghanistan against both Bin Laden and the Taliban.

It may be good campaign rhetoric, but I’m afraid such simple calls for action miss the complex politics of the region.

Bottom line. I don’t really like crowd scenes, I’m not enamored of party politics, but this whole experience was well worth the effort. I’m glad that I came and was able to be part of the action.