Blog Buzz: Michelle Obama's Speech A "Home Run" and Other Convention Buzz; Barack Obama Fights Back Against Bill Ayers Connection

Our daily look at stories and topics that are lighting up the Internets:

Michelle Obama Lights Up the Pepsi Center

Michelle Obama's speech last night made a big splash, and the consensus among bloggers is that she was a hit. Arianna Huffington and former Hillary Clinton spokesperson Howard Wolfson call it a "home run," and Fox News's Juan Williams teared up talking about it. Other bloggers say it was "fearless" and that Michelle Obama "flourished". She successfully delivered an authentic, passionate speech that emphasized her love for her country and her family, inspired viewers, and helped counter Republican attacks that the Obamas are out-of-touch elitists. At The National Review, bloggers analyze the keys to the speech's success and some wonder where her new patriotic rhetoric came from; they weren't big fans of the post-speech music selection, either. Karl Rove wasn't a fan in general.

Tell us what you thought of the speech.

The Obama-Ayers Connection: Does It Exist?

Barack Obama has released an ad responding to a third-party ad that links Obama with radical antiwar activist Bill Ayers. While Obama maintains that he has no real relationship with Ayers, conservative bloggers say that he does and he is in a "full-blown panic." Obama has issued a petition to the Department of Justice requesting a criminal investigation of the "American Issues Project," the organization through which the ads are financed. Conservative bloggers say the petition is a "foolish attempt to stop the criticism" and that soon everyone will know the true nature of his relationship with an "unrepentant former terrorist bomber." One blogger wonders about the strange timing of the ad.

Last Night's Speeches: Too Much Fluff, Too Little Punch?

After the speeches on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, some bloggers wonder why there were few attacks on President Bush or John McCain. Many liberal bloggers agree that it wasn't the night for "attack, attack, attack," but some think it's time for Obama to "tear down" McCain's image. Both liberal and conservative bloggers expect more aggressive attacks the next three nights.

—Gretchen Hannes