I think the Democrats, like the Republicans, avoided the apocalyptic convention. They encountered some turbulence but avoided the worst case scenario. I’d say that the message of civility, respect, and maturity will probably get more mileage than the shit show that republicans put on last week. If it doesn’t, I truly worry about the next 50 years for this country, and maybe the next 100 years. It’s not so much that Trump himself is a tyrant; it’s what he represents and what the electorate would in effect be supporting: anti-intellectualism, politics of rage, knowingly accepting falsehoods in exchange for the American version of a creation myth based on White Christian supremacy.
Again, how Hillary approached this moment and kept Bernie Sanders in the fold, both before (in giving him most of the platform, super-delegate review), and during (the head of DWS on a platter) shows she has something Trump is lacking: LEADERSHIP.
Michelle Obama was eloquent, as always. I admire her greatly. But I think Cory Booker stole the show. Warren and Sanders paled in comparison. Some compared Cory’s speech to that of Barack Obama in 2004. I hope it’s foreshadowing for 2020 and beyond.
I thought the smiley would be a dead give away that I was joking. I guess not…
Oh, Christ. Of COURSE that’s the only thing that matters to us Democrats is the ability to give a good speech. We’re just dumb little blondes who can’t think about important issues. Of COURSE that’s the ONLY reason Obama won in 2008 was his ability to give a good speech. It had NOTHING to do with his intellect and ability to organize a campaign, it had NOTHING to do with his calls for the end of partisanship. It had NOTHING to do with his early opposition to Bush’s failed war in Iraq or his calling out the evils of torture. We’re just little dummies who flock like lemmings when we hear a pretty voice. If Booker winds up president, it will of course be ONLY because of his ability to turn a phrase and light up a crowd. Jesus. You’d think the Democrats were the ones who nominated airhead reality show stars.
Last night, Michelle rocked. The Berniebots hopefully will shut the fuck up when the balloting is over. Warren was not as good as she generally is, she’s at her best when she’s reaming out a new hole for Trump and she didn’t do enough of that. Sanders was pitch perfect. He gave his valedictory speech and then turned the page to the task at hand, defeating the most evil candidate in US history.
That said, “I’m with her” and “Love trumps hate”, are not the height of eloquence.
“Together we rise”, is far better.
Although, 90% of what the President does is make inspiring speeches.
It did read as a joke, but the same ignorant one, based on the idea that “Bernie won’t admit it’s over,” which some HRC partisans here and elsewhere have been making since well before it was over.
I thought Sanders went over-long and I got bored part way in but I also recognized that it wasn’t a speech for me and Sanders had to lay the groundwork for why endorsing/voting Clinton was the right choice.
Warren’s speech was just dull. I’ve never listened to her speak before and was expecting a bit more from a prime time first night speaker. Her following Michelle Obama was a mistake. M. Obama, of course, was just great.
The fact that the night went that smoothly is its own success. No craziness at Sanders saying to vote for Clinton, etc. Just a couple chuckleheads trying to get chants started that lamely failed – was it just me or were people actively “shushing” the couple wannabe-chanters?
Yeah, I didn’t care for EW’s speech at all. I understand that her job is to get under Trump’s skin, but I’m not really interested in listening to her try and do that. She did her job, so I guess good for her. Fortunately it wasn’t a long speech.
Print media report: top headline in today’s San Francisco Chronicle:
Pleas for unity fall on deaf ears
Sanders holdouts proclaim their disdain for Clinton
First paragraph:
The dominant word through most of the first day of the Democratic National Convention: “Booooooo!”
Strange tack for the Chronicle to take. Aren’t “holdouts,” by definition, not “dominant”?
Michelle Obama is a goddess. No Barbie Doll bullshit, no simpering for the camera; a powerful, heartfelt speech that resonated very strongly with women and voters.
Sanders was brilliant. He let his supporters blow off steam, shed a few tears and wear themselves out waving signs and screaming; and then talked sensibly to them about their responsibility as voters. It was exactly the right tack to take.
- The big criticism of Hillary boils down to her not being a good singer. But are we electing a singer? No.
- Simon gave permission to use his recordings at the convention. Big names all said NO to GOP candidates.
- Part of the platform is taking care of old people. Expand Medicare to people 55 and older. Because everybody gets old and will need help, even Paul Simon.
If you missed it, don’t worry; just watch the replay at the 2020 GOP convention.
But Hillary’s strength is to be a policy wonk. She is not a very inspiring speaker. She doesn’t have the voice, and she doesn’t have the presence.
Few Presidents do, of course, and sometimes they rise to the occasion when you don’t expect it.
Trump isn’t any better, but at least he can be demagogic, if you see what I mean. He can rant about Muslims and immigrants, and at least be - I don’t know, stirring, or at least get a strong emotional response. One of the knocks on Hillary is that she doesn’t have a vision - she has a series of Powerpoint slides. And that is not very inspiring, and she doesn’t have the ability to get her audience to resonate with it.
Michelle Obama sure had it last night. But gee - Sarah Silverman bombs in front of that audience? Why wasn’t she spring-loaded with a whole bunch of light-hearted Hillary jokes, or some not-so-light-hearted Trump ones? She’s a comedienne, for heaven’s sake. Can’t she read her audience? A convention is supposed to be at least a little upbeat. And I can’t believe she has never had to deal with hecklers, even deadly serious ones like Bernie supporters.
Let’s see what Bill has to say tonight. Or maybe I’ll just wait for the Russians to leak his speech ahead of time.
Regards,
Shodan
Michelle O. was great - a smart, heartfelt speech that landed some hits on The Donald without ever mentioning him by name. Love for her to run for office someday, but I doubt she’d want to.
Rep. Joe Kennedy’s funny intro of Elizabeth Warren, about when she was his demanding professor, was better than her speech, but she did OK.
Bernie said what he needed to (although his speech ran too long IMHO) and reminded his die-hard supporters of why it’s so important they get on the Clinton-Kaine bandwagon now. Glad he did.
Anybody watch Rep. Marcia Fudge adjourn the convention for the day, walk off, then walk right back on, mutter “Where is it?” as she rummaged around under the podium, then take out and bang the gavel? Gold, Jerry, gold!
My 11 year old, who begged to be allowed to stay up late and watch the convention, half-way through MO’s speech: “Can she run for president? Why doesn’t she?”
I prefer ‘Love trumps hate’ for the play on words. Trump hates; but love trumps hate. But agree “I’m with her” is dumb. It reminds me of a pair of t-shirts my brother and I had as kids: “I’m with Stupid” and “Stupid’s with me.”
No, 90% of what the public sees the President do is make inspiring speeches. But in reality the ratio is closer to the reverse: 10% speeches, 90% meetings/work. But that’s not what the media shows us, because duh, meetings are boring (and often classified).
I’m not sure what happened to Bill over the recent years, and I’ve pointed this out before, but he sure looks like he’s knocking on death’s door. His voice has been muffled, and he just doesn’t seem to have much stage presence these days. Perhaps the bypass surgery did it? He generally looks like he’s been taken out of the nursing home for the occasion, and will be brought back as soon as he’s done. He kind of stares off into space and has very little spontaneous… anything.