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Donald Trump doesn’t get that “America is great because America is good.”

“The choice is clear, my friends. Every generation of Americans has come together to make our country freer and fairer and stronger. None of us ever have or can do it alone.”

“I’m here to tell you tonight, progress is possible.”

Hillary has news for Donnie regarding how much he knows about ISIS: 

“America’s destiny is ours to choose, so let’s be stronger together, my fellow Americans. Let’s look to the future with courage and confidence. Let’s build a better tomorrow for our beloved children and our beloved country.”

A whole convention, and not a single artist has demanded that Democrats stop playing their music. 

Bill is actually standing BEHIND his women. Who'd have thunk?

So final stagecraft effort: colored placards that, when raised, made an American flag out of the audience. Didn’t quite work great, people want to clap in this moment of celebration. But who gives a shit! Balloons! Unity! Celebration! Now, we have a few months ahead of working our assess off, not just to defeat Trump, but to retake Congress. 

It can happen, and if we work hard, it will. Woo!

This has been an amazing week, an incredible logistical and messaging accomplishment. I’m bummed it’s over!

Now … how to get some of those cool signs so I can hang them on the wall of Daily Kos HQ? I want the big vertical ones, so guess who’ll be checking EBay the next few days...

New thread here.

“A four-year-degree should not be the only path to a good job”. .... I REALLY believe this.

Also, great line: “In America, if you can dream it, you should be able to build it.”

I love the appropriation of “woman card” with DEAL ME IN! It renders that attack impotent, basically farcical. 

“How are you going to break through the gridlock in Washington?” 

The crowd is chanting Hillary loudly enough that I suspect they’re trying to drown out something.

Uh, CLASS WAR! I love the framing—the rich will pay for expanded infrastructure and benefits because that’s where 90 PERCENT of wealth creation has gone to that crowd. They have to pay, because that’s where you end up when you FOLLOW THE MONEY.

And now she's showing the advantage of being featured in the second convention. Tear apart the dude in the first one.

Now Clinton goes in on Trump’s business record, his record of outsourcing and stiffing small businesses. So that’s clearly going to be a theme of the campaign.

National security: “We’re dealing with determined enemies that must be defeated. So it’s no wonder that people are anxious and looking for reassurance.”

“Keeping our nation safe and honoring the people who do that work will be my highest priority. I’m proud that we put a lid on Iran’s nuclear program without firing a single shot.”

“A president should respect the men and women who risk their lives to serve our country. Including Captain Khan and the sons of Tim Kaine and Mike Pence, both Marines. So ask yourself, you really think Donald Trump has the temperament to be commander in chief? Donald Trump can’t even handle the rough and tumble of a presidential campaign.”

“A man you can bait with a tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons.”

“If we’re serious about keeping our country safe, we also can’t afford to have a president who’s in the pocket of the gun lobby. I’m not here to repeal the second amendment. I’m not here to take away your guns. I just don’t want you to be shot by someone who shouldn’t have a gun in the first place.”

“We can’t afford to have a president in the pocket of the gun lobby.” More evidence, as if we needed it, that Dems are really going to run hard on the gun issue. We’ve finally committed as a party. FINALLY!

“We have to heal the divides in our country, not just on guns but on race, immigration, and more. And that starts with listening, listening to each other, trying as best we can to walk in each other’s shoes. So let’s put ourselves in the shoes of young black and Latino men and women who face systemic racism and are made to feel like their lives are disposable.” 

Fantastic framing, reminding people that we’ve seen the families of civilian victims of gun violence, and the families of police officers who were victims of gun violence. Unless you want innocent people shot, you shouldn’t oppose greater restrictions on gun ownership.

New thread here.

Clinton promises to be a president “for all Americans together.”

“Tonight we’ve reached a milestone in our nation’s march toward a more perfect union: the first time a major party has nominated a woman for president. Standing here as my mother’s daughter and my daughter’s mother I’m so happy this day has come.”

“When any barrier falls in America, it clears the way for everyone. After all, when there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.”

“When any barrier falls for anyone, it falls for everyone.”

Obama and Biden don’t get the credit they deserve for turning around the economy, Clinton says. “But none of us can be satisfied with the status quo.” The economy still isn’t working the way it should. “Democrats, we are the party of working people. But we haven’t done a good enough job showing we get what you’re going through and we’re going to do something to help.”

Trump left this opening on the economy when he went ALL doomsday last week, and now Hillary’s doing exactly what she should—» opening it up!

“I believe America thrives when the middle class thrives. I believe our economy isn’t working the way it should because our democracy isn’t working the way it should. That’s why we need to appoint Supreme Court justices who will get money out of politics [...] if necessary, we will pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. I believe American corporations that have gotten so much from our country should be just as patriotic in return.”

“I believe in science.” There’s something that shouldn’t need to be said, but does. “I believe climate change is real and that we can save our planet while creating millions of good-paying clean-energy jobs.”

“Whatever party you belong to or if you belong to no party at all, if you share these beliefs, this is your campaign. If you believe that companies should share profits, not pad executive bonuses, join us. If you believe the minimum wage should be a living wage and no one working full-time should have to raise their children in poverty, join us. If you believe that every man, woman, and child in America has the right to affordable health care, join us. If you believe that we should say no to unfair trade deals, that we should stand up to China [...] then join us. If you believe we should expand Social Security and protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, then join us. And yes, yes, if you believe that your working mother, wife, sister, or daughter deserves equal pay, join us. That’s how we’re going to make sure this economy works for everyone, not just those at the top.”

Trump “spoke for seventy-odd minutes, and I do mean odd.”

Really, I've said it in a couple of threads already, but clearly this convention is so much more about reaching new voters, not just the base. She’s seeking out independents and sane Republicans.

I know it's 11:07 p.m., but this speech has got me ready to go knock on doors right now.

Clinton pledges to pass jobs legislation and invest in infrastructure. “Bernie Sanders and I will work together to make college tuition-free for the middle class and debt-free for all. We will also liberate millions of people who already have student debt. It’s just not right that Donald Trump can ignore his debts and students and families can’t refinance their debts.”

“A four-year degree should not be the only path to a good job.”

Yes, Susan is right, this convention has done a great deal of work to appeal to disaffected Republicans and independents, but it has done so in a way that hasn’t betrayed our party principles. It isn’t the old DLC/Third Way playbook. Clinton is just as liberal today, and her convention speakers have been just as liberal, as what her campaign promised during the primary. There’s no pivot to reach those people. It’s saying, “Our solutions are better for you, period.”

The crowd joins Clinton on her “deal me in” refrain.

We’re going to pay for all these investments because Wall Street and the super rich will start paying their fair share of taxes. Not because we resent success but because when 90% of the gains have gone to the top 1%, that’s where the money is and we’re going to follow the money.

New thread here.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that our country is weak. We’re not. Don’t let anyone tell you we don’t have what it takes. We do. And most of all, don’t believe anyone who says ‘I alone can fix it.’ Yes, those were actually Donald Trump’s words in Cleveland, and they should set off alarm bells for all of us.”

So those random “Hillary” chants aren’t so random:

It’s working, the dead-enders are being drowned out. They are trying to do Donald Trump’s work for him. Same folks who protested when Civil Rights hears spoke, when a Medal of Honor spoke. Fuck them. 

Too much Trump, Hillary! The case against him has been made by many others, and Trump himself reinforces it every day. Focus more on talking about yourself, since that’s where this convention has shone—by showing us the human inside the Hillary caricature. 

“Americans don't say ‘I alone can fix it.’ We say ‘we’ll fix it together.’ And remember, our founders fought a revolution and wrote a constitution so America would never be a nation where one person had all the power. Two hundred and forty years later we still put our faith in each other.” She points to the nearly 500 applications to join the Dallas police in the wake of the shootings there. “That’s how Americans answer when the call for help goes out.”

“America needs every one of us to lend our energy, our talents, our ambition, to making our nation better and stronger.” 

There was a genius who figured out Trump's campaign slogan would be "Me alone!" and she would counter with "No, we're together."

I have to say, "Stronger Together" is getting better all the time. It's the animating principle that we're arguing for as a democracy, and a perfect contrast to Trump.

Love trumps hate.

“And so, my friends, it is with humility, determination, and boundless confidence in America’s promise, that I accept your nomination for president of the United States.”

I do like the contextualizing of “stronger together”. It’s not just a cheap slogan, it’s a guiding principle. And it’s a stake deep in the heart of conservative me-only orthodoxy. We’re not fighting for a selfish, self-absorbed country. We know who wants that. 

“Now sometimes the people at this podium are new to the national stage. As you know, I’m not one of those people. I’ve been your first lady, served eight years as a senator from the great state of New York, then I represented all of you as secretary of State. But my job titles only tell you what I’ve done. They don’t tell you why. The truth is, through all these years of public service, the service part has always come easier to me than the public part.”

Love her contrasting her family to Trump’s. Again, this is chipping away at her caricature, bit by bit. 

Clinton tells her family history, linking that history and her Methodist faith to her decision to “do all the good you can.”

You need to change hearts and laws. This is central to Clinton’s message from day one.

I still can’t believe that there was a time when kids were not allowed to go to fucking school because of disabilities. 

“You need to change both hearts and laws”: That should be the progressive motto.

“After the four days of this convention, you’ve seen some of the people who inspired me … people like Ryan Moore and Lauren Manning.”

New thread here.

She’s killing it, and people are watching despite Donnieboy’s best efforts to suppress her audience. It’ll be great tomorrow when we find out this speech kicked Trump’s ass, not just in message and effectiveness, but in the only thing Trump cares about aside from himself: his ratings.

Very sweet moment between Hillary and Chelsea as she comes onstage. Bill in the audience looking overcome, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar waving a flag. “Fight Song” playing, of course.

Hillary Clinton in the video: “There is more than enough of the American dream to go around if we are committed to growing it.”

Shonda Rhimes killed it with that video. How much of the primary mess could’ve been avoided had they been able to deliver this message earlier? But her campaign let her become a caricature. Now, we’ve spent all week learning about the real human that is Clinton, and even now, before she starts speaking, mission accomplished.

Fuck you, haters. “Fight Song” can play every day for all I care. 

“Bill, that conversation we started in the law library 45 years ago … it is still going strong.” Crowd chanting HILLARY. “You know that conversation has lasted through good times that filled us with joy and hard times that tested us, and I’ve even gotten a few words in along the way.”

Stagecraft update: They’ve got the same Hillary vertical signs they’ve been waving all day but added American flags to the end. Since Trump thinks patriotism is about the number of flags present, the Democrats just won, again. 

Still waiting for the big production, with the colored placards that delegates will wave at some point.

“On Tuesday night, I was so glad to see that my Explainer-in-Chief is still on the job.”

“We heard the man from Hope, Bill Clinton, and the man of hope, Barack Obama. America is stronger because of President Obama’s leadership and I’m better because of his friendship. We heard from our terrific vice president, the one and only Joe Biden. … And First Lady Michelle Obama reminded us that our children are watching and the president we elect is going to be their president too.”

Tim Kaine “will make our whole country proud as our vice president. And I want to thank Bernie Sanders. Bernie, your campaign inspired millions of Americans, particularly the young people who threw their hearts and souls into our primary. You put economic and social justice issues front and center where they belong. And to all of your supporters, here and around the country, I want you to know: I’ve heard you. Your cause is our cause.”

A great salute to Bernie Sanders, acknowledging his impact on the race, bringing economic and social justice issues front and center into the campaign. Then an assurance to his supporters that those concerns are “our concerns.”

“Our founders embraced the enduring truth that we are stronger together. Now America is once again at a moment of reckoning. Powerful forces are threatening to pull us apart. Bonds of trust and respect are fraying. And just as with our founders, there are no guarantees. It truly is up to us. We have to decide whether we will all work together so we can all rise together.”

Will we stay together? Donald Trump is betting against it. “He’s taken the Republican Party a long way from morning in America to midnight in America. He wants us to fear the future and fear each other. Well, you know, a great Democratic president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, came up with the perfect rebuke to Trump during a much more perilous time: ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’”

“We will not build a wall. Instead we will build an economy where everyone who wants a good job can get one. And we’ll build a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants who are already contributing to our economy. We will not ban a religion, we will work with all Americans and our allies to fight and defeat terrorism.”

New thread here.

OUR convention is fueling their civil war. 

 Right-wing radio show host:

 We always were, asshole.

Chelsea Clinton is up, and holy crap she sounds exactly like her mother. Starts talking about her mother being a grandmother.

This is so so so very good! The side of Hillary we never see, the one we’ve been shielded from for obvious reasons. As Michelle Obama said, Chelsea was raised to perfection. That’s no accident.

Chelsea is killing this … and the reaction shots of Bill Clinton are fantastic. He is absolutely bursting with pride!

I haven’t heard Chelsea in awhile, but she’s very good. She’s all there. Comfortable with herself. Committed to her family. 

Not a showpiece in a suit who exists as an extension of her parents. A strong, impressive woman in her own right who is there because she wants to be. And who clearly believes what she is saying.

Chelsea Clinton: “I never once doubted that my parents cared about my thoughts and my ideas into always knew how deeply they love me. That feeling of being valued and loved, that is what my mom once for every child.” This is really the animating theme of Clinton’s life. Though few people focus on it, this convention has done a good job of bringing it out.

Bill can barely contain himself!  

Chelsea talking about her mom getting "back to work" after the huge healthcare loss in 1994: "She took a little time to replenish her spirit... And then she got right back to work. Because she believed she could still make a difference for kids."

Chelsea:  “This November, I'm voting for a woman who’s my role model as a mother and an advocate. A woman who has spent her entire life fighting for families and children.”

Hillary’s intro video is full of people saying nice things about her, something Trump couldn’t even manage to do.

For anyone keeping score: Morgan Freeman Trumps The Hell Outta Jon Voight. Every day. Twice on Thursdays.

That’s all.

Hillary Clinton in the video: “There is more than enough of the American dream to go around if we are committed to growing it.”

Sherrod Brown is … Sherrod Brown. He cites the hard workers, the union workers, in his family, and contrasts his union-made suit with Donald Trump’s outsourced products.

Brown cites his own long fight for trade policies that help workers, saying that in that time, he’s never seen Donald Trump. For all Trump runs his mouth, he’s not there for the fight.

“The one thing we know for sure is Donald Trump looks out only for Donald Trump, no matter who he steps on along the way."

Remember all those lawsuits against Trump because of his habit of stiffing small business owners on what he owes them? Brown highlights a Philadelphia family who lost their business because Trump stiffed them.

Brown is speaking up for the Midwest as a vibrant place, not the decaying, sad place Trump has described. 

Shout out to “longtime friend” Bernie Sanders.

Being patriotic and loving America isn’t about pining for a past that is long gone, but embracing and appreciating what we are today, and where we are headed in the future. That means loving our diversity, our ingenuity, our compassion. our workers, and a role in the world that is collaborative, not dictatorial. We are not perfect, but we are on the right track. I don’t know what Republicans think of America anymore. Their entire campaign last week was hating on Clinton for her PRIVATE SERVER and begging people to cower under their beds in fear. What a fucking perverted message.

So now the word among pundits is that Democrats have now claimed the mantle of patriotism, as if we didn’t love our country before. But let them say it! Because it means Republicans have surrendered the perception that they owned the flag. Fuck you, you never did, but now, finally, everyone else is starting to realize it.

He grew up seeing pictures of presidents who all looked like him—white men. Now his grandchildren will see pictures of Barack Obama among the presidents, and after the next 100 days of our work, they’ll see pictures of Hillary Clinton.

Oooh, Becerra would’ve been a great VP. Hmm, he’s 58, so not too late to be on a ticket in 2024. 

While pundits gasp at the Republican-Democratic divide, I’d like to remind them all that Democrats have always been the party of optimism, and Republicans have always been the party that’s told you terrorists, or communists, or nonwhite people will destroy the country if you don’t vote for their candidate.

It’s not the message that’s remarkable this year. It’s the contrast of that message with Trumpism, the Republican fear-of-everything message reduced to its most primitive (and ridiculous) form.

ICYMI-->>Don’t! Watch the father of Army Capt. Humayun S. M. Khan, who died in combat in 2004, ask Trump if he's read the US Constitution and offer to loan him his copy.

As you all know, I’ve been obsessed with stagecraft at this convention. People have been waving Hillary signs all day, which seemed weird since you’d think they’d bust it out tonight, during her speech. But during intermission, they announced the plan—the delegates all have colored placards under their seats, and will flash them as instructed. So we should get some great audience optics. 

Instructions seemed a little convoluted, so I hope they pull it off!

New thread here.

Khizr Khan’s denunciation of Trump’s bigotry may have been the moment of the convention, and this convention has had many contenders for the spot.

Now hearing from Florent Groberg, retired U.S. Army Captain Florent “Flo” Groberg was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s top award for valor in combat, by President Obama after serving in Afghanistan. “We must choose hope” to chants of “USA!”

Retired Marine 4-star General John Allen who led  troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, and was also coordinated the international fight against ISIS, expressing his support for Hillary.

“We know that she, as no other, knows how to use all instruments of American power, not just the military, to keep us all safe and free!”

When you hear a four-star general proclaiming common values with every "gender orientation," you know you're in a new America, folks. A GREAT new America, folks.

“America will defeat ISIS … America will honor our treaty obligations. We will lead, and strengthen NATO.” 

“You! And the American military, will continue to be the shining example of America at our very best.”

“Our armed forces, will not become and instrument of torture, and will not carry out murder … To our allies, listen closely: we are with you. America will not abandon you!”

Of course they didn’t. It goes against everything they have told their viewers for the last four elections.

Can’t wait to see how Donald Trump puts the amazing four-star general in his place on Twitter.

We’ve got Hit Girl. What have you got?

New thread here.

Barber speaks about morality, and not the perverted morality of the Right, but of what is right vs wrong, on civil rights, on a living wage, on tax and trade policies, on tolerance, on #BLM. “We are reviving the heart of or democracy!” 

He weaves you in quietly, not needing to yell like so many speakers. Then modulates slowly up, gradually, with purpose, playing the audience like a violin virtuoso. It’s breathtaking. And he’s not disappointing. 

What the Rev. William Barber is preaching so eloquently—voting rights, feeding the poor—seems so obvious to me, I’m amazed that any Christian can avoid embracing it.

Oh, Barber is lighting up the crowd. “We can’t give up on the heart of our democracy, not now, not ever.” 

“Is there a heart in this house?” YES! (says the crowd)

“Is there a heart in America?” YES!

“Is there someone that has a heart for the poor? For the vulnerable?” YES!

“Vote together! Organize together! Fight for the heart of this nation!” YES!

Breathtaking!

And this is the video going now:

If Hillary’s speech tonight is nothing but a longer version of the speech in that video, I’ll be more than satisfied. That was genuinely moving, and Captain Khan’s father … there’s an American.

Barber and Khan both were incredible, and in such different ways. Barber spoke softly, rising in tenor as he came to a thundering conclusions. Khan was quiet, measured, dignified, proving you don’t need volume or speed to captivate, that clear and moral purpose can be just as impactful. 

New thread here.

The crowd chants U-S-A, now nicely juxtaposed with Trump and Pence, now mocking the idea that America is great. This is a great country, and that Republicans have lost sight of that is incredible. Our black president, and incoming woman one, have really broken them. 

I still haven’t gotten past Kahn, who finished his powerful address by offering Donald Trump his pocket copy of the United States Constitution. It’s clear that Muslim immigrants have a better grasp of our founding document, and the values therein. 

That idea is such a threat to right-wing ideology, that …

Ahh, now we have dueling chants, “No more war” vs “USA”. 

Meanwhile, Gen Allen is scaring the shit out of Trump, because I’d be scared too if he wasn’t on my side.

Remember Ryan Moore? He’s the guy with spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia dwarfism, who spoke out against Donald Trump’s mockery of the disabled. This guy:

Just now, Donald Trump:

 SMH.

Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez up to speak: "We have to start listening to each other." Describes her officers' efforts to meet with all parts of their community. Now, a moment of silence for fallen officers.

Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez tries to make sense of the violence in Dallas, but can’t. But she tells a touching story of her and her girlfriend (i.e. partner) going out to lunch and trying to pay for the check. “As I handed the server my credit card, he smiled and said that least four tables had offered to pay for the meal. My girlfriend and I both teared up. There was not single person in the restaurant I knew.” 

Wayne Walker mother of slain Philadelphia police officer, Barbara Owens, mother of Cleveland police officer, Jennifer Loudon, widow of Chicago police officer, all speak about fallen officers and the importance of bringing peace. Very emotional. 

This tribute to the families of slain officers was a good way to show the complexity of the issues we face surrounding gun violence and racial justice. We all know it’s complex, but featuring it all during convention—including the “Mothers of the Movement” for Black Lives—is a powerful display of trying to work the issues through.

The Rev. William Barber, president of the North Carolina NAACP, is my favorite. And I’m an atheist. He’s still my favorite. 

The theme in the video about bullying, about Hillary Clinton embracing “love and kindness,” was laid out in a terrific article called “Hillary Clinton wants to talk to you about Love and Kindness.”

New thread here.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. proves himself to have inherited his father's intelligence. I don't mean that in a good way.

Donald Trump Jr. suggested Thursday that Barack Obama's speech in Philadelphia Wednesday night lifted a line from his Republican National Convention remarks, pointing out that both addresses contained the line "That's not the America I know."

Despite what Gargantuan Ego Jr. may presume about the world around him, however, the report goes on to observe the, ahem, obvious: Obama has "frequently" used that phrase during his administration. That's probably not obvious to people who haven't followed politics until their pa required them too, but for the rest of us it's kinda been a thing.

Via HFA, excerpts from Hillary Clinton's upcoming speech tonight.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper tells DNC that the measure of a small business owner’s success isn't how many times they say, "You're fired!" but rather how many times they say, "You're hired!" How novel.

Meanwhile, this is what Republicans are up to:

Hickenlooper says Hillary “wants to offer tax incentives to companies that offer apprenticeships in underserved areas. She's going to make the largest single investment in jobs since World War II.” 

Henrietta Ivey, a home care worker Hillary met while campaigning in Michigan who is helping to lead the Fight for $15, talks about how she instantly felt comfortable with Hillary, and how meaningful that support has been.

These working folks talking about their struggles are actually more interesting than some of the professional pols and entertainers. And their stories all have a great punchline: Hillary has the back of working people.

Just some regular folks from across America: Henrietta Ivey, a minimum wage home care worker from Detroit, talked about making a living wage; Dave Wills from North Carolina about student debt; Beth Mathias, on her and her husband working three jobs between them just to make ends meet, who wants everyone to take the time to help elect Hillary Clinton; Jake Reed and Jensen Walcott, two young people who were hired on the same day, for the same job and found out he was making more than her … an then were fired for talking about it. They’re for pay equality and for Hillary Clinton.

Gov. Tom Wolf now giving his own roast of Trump while explaining how responsible, worker-friendly businesses treat their own employees.

Fun fact: Once upon a time, there was talk about changing the Constitution to give her and Arnold Schwarzenegger a chance of running for president (they are both foreign born).

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm talks about the state’s process of rebuilding its economy. Of Obama, she says, “He saved the American auto industry!” Then, she says, Mich. paid America back “in full. That is what we can do together!” 

“Fierce Democrat” Jennifer Granholm, former Michigan governor, livens things up by firing up the crowd a bit with her praise of Obama’s saving of the auto industry. Building America up, not tearing it down like Donald Trump. “Hillary Clinton GETS that.” With real plans. Detailed plans, written down, plans with numbers that add up!

Granholm: “Hillary Clinton gets it. And that is why she has huge plans to create good paying jobs in America. Imagine that. Actual plans. I must have missed that night at the Republican convention. Detailed plans, written down.” Heh.

Granholm jokes, “Donald, you’re so vain, you probably think this speech is about you.” She’s on fire. 

Granholm says, “When the auto worker in Detroit builds the electric vehicle that drags us forward, we all win. Whether you are in Michigan or Maryland or Missouri or Montana.”

Granholm: “As our next president says, ‘We are stronger together! … Brothers and sisters, let’s do this!”

Doug Elmets, former Reagan official, says he’s voting for a Democrat for president for the first time in his life.

And next, Jennifer Pierotti of the Republican Women for Hillary. Saying we’re not Democrats or Republicans, we’re Americans, so vote for Hillary.

New thread here.