News Logging

THE PROCESS worked: That was one conclusion from watching the back-to-back party conclaves that ended Thursday in St. Paul, Minn. Yes, the nominating battle was too long and too expensive, and it wasn't always democratic (see: caucuses, rules of). But on the Democratic side, a large field was winnowed down to the two most formidable candidates, eliminating those less qualified (see: Edwards, John, for example). The survivor, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the first African American nominee of either party, is short on experience but long on intellect, discipline and, as his smoothly run campaign has showed, managerial competence. The Republican convention featured former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who trimmed and retrimmed his positions in tactical calculations that ultimately failed to derail the steadfast Sen. John McCain of Arizona. Mr. McCain is that rare politician who has held to positions of principle at great risk to his career, including this year on the subject of Iraq, and his nomination offered a measure of vindication for that courage.