Circus Report: Day Three

More circus, but the clowns do indeed seem to be showing up in much lower numbers than predicted. I blame Burning Man and a lack of Phish concerts, though Mike Gordon and the boys are due in on Friday, and there's always the potential for an "irrational exuberance" riot after the Rage Against The Machine concert. But no worries, law enforcement is filling in:

ABC Reporter Arrested in Denver Taking Pictures of Senators, Big Donors

Police in Denver arrested an ABC News producer today as he and a camera crew were attempting to take pictures on a public sidewalk of Democratic Senators and VIP donors leaving a private meeting at the Brown's Palace Hotel.

Police on the scene refused to tell ABC lawyers the charges against the producer, Asa Eslocker, who works with the ABC News investigative unit.

The MSM may be in a slump, but really, actively annoying them isn't the best idea. It tends to color the coverage. Hope they got some good footage! Speaking of footage, Zombie weighs in with Day 3 photos:

Live from DNC: It’s Zombietime! (Day 3)

My favorite is the spotting of Joe Biden's body double, presumably being used for security purposes. Lends a whole new light to the labels of "Xerox Joe" and "Joe Joe Biden Biden," doesn't it? Moving on, it seems that Michael Barone, Mickey Kaus, and myself are on the same wavelength regarding Hillary's speech:

Hillary Clinton's Speech Was a Good Start on Her 2012 Run

Kausfiles

You know how when you give a party, you have a great time and there's this warm glow as you think about it? And then you start remembering the guests who didn't show up, and you get a little annoyed? Hillary's speech last night was like that.

Apparently a lot of Clinton supporters agree as well, such as this Clinton delegate:

Even the MSM could feel it:

Hillary Goes Out With a Whimper

Clinton didn't come close to injecting the shot of energy that the Democratic convention desperately needs, but neither did she do anything to damage Obama's campaign. Instead, she wrapped up her historic candidacy with a whimper—an understated, buzzword-laden speech that held about as much passion as a Wednesday night city council meeting.

Characteristically, Clinton seemed to want to do several things at once, and as a result did none of them especially well. She made the necessary appeal for unity; she took some shots at John McCain; and she thanked—rather perfunctorily and without much feeling, it seemed to me—the many supporters of hers who have caused so much hand-wringing and consternation. But it was hard to come away thinking that anything significant had changed.

Many Clinton Supporters Say Speech Didn't Heal Divisions

Hillary Rodham Clinton's most loyal delegates came to the Pepsi Center on Tuesday night looking for direction. They listened, rapt, to a 20-minute speech that many proclaimed the best she had ever delivered, hoping her words could somehow unwind a year of tension in the Democratic Party. But when Clinton stepped off the stage and the standing ovation faded into silence, many of her supporters were left with a sobering realization: Even a tremendous speech couldn't erase their frustrations.

Despite Clinton's plea for Democrats to unite, her delegates remained divided as to how they should proceed.

There was Jerry Straughan, a professor from California, who listened from his seat in the rafters and shook his head at what he considered the speech's predictability. "It's a tactic," he said. "Who knows what she really thinks? With all the missteps that have taken place, this is the only thing she could do. So, yes, I'm still bitter."

Which makes this even less surprising (to others--it's no surprise to me):

Hillary Supporters for McCain:
West Virginia Democrats aren't warming up to Obama

Of course, the MSM wants to keep the drama running as strongly as possible (RATINGS RATINGS feel relevant RATINGS) but the polls seem to reflect the trend. We'll have to see how the next couple of weeks run, though. It's early yet.

Ah yes, Bitter Clingers can be found on both sides of the Divide!

[Demotivator created by 14 Karat.]