While I have been writing these lines, dear reader, on the stage to my left, there had been a string of command performances by John Kerry, a very smooth and unambiguous Bill Clinton, and, finally, Joe Biden. Young Mulani’s senior colleague from sepiamutiny.com, Abhi Tripathi, is also attending the convention. On the day following Obama’s choice of his vice-presidential running mate, Tripathi had pointed out that Biden’s expertise on Pakistan was a great strength. For years, Biden has been arguing that Pakistan, and not Iraq, is the seat of terror. The choice of this man meant that one could hope for a better-informed war against terrorism.

There was a surprise appearance, at the evening’s end, by Obama. Tomorrow, he delivers his acceptance speech. While talking to young Mulani, I asked if he had any tips for Obama. Mulani was confident about tomorrow but it was the future he was a bit worried about. He said, “Obama is an excellent speaker, but as a debater he needs to provide a few more catchy sound bites.”

(Journalist, author and academic Amitava Kumar is professor of English at Vassar College, New York)