By Brendan McLaughlin

43 consecutive white guys.

National party conventions have been a vestigial organ on the body politic for decades. The name of the  presidential nominee is no longer in doubt and the gavel to gavel television coverage usually insures a neatly scripted and crushingly dull affair.  This summer could be different. 

Regardless of how you feel about Barack or Hillary, the Democratic National Convention in August is likely to be the moon launch of American Politics. As we watch the two leading Democrats go through the paces of their rather conventional campaigns, it's easy to forget how remarkable it is that they're even factors in this race.  If one of them is in Denver to accept their party's nomination to lead the nation, the World will pause to take notice.

The Republican Convention may give us our best president yet. But the Democrats are poised to change history by adding the name of a black man or a white woman to the roll call of 43 consecutive white dudes. The Republicans gather in Minneapolis one week after the Dems. That'll be a tough act to follow.