What Went Down On The First Night Of The Democratic National Convention

Michelle Obama is a very talented speaker and public emoter and always has been. I wrote a piece about her during her book tour that talked about this power — this “I hate politics” kind of political power she wields. She is very good at projecting “everywoman” when she’s actually far from it, for many reasons! But a forum like tonight reminds you of her real talent for speaking and her very particular place in American life.

If you’re trying to reach less-engaged voters (although you can certainly question whether they’d be spending their Monday night watching this), I kind of think this low-key, earnest version of the convention speech might be more effective? It feels much less like a political pageant, anyway.

Michelle Obama mentions Dwight Eisenhower, possibly a first for a Democratic convention. A big theme of the night — counteracted somewhat by the images surrounding the protests and discussions of police violence — has been reaching for cross-partisan patriotic themes and talking about maintaining American identity, values and greatness.