While last night will be remembered for Michelle Obama painting the lives of her and her husband in hues  middle America understands (which is sort of annoying because black-American life and history is as American as baseball and apple pie), the night really belonged to old lion Ted Kennedy. Recovering from complications due to brain cancer, the Democratic stalwart promised the cheering crowd that come early 2009 he “will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate.”

Kennedy’s presence was all about passing the torch and he made it clear his political struggles and dreams have been picked up by the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

“There is a new wave of change all around us and if we set our compass true, we will reach our destination, not merely victory for our party but renewal for our nation,” Kennedy said. “This November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans . . . With Barack Obama, and for you and for me, the country will be committed to his cause.”

And one cause is to mend the breach that has convinced us how different we are from each other.

“Barack Obama will close the book on the old politics of race and gender and group against group and straight against gay.”

Like any political titan, Kennedy was willing to throw a curve because I’m willing to bet most in the audience were not expecting to hear a nod to gay inclusion. But maybe that is why Senator Kennedy has earned so much good will among rank and file Democrats. Ultimately they understand he’s going advocate for those who have been pushed aside.