As the Democrats open their national convention in Denver today, James Carroll writes about breaking the cord with the Clintons.

Amir Taheri believes Joe Biden represents a return to the policies of Jimmy Carter.

Bill Kristol thinks that McCain should respond to the Biden choice by choosing Joe Lieberman as his running mate. I can think of nothing that would so alienate conservatives as that choice, which would cause terrible disruptions at the GOP convention, and would convince many conservatives (who don't care much for McCain, anyway) to sit this one out, hopeful that a disastrous four years of President Obama would put them in a position to repeat the 1980 experience (although I haven't a clue who they think would reprise the role of Reagan).

Some African-Americans wonder if an Obama victory would actually prove harmful to the furtherance of their political, economic and social goals. Interestingly, I think they have a point. If a Black man can become President of the United States, doesn't that mean that we have reached the finish line? Can't we now dispense with Affirmative Action and other discriminatory policies, since Black kids can now dream of growing up to be President?