Ok, this was one for this history books.

Sharon and I just got back to my Richmond townhouse from the Alltel Pavilion (kids are sleeping on the floor).  What a great night.  Here are some impressions:

First of all, the security was crazy.  We had to wait 45 minutes to get inside.  Thankfully the warm weather made it a breeze.  Saw lots of friends while I was waiting in line. 

When the Virginia legislators were called up early in the night for our "Parade of Legislators", I hopped over the wasist-high guard fence to get backstage.  Immediately, two Secret Service agents (I guess) grabbed me.  Guess I didn't look the part.

Fortunately, my fellow freshman Senator Ralph Northam of Norfolk was there to sort things out.  Or else I'd be in the back of a paddy wagon right now. 

I'm sure people will have their own impression of the speeches.  I've heard Senator Obama on two occasions:  at George Mason and at last year's JJ.  It was my first time seeing Senator Clinton live.

Let me preface by saying that politicians at this level (running for President) are the very top of the game.  They are the best of the best.

Having said that, I thought Clinton looked a little tired.  She read her speech, which was well-written. Still it's just not the same.

Obama?  Well, the place went crazy.  The young people in the rafters had been waiting all night to hear him. He was feeding off their energy.  We all were.

Speaking of energy ... it was great to hear Clinton, Obama and Mark Warner talk about "clean energy" in their remarks.   (Warner had a great speech between the two Presidential candidates).  Warner specifically talked about developing renewables in Virginia.  Hey, there's an idea.

Obama has a gift for speaking, pausing and then filling the silence with his next thought.  He used this last year.  People are listening to what he has to say.  And they like what they hear.  The only drawback I heard expressed was that Sharon thinks he should sport solid colors (not diagonals) on his tie.

The evening wrapped up about 11 p.m.  I"ll read the newspaper accounts tomorrow.  I don't know if we'll ever again have a chance in Virginia to play such a leading role in Presidential politics.  Let's hope it stays this way through the fall.