US Dems zero in on Trump's biggest weakness

Michelle Obama is getting rave reviews. And, you know who that is gonna make mad. Sigh.

I rarely want a political speech to go longer, but I could have listened to Michelle Obama for the rest of the night

One of most striking differences between Democrats and Republicans is how much Dems lionize and emphasize the democratic process — for Dems, voting is good and it's a civic duty; protest is brave and noble. Republicans could care less and instead emphasize dominance and power.

Michelle Obama's honesty, humanity, and eloquence saved and redeemed Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention — a largely uninspiring way too crowded directionless, telethon-like event.

This woman is the moral voice of this country.

.@MichelleObama is showing all this heart, all this emotion, in a speech to a camera in an empty room. No cheering crowd to lift her up. We have not seen this kind of performance direct to camera since Ronald Reagan. #DNCConvention

"If you think things cannot possibly get worse trust me they can and they will." Don't vote like your life depends on it. Vote because people's lives DO depend on it. And Michelle is driving that home.

Michelle Obama just dropped one of the most casually savage lines of the night on Trump: "He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is."

Dear God, @MichelleObama is talented. I have always been a big fan, but, my goodness this speech has it all: heart and teeth, elegance and empathy. At turns warm and fierce. I am blown away. #DNCConvention

As expected, @MichelleObama is laying it all on the line tonight. Making the case plain and clear. It's on us-- stick with chaos and division OR chose steady leadership and empathy. What do we truly value? This is not who we want to be. #BidenHarris #DemConvention

Because she is not a politician and doesn't think or speak like one, @MicheleObama is such a powerful communicator. As she is showing again here, she speaks with a moral authority few in public life can summon.

My god. Michelle makes everyone else look like amateurs. No one can deliver a speech like she can. Even in these conditions, she leaves you hanging on every syllable. Few can do that. #DemConvention

"Being president doesn't change who you are. It reveals who you are." And so does who you vote for (or don't). The stakes here could not be higher. And Michelle Obama captures it perfectly.

Michelle Obama carefully explaining that the president needs to be smart and decent is so clearly 2020.

"This is not normal," another rallying cry from @BernieSanders, along with Nero fiddled, Trump golfs.

This Bernie speech is actually perfect. Just the right tone. Legitimately outraged. Substantive and important. Truly excellent and definitely the best from a politician all night.

Sanders: our campaign ended, but our movement continues. Our ideas that were deemed radical before are now mainstream. 😱😱😱 #DemocraticConvention

Not sure what it means, but I've watched more of this Monday night convention than any other year I can remember

Cedric Richmond wins for combo lighting and staging. This is sharp and fresh and perfect and I hope people speaking tomorrow are watching and rethinking the kitchen table setup. I don't want you to look real with your wooden cabinetry, I want you to look good.

Having the people who Biden defeated in the primary speak here is a nice touch. This segment's production moves well, tells the story.

Gov. Kasich, Meg Whitman, Susan Molanari, Christie Todd Whitman & Republican other testimonials are effective endorsements. Wonder if any Democrats will speak at the Republican Convention next week? #DemocraticNationalConvention

I am not a fan of Republican Governor John Kasich, and his speech tonight did nothing for me, but I do think it is important for Republicans watching the #DemConvention to see so many other Republicans criticizing Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/qlIkOKcNnx

Don't lose sight of how extraordinary it is to have so many Republicans speaking at the Democratic convention -- warning that the incumbent Republican president is bad at business and bad for America's soul.

I do miss the great soaring oratory that was sometimes part of great conventions—Humphrey in 1948, Kennedy in 1980, Obama in 2004. Can that happen in this format?

Okay. The pro-Biden "unexpected voices" idea was a GREAT one, and Republicans Christine Whitman, Meg Whitman, Susan Molinari, and John Kasich testifying for @JoeBiden really sung. #DemConvention

I don't get the feeling today's Dems embrace Kasich the way Republicans embraced Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman back in the day

Former NJ Gov Christine Todd Whitman - Republican - says she is voting for Joe Biden because he is "decent and stable." Two words that no one would ever, ever use to describe Donald Trump. Decent and stable. We should all be so lucky.

This virtual convention doesn't exude energy or enthusiasm. Not the DNC's fault. How do you recreate the excitement of the convention floor? Another Covid casualty. #DemocraticNationalConvention

I miss some of the typical DNC convention stuff but this is like a 2 hour TV commercial destroying Trump and elevating Joe Biden. I like it! #DemConvention

This unconventional #DNCConvention is actually exactly what we need at this moment in time. AMAZING stories from real people, politicos, celebs, people who voted for Donald Trump and feel betrayed by him, narratives about the kind of leadership we desperately need now #JoeBiden!

Democrats should say—"if I'm allowed to vote" to offer a reminder of what's going on right now.

Gov. Cuomo on a considerable high horse tonight, considering what NY went through -- and is still going through. #DemConvention

Good riff from Cuomo: "Covid is also a metaphor: a virus attacks when the body is weak." Goes on to say America's body is weak -- our divisions have made it harder to overcome our challenges.#DemConvention

We know Joe, but more importantly Joe knows us. Jim Clyburn reminds us why Biden won the primaries.

I miss the gathering of friends and allies at the #DemConvention. But a downside of the old conventions is that most speakers were professional politicians. This new format showcases so many dynamic, compelling folks who voters can identify with and relate to.

The Democrats did the right thing by not trying to replicate a "normal" convention (in part bc normal conventions are kind of bad?). This feels strange because we have no idea what to expect, but so far it feels like they're building something interesting.

The very fact that we have the conventions in virtual fashion seems like one of the strongest arguments against the administration's policy record.

#DemConvention The kids singing the national anthem was inspiring — youth, energy, compassion and love of country. And then it became a too busy crowded telethon lacking energy and inspiration. Will second hour redeem. I hope so.

The first 30 minutes of @DemConvention was both a technical achievement AND entertaining and informative. The format and flow is engaging, personal, and intimate -- and exciting. It isn't rote. It isn't boring. It's good TV!

The diversity the Democrats are displaying at the #DemConvention is something the Republicans just can't match in a authentic way.

Ok fine Maggie Rogers and Leon Bridges, I take the Boomer accusation back. But they are clearly a powerful minority who were appeased by Bruce, whose songs will be playing at the DNC until at least 2100.

Spot on. The conventions outlived their time. We are watching them be reinvented. The virtual format, though, needs to create space for party members to interact, network, and deliberate. This is one more step removed from delegate participation, even if ceremonial. https://t.co/k2aH3wOxfx

Hearing #GeorgeFloyd's family tonight is a powerful reminder of what's at stake in this election in the fight for racial justice and equity.

The goal of the #DemConvention : rally their base, sway Independents & win over disaffected Republicans.
22 mins in - they have checked each box.

This feels more like a sad telethon than a rousing call to arms. I get the limitations of the format, but man this is slow so far. Only @RepGwenMoore added 60 seconds of much-needed energy. #DemConvention

Trump's idea of reaching out to the black community is by calling Black Lives Matter a "Symbol of hate." What a contrast to the #DemConvention

Bruce was good, but I'm *really* looking forward to the Ted Nugent musical interlude at the RNC next week

Like honestly I like Bruce too but he must hold the record for the artist whose songs have been played at more Democratic National Conventions than any other.

There's power in telling people's real stories at @DemConvention in large part because it's so transparent that Trump doesn't give a damn about them. He only cares about himself. A major choice in this election is whether we want a POTUS who actually cares about the people again.

Gotta be honest this convention is real weird.

There was more diversity in the opening montage of the #DemConvention than there will be in entire four days of the GOP convention

Kinda loving the fact that #DemConvention opens with a strong Latina. I'm settling in for a good night.

Running against President Trump is running for something. With this particular president, the two go hand-in-hand.

Feeling sentimental. I've been to every Dem convention since 2000. And before that: 1984 in San Francisco. Because I was young, that was the most fun; 2008 was next. I hope 2024 will be in Milwaukee -- the city deserves it.

Challenge for Dems this week is not only to make case against @realDonaldTrump, which is pretty well understood.
The most important task is to give people a richer understanding of Biden, and how he would to lead the country out of the overlapping crises we currently face.

Four Republicans will speak at the Democratic convention tonight @cnn They'll remind the country, particularly Republicans, Trump hijacked the party and the party no longer represents them. It's permission to vote for Joe Biden.

Joe Biden already had his hands full fighting off the Trump Campaign's claims that he'll be controlled by radical left-wing activists. Today's convention speakers gave us a good look at just how impossible that task will be.

The virtual nature of the convention is a challenge for the Democrats, but it is a much bigger challenge for @realDonaldTrump and Republican. The lack of a packed auditorium is a constant reminder of Covid-19 and the mismanagement by the Trump Administration.

I've been going to political conventions for decades. I am nostalgic for an in-person Convention. The pomp and circumstance, the excitement, catching-up with friends...and foes. But got to admit. This set-up doesn't suck. pic.twitter.com/t63ZxZEvZx

I talk to Dems who are running in parts of the country that are inhospitable to Dems and wow do they seem overlooked by the national party.

Tonight the Ds will either inspire or bore — maybe a bit of both. A lot of pure unadultated yakking. Never easy. But by week's end they need to have demonstrated they have a compelling messenger and message.

Trump just said: "The only way we're going to lose this election is if the election is rigged - remember that. "
Either he wins or he'll tell his followers they've been robbed. Extremely dangerous. Only way to avoid an even worse national nightmare is a Biden landslide