DNC 2020 Opening Night is in the record books and the Democratic National Convention is now officially underway.
Politics
Hosted by actress Eva Longoria, DNC 2020 Opening Night kicked off with the Biden grandchildren reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, multi-cultural children from all 50 states singing the national anthem, and a host of real people discussing how Donald Trump’s failed leadership in the midst of COVID-19 has affected their jobs, their businesses, their schools, and their families.
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Although the first hour was a bit clunky and not at all the robust and traditional event we’ve come to expect from previous (and in-person) years, the theme of WE THE PEOPLE combined with emotional video segments and a heavy-hitting lineup of speakers during the final hour made it an unforgettable evening.
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HIGHLIGHTS:
Among the highlights of DNC 2020 Opening Night was a recognition of George Floyd and the ensuing social justice marches that followed his death, front-line workers who contracted the coronavirus while saving lives, and a discussion regarding the fight over mail-in voting and the postal service mess.
Kristin Urquiza, who is the daughter of a former Trump supporter who died of the coronavirus, provided an emotional tribute to her late dad that was a clear message to those who still follow and support Donald Trump.
“There are 2 Americas: The one where Donald Trump lives and the one where my father died,” Urquiza said. “His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump and for that, he paid with his life.”
Then there was a poignant video of Joe Biden befriending average-American Amtrak workers during his many years of commuting between Washington, DC as a senator so he could be home every night as a single dad with his young sons in Delaware.
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THE SPEAKERS
Although the evening provided myriad speakers covering a variety of topics, the most prominent among them were former Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, Sen. Bernie Sanders of New Hampshire, and former first lady Michelle Obama.
John Kasich
Former NJ Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and eBay Meg Whitman, and former NY Rep. Susan Molinari led the charge as lifelong Republicans from across America who are now Joe Biden supporters. They were joined by Gov. Kasich who began his remarks standing outside at a literal crossroads in Ohio while making the point that America is at a juncture and we need to make the right choice by voting for Biden.
Bernie Sanders
Sen. Sanders was given a prime spot in order to encourage his left-leaning followers to back Biden in a way they simply refused to do for Hillary Clinton in 2016. The senator also took an interesting swipe at Donald Trump, saying “Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump golfed.” Ouch!
Michelle Obama
If there’s anyone who’s unclear why a 2019 Gallup Poll declared Michelle Obama as the “most admired woman” among all Americans for the second year in a row, they need look no further than the veritable master class of a speech she gave during the DNC 2020 Opening Night.
Utilizing a central theme of empathy, Mrs. Obama had Americans hanging on her every word as she painted a very clear picture of why Donald Trump is wrong for America and Joe Biden is right for America.
She celebrated Joe Biden by making the point that the true definition of empathy is “not just about feeling, but DOING.”
She discussed how being the first lady during her husband’s presidency taught her that “being president doesn’t change who you are — it reveals who you are.”
She then segued into an unprecedented but ever-so-classy attack against Donald Trump that has never been seen before in American politics by a former first lady against a sitting president.
“Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country” and “is in over his head,” she said pointedly. But “it is what it is,” referencing Trump’s own flippant words regarding COVID-19.
“You simply can not fake your way through this job,” she continued against the current White House occupant. “And if you think things can’t possibly get worse, trust me THEY CAN!”
Michelle Obama was not only the keynote speaker for DNC 2020 Opening Night, but she was the epitome of class and grace that both she and her husband provided America during a scandal-free 8 years that is sorely missed today.
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The Democratic National Convention will continue through Thursday with Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus hosting the remaining prime-time evenings.
So, what did you think of DNC 2020 Opening Night? Tell us in the comments below.
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WATCH AN EXCERPT OF MICHELLE OBAMA’S SPEECH
I actually watched a good bit of it and was impressed by how well this never-been-done-before virtual event was put together!
Some of it actually gave me some goosebumps because, for me, it really captured who WE The People can be when WE come Together and put Our heats and minds to work on building a more perfect Union.
WE (those of Us who truly love this country) WE.Are.Americans d*mn it. And WE have the power to save Our country, Ourselves, Our democracy. WE can defeat Trump and his minions but that’s only the beginning.
In order to ensure that America lives up to its ideas and promise, it’s going to take a lot of work and the majority of Us. WE The People!