Democratic National Convention

Clean-cut and plain-speaking, he delivered an earnest plea for a Barack Obama presidency. In keeping with his Midwest roots, he spoke to average Americans, repeating the mantra: Your cause is our cause. He rejected the Bush administration and a continuation of its values, and made a plea for jobs, health care, relief for the troops. A former veepstakes contestant, he was more confident and comfortable than in his past big speeches, but still had trouble holding the crowd. Yelled a lot to show passion, but volume alone was not enough, and his remarks, while on message, contrasted clearly with Biden's dramatic diatribe.