Last night Democratic upcomer Barack Obama and Senator Ted Kennedy criticized Bush for the war in Iraq but both toned down their criticism compared to earlier speeches. Obama said “When we send our young men and women into harm’s way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they are going, to care for their families while they’re gone [and] to tend to the soldiers upon their return.”

John Kerry’s wife Teresa Heinz Kerry became the first spouse of a presidential contender to ever give a prime-time convention address. She never mentioned the word Iraq in her prime-time address.

Last night Illinois Senate candidate Barack Obama and Senator Ted Kennedy criticized Bush for the war in Iraq but they both toned down their criticism compared to earlier speeches.

Meanwhile, Ron Reagan, the son of Republican icon Ronald Reagan, called for the government to fund stem cell research. While he claimed he was not giving a political address, he ended his speech essentially calling for Kerry’s election. To counter Reagan’s appearance at the Democratic convention, the Houston Chronicle is reporting that Republican officials are now trying to lure Nancy Reagan to attend the Republican National Convention.

Tonight speakers at the convention include Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards and three of Kerry’s former opponents for the Democratic nomination: Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Senator Bob Graham and the Rev. Al Sharpton.