Everyone's talking this morning about how the Democrats have appropriated Ronald Reagan's sunny optimism and shining cities on hills — while the Republicans have sunk into dystopia and despair. Yes, it was pretty terrific to hear so many of our DNC speakers this week shout "America is already great!" But in addition to that welcome refrain, we heard a lot of other important words. Here are just a few.
From Khizr Khan, the father of a US soldier who fell fighting in Iraq, who shamed Donald Drumpf with this withering question: "Have you even read the United States Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy."
From Bush White House veteran Doug Elmets, speaking directly to his fellow Republicans: "If you believe, like I do, that loyalty to our country is more important than loyalty to party...I ask that you join me in voting for Hillary Clinton for President of the United States."
From Jacqueline Kennedy, America's most heroic First Lady, who made a posthumous appearance in Secretary Clinton's acceptance speech, warning against wars begun by "little men moved by fear and pride."
From Barack Obama, who has thrilled us in so many ways over the years, but who truly had us on the floor with "Not me, not Bill." (We also think it's incredibly important that he used the term "homegrown demagogue.")
From Joe Biden, who said, "We are America, second to none, and we own the finish line."
From Tim Kaine, whose Marine son is serving in Europe, and who declared, "I trust Hillary Clinton with our son's life."
From General John Allen, who said, "With [Hillary Clinton] as our commander-in-chief, our international relations will not be reduced to a business transaction."
From Reverend William Barber, chair of the North Carolina NAACP, who stopped the show with "When religion is used to camouflage meanness, we know that we have a heart problem in America. We are called on to be the moral defibrillators of our time.”
From Michelle Obama, who reminded us all who was the grownup in this race: "When [Hillary] didn’t win eight years ago, she didn’t get angry or disillusioned. Hillary did not pack up and go home, because as a true public servant Hillary knows that this is so much bigger than her own desires and disappointments." (Oh, and we really loved the part about the White House being built by slaves — because it was.)
From Sarah Silverman, whose watchword was "unity" and who pointed out the obvious.
And finally, from HRC herself, who said:
"It’s
true. I sweat the details of policy — whether we’re talking about the
exact level of lead in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan, the number
of mental health facilities in Iowa, or the cost of your prescription
drugs. Because it’s not just a detail if it’s your kid — if it’s your family. It’s a big deal. And it should be a big deal to your President."
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