Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

Their boy Ron is an empty plastic cup that will never know pudding.

My right to basic bodily autonomy is not on the table. that’s the new deal.

People are weird.

Museums are not America’s attic for its racist shit.

We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.

“What are Republicans afraid of?” Everything.

The republican speaker is a slippery little devil.

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

The willow is too close to the house.

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

Do not shrug your shoulders and accept the normalization of untruths.

If you’re gonna whine, it’s time to resign!

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

No Kings: Americans standing in the way of bad history saying “Oh, Fuck No!”

One lie, alone, tears the fabric of reality.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

When I was faster i was always behind.

I swear, each month of 2025 will have its own history degree.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Tuesday Night Open Thread- DNC Day Two

Tuesday Night Open Thread- DNC Day Two

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First, a link for you cable cutters:

They are doing the roll call right now, and it’s just so much fun. I don’t know how many gen z or millenial readers we have on this here hell site, but I wish I could tell all the kids whose lives have only really ever known a post 2000 world and who have been through the wringer the last ten years during their formative years that what you are seeing at the convention is cheesy, and corny, and flashy, and glitchy, and filled with normal people who don’t know how to speak publicly and are on the mic in front of thousands and millions at home giving really badly delivered speeches, and the whole thing is the kind of thing I think the teens would call “cringe.”

And it is! And it is glorious. This is how it is supposed to be! And it’s a super important uniquely American political tradition that you gotta fight for and you gotta keep fighting for it to keep it and make it better. And I know you can because I’ve watched millennials and younger do more with less than any other recent generation.

It’s just so nice. Like I found my favorite slippers in a box in the basement after missing them for a decade.

***

A quick housekeeping note. Yes, Watergirl, I know I promised you I would have that draft to you last night but I got sucked into something else and I was sitting here about to write it and the convention got me in the feels so I started to blog but I swear I will get it to you tomorrow. That woman suffers in silence every day because of me.

In other news, just been delightful weather here (for me, at least) in the upper 60’s and lower 70’s. I’ve been busy with work and had a good two hour session at the gym and then had some leftovers- I made that viral NYT lemon shrimp/leek/cannelini bean recipe although I added some diced and cherry tomatoes and a bunch of jalapeno and red pepper flakes because spice is life. Picked up two massive cantaloupes, one of which is chilling in the fridge as we speak.

I had such a harvest of Fuji and Gala apples this year that I have about 150 of them on the deck doing a final ripen, and I don’t want to make applesauce with them so I got out my dehydrator and am just going to slice them up thick and dry them out. Easier to take to Arizona that way, too. Also, my tomatoes were late bloomers this year but I am getting some softball sized ones.

Steve just came up and pawed me so it is time for me to go downstairs and provide a lap. I will talk to you tomorrow.

Reader Interactions

300Comments

  1. 1.

    cain

    Loved seeing all the states and territories represented.

    Was surprised when Puerto Rico said they were going to be the next state!

  2. 2.

    Chief Oshkosh

    @cain: Yes, there’s a lot of people in PR who probably are also wondering about that…

    Cole, the mustard is in the box, under the slippers. Glad to help.

  4. 4.

    zhena gogolia

    I’ll repeat my comments/questions from the dead thread: We started watching at New Hampshire. The only song I recognized in the whole thing was “9 to 5” for Tennessee. Loved the TX guy mumbling the “present” votes. Was that Spike Lee for New York?

  8. 8.

    Auntie Anne

    I watched the roll call too. It is so joyful.  Did anyone else kind of miss the virtual roll call from last time? I liked seeing all the places I will never visit, like the Marianas.  This year, when it was Rhode Island’s turn, I turned to my sister and said, “the calamari state.”  We both were rolling with laughter.

  12. 12.

    zhena gogolia

    @Auntie Anne: I loved that too, but it’s certainly better to have a lot of people squished together in one room.

    Although I do worry about how much Covid is going to result.

  14. 14.

    bluefoot

    I was thinking the same thing during the roll call – it’s messy and cheesy and in some ways ridiculous, but it’s normal people participating in democracy.  It’s amazing – and uplifting – to see all kinds of people devoting their time and energy, being committed to being part of the process.

    I’m never one to discount the racism and misogyny of the American electorate, but I have hope.

  17. 17.

    cain

    @Suzanne:

    Michigan did Eminem which was cool but surprised that they didn’t do Aretha Franklin.. then again this is the Gen Z party now 😄

  19. 19.

    wjca

    @cain: Was surprised when Puerto Rico said they were going to be the next state!

    Puerto Rico delegations have been saying that since (at least!) the early 60s.  To my personal knowledge.

  24. 24.

    hrprogressive

    Area Millennial, and I know this whole thing is cheesy but that’s the point.

    People being proud of their states, and celebrities and what have you, is part of the whole American Experience.

    Actually, Cole, I thought the dichotomy of the 83-year-old Black Woman and the 18-year-old White Woman from WV casting their votes was pretty cool. I know WV is hyper-red, but still. Their voices should matter, and hopefully one day in my lifetime, that damn Electoral College will be destroyed and we can just count the popular vote.

  25. 25.

    TaMara

    @Chacal Charles Calthrop: Meh, not really. But he could at least acknowledge I kept you guys in live feeds for the last few hours. /s

    Love you, Cole

    On the tomato front – mine are coming in and it’s a joy to pick some in the morning and have to pick more in the afternoon. Freezing has begun in earnest.

  28. 28.

    hrprogressive

    Public Funding of Elections isn’t “sexy” policy, but Bernie is 10,000% right.

    We’re never going to make any progress until we stop permitting corprofascists and billionaire fuckwads the ability to buy our legislators. Further, our legislators shouldn’t have to spend so much time begging for money, either.

  30. 30.

    BR

    As people are saying, it’s a power move to host a sold out rally *during* the DNC in the same arena the RNC was in.

  32. 32.

    Ohio Mom

    I’m not carrying a grudge. Now that Bernie has put being a spoiler behind him, I can go back to appreciating him.

    I grew up around a lot of Bernie-types. He evokes a certain nostalgia for me, and the accent is part of it.

  43. 43.

    BK in NJ

    I loved it when the roll call ended and they switched the jumbotron to the Milwaukee site so Harris and Walz could address TWO packed stadiums at once.  TFG has probably stroked out at the crowd size.

  44. 44.

    KatKapCC

    Well, nice of him to remember that there are hostages being held. Funny how so many seem to conveniently forget that fact.

  45. 45.

    hrprogressive

    As a two-time Bernie Primary Voter™ (but one time each HRC/Biden General Voter)

    Will always have nostalgia for his 2016 run, but in terms of lighting the people on fire, AOC was light-years ahead of him last night. She made me want to run through a wall, or fifty.

    Bernie will always be the “elder statesman of progressivism” or whatever, but this is not the same fiery senator I recall from 8 years ago.

    That’s all I’ll say about that.

  50. 50.

    Almost Retired

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):  Meh. I’m kinda bored by Bernie.  Same ol’ same ol’.   Content-free bromides.  But he is unequivocally supportive of the ticket so I’ll give him that.

    After all these dynamic speakers, he seems like kind of an excuse for a bathroom break.  Like the Cowardly Lion’s long, boring song in the Wizard of Oz before the action resumes.

     

  51. 51.

    Betty Cracker

    It’s primary night in FL, the time when ostensibly nonpartisan school board races are decided. From the Tampa Bay Times:

    Things didn’t go well Tuesday in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempt to push Florida’s local school boards toward his agenda.

    Eleven of the 23 candidates he endorsed appeared to have lost their races, while six won and five headed to November runoffs. One remained too close to call just after 9 p.m.

    The outcome for the governor’s effort was particularly poor in the Tampa Bay region, where the incumbents he targeted as being too liberal — Laura Hine and Eileen Long in Pinellas County, and Nadia Combs and Jessica Vaughn in Hillsborough County — handily won reelection.

    DeSantis is a leaky pudding cup. May it be a sign for November!

  58. 58.

    Leto

    @cain: No, Harris/Walz are doing a campaign stop in Milwaukee. That place is sold out, just like the Chicago convention center.

  59. 59.

    Omnes Omnibus

    Bankruptcy jokes about Trump coming from a real billionaire.  That is more ketchup on the walls.

  60. 60.

    hrprogressive

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): ​
     

    Honestly, the last 4.5 years have been so brutal on my psyche that I can’t say I remember.

    I definitely remember loudly supporting him in 2016, and his stump speeches were moving.

    Tonight he just sounded a bit less energetic than others. He’s older, too, let’s be fair, but yeah.

    AOC last night made me want to start brawling for progressive ideals, she was just fantastic. I’ll always have a place for Bernie in my heart, but he just didn’t have that same fire tonight.

    Not gonna spend a ton of time on it, just one observation.

  61. 61.

    Ohio Mom

    @schrodingers_cat: Born and raised in the Bronx, then we moved to Queens when I was eight.

    I moved to Ohio after graduating college for a temporary job and stayed. There are plenty of days that don’t think it was my smartest move, I’m tired of this place. But I’m settled and there are good service for Ohio Son, so here I will stay.

  69. 69.

    Miki

    Bernie did good, the Best Bernie, imo. And I pretty much hate the guy. But he’s right about a lot of things and gave a full-throated support of the team.

    Yay and thank you, Bernie.

  77. 77.

    Quinerly

    @dmsilev:

    I’m really enjoying his speech. Especially  the part where he said, “take it from a real billionaire.”

    It’s a solid, old timey Democratic speech. He is his hitting all the notes.

  79. 79.

    David 🐝KHive🐝 Koch

    @HumboldtBlue: What was the song for Michigan?

    I ask because the fight song for the University of Michigan is “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers

  82. 82.

    Mai Naem mobile

    @zhena gogolia: you have to have recognized Tupac’s ‘California.’ I don’t know crap about rap music but even I know that song.  Also Michael Jackson’s Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough for Indiana and Born in the USA for NJ. I didn’t understand Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing for NH. I thought the Journey guys were from Northern California and the Sopranos was in NJ.

  88. 88.

    Baud

    @cain:

    We had Republicans who put country over party. We can have business people who recognize the importance of democracy.

  89. 89.

    TBone

    @hrprogressive: 🎯💙 Bernie absolutely nailed it.  He’s an important cog for turning the wheel of progress in the proper direction, and I’m always proud to support him.

  90. 90.

    cain

    This guy needs to move his head a bit. Lot of reading from the teleprompter. But otherwise an ok speech

  96. 96.

    hueyplong

    Mai Narm was talking about Don’t Stop Believing (Journey), not Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)

  98. 98.

    David 🐝KHive🐝 Koch

    I have American express.  People don’t always recognize me.   Which is why I don’t leave home without it.

  101. 101.

    HumboldtBlue

    Watching this blue wave build and build, the excitement, the fun, the joy, the earnestness on message and priorities is extraordinary, particularly when you cast your thoughts back to say… the feeling of the party on July 4.

    Just an extraordinary and dramatic turnaround.

  103. 103.

    Betty Cracker

    I roll my eyes when Ari Melber starts wanking about hip hop, and tonight is no exception.

  105. 105.

    Leto

    @Betty Cracker: except the hip hop community, which was represented quite a bit tonight in the roll call, recognizes him, and respects him for that knowledge. And you’re seeing a lot of that community out on the convention floor now.

  109. 109.

    TBone

    @Omnes Omnibus: it is not his way on important occasions.  I have so many mittens memes 😆 and real Vermont mittens sent by my aunt who lives there.  Seen Bernie loosen up when the timing is right?  Snoop has!

  117. 117.

    David 🐝KHive🐝 Koch

    Since this is Chicago,  it would be kind of cool if Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi popped up on stage.

  118. 118.

    Fake Irishman

    @HumboldtBlue:

    In grad school, I knew an ex D1 college kicker. He said the most intimidating and awesome place he ever played on the road was Camp Randall Stadium when they popped on House of Pain at the start of the fourth quarter and 80,000 people started jumping up and down on the bleachers

  119. 119.

    Leto

    @hueyplong: most of the artists are connected to the state. Like Missouri’s. The one’s who aren’t, not sure why they were selected as that’s not stated. Apparently the House of Pain song was selected by high schoolers, per the last thread. Feels like a Boaty McBoatface selection. Not sure why Rhode Island got Tay Sway, as that would’ve been a better Pennsylvania choice, but ok.

  128. 128.

    KatKapCC

    I really like the focus we’ve seen on the great things Harris did as a prosector and DA and AG. Good counter to the stupid Kamala is a cop stuff.

  135. 135.

    Lyrebird

    @HumboldtBlue: Thanks for edifying!  That’s great.

    Love this comment: “@DavidLopez-qi8hb
    2 years ago (edited)
    Round of applause for the architect, building designer, and construction engineers and crew. “

  139. 139.

    Leto

    @Omnes Omnibus: I didn’t forget him, but I don’t think they have the space required for the needed candelabras, which is why they didn’t choose him. You can’t have him without all the glitz and glamour!

  140. 140.

    geg6

    @Leto:

    Yeah Georgia won it for performance alone, but I‘m arite with PA’s “Motownphilly” and “Black and Yellow.”  Captures us all pretty well.  Shoulda thrown a little Tay Tay in there, though.

  144. 144.

    Betty Cracker

    @Leto: I’m not criticizing the genre, FFS; it’s MELBER who grates on my last goddamn nerve. Your mileage appears to vary, which is fine.

  145. 145.

    HumboldtBlue

    @SpaceUnit: ​

    That’s the Mayor of Mesa, Arizona, and I have come to respect him. He was bold and upfront in his criticism of Trump and the drift of the GOP, and was openly happy to endorse Harris and Walz.

    The Mormons don’t like Trump.

    @Leto:

    Hah! They lose to everyone, but they still play the song.

  149. 149.

    stacib

    @cain: Made me Google.  She did look a lot like Kerry Washington, even to the way her mouth moves when she spoke.  As she stood at the podium, that was my first thought.

  151. 151.

    Leto

    @geg6: BoyzIIMen is always a classic, but yeah, adding in some Taylor would’ve been neat.

    Sen Duckworth walking in… absolute respect.

  159. 159.

    Fake Irishman

    @David 🐝KHive🐝 Koch:

    a friendly pedantic correction from a UM grad and former season ticket holder:

    ”The Victors” is the fight song.

    Mr. Brightside is kind of the unofficial anthem they play in the fourth quarter and everyone sings along. It’s kind of our version of Wisconsin’s Jump Around (Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” is probably our other semiofficial one)

  160. 160.

    hueyplong

    My school was a de facto member for football in the 90s and current coach was poached from W&L

  162. 162.

    Fake Irishman

    @HumboldtBlue:

    My wife and I are both proud Michigan grads, but when our eldest daughter was one and started asking us to play music so she could dance, my wife popped on Jump Around and told her we’d totally understand if she choose to go to Wisconsin

  173. 173.

    KatKapCC

    OMG he is cracking me up, making fun of himself. What a cutie

    Can you imagine Trump having a story like that with any of his wives? Impossible.

  178. 178.

    HumboldtBlue

    @SpaceUnit: ​ 

    Neither have I. He’s no courtroom lawyer, but he’s real, genuine, seems kind and loving, decent and empathetic, you know, the common clay of the Democratic Party.

  184. 184.

    Ivan X

    You know, when I was a young snot, I used to feel like the Democrats were lame and didn’t speak for me well enough. Then I went for the march for women’s rights or whatever it was in DC in whatever year it was (1999? 2002? dunno) and I’m like you know what I’m like they’re not perfect but they’re my people. I don’t have to love them but I have to realize that I’m one of their wide spectrum or members and they’re where I belong. Then 2000 happened and I’m like fuck my feelings, I’m team Blue often and always, there is only one choice here, and sometimes I will like it, and sometimes I won’t, but there is only one choice. In general I’ve liked it, and that’s certainly true this year. I regret my young stupidity (if infused by idealism) but some lessons you have to learn from your own mistakes.

  186. 186.

    cain

    i guess Kamala is Christian.. lol. It’s fine. I would have loved if she was Hindu.

    Easily Doug’s speech is the best of the evening. Just love the way he talks about her.

  189. 189.

    SpaceUnit

    @HumboldtBlue:

    This whole convention has been nothing but Americana, family values and joy.  I haven’t really watched the DNC closely in a while, but this year I’m glued to it.

    And the RNC was a freak show in contrast.

  190. 190.

    dmsilev

    @KatKapCC: “Presidential nomination” is one hell of an anniversary present. He’s going to have to work hard to top that for the fifteenth and twentieth.

  192. 192.

    Elizabelle

    @cain: He’s such a genuine guy.  He did a lot of campaigning for Abigail Spanberger, and was always charming and accessible.

  197. 197.

    SatanicPanic

    @Ivan X: I hear you. The party is for everyone and that means we’re not always the coolest. But uh, this year we’re fucking cool. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are the best.

  205. 205.

    Ivan X

    I didn’t have tears last night but goddam can Michelle O give a speech. I love and hate that she choose to live a private life, she’s just great.

  212. 212.

    Soprano2

    Glad I got home in time to see the Obamas. Just saw the Springfield Cardinals win with a walk off grand slam!

    “The affirmative action of generational wealth”. What a great line! 😀😀😀

  213. 213.

    KatKapCC

    Dang, Michelle!! Send Trump some aloe for that burn. Partner and I are screaming. This is amazing.

  214. 214.

    HumboldtBlue

    I love the way every speaker is going straight for Trump, just kicking him in the balls, it’s so fucking refreshing.

    One of those black jobs!!!

  236. 236.

    Eric S.

    @Leto: I met up with my company’s DC lobbyist for happy hour tonight. She could’ve got me in to the House Of Blues for a Boyz To Men concert. Not my genre and I want a good night’s sleep so I declined.

  238. 238.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    @cain: Not if he knows what’s good for him. Also phrasing, please.

    ETA: Speaking of someone being beaten…

  252. 252.

    Leto

    “Are you waiting for a personal invitation? That’s not how this works. There’s no time for that foolishness”

    Welcome to the NCO club, Forever FLOTUS.

  260. 260.

    Leto

    Oh man, Barack… those are some huge high heels you gotta fill. Ok champ, you’re up. Let’s see what you can do!

  263. 263.

    HumboldtBlue

    The man masters cadence with substance like jazz musician, an expert woodworker, so smooth, so rich.

  279. 279.

    Lyrebird

    @cain: Barack at the end ! But he can he beat his wife’s oratory skills ?!

    No, but he admitted it.  :-)

    Love the Obamas, and NFLTG Obamas are the best!!!

  281. 281.

    Bostondreams

    Ha! ‘Notice since it got popular they don’t call it Obamacare no more’

    What are the chances that both a president AND his wife would be amazing speakers. Wow.

  284. 284.

    HumboldtBlue

    He got caught in his upper register at the start, and why not, what an exciting atmosphere, before he got his breath and dropped down to his smooth voice.

  285. 285.

    KatKapCC

    I could never do this. Not without cursing, at least. But sounding this natural in front of a zillion people? Never.

  286. 286.

    KatKapCC

    I love when he starts lecturing but he does it in a way where you’re thinking…yes, he’s right.

  288. 288.

    Almost Retired

    Barack was great.  Michelle was greater. I call bullshit on her claim she doesn’t like politics.  She was flawless.

  292. 292.

    A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)

    @eclare: I think it was you last night discussing how nicely tailored Joe Biden’s suit was, and how Obama is always suited up beautifully also. So I was noticing his suit tonight, and damn, you are so right. He looks great. And Doug Emhoff’s suit tonight was great too. Loved his shirt also.

  294. 294.

    Villago Delenda Est

    If you haven’t already, read this. It outlines exactly what is wrong with the MSM. Nothing that Ellen Ripley can’t solve by taking off

  296. 296.

    sab

    @Ohio Mom: He’s from Dayton. His wife (not from Ohio) says that since she married him she has learned that almost everyone famous in America is originally from Ohio.

  299. 299.

    Paul in KY

    @Fake Irishman: I’ve seen Cypress Hill at Riotfest in Chicago. Played last on one of the stages. When they started ‘House of Pain’ da joint was jumpin!!! One of the most fun sets I’ve ever been at.

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