DNC - Day 2 - A Star Goes Supernova

August 27, 12:16 AMPop Culture ExaminerDominic Patten

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AND HE'S A REAL COWBOY!

Now that's a bit more of what I was talkin' about.

Things got off to a bit of a slow start but the Democrats hit their stride hard towards the end of Day 2 of their convention in Denver.

Sure there were more earnest speeches, but the political red meat was being flung out more and more.

Then former President Jimmy Carter came to sit with Michelle Obama, who seemed a bit overwhelmed as she gave the Nobel Prize winner a big hug. One former Commander-in-Chief was soon followed by another as Bill Clinton entered to sit in a box near the back. At a wattage 10 times that of the Teddy Kennedy tribute from Monday, Clinton lite the place up ... without saying a word. In fact, it looked like most of the delegates turned away from the stage to wave to Bill.

And of course, Hilary Clinton gave a rousing speech of party unity and the opening salvo of her next Presidential campaign. Not to mention, between Van Halen's version of "You Really Got Me," Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Going My Way," and Tom Petty's "American Girl," Hilary's introductory video had the best music of the convention so far.

The thing that struck me was how after what looked to be another torrid day, everyone got their game up when Bill Clinton entered the Pepsi Center - there is no doubt about it, the Force is still powerful with that one.

But what really blew the mile high roof off was Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana.

He's been a star in the party ever since his waffer thin victory in 2004, but, like so many Democratic messiahs in waiting, I thought he was just another false prophet.

Not now.

Schweitzer started out kinda slow with tales of his rancher past and the like, but after a couple of jokes fell flat, the Governor dropped the stand up routine and turned into a modern day Will Rogers.

He really fired up the crowd on one enviro one-liner after another. He slammed John McCain and the GOP without seeming to leave a mark or break a sweat.

He was great TV.

They say comedy is often the best way to convey one's ideas. Brian Schweitzer, a man whose 2004 win is the only thing thin about him, has a lot of ideas and a great Praire Populism with which to convey them.

CNN kept cutting away to Bill Clinton watching Schweitzer winding the delegates up. You'd think he'd be worried that the warm up act would overshadow the main act, his wife. Perhaps. But as a pro, Clinton seemed to appreciate Schweitzer's ad libbed ease and skill with the audience. In a classic case of Game recognizing Game, you could see Clinton turning to people in his box and saying "he's good."

Brian Schweitzer, Mr. President, was very very good.

Your turn next.