5 Things from Night 1 of the DNC
I was busy with work last week so I didn't have time to watch the Democratic National Convention. I'm just catching up on it now. I watched Night 1 of the DNC (from Monday) on Saturday night. Don't spoil the plot- I haven't read the books!
As Night 1 full videos ran some 6 hours I just watched about an hour of highlights. Here are 5 Things I took away from it:
1) From a messaging & communications perspective, it's great that Democrats are leading with a positive message
There's plenty negative Dems could say about Trump. And indeed many of the speakers did point out at least a few of his failings each. But on the whole the tone of the night was positive. That's important because audiences want to hear what a speaker or party is for, not just what they're against.
2) Jesse Jackson wheeled out, doesn't speak
Jesse Jackson has been an icon in progressive politics for decades. I remember when he ran for president in 1984 and 1988. (Well, he ran for the Democratic nomination those two times but did not win it.) I also remember him guest starring on Saturday Night Live, of all places, multiple times during his campaigns. He was always a powerful speaker. And he was flexible enough to continue articulating his message while playing the straight man in comedic skits opposite professional satirists. Thus I found his appearance at this 2024 convention saddening. Jackson, now age 82, is in failing health. He has suffered from Parkinson's Disease for several years. On Monday night he was pushed out in a wheelchair by an honor guard. He struggled to wave to the cheering crowd. He did not speak. I appreciate the nod toward his legacy, but seeing a once towering figure brought so low detracted from the night for me.
3) President Biden spoke strongly but not dynamically
So much has been made of President Biden's less-than-expected performance in a debate against Donald Trump two months ago. After months, nay even years, of Republican leaders trumpeting, falsely and without evidence, that Biden is mentally impaired and unable to speak coherently due to his advanced age, it touched off a three week storm of vocal dissatisfaction among Democratic donors and leaders that culminated in Biden dropping out of the reelection campaign. Thus when Biden spoke on Night 1 I was keen to watch his performance. Biden spoke strongly... but not dynamically. He was on point. He was coherent. He was forceful in his delivery. He was even inspiring. But he showed no range. He did little to vary his volume, tone, or pace of speaking. He used almost no hand gestures. In fact he mostly gripped the lectern with both hands as if to brace himself in a defensive pose. In my experience as a practiced speaker and speaking coach (I did this in Toastmasters for 7 years) these are hallmarks not of a mentally incapable speaker but merely someone who is not yet confident and skilled in their delivery. Could this be regression in skills because of age? Maybe. I don't know. But I more believe it's how Biden has always been as he's struggled throughout his life to overcome the stutter he's had since childhood.
4) Hillary Clinton was gracious in passing the "break the glass ceiling" torch to Kamala Harris
Former presidential candidate Clinton is painted by her detractors, mostly unfairly, as a bitter person. After the historically unprecedented setbacks inflicted on her 2016 campaign resulting in a loss to Donald Trump- a loss in the arcane and outdated Electoral College even though she won the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes- she arguably has a lot to be bitter about. Thus I I was impressed with the humility and grace Clinton demonstrated in her speech. Instead of recalling all the mean or unfair things done to her, instead of ruing about how she was not the woman to break the ultimate glass ceiling in the US, she warmly encouraged Democrats to help Kamala Harris do just that.
5) VP candidate Tim Walz tears up
Minnesota governor and VP candidate Tim Walz did not have a speaking role in Night 1 of the DNC. He did not speak, but the cameras often cut to him for reaction shots. It seemed like Walz was on the verge of tears the whole night. His face showed him struggling with raw emotion. I see this as a good thing, BTW. For far too long men have been socialized that showing emotion is bad, that it's a feminine thing and anti-masculine. But having emotions is not limited to one gender. I'm glad to see a male political leader model that it's okay for men to have feelings and show them.
As Night 1 full videos ran some 6 hours I just watched about an hour of highlights. Here are 5 Things I took away from it:
1) From a messaging & communications perspective, it's great that Democrats are leading with a positive message
There's plenty negative Dems could say about Trump. And indeed many of the speakers did point out at least a few of his failings each. But on the whole the tone of the night was positive. That's important because audiences want to hear what a speaker or party is for, not just what they're against.
2) Jesse Jackson wheeled out, doesn't speak
Jesse Jackson has been an icon in progressive politics for decades. I remember when he ran for president in 1984 and 1988. (Well, he ran for the Democratic nomination those two times but did not win it.) I also remember him guest starring on Saturday Night Live, of all places, multiple times during his campaigns. He was always a powerful speaker. And he was flexible enough to continue articulating his message while playing the straight man in comedic skits opposite professional satirists. Thus I found his appearance at this 2024 convention saddening. Jackson, now age 82, is in failing health. He has suffered from Parkinson's Disease for several years. On Monday night he was pushed out in a wheelchair by an honor guard. He struggled to wave to the cheering crowd. He did not speak. I appreciate the nod toward his legacy, but seeing a once towering figure brought so low detracted from the night for me.
3) President Biden spoke strongly but not dynamically
So much has been made of President Biden's less-than-expected performance in a debate against Donald Trump two months ago. After months, nay even years, of Republican leaders trumpeting, falsely and without evidence, that Biden is mentally impaired and unable to speak coherently due to his advanced age, it touched off a three week storm of vocal dissatisfaction among Democratic donors and leaders that culminated in Biden dropping out of the reelection campaign. Thus when Biden spoke on Night 1 I was keen to watch his performance. Biden spoke strongly... but not dynamically. He was on point. He was coherent. He was forceful in his delivery. He was even inspiring. But he showed no range. He did little to vary his volume, tone, or pace of speaking. He used almost no hand gestures. In fact he mostly gripped the lectern with both hands as if to brace himself in a defensive pose. In my experience as a practiced speaker and speaking coach (I did this in Toastmasters for 7 years) these are hallmarks not of a mentally incapable speaker but merely someone who is not yet confident and skilled in their delivery. Could this be regression in skills because of age? Maybe. I don't know. But I more believe it's how Biden has always been as he's struggled throughout his life to overcome the stutter he's had since childhood.
4) Hillary Clinton was gracious in passing the "break the glass ceiling" torch to Kamala Harris
Former presidential candidate Clinton is painted by her detractors, mostly unfairly, as a bitter person. After the historically unprecedented setbacks inflicted on her 2016 campaign resulting in a loss to Donald Trump- a loss in the arcane and outdated Electoral College even though she won the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes- she arguably has a lot to be bitter about. Thus I I was impressed with the humility and grace Clinton demonstrated in her speech. Instead of recalling all the mean or unfair things done to her, instead of ruing about how she was not the woman to break the ultimate glass ceiling in the US, she warmly encouraged Democrats to help Kamala Harris do just that.
5) VP candidate Tim Walz tears up
Minnesota governor and VP candidate Tim Walz did not have a speaking role in Night 1 of the DNC. He did not speak, but the cameras often cut to him for reaction shots. It seemed like Walz was on the verge of tears the whole night. His face showed him struggling with raw emotion. I see this as a good thing, BTW. For far too long men have been socialized that showing emotion is bad, that it's a feminine thing and anti-masculine. But having emotions is not limited to one gender. I'm glad to see a male political leader model that it's okay for men to have feelings and show them.