Nicholas F. Benton's White House Report

One thing is for certain. The major television networks have wholeheartedly abrogated any shred responsibility for perpetuating the institutions and exercises of democracy in America. By removing almost completely the Democratic and Republican national conventions from prime time, they've chosen to project themselves instead as crass role models of self-absorbed and greed-obsessed purveyors of bread of circuses.

The precipitous decline in hours dedicated to coverage of the conventions on the major networks since 1984, and especially since 1996, is in sharp contrast to the rising tide of acute social awareness that is reflected in the serious and impassioned content of eloquent speech after speech at the Democratic national convention this week. This year's coverage is by far the skimpiest yet.

The apologists for the major network's gross desertion of public duty this week, and next month in New York, contend that responsibilities of this kind have been handed off to the cable news networks. But everyone knows even the best of cable programming can command nowhere near the viewership numbers that the major networks generate routinely.

The simple, undeniable fact is that if the major networks carried the conventions the way they have in the past, tens of millions more Americans would be watching than are now, even if it weren't their ideal choice for programming. Tens of millions more young people would be educated, of disadvantaged people be inspired and of cynical people be transformed by the collective national celebration of free political discourse and democratic ideals that are our national conventions.

Instead, the major networks set the exact opposite example. They make it accepted and "cool" to ignore politics and civic responsibility, because that's exactly what they're doing.

Much of the criticism for the behavior of the nation's media in the aftermath of 9/11 is more than well deserved. But little more could be worse than the major networks' decisions to black out coverage of the national conventions this summer.

Having said that, there is a distinct mood to the Democratic convention in Boston this week that is a new thing. Traditionally, conventions are of two types. Either they're fraught with internal fighting as contending camps vie to get their candidate the nomination, or they're celebrations of a ticket that's been decided ahead of time, replete with an almost carnival atmosphere.

In both kinds, hundreds of delegates have traditionally sought to draw attention to themselves with bizarre headgear, funny pins and loud clothing. In both cases, also, conventions were repeatedly interrupted with spontaneous or not so spontaneous demonstrations that included loud chanting and marching with placards waving around the crowded hall, and lots of other wacky behavior.

Significantly, none of this is happening this week. There is lots of cheering, but it is all for the party's heroes and the content of the speeches being delivered from the podium.

As for the speeches, they have all been about very serious matters. There is a clear sense of genuine alarm, of concern, of determination, in the indictments of the current Bush administration for its actions in Iraq, its fiscal and social irresponsibility at home, and its threat of basic civil liberties.

There is no frivolity in Boston, but on the other hand, there is no despair. The delegates are optimistic, and they feel honestly they can win the country back.

But no one in Boston thinks it will happen by the sheer force of destiny. In an unusually powerful way, these delegates are absorbing a sense of personal responsibility for carrying out a great social and political cause.

The Democratic convention this week is more of a call to arms, a rally on the eve of a great and momentous battle, than conventions we've seen in past years. At its conclusion Thursday night, the balloons will come down, but the top will veritably pop off the Fleet Center from the sheer energy that will be unleashed as 4,000 lieutenants issue forth, uncommonly motivated and unified in the battle for the soul of the nation.

From Sen. George McGovern to Al Gore, all the living Democratic presidential nominees were present either on the podium or among the troops to spur them on with a new affirmation of the core principles of their party and its historic dedication to national strength through fairness, justice, compassion and peace-making.

Without apology, this force set loose on America the next few months will be dedicated to reclaiming the land for all the good stuff Bush and his ultra-rightwing constituencies have been debunking and destroying with abandon since 1980. It is tantamount to a great rising up.