Democratic National Convention — Night Two (In Review)

 

 

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION — NIGHT TWO (IN REVIEW)

I’ll come straight to the point.

I’m not sure it’s possible to top the three final speakers who took the stage on Tuesday evening at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. What we watched and heard was as masterful a display of oratory, emotion, passion, inspiration, and energy as I’ve ever witnessed at any party convention–and I’ve watched them all dating back to 1976. Even many Republican television commentators acknowledged the final 90 minutes of Tuesday’s convention in Chicago wasn’t just great political theater, but a revival of the American spirit. Any thoughts of a divided Democratic Party or chaos within have totally been put to rest.

The night began with incredible enthusiasm, as well, which rarely let up over the course of several hours. The “roll call,” which is the official head count and nomination process by delegates, was accompanied by a live DJ onstage who played music as all the states and territories were called out in alphabetical order. For this most part, this melding of music, entertainment, and the officialdom of party politics worked marvelously. In the past, roll call votes have typically been predictable and rather dull, with blowhard politicians hogging the microphone from each state. The musical interludes provided an energetic counterbalance during a process in which we all know the final outcome (Harris winning the nomination).

Nevertheless, the roll call wasn’t without a few major missteps:

TEXAS: Why was twangy country-western fiddle music played by the DJ when “Texas” was called out? Seriously–that was offensive. Each state was accompanied by well-known songs and famous artists attached to that state (John Denver’s “West Virginia,” a Prince song for Minnesota, etc.). Texas could have been soundtracked by countless musicians including Beyonce, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Nora Jones, Steve Miller Band, Johnny Winter, Don Henley, Buddy Holly, Kelly Clarkson, ZZ Topp, Janis Joplin, Meatloaf, Barry White, or if they wanted to really go full-frontal “country-western,” then how about that legendary liberal Texas Democrat–Willie Nelson? Playing that hokey fiddle music when Texas was casting votes was embarrassing. If they really want to win a red state, the Democratic Party should be thinking of 2024, not music from 1824.

CALIFORNIA: Gov. Gavin Newsom gave a passionate address as the final state delegation to cast votes during the roll call. Too bad it was marred and mangled by a blaring rap song that made much of what Gov. Newsom was trying to say hopelessly indecipherable. It’s ridiculous that the DJ didn’t realize the obvious conflict of sounds. Rap music certainly has its place in modern culture, but a lyric-heavy soundtrack — by Tupac Shakur, no less — was a major distraction while the biggest delegation at the convention was closing out the roll call. So, while the energy of the DJ was a good thing overall, the song selection for the two biggest state delegations ended up being atrocious.

SANDERS: The sequence of speakers up until the final three keynote closers was unspectacular. Nothing memorable was conveyed in a waste of nearly 90 minutes of primetime. Sen. Bernie Sanders ended up being a monumental disappointment. I’ve always been a big Sanders’ supporter and he desperately needed to add his progressive voice to the growing chorus of those endorsing Harris-Walz. Sanders represents perhaps one-third of Democratic Party activists, and he’s the ironman leftist bookend to a big tent party that has mostly unified moderates and progressives (whereas Republicans have become a one-man cult of blind worshippers). Sanders should have said the following (I’m playing speechwriter here: “We progressives won’t get everything we want in President Kamala Harris, but she’ll surely get us much closer than where we need to go than a horrifying alternative, who will give us nothing and probably end up picking our pockets.”). Sanders desperately needed to address that clueless-idiot wing of the progressive movement that somehow believes voting third-party, or not voting at all, or worst of all voting for Trump ( ! ) is somehow an advancement of the progressive agenda, including the Palestinian issue. He failed to do that. That’s unfortunate, because this is likely to be Sanders’ last time to speak at a Democratic National Convention. Call this a missed opportunity.

EMHOFF: What a great speech! I loved Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff’s message and delivery, which told his story and was a loving tribute to his wife (Kamala Harris). He was funny, romantic, self-depricating, and very, very human. My main takeaway was the validation of non-traditional families as being just as legitimate as conventional families. Let’s face it, America now has more unconventional families out there than mythical “Leave It to Beaver” households. While Republicans and conservatives are mired in the illusions of times long gone, Democrats understand that relationships and families come in many facets and colors and genders and persuasions. Half the country has gone through divorces, includes step-children, and many families chose to have no children at all. Emhoff reminded us that no party or political philosophy has a monopoly on values, and certainly not love. This was a great 20 minutes or so that really exposed for the first time the close bonds between Emhoff and perhaps soon-to-be Madame President. One other thing: It was good to see a real man supporting his wife and being comfortable with who he is. SERIOUS QUESTION: Can you even imagine Malenia Trump giving that kind of a speech filled with genuine affection about her husband?

MICHELLE OBAMA: This might have been the best speech by any Democrat in the last ten years. Just, wow! Full confession: I’ve never paid lots of attention to the former First Lady, and frankly, I wondered what all the buzz was earlier about her being a presumptive presidential candidate. That’s not a slight against her in any way. I just hadn’t seen Michelle Obama in the intense spotlight like last night before making a passionate case on behalf of a party, a candidate, and a movement. Her words were glorious. I thought her direct attacks on Trump and the MAGA morons were perfect, and many one-liners hit the mark. I also got the feeling that Mrs. Obama has been forced to be nice, remain dignified, and stay out of the political fracas for many reasons over the course of her public life. Last night, she was able to take off the gloves. And oh, did she deliver a knockout punch. Extraordinary speech, probably impossible to exceed, even when Kamala Harris takes the stage Thursday night.

BARACK OBAMA: It’s hard to believe, but one of the most gifted political orators of my lifetime was upstaged on this night by his wife. But, the former president knows this wasn’t a competition. This was a team play. A family message. A duel act. Michelle’s delivery was full of fire. Barack’s speech was far more conciliatory, even graceful. The final third of Obama speech included an outreach to many Republicans, even Trumpers. I thought the line about world progress happening fast, but giving some people a little extra time to “catch up” (speaking to Trump supporters) was brilliant. I can’t be that graceful given all the dishonesty and hate that comes from MAGA nation. But Obama was so beautifully presidential in this moment. Quoting Lincoln about aspiring to the “better angels of our nature” was a profound inspiration. It’s also a winning message politically. Most of middle America is sick and tired of the chaos and division. For a man who was so maligned by the political Right for so long and lied about constantly for so many years to stand there and demonstrate so much dignity and empathy (even for the political opposition) shows he’s a far better person that me, and most of us. This is called leadership.

I give DNC Night Two a solid A-.

Tonight, I’m not expecting as much from former President Bill Clinton, and I’m unenthusiastic about Rep. Nancy Pelosi taking the stage in primetime (let’s turn that page, please). However, Gov. Tim Walz should be a joy to watch when he accepts the nomination for Vice President. I’m looking forward to some great one-liners and an even broader reach by Democrats with messaging that connects with the American heartland.