August 23, 2024

• The DNC is now officially in the books. Last night featured more speeches by politicians and non-pols alike, with appearances by: Senators Elizabeth Warren (a former Presidential hopeful herself), Tammy Baldwin, Bob Casey, and Mark Kelly; Governors Maura Healey, Gretchen Whitmer, and Roy Cooper; and performers like P!NK, The Chicks, Kerry Washington, Eva Longoria, and D.L. Hughley (but not, despite rumors, either Beyonce or Taylor Swift). Also putting in significant appearances were members of the ‘Exonerated Five’ (aka, the ‘Central Park Five’), and former Representatives Gabrielle Giffords — who was nearly assassinated 13 years ago — and Adam Kinzinger — who was one of the few Republicans in the House who voted for the impeachment of former President Donald Trump. But of course, the entire program wrapped up with the formal acceptance of nomination and speech by Vice President Kamala Harris. It was an excellent speech (about a third as long as Trump’s own acceptance speech last month), and her background as a prosecutor was definitely on display, as she worked to make the case for why she was the best choice for President. LINK
• It should be noted that not everything is sunshine and roses for the Vice President. Ahead of the DNC festivities, there were concerns that protests by members of the Uncommitted Movement may have caused issues mirroring the calamity of the 1968 riots. While these concerns proved to be overblown, there was still some pushback from Palestinian-Americans who were rebuffed at their requests to speak as part of the program. Harris attempted to thread the needle during her speech, stating that she “will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself” while also working toward helping Palestinians “realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination”. LINK
• For his part, Trump live-posted on his Truth Social network during the speech, making a series of false claims — including that “Everybody, Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, and Conservatives wanted Roe v. Wade TERMINATED”, that she “called to give all Illegals CITIZENSHIP”, and that she and President Joe Biden were the source of his legal troubles (“These Prosecutions were all started by her and Biden against their Political Opponent, ME!”). (LINK) In other news, Trump is working on extending an olive branch to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, after harshly criticizing the governor at an Atlanta rally a few weeks back. Given the close nature of the race in that state, it seems he’s attempting to mend some fences there. LINK