Steven, we’re totally with you. As we were spellbound by Michelle and Barak’s words last night, my wife and I looked at each other, laughing, crying, aware that history was being made. They both have a knack for letting us know their vision, warmth and intellect without in any way talking down to us. Just too much for words!
👏👏👏 Well said Steven. I especially loved Michelle’s epic jab at TFG : “has anyone told him that the job he is seeking might be one of those Black jobs”. Touché Madame Obama, touché.
It was really fun to hear the Obama's speak back to back. It seems the only person capable of upstaging President Obama is Michelle Obama! While Barack is always impressive, informative, and amusing, Michelle has a fire in her belly that is so appropriate for the moment we are in.
I also thought that Doug Emhoff was masterful in a joyful, unassuming way. I think he did more to define Kamala for the American people than all the surrogates combined will be able to do in the weeks to come. Bravo Dougie!
Thanks, Steven, for this green room time to revisit all the emotions of last night. It is what I needed. More time to luxuriate and reflect all the hope and love. I love all the quotations from the Obamas. I can so resonate with "But, to be honest, I am realizing that, until recently, I have mourned the dimming of that hope. And maybe you’ve experienced the same feelings, that deep pit in my stomach, a palpable sense of dread about the future.” At age 71 I had begun to think that I would not see greatness in the White House again. I started my voting career with Jimmy Carter. I was glad to hear that he hopes to hold on to this life long enough to vote for Kamala. So there they all were, my chosen presidents and a future chosen president. As Michelle said, it was magical. The convention is hope writ in the many varied bodies of this beloved democracy.
After Monday night, I didn’t think it could get any better, but the Obamas both hit it out of the park. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff was appealing and funny, and the three people who are (were) Republicans made the difference in this election clear. We choose the Democrats or we choose fascism.
The roll call of states was so much more than just adding numbers, it was actually enjoyable, figuring out the music and the happy crowds from each state cheering and uplifting each other.
I am so looking forward to the next two nights. Politics was never so entertaining.
Democrats are on fire. Fire is the life giver and the destroyer. Let's be the sun that rises this November to shire on a new America. The warmth of the message coming from Chicago is perfect.
For me, Michelle Obama's speech is one of the most powerful and beautifully delivered speeches ever given at a political convention. I love her perfect description of the evil we face. Her statements about both no second and third chances for most all of us to the advice of Kamala's mother to "do something" instead of whining was so accurate and inspirational.
I hope the Harris campaign uses excerpts from the speech for ads to be aired everywhere. It's a fantastic powerful and eloquent argument for all decent people to do the right thing.
Oh thank you Steven, for honoring them in this way. I wept through both. Knowing - or at least able to imagine - the horrific racism that Trump directed at them back to the GD birth certificate BS …. How they weren’t safe a day they were in the public, nor were their young girls, but they served this country with SUCH intelligence and grace and respect for all for two terms. Every rare time I get to hear them speak now, I’m reminded of how hurtful it must have been and BE, to see that Trump admin rip apart all they worked so hard to create …. Starting with their beautiful healthy garden for children and the WH Rose bushes all the way to the fabric of a loving multi racial community across this country.
They are so intelligent. So wise. So elegant.
I will never forget the phrase ‘the affirmative action of generational wealth’. Wow. What a powerful image I’ve never put together as opposed to put in contrast…
And President Obama is simply one of the smartest , wittiest, most thoughtful humans I’ve ever ‘known’. “That flannel has been through some stuff” made me spit my water across the room.
We owe so much to those two amazing human beings. Good for Michelle for speaking truth. He IS threatened by hard working, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black. And it comes out in the most hateful and dangerous of ways.
I also was THRILLED to hear Michelle speak of not falling prey to the ‘Goldilocks syndrome’ of throwing our hands up if things aren’t EXACTLY what we want on every single issue and in every single way … wow is that a truthful assessment of what so many of us do -
How fortunate we are to have surrogates such as these for this ticket. For democracy. For all of us and our children. I too hope to see more of them. Although part of their absolute magic is the fact that they don’t speak much on the national stage. So when they do …. It’s all the more mesmerizing, amazing, powerful, joyful, compassionate and brilliant.
And not to be too sappy. But starting with the Bidens on Monday night …. The LOVE on display at this convention … Jill and Joe, Doug and Kamala in his speech last night “Heeeyyyyy it’s Douuuggggg” VM; Barack and Michelle … it has been a much needed balm on many broken hearts. And SUCH a juxtaposition to the RNC just weeks ago. ☮️
I love both of the Obamas, but Michelle really stole the show last night. This was the ultimate mic drop moment, "I want to know—I want to know—who’s going to tell him, who’s going to tell him, that the job he is currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?"
Great inspiration and words of truth from both the Obamas.
I take exception the analysts who say (admiringly) Michelle has abandoned her “when they go low, we go high”. ‘Truth’ is not going low. Holding people accountable is not going low.
Michelle Obama wields words and truth, often with a touch of subtly, that wounds the target. But she never “goes low.” Her words had an edge but there was no threatening. No mocking of the GOP candidate’s personal appearance; no mocking of his wife. No mention that Drumpf family changed their name & lied about their national origin or how his VP has changed names often. Nothing invoked that he has not done or said.
As Letitia James said this evening, “she dropped the mic”.
Steven, we’re totally with you. As we were spellbound by Michelle and Barak’s words last night, my wife and I looked at each other, laughing, crying, aware that history was being made. They both have a knack for letting us know their vision, warmth and intellect without in any way talking down to us. Just too much for words!
👏👏👏 Well said Steven. I especially loved Michelle’s epic jab at TFG : “has anyone told him that the job he is seeking might be one of those Black jobs”. Touché Madame Obama, touché.
True. A great line.
Biles and Obama: Black jobs. So beautiful.
It was really fun to hear the Obama's speak back to back. It seems the only person capable of upstaging President Obama is Michelle Obama! While Barack is always impressive, informative, and amusing, Michelle has a fire in her belly that is so appropriate for the moment we are in.
I also thought that Doug Emhoff was masterful in a joyful, unassuming way. I think he did more to define Kamala for the American people than all the surrogates combined will be able to do in the weeks to come. Bravo Dougie!
Thanks, Steven, for this green room time to revisit all the emotions of last night. It is what I needed. More time to luxuriate and reflect all the hope and love. I love all the quotations from the Obamas. I can so resonate with "But, to be honest, I am realizing that, until recently, I have mourned the dimming of that hope. And maybe you’ve experienced the same feelings, that deep pit in my stomach, a palpable sense of dread about the future.” At age 71 I had begun to think that I would not see greatness in the White House again. I started my voting career with Jimmy Carter. I was glad to hear that he hopes to hold on to this life long enough to vote for Kamala. So there they all were, my chosen presidents and a future chosen president. As Michelle said, it was magical. The convention is hope writ in the many varied bodies of this beloved democracy.
Masterful writing. Such a powerful speech from Michelle, as well as President Obama. We should all take them to heart.
After Monday night, I didn’t think it could get any better, but the Obamas both hit it out of the park. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff was appealing and funny, and the three people who are (were) Republicans made the difference in this election clear. We choose the Democrats or we choose fascism.
The roll call of states was so much more than just adding numbers, it was actually enjoyable, figuring out the music and the happy crowds from each state cheering and uplifting each other.
I am so looking forward to the next two nights. Politics was never so entertaining.
Democrats are on fire. Fire is the life giver and the destroyer. Let's be the sun that rises this November to shire on a new America. The warmth of the message coming from Chicago is perfect.
For me, Michelle Obama's speech is one of the most powerful and beautifully delivered speeches ever given at a political convention. I love her perfect description of the evil we face. Her statements about both no second and third chances for most all of us to the advice of Kamala's mother to "do something" instead of whining was so accurate and inspirational.
I hope the Harris campaign uses excerpts from the speech for ads to be aired everywhere. It's a fantastic powerful and eloquent argument for all decent people to do the right thing.
A historical and the most inspirational speech I've heard in my 77 years. The guy that followed her comes close. We love Michelle.
Last night freshened my weary heart. The promise of American will once again shine for all.
Thank you for this Substack, Mr. Beschloss. You always hit the right perfect note. This was an absolutely perfect post.
Thank you, Connie.
Oh thank you Steven, for honoring them in this way. I wept through both. Knowing - or at least able to imagine - the horrific racism that Trump directed at them back to the GD birth certificate BS …. How they weren’t safe a day they were in the public, nor were their young girls, but they served this country with SUCH intelligence and grace and respect for all for two terms. Every rare time I get to hear them speak now, I’m reminded of how hurtful it must have been and BE, to see that Trump admin rip apart all they worked so hard to create …. Starting with their beautiful healthy garden for children and the WH Rose bushes all the way to the fabric of a loving multi racial community across this country.
They are so intelligent. So wise. So elegant.
I will never forget the phrase ‘the affirmative action of generational wealth’. Wow. What a powerful image I’ve never put together as opposed to put in contrast…
And President Obama is simply one of the smartest , wittiest, most thoughtful humans I’ve ever ‘known’. “That flannel has been through some stuff” made me spit my water across the room.
We owe so much to those two amazing human beings. Good for Michelle for speaking truth. He IS threatened by hard working, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black. And it comes out in the most hateful and dangerous of ways.
I also was THRILLED to hear Michelle speak of not falling prey to the ‘Goldilocks syndrome’ of throwing our hands up if things aren’t EXACTLY what we want on every single issue and in every single way … wow is that a truthful assessment of what so many of us do -
How fortunate we are to have surrogates such as these for this ticket. For democracy. For all of us and our children. I too hope to see more of them. Although part of their absolute magic is the fact that they don’t speak much on the national stage. So when they do …. It’s all the more mesmerizing, amazing, powerful, joyful, compassionate and brilliant.
And not to be too sappy. But starting with the Bidens on Monday night …. The LOVE on display at this convention … Jill and Joe, Doug and Kamala in his speech last night “Heeeyyyyy it’s Douuuggggg” VM; Barack and Michelle … it has been a much needed balm on many broken hearts. And SUCH a juxtaposition to the RNC just weeks ago. ☮️
“the affirmative action of generational wealth”—quite a line, among many
It was a historical night with their speeches reassuring us that there is hope!
She was on fire!
I love both of the Obamas, but Michelle really stole the show last night. This was the ultimate mic drop moment, "I want to know—I want to know—who’s going to tell him, who’s going to tell him, that the job he is currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?"
Great inspiration and words of truth from both the Obamas.
I take exception the analysts who say (admiringly) Michelle has abandoned her “when they go low, we go high”. ‘Truth’ is not going low. Holding people accountable is not going low.
Michelle Obama wields words and truth, often with a touch of subtly, that wounds the target. But she never “goes low.” Her words had an edge but there was no threatening. No mocking of the GOP candidate’s personal appearance; no mocking of his wife. No mention that Drumpf family changed their name & lied about their national origin or how his VP has changed names often. Nothing invoked that he has not done or said.
As Letitia James said this evening, “she dropped the mic”.