Michael Novak’s latest column for the National Review takes a look at Zell Miller’s speech at last week’s RNC.

Mr. Novak understands something that his fellow Democrats don’t, but that Sen. Miller clearly does.

I am a lifelong Democrat, and I have always loved the ethnic, religious, and regional varieties of Democrats and all their rhetorical exuberance and excess. When Zell says he hasn’t left the Democratic party, the Democratic party left him, I nod my head vigorously and want to pound the pew saying, Say it louder, brother, say it louder! Say it loud so they all can hear!

It’s a comfortable read, and well worth it.

UPDATE: Matt Margolis notes that Jimmy Carter has the opposite reaction, which, amusingly, plays right into a central ideological premise of Sen. Miller: that family is more important than party. (Via Blogs for Bush)

Thinking about this makes me realize that I am among the oldest of those that do not remember the Democratic Party of old… because I wasn’t alive to see it. I grew up with a nation struggling to find its moral compass after the assassination of JFK. I remember bits and pieces of Vietnam; an uncle of mine served and came back forever changed. I remember Paul Harvey telling us every day at noon about Cambodia. I remember mass marketed hedonism – though of course I didn’t have a word for it, then – and I remember garage bands, teenagers with big hair, and Watergate. And I remember having a distinct impression that Jimmy Carter wasn’t going to be good for our country, even as an elementary school student.

I guess it’s no surprise, after all.