DENVER -- Steven Grossman, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said Tuesday morning that the first night of this year's Democratic National Convention went off without a hitch and that he isn't worried about the punditry that says the Democrats should be attacking President Bush and presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

Among others, Time political analyst Mark Halperin said Tuesday morning that the Democrats missed an opportunity to attack McCain and tie him to Bush's record Monday night.

Grossman, who is based in Boston, said that isn't needed on the first day.

"I think the American people like a spirited race," Grossman said, "but I don't think the American people want four days of intensive attacks."

Grossman said that the first task of the party at its convention is to introduce their nominee and the party's platform in front of the national audience.

"You have to define yourself," Grossman said, "and I think Michelle Obama defined herself and Barack Obama last night as part of an American story that people relate to."

By defining Obama first, the convention helps undercut presumptive Republican nominee John McCain's recent attacks, Grossman said.

"People turned off the television last night saying, ‘I really like them, they are very warm,'" Grossman said. "then that undercuts the McCain attacks of Obama being foreign or exotic."

Asked if he thinks the Democrats are shying away from attacking McCain, Grossman was reassuring, saying that he expects vice presidential candidate Joe Biden to pick up that mantle.

"There will be plenty of time for that," he said.