Senator John Kerry

He has clearly grown as a communicator since 2004, and in a lively, confident speech, managed to poke some fun at himself, settle some old scores and make a compelling argument for his party's new nominee. He went after old friend, fellow vet and longtime colleague John McCain with a blistering attack on his principles and agenda, and gave a sincere, mature argument for an Obama presidency.

But he is still clearly caught up in what happened to him during the swiftboating end of his candidacy — enough with the Karl Rove references.

— by Mark Halperin

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