# The Democratic National Convention **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 17, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158 "2016-07-17T21:58:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/1 "2016-07-17T21:58:44Z")
July 25-28. For the first time in our nation’s history, a major party will nominate a woman as its candidate for the presidency. Pretty historic. I think that that gets lost in all of this Benghazi/emailgate/right-wing hatred nonsense. There are even a lot of people on the left going “Meh” right now. But come on! This is huge! I can’t wait to watch the moment she’s officially nominated with my wife and daughter (and son). The [DNC has announced its speaker list for the convention](https://demconvention.com/press-releases/dncc-announces-headlining-speakers-democratic-national-convention-philadelphia/): > [@](#): > > \*\*Monday: United Together > \*\* > Featuring First Lady Michelle Obama, Senator Bernie Sanders and DREAMer Astrid Silva > > Gavel time expected at 3:00pm > > Monday will focus on putting the future of American families front and center and how we’re stronger together when we build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top and when everyone has a chance to live up to their God-given potential. DREAMer Astrid Silva will share her story and her fight to keep families together. > > **Tuesday: A Lifetime of Fighting for Children and Families** > > Featuring President Bill Clinton and Mothers of the Movement > > Gavel time expected at 4:00pm > > Tuesday will feature the roll call vote and how Hillary has spent her entire career working to make a difference for children, families, and our country. The Mothers of the Movement participating include Gwen Carr, Mother of Eric Garner; Sybrina Fulton, Mother of Trayvon Martin; Maria Hamilton, Mother of Dontré Hamilton; Lucia McBath, Mother of Jordan Davis; Lezley McSpadden, Mother of Michael Brown; Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley, Mother of Hadiya Pendleton; Geneva Reed-Veal, Mother of Sandra Bland. > > **Wednesday: Working Together** > > Featuring President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden > > Gavel time expected at 4:30pm > > On Wednesday speakers will take an in-depth look at just how high the stakes are in this election and how Hillary has the experience and steadiness to bring people together to tackle the big challenges and get real results. > > **Thursday: Stronger Together** > > Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton > > Gavel time expected at 4:30pm > > On the final day of the convention, Hillary will speak about her vision for our country – her belief that we are stronger together and that America is at its best when we work together to solve our problems. Are these just the speakers for the 10pm hour of network coverage? I’m surprised there’s no governors, senators, congresscritters, etc. listed. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2016, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/2 "2016-07-17T22:12:58Z")
Those are “Headliner Speakers” so, yeah, the prime time people. What happened on Tuesday? Did the “Together” idea guy take the day off? ---
**Author:** ![NeonMadman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58f4c7/32.png) [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/3 "2016-07-17T22:50:23Z")
> [@](#): > > Monday: United Together This title brought to you by your Department of Redundancy Department. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/4 "2016-07-17T22:57:04Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > July 25-28. For the first time in our nation’s history, a major party will nominate a woman as its candidate for the presidency. Pretty historic. I think that that gets lost in all of this Benghazi/emailgate/right-wing hatred nonsense. There are even a lot of people on the left going “Meh” right now. But come on! This is huge! I can’t wait to watch the moment she’s officially nominated with my wife and daughter (and son). I’m not feeling the “hugeness” of nominating a woman. It’s 2016, it seems like it’s at least time, and not something terribly groundbreaking. Maybe that we’ve been expecting this for over 8 years, so we’re pretty used to the idea. I’m happy with this nomination, and certainly support Mrs. Clinton, but her gender seems down the list of reasons she’s a good candidate for President. Concerning the convention, I’m wondering if the “Mothers of the Movement” idea is good politics. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/5 "2016-07-17T23:29:39Z")
How is something that has never happened not “terribly groundbreaking”, that is like literally what the phrase means. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2016, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/6 "2016-07-17T23:34:19Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’m not feeling the “hugeness” of nominating a woman. It’s 2016, it seems like it’s at least time, and not something terribly groundbreaking. Maybe that we’ve been expecting this for over 8 years, so we’re pretty used to the idea. I’m happy with this nomination, and certainly support Mrs. Clinton, but her gender seems down the list of reasons she’s a good candidate for President. Her gender isn’t even on the list of reasons she’s a good candidate; it has nothing to do with the quality of her candidacy. But the fact she’s about to accept the nomination for president, is freaking groundbreaking. It’s as groundbreaking as a black man being nominated eight years ago. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2016, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/7 "2016-07-17T23:36:20Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Concerning the convention, I’m wondering if the “Mothers of the Movement” idea is good politics. On a strictly political viewpoint, it’ll be insanely powerful for African-Americans, which will probably help with turnout among that group. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/8 "2016-07-18T00:38:59Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Her gender isn’t even on the list of reasons she’s a good candidate; it has nothing to do with the quality of her candidacy. But the fact she’s about to accept the nomination for president, is freaking groundbreaking. It’s as groundbreaking as a black man being nominated eight years ago. Okay. I’m not looking for an argument. I guess I’m one of those “meh” liberals you mentioned in the OP. A black president did surprise me, I didn’t expect we could do that, although of course I’m happy about it. Electing a woman POTUS sometime in my lifetime seemed more inevitable, plus women have been in charge in several major countries over the past few decades. We also have women on the Supreme Court, serving as governors, and elected to Congress. Itt is quite an accomplishment for Hillary Clinton, and I acknowledge women have more obstacles in government and in business. Maybe it’s just me; I _see_ the historical significance, I’m just not _feeling_ it. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/9 "2016-07-18T03:05:45Z")
So, no Keynote speaker? ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/10 "2016-07-18T03:09:47Z")
But the Republicans are rolling out Scott Baio. Hard to top that. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/11 "2016-07-18T03:14:33Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > But the Republicans are rolling out Scott Baio. Hard to top that. And soap star Kimberlin Brown! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/12 "2016-07-18T03:21:59Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > So, no Keynote speaker? I think this list is incomplete. Obviously Obama and Biden won’t be filling three hours by themselves. There’s not even a “VP will go here” slot listed. And since the Clinton VP pick is still a secret, there’s no slots for Warren, Perez, Kaine, etc. Warren’s a long shot for VP but you think she’s going to pass on thirty minutes of prime time coverage to tear into Trump? ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/13 "2016-07-18T03:29:43Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Okay. I’m not looking for an argument. I guess I’m one of those “meh” liberals you mentioned in the OP. A black president did surprise me, I didn’t expect we could do that, although of course I’m happy about it. Electing a woman POTUS sometime in my lifetime seemed more inevitable, plus women have been in charge in several major countries over the past few decades. We also have women on the Supreme Court, serving as governors, and elected to Congress. Itt is quite an accomplishment for Hillary Clinton, and I acknowledge women have more obstacles in government and in business. Maybe it’s just me; I _see_ the historical significance, I’m just not _feeling_ it. I’m not “feeling” it as you seem to think \*you \*ought to, Sir. I want Hllary elected because she’ll be a pretty good President. Far better than any of the Republican options–not to mention The Donald. However, I’m sure a few MCP heads will explode when she’s sworn in as President. That does make me glad. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/14 "2016-07-18T04:51:15Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Okay. I’m not looking for an argument. I guess I’m one of those “meh” liberals you mentioned in the OP. A black president did surprise me, I didn’t expect we could do that, although of course I’m happy about it. Electing a woman POTUS sometime in my lifetime seemed more inevitable, plus women have been in charge in several major countries over the past few decades. We also have women on the Supreme Court, serving as governors, and elected to Congress. Itt is quite an accomplishment for Hillary Clinton, and I acknowledge women have more obstacles in government and in business. Maybe it’s just me; I _see_ the historical significance, I’m just not _feeling_ it. I’m a Kiwi, at one point a few years back we had the top three positions in our Govt filled by ladies. As much as the “first female president” is a “big deal” for the US, and I think it’s kinda a landmark (for the US) there is a certain feeling of inevitability about it - which I think is thanks to the quality of Hillary herself, it feels kinda “meh” because of how she’s earned it and what a quality candidate\* she is. - Of course, not everyone sees her as a “quality candidate” - what with the Benscandal, emailpoopyheads and all, but I don’t think there’s much doubt as to her overall…“worthiness” if you could put it that way? ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/15 "2016-07-18T06:28:06Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > I I think it’s kinda a landmark (for the US) there is a certain feeling of inevitability about it - which I think is thanks to the quality of Hillary herself, it feels kinda “meh” because of how she’s earned it and what a quality candidate\* she is. She’s better than all the other options, I’ll give you that. But to have the first female President be the wife of a previous President, is more of an achievement for nepotism than for women. Canada, Australia and the UK have all had female Prime Ministers that got there without being married, or from the family of, a previous head of state. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/16 "2016-07-18T07:42:53Z")
That doesn’t seem fair at all. She’s a very successful woman in her own right, and I do remember a lot of complaints back during his time about her involvement… Which seems to run counter to what you’re saying. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/17 "2016-07-18T08:46:46Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > That doesn’t seem fair at all. > She’s a very successful woman in her own right, and I do remember a lot of complaints back during his time about her involvement… > Which seems to run counter to what you’re saying. I stand by my words. Yes she is smart and talented, experienced and hard working, but she’s had an obviously huge boost in name recognition by being married to Clinton. My point is that it was a far more meaningful thing for Margaret Thatcher to become the first female Prime Minister of the UK (in 1979 no less!), than for the US to have their first female President, who was married to a previous President. When one day in the future a woman becomes President who wasn’t married to an ex President, that will be a more meaningful landmark for the US. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/18 "2016-07-18T12:01:05Z")
I’m glad Bernie is on Monday. I still don’t trust him and I’m glad he’s not getting his own day, like Jesse Jackson did in 1988 ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/19 "2016-07-18T12:09:27Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > I stand by my words. Yes she is smart and talented, experienced and hard working, but she’s had an obviously huge boost in name recognition by being married to Clinton. My point is that it was a far more meaningful thing for Margaret Thatcher to become the first female Prime Minister of the UK (in 1979 no less!), than for the US to have their first female President, who was married to a previous President. > > When one day in the future a woman becomes President who wasn’t married to an ex President, that will be a more meaningful landmark for the US. Ever since John Quincy Adams, being related to a previous President has given a few candidates advantages. No, it’s not fair. Life is not fair. And I hope Clinton II will be far better than that bitch Thatcher. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/20 "2016-07-18T14:33:51Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > As much as the “first female president” is a “big deal” for the US, and I think it’s kinda a landmark (for the US) there is a certain feeling of inevitability about it - which I think is thanks to the quality of Hillary herself, it feels kinda “meh” because of how she’s earned it and what a quality candidate\* she is. It’s been pretty much assumed that Hilary would be next after Obama got the nom, so the reaction to her getting it this time is pretty much, “Well, yeah, of course.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158.md?page=2)