Second impressions. He didn't sweat. He's a man comfortable with his own limitations but not crippled by them. He's a man without pretension which will be a big asset as he works to redress a world of indifference and selfishness. Telling Europe to grow up and start sharing the burden is easier done by a man of diffidence. If Europe wants to be an equal, it won't be because we lower ourselves to their level, but because we insist they live up to our expectations.

It is about time the U.S. asserted themselves in the world that is presently looking to the United Nations to absolve them of real commitment and will not judge them on their lack of accomplishment.

Some good domestic policies, not best served up in a convention. Still had he not done so, he would have been accused of being empty. Of all of them, tort reform is the most promising. It is crippling our health care delivery. And for those faint hearts -- mostly Libertarians who are too uncertain to commit -- the President's affirmation of marriage reserved for a man and a woman must have come as a shock. The "do your own thing" age is over. Time for common sense.