GLAMOUR AND GRAVITAS: DEMOCRATIC DEBATE, LOS ANGELES, '08

I drove in from Syren Sea to Hollywood, to the Kodak Theatre, where the Democratic Presidential debate was being held. I did not have a ticket, but I wanted to be part of the experience of what has become the most exciting example of democracy in action that I have seen in my lifetime. The Democratic party offers two candidates who break the old patterns of leadership and offer America something new.

Young and old were in the streets by the thousands supporting their candidates, protesting the war, dancing to music being played. Celebrities whisked by: Stevie Wonder, Quentin Tarantino. The neon lights glimmered and the spotlights shone. Everyone was as excited by the debate as they would have been for a rock concert or a prizefight.

And indeed one had the sense of anticipation of a heavyweight fight, with two strong champions and grand venue and a star-studded crowd. The radio announcers even treat the opening as such, describing the two candidates dress as they step onto the stage, almost as if they are ready to take their corners before entering the ring.

The candidates conducted themselves with the highest level of statesmanship and governmental understanding. They were strong and they were cordial. They played to their strengths: Hillary the close-in slugger, working hard shots of knowledge and experience, Obama the boxer, bobbing and weaving his vision and inspiration. They never landed a knockout blow on the other-- really it was the Republicans who got decked in this one. What people saw was that the democrats had two champion professional fighters ready to duke it out with Republican lightweights still celebrating their Golden Gloves victories.

But beyond the mastery displayed by Hillary and Barack in the glittering Hollywood square circle of the Kodak Theatre, it was the Sweet Science called "Democracy" that was most impressive in its display outside the theater. Average Americans of all ages and races, both women and men, exercised their blessed birthright as citizens of this great republic and showed what has always made us a shining example of freedom and equality to the world. (Even in this era, when some have sought to tarnish the luster of that shine with creeping crypto-fascism.) These citizens showed not just enthusiasm, not just excitement, but flat-out joy in their participation in the democratic dialogue. Really it was a coming home party for the great American ideals of grassroots involvement and expression of political ideals and beliefs. People seemed to be saying, "We still have the power. We still determine the direction of this land. `We the People,' not the corporate despots or the media manipulators, but average Janes and Joes who make their voices heard and their votes count."

For all the glamour and spectacle inside, for all the celebrity both on the stage and in the audience, the real stars of this debate were the anonymous citizens who raised their voices all along the streets of Hollywood.