Tuesday Reads: Democratic National Convention, Day One
Posted: July 26, 2016 Filed under: morning reads, U.S. Politics | Tags: Bernie Sanders, Bernie-or-busters, California delegation, Cory Booker, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, michelle obama 108 Comments
Michelle Obama, shining star
Good Morning!!
I want to begin today with some excerpts from Michelle Obama’s brilliant and inspiring speech last night at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. In talking about her children and the nation’s children, she delivered a stunning rebuke to the ugly, divisive and racist campaign of Donald J. Trump.
A journey that started soon after we arrived in Washington when they set off for their first day at their new school. I will never forget that winter morning as I watched our girls, just 7 and 10 years old, pile into those black SUVs with all those men with guns. And that’s all their little faces pressed up against the window, and the only thing I could think was, What have we done? At that moment, I realized that our time in the White House would form the foundation of who they would become. And how well we manage this experience could truly make or break them.
That is what Barack and I think about every day as he tried to guide and protect our girls from the challenges of this unusual life in the spotlight. How we urged them to ignore those who question their father’s citizenship or faith. How we insist that the hateful language they hear from public figures on TV does not represent the true spirit of this country. How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. Our motto is, when they go low, we go high.
With every word we utter, with every action we take, we know our kids are watching us. We as parents are the most important role model.
Let me tell you, Barack and I take that same approach to our jobs as president and first lady because we know that our words and actions matter, not just to our girls but the children across this country. Kids who say, “I saw you on TV,” “I wrote the report on you for school.” Kids like the little black boy who looked up at my husband, his eyes wide with hope, and he wondered, Is my hair like yours?
I’m tearing up just reading her words on my computer screen.
On Hillary:
I trust Hillary to lead this country because I have seen her lifelong devotion to our nation’s children. Not just her own daughter, who she has raised to perfection, but every child who needs a champion: kids who take the long way to school to avoid the gangs. Kids who wonder how they will ever afford college. Kids whose parents don’t speak a word of English, but dream of a better life; who look to us to dream of what they can be.
Hillary has spent decades doing the relentless work to actually make a difference in their lives. Advocating for kids with disabilities as a young lawyer, fighting for children’s health care as first lady, and for quality child care in the senate.
And when she did not win the nomination eight years ago, she did not get angry or disillusioned. Hillary did not pack up and go home because … Hillary knows that this is so much bigger than her own disappointment. She proudly stepped up to serve our country once again as secretary of state, traveling the globe to keep our kids safe. There were moments when Hillary could have decided that this work was too hard, that the price of public service was too high, that she was tired of being [torn] apart for how she looked, or how she talked, or even how she laughed.
But here’s the thing: What I admire most about Hillary is that she never buckles under pressure.
She never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life. And when I think about the kind of president that I want for my girls and all our children, that is what I want. I want someone with the proven strength to persevere.
Yes, Hillary has persevered. There was a time when Michelle Obama didn’t have nice things to say about her. But Hillary didn’t quit. She wholeheartedly supported Barack Obama in 2008 and then became his Secretary of State. And she apparently won Michelle over with her efforts.
And finally these beautiful and heartbreaking words:
Leaders like Tim Kaine, who show our kids what decency and devotion look like. Leaders like Hillary Clinton, who have the guts and the grace to keep coming back and putting those cracks in the highest and hardest glass ceiling until they finally break through, lifting all of us along with her.
That is the story of this country. The story that has brought me to the stage tonight. The story of generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, who kept on striving, and hoping, and doing what needed to be done. So that today, I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves. And I watch my daughters — two beautiful intelligent black young women — play with the dog on the White House lawn
And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters and all of our sons and daughters now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States.
Don’t let anyone ever tell you that this country is not great. That somehow we need to make it great again. Because this right now is the greatest country on Earth.
Can we as a country truly rise above our long history of slavery and exploitation of people who are not rich white men? Michelle seems to believe it is possible. But only if we defeat the fascist menace of Donald Trump and elect Hillary the first woman President of the United States.
Without once mentioning Trump’s name Michelle Obama destroyed his childish Twitter campaign by saying this of Hillary:
Somebody who knows this job and takes it seriously. Somebody who understands that the issues of our nation are not black or white. It cannot be boiled down to 140 characters. Because when you have the nuclear codes at your fingertips and the military in your command, you can’t make snap decisions. You can’t have thin skin or a tendency to lash out. You need to be steady and measured and well-informed.
That speech deserves to go down in history as one of the greatest political speeches ever.
I also thought Cory Booker’s speech was magnificent. If you missed it, you can read the transcript at that link. Bill Clinton was as transfixed as I was.
Sadly, Bernie-or-busters did the best they could to damage the Democrats’ chances of defeating Trump by screaming their childish chants right through all the speeches, including those of Michelle Obama, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders. They even crossed out the word “love” in the “Love Trumps Hate” signs and wrote in “Bernie.” This morning Sanders tried to speak to his fans in the California delegation, and they shouted him down once again. Sanders has now cancelled several events that he had scheduled with “supporters.”
https://twitter.com/Lawsonbulk/status/757940276497227776
Sanders did the best he could to get his fans to accept reality and realize the dangers Donald Trump poses; but it was far too late. He encouraged their bad behavior for the past year, and at least 10 percent of them are still acting out. Many people who tuned in to the campaign for the first time last night wondered what all the fuss was about.
https://twitter.com/SheWhoVotes/status/757764641338511360
Sanders also announced this morning that, despite Jeff Weaver’s statement that Bernie is now a Democrat for life, he’s going back to being an independent.
He also announced that he will not raise money to support Hillary’s efforts to beat fascism.
Despite rumors that he would release his delegates, Sanders insisted on a roll call vote today, so erasure of Hillary’s enthusiastic supporters will probably continue on the cable channels. I think it’s very sad that Bernie can’t join with the rest of us in celebrating the nomination of the first woman in American history ever to head a major party ticket.
Last night I went to bed after watching MSNBC and CNN highlight Bernie-or-busters and denigrate the woman whose nomination this Convention was designed to celebrate. I woke up this morning determined to give him the benefit of the doubt, but now I know he’s not going to join the fight with the rest of us. But that’s his choice. Ninety percent of his supporters have already joined us, and the rest were never Democrats to begin with.
Some headlines to peruse today.
As usual, it was extremely difficult to find anything positive about Hillary in the media, but I found one at WBUR in Boston: Hillary Clinton’s Call to Public Service Came Early.
I found this at the WaPo, but I haven’t read it yet. I hope it’s positive: To understand Hillary Clinton, don’t watch the convention. Read her memoirs.
Ed Kilgore writes down his delusions: Bernie May Have Broken the ‘Never Hillary’ Movement Once and for All.
Jonathan Chait: How Bernie-or-Bust Fanatics Dominated the First Day of the Democratic Convention.
Sarah Kendzidor: The Democrats’ America on display: Flawed but not fatalistic.
CNN: Bernie Sanders: ‘I am proud to stand with her.’
Amy Davidson at The New Yorker: Michelle Obama’s Message: Trust Hillary Like I Do. Davidson is unconvinced.
NYT: Attack on Church in France Kills Priest and ISIS is Blamed.
That’s all I can write for now, folks. I’m very sorry that I’m so angry and disappointed. To me Hillary is a beacon of light in a dark world. I can’t even begin to describe how enthusiastic I am about her becoming the Democratic nominee–and I hope the President of the United States. For my entire life I’ve dreamed that women could eventually gain equality with men. Now I know that will never happen in my lifetime; but having a woman president would be a beginning.
I knew this year was going to be difficult; I knew that the misogyny and CDS of 2008 would be magnified 100-fold. But today, I’m having a hard time with it.
I’m afraid the Bernie-or-busters will attack Bill Clinton tonight, and I hope he has been well prepared to handle it. I can’t imagine how painful it must be for him to see his beautiful, talented, hard-working wife treated so horribly by the media and by supposed “progressives.”
I hope and pray that on Thursday night MSNBC and CNN will stop talking about Bernie Sanders for just a few hours to at least tell their viewers they are watching history in the making.
Over to you. What stories are you following? If you can cheer me up a bit, I’d be very grateful.
peej
Carissa
bostonboomer
ecocatwoman
mablue2
peggysue22
quixote
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
Have a great day, Sky Dancers. Again, I apologize for my depressed mood.
We’re with you, BB!
I feel the same way. This is a time for celebrating Hillary, celebrating her victory, her determination and goodness and smarts, and what makes us all stronger together. It’s hard when the media throw out the old tired ridiculous lines about “Can Hillary be trusted? Really trusted?” Just in asking, they inject doubt. Never mind that the New Yorker article piled on all the reasons why Yes, Hillary Is Trustworthy — some readers probably never got past the CDS and misogynist stereotype distrust in the opening lines.
Hillary is strong and determined and resilient, and we are with her.
It’s going to be a great week! Bill speaks tonight!!!
Great post, BB. Thank you for this.
You said: “it’s very sad that Bernie can’t join with the rest of us in celebrating the nomination of the first woman.” He never had any intention of doing so…he was just stringing us along.
Clearly he is a liar, not delivering on his word – I’ve watched him over the years, even quoting from some of his speeches, I was gullible enough to trust him, but as time went by I realized he was simply one of those guys who talk big but rarely deliver. Really, can anyone remember him fully delivering as promised?
How could the DNC be so easily duped by this shyster? Did they really fall for the promise that he’d be a Democrat from then on?
I further cannot believe that all of his followers fell for the story that he has little $. We never did see the full breath of his financials (nor have we seen Trump’s) both the RNC and the DNC were taken for a ride by these frauds.
They have done more harm by dividing our country than any foreign enemy could have done. I wouldn’t trust either one of them as far as I could throw them.
You are a wonderful woman BB, you express our feelings, and we all stand with the one woman who has finally made it to get the job. How long, and why for so damn long have we waited in this country.
It’s rich, that Bernie Sanders wanted to change our party rules, change our system, go forward, but can’t seem to do it with a woman at the wheel. And therefore, will go back to being an independent. He flung his true colors, and now he can’t get into action. You are also right that he misguided his supporters, and just turn his back on those, and cancel events that spurred them on, if he went eyeball to eyeball with them. It proves to me, what we thought all the time, he was all for male power, and not for power to the people.
I ain’t got nothing more to say, nothing else I can say, because these are the so called leftist progressives, and they don’t get it, cause what they want is to kiss the ass of Hilter. Al Franken said it best, take a week, but come next Monday, roll up your sleeves and get to work for Hillary Clinton. If not, so long.
Thanks for the heartfelt post BB. He who’s name I shall never ever mention is such a bumbling, egotistic, piece of worthless dishonesty who uses whatever he wants to make himself relevant. If I ever have to hear that stump speech again, I am likely to become a screaming basket case!
After 2008 we felt used and abused, now in 2016 we are taking it personally when petulant children throw tantrums. We HAvE to focus on the fact that they are very small by very noisy minority. The majority of people in the hall last night did not agree with them and are enthused about Hillary’s candidacy.
We will rise above this and support our ticket all the way to the White House. If I can’t believe that with all my heart, there’s is no sense in caring about anything to do with politics.
I still think Sarah Silverman said it best.
Ridiculous
Here’s all about Michelle Obama’s speechwriter. She worked for Hillary in 2008. She wrote the cracks in the glass ceiling speech for her before being hired by the Obamas to work in the white house.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/speechwriter-michelle-obamas-rousing-dnc-address/story?id=40884882
View at Medium.com
Thank dawg she’s ours!!!
Yup. She’s good too!
Asshole:
Bernie Sanders to Return to Senate as an Independent
Democratic runner-up says more DNC staff should leave over embarassing emails
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/07/26/bernie-sanders-to-return-to-senate-as-an-independent/?mod=e2tw
And he wonders why no one likes him? Use and abuse people then go back to being the nasty old drunk uncle that only yells at every one.
Yes, he said that this morning. It’s in my post. One reason why I’m feeling so disgusted. The other reason is that he stated he will not raise money for the campaign.
Now Joy Reid is reporting that Bernie wants to nominate Hillary instead of John Lewis. I may just have to stop watching the Convention I’ve looked forward to for months.
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I just saw your tweet on twitter. Last night on CSPAN, as he was talking, he was tagged as I, Vermont. I mean seriously. He’s used the DNC like a cheap suit to for his own personal ego trip and then acts shocked when emails show no one likes him. Well, his former and current employees don’t like him and neither do any of his colleagues because he’s an ASSHOLE and one who hasn’t done any home work since the 1950s or 1960s. I mean really, how can he demand respect when he shows no respect for anyone else?
I don’t know how he does it, but so far he has gotten everything he demanded and now he wants to ruin the nomination speech itself.
So do I have this right? Bernie is going to campaign for Clinton, and he wants the DNC to provide a private plane. And he’s not going to do any fundraising…
yeah, as usual, it’s all about him, his needs, his delusions, his ego,his need for an audience. and he does nothing for any one else but not create problems as long as he can speechify at whomever he pleases.
Remember this article?
http://freebeacon.com/politics/bernie-sanders-asked-leave-hippie-commune/
He was thrown out for sitting around talking and not helping with the work.
But the DNC are being shamed for their perfectly understandable preference for HRC, who has busted her behind for them for decades. Got it.
yup
But he hasn’t released his delegates, right?
Via delphyne. https://twitter.com/gdebenedetti/status/758011864370610181
Thinking About Hillary — A Plea for Reason
https://thepolicy.us/thinking-about-hillary-a-plea-for-reason-308fce6d187c#.b5bwqzgei
I liked this article and look forward to seeing/hearing his speech tonight!
I remember him. She spoke about him during the meeting of her health care committee in Minneapolis when I was working for a subsidiary of UHC and helped support that visit. I had registered in Minnesota as an Independent Republican but after seeing Hillary in action, I dropped all pretenses of being anything but a Clinton Democrat. She was amazing to watch in those days too.
That’s amazing. I hope the Bernie bros don’t yell through his speech. I’m sure they’ll disrespect Bill Clinton. I honestly don’t know if I can watch tonight.
C’mon baby, you can do it!!! If Hillary can sit through it, so can we! 🙂
I’m watching Barbara Mikulski right now.
Trump stiffs a bunch of little kids.
The creator of the viral pro-Trump act ‘USA Freedom Kids’ now plans to sue the campaign.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/26/the-creator-of-the-viral-pro-trump-act-usa-freedom-kids-now-plans-to-sue-the-campaign/?postshare=2561469542879678&tid=ss_tw
‘DNC Hacker’ Unmasked: He Really Works for Russia, Researchers Say
The hacker who claimed to compromise the DNC swore he was Romanian. But new research shows he worked directly for the Vladimir Putin government in Moscow.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/07/26/dnc-hacker-unmasked-he-really-works-for-russia-researchers-say.html
Putin recreating the cold war, it seems with the help of Donald Trump and Bobers
Is Russia trying to influence U.S. election?
http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/25/opinions/russia-influence-western-politics-ghitis/index.html
Donald is waiting for a little quid pro quo from Putin while destroying the security of our Country and the world. There’s no doubt in my mind that Donald Trump knew this data leak was going to happen well before it happened. And the timing was meticulously planned to help Trump and hurt Hillary. Julian Assange facilitating the release of these and other documents qualifies him for extradition to the U.S. and charged with attempting to undermine the U.S. Government and U.S. elections. That slime ball!!!
And hardly a peep from our illustrious press. They went on and on about how it was CHAOS! CHAOS at the DNC!!!! I wanted to scream at Shuck “This is worse than last week” Todd.
So meanwhile it goes unmentioned Trump is in debt up to his neck to banks in Russia. He owes $350K + to German banks, too, right? And what about Manafort’s connections to Russia? How many people know Manafort’s past work for dictators and oligarchs?
It’s breathtaking how colossally bad our press is. I’ll join everyone else and watch C-SPAN tonight.
I’m upbeat today, the first day of the convention was really good, other than ending with Sander’s same old, same old. But watching it on CSPAN was the best way to go- the commentary on the other channels was ridiculous as usual. I thought Booker and Warren were the best, my personal opinion.
The fact that the Bernie busters even booed him left me cackling with glee.
On to tonight, hope Big Dawg is up to it.
A while ago, Larry Subato was interviewed on MSNBC in hopes that he would provide more fuel to their goal claiming chaos at DNC. He stated that in two weeks no one will be talking about BS, the bots. He said they are going to remember Michelle’s wonderful speech.
I believe BS and his Droogs are truly exposed as clueless, meager, ignorant a@@hos. Give them a cookie, then they want a glass of milk, then a plane, a throne……….. So much hubris.
Boo, I couldn’t help but think of this so much early, give them an inch, and they’ll steal the clothes off your back.
I’ve been away from media for a couple hours but I did some watching this morning. I give Bernie credit for meeting with the different state delegations and trying to get his supporters on board. I’m glad he got a little tough with the CA supporters. It’s not easy for entitled, white people when they don’t have their demands met. They are not used to it.
It pissed me off when I heard that there were “negotiations” underway to have Bernie be the one to formally nominate Hillary.(Personally, I’d love the hell out of it if it were Big Dawg.) WTF is there to negotiate?
I thought I’d read that Bernie’s private plane was a no go. That might have changed.
Melissa says it best. Millions are shouting for Hillary.
http://bluenationreview.com/whats-all-that-shouting-at-the-democratic-convention/
Mikulski to nominate Hillary.
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/barbara-mikulski-nominate-clinton-226227
Hillary’s campaign wants he whose name I cannot mention to play a role from the floor.
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/bernie-sanders-role-democratic-convention-226222
Let’s see if he is big enough to do it. Besides it would give him more time in the limelight……..
I think there would not have been a dry eye in the place if Bill Clinton had been the one the nominate Hillary. I do love Babs though.
Anne Holton has stepped down as Virginia’s Sec of Education in light of her husband, Tim Kaine’s selection as Hillary’s Veep. Virginia is losing an exemplary public servant. I hope Hillz appoints Anne as the national Sec of Education.
If Hillary Clinton were a man
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/if-hillary-clinton-were-a-man/2016/07/25/b1592e36-5292-11e6-b7de-dfe509430c39_story.html?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-a%3Ahomepage%2Fstory
He still seems to blame her entirely for the Hillary Hate. I completely disagree with this:
“…she has an awesome ability to turn a political misdemeanor into a firestorm.”
Nevermind endless Republican “investigations” and decades of misogynistic press coverage. Lots of it in Wapo I might add.
One hour to the gavel at the convention. After reading so many comments yesterday, I am sticking with C-SPAN for coverage. (And of course, this blog with all the beautiful sky dancers pulling for Hillary!)
Great Post today BB. I too was feeling a bit down when the BoB people behaved like spoiled children in an attempt to upset the convention. I have been watching Conventions for decades and I’ve never seen such a rude exhibition of entitlement. But I AM NOT GOING TO ALLOW their childish behavior ruin what I’ve waited over 7 decades to see. Hillary Clinton will become the Democratic Nominee for President TONIGHT and NOTHING the BoB’s do will change that.
CELEBRATE my friends like it’s 2099!
With the most fantastic fireworks please?!!!
I may not be here tonight so you can borrow these
Bless you Mouse, I will be careful😉
🙂
Tonight we put more cracks in that glass ceiling!
I am going to continue relishing every minute. As that little girl said…. it’s ridiculous that we haven’t had a woman President! About time to make this happen FINALLY!
It’s our day we are celebrating!
Thanks, Mouse. You’re right.
And the news that Bernie is going to return to being an Independent. Who the hell ever believed otherwise???? Certainly none of us!!!
My mama don’t like him, and she likes everyone. Horrible little man!
After tonight Bernie can
Like many of you, I have seen a lot of nominations and roll call votes over the election cycles. I think that this will be the most gratifying one I have seen so far.
She died much too young. A brilliant woman.
Alison Lundegren Grimes KY Sec of State is speaking now. The crowd is great and she gave a fantastic endorsement of Hillary. Hillary chants rocking the room!
Nomination speeches beginning now.
Speeches for he whose name a will not mention are first.
Barbara Mikulski is next in a few minutes.
Hard to watch this knowing that Bernie Sanders isn’t even a democrat. Yet, his name is placed in nomination.
Keep the faith Fannie. Wait for the crowd to erupt when Hillary is nominated.
I am all smiles now. Antsy this morning.
Here’s Babs!
John Lewis is here now!
We are not going back, going forward, and shattering that glass ceiling.
Now I got the tears in my eyes… Yessss!!!!
Who else is crying right now? It’s official.
OMG
and then the nomination was seconded by John Lewis. Amazing.
Amaru is bringing me to tears!
I missed it. I messed up my TIVO. Roll call is beginning. Do we know which state is supposed to put her over the top?
Roll call vote begins!
I’m sitting here watching with my daughter and I’m so moved. I never thought I’d live to see this day.
I am so emotional right now. My tears are dripping into my iced tea,
Me too, Pat. I can’t even describe what I’m feeling.
It is so unbelievable to witness this. Words cannot convey this moment,
The moment is near, very near.
Bernie’s brother breaking down and Bernie breaking down has brought be to tears too. That was beautiful.
I don’t know about you all, but watching the rollcall vote I just can’t hear “the next president of the United States Hillary Clinton” enough times. I start to tear up every single time .
It is remarkable. So much diversity and such accomplished people.
Just compare this to the lily=white RNC.
White, black, Latinos, Muslims, Asians and Native Americans are the true fabric of this nation.
Absolutely amazing!
I love this roll call!
My eyes are dripping and I look like a rabid racoon from the mascara crawling down my face.
My beloved state of Massachusetts gives her 68 votes!
❤
HILLARY is close to the 2383 needed for nomination!
The voting will continue and no celebration at that point.
South Dakota puts Hillary over 2383!
Woohoo!!! I’m celebrating!
It’s official she’s the nominee!
HILL A REE! HILL A REE! HILL A REE!
Happy days are here again!
History is made tonight!
Vermont Hillary by acclamation! He did it…who would have thought it?!!!!
Exhale sky dancers! Celebrate!
Love!
Congratulations Hillary!
My Guv is speaking now!
I love him!
New thread come join the celebration