DNC 2020 Day 3 kicked off Wednesday night with a celebration of women, a historical moment featuring the nomination of a woman of color for vice-president, and an absolute take-down of Donald Trump.
Politics
Hosted by actress Kerry Washington, DNC 2020 Day 3 began with a video presentation of real Republicans offering reason after reason why they will NOT vote for Donald Trump and will vote for Joe Biden in 2020.
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THE SPEAKERS & THE MUSIC
Among the speakers for DNC 2020 Day 3 include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, and former Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. Musical performances were delivered by singer and activist Billie Eilish, Latino artist Prince Royce, and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson.
“We will remember in November — when we elect Joe Biden President.” – Nancy Pelosi
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THE HIGHLIGHTS
A video against gun violence featured students from across the country who have been forced to learn school drills in the event of an active shooter. The video also included emotional remarks from former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords whose career was cut short when she was shot in the face during a 2011 campaign appearance.
Another video on immigration told the story of an American marine who voted for Donald Trump only to see his undocumented wife get deported by Trump and his family torn apart. The video was seen through the eyes of daughter Estella, who wrote a letter to Donald Trump begging for her family to be made whole.
“One day women will be able to say “We organized. We persisted. And we changed America.” – Elizabeth Warren
Additional videos include one of Joe Biden as he authored the 1994 Violence Against Women Act; Biden’s commitment to health care reform, immigration, and climate change; business owners affected by COVID-19.
A powerful “Rise Up” video on behalf of women introduced Hillary Clinton. Riding just on the edge of “I told ya so,” Mrs. Clinton made the case of how wrong Donald Trump has been for America.
“People who voted for Trump still tell me: ‘I didn’t realize how dangerous he was. I wish I could do it all over,'” she said. “I wish Trump knew how to be a president, because we need a president right now!”
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THE STAR OF THE NIGHT
Widely considered the last president to embrace decorum and unity, Barack Obama was the “star” of DNC 2020 Day 3. Like his wife, Michelle, President Obama is one of the best orators in history and, like his wife, he proved it with his remarks.
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Speaking live from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Mr. Obama’s remarks were preceded with a video of him presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Joe Biden. From that moment on, Americans saw a side of Mr. Obama they’d never seen before and is unprecedented among former presidents.
He talked about the high stakes in this election and, using the memory of John Lewis and other civil rights activists before him, discussed how our electoral choice will echo for generations to come. He then compared the current presidency to a 4 alarm fire and a near necessity to ‘Break glass in case of fire.’
“At minimum, we should expect a president to accept responsibility,” Mr. Obama began. “I hoped Donald Trump would take some interest in taking the job seriously. But he never did. He has shown no interest in putting in the work.” He “treats the presidency like a reality show,” and “hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t.” OUCH!
President Obama then segued into why Joe Biden would make an effective POTUS because of his empathy.
“Twelve years ago when I started my search for vice-president, I didn’t know I’d end up finding a brother,” Mr. Obama said. He then went on to tout Joe’s political accomplishments, including his work to rescue the economy during their first term and how he’s prepared to fight the coronavirus because of his work against H1N1 and the Ebola virus. He added that Joe knows the world and the world knows him and that Joe and Kamala are well awre that “the Commander-In-Chief does not use the military as political props.”
He closed his remarks by saying: “This president and those in power, those who benefit by keeping things as they are, they are hoping to make things as hard as possible for you to vote and to convince you that your vote does not matter. DO NOT LET THEM TAKE AWAY YOUR POWER. DO NOT LET THEM TAKE AWAY YOUR DEMOCRACY.”
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IT’S KAMALA TIME
At DNC 2020 Day 3, Sen. Kamala Harris made history by becoming the first woman of color to be named the vice-presidential nominee of a major American political party.
Introduced during a powerful video by her sister Maya, her niece Meena, and her (step)daughter Ella Emhoff, the telegenic Kamala Harris paid tribute to the women before her who rallied for the right to vote, including Shirley Chisholm. She also honored the trailblazing leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton — the first African-American President of the United States and the first female to be nominated for president by a major US political party.
Sen. Harris then honored her late mother, Shyamala, whose shoulders she said she stands on. She told of how her parents marched for civil rights during the 60s and how she got a “stroller’s-eye” view of democracy. She added that her mother raised her and her sister to be strong black women but also very proud of their Indian heritage.
She also spoke of her entire family, including her sisters in the first historically-black Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and all who attended HBCU’s (historically Black colleges and universities) like she did by graduating from Howard University.
Sen. Harris said she and Joe Biden share a vision for America that everybody matters “No matter what we look like, no matter where we come from, no matter who we love.”
She said Trump’s failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods. “I know a predator when I see one.” She also said “There is no vaccine for racism. We’ve gotta do the work. For George Floyd. For Breonna Taylor,” adding “None of us are free until all of us are free.”
The final night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention will air tonight with the acceptance speech from Joe Biden and the closing celebration to promote the Biden-Harris 2020 ticket.
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DJ, thank you for your daily summaries. They are always On.Point.
And you are so right: “Like his wife, Michelle, President Obama is one of the best orators in history and, like his wife, he proved it with his remarks.”
From what I’ve seen, overall, I’d say the Dems have done a fine job putting together this “first-of-a-kind” virtual convention. I’ll probably watch the entire finale tonight.