Plug in now for party music

Rub your eyes. Did we see a Democratic National Convention (DNC) brimming with flag-waving patriotism and the call of electoral unity? Why, yes, I believe we did. There was a vast array of banners on display out there. The convention goers thrusted their signs skywards ("Change", "Hillary", two-sided "No McCain/Obama for President"). All deployed at the proper time for the proper speech in between camera shots. The hard-hitting political speeches were not the only thing generating the DNC. The political elite were sharing the spotlight with another big hit: the music. The live performance given by Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow and Will.I.Am turned the convention into an extended rock concert. Wow. Wonder what the Republicans are going to do this week.

Nielsen Media Research said Barack Obama's audience for his acceptance speech likely topped 40 million Americans - four playoff football games, including the Super Bowl between the Giants and Patriots, were seen by more than 40 million people. And the DNC was a situation not just for the US.

For the first time, the International Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC) sent two officials to the US to observe the Democratic and Republic conventions. They learned that China is not on the top of the agenda for the American voters. They care more about their economy, employment, medicare and their country's influence on the world. To be sure, the CPC is taking the initiative to exchange ideas with political parties outside China.