It was a magical night 2 for the Democratic National Convention.
The roll call, assisted by DJ Cassidy, was so inventive and cool that even Republican Meghan McCain, daughter of the late John McCain, fan girled over it.
She wrote: “I’m sorry but this #DNC2024 roll call with DJ Cassidy, themed state music and party/club atmosphere is blowing the RNC’s roll call out of the water. It looks like a giant party and celebration and everyone in that room looks like they’re having a blast.”
I’ve been to three conventions in my life, but this one looks like the one I should have gone to. The DNC has turned the convention into a party. It’s light and breezy. Everyone is happy to be there. I’d like to start a drinking game for every time I’ve heard the word “joy.”
She’s so right. I love the roll call every four years. You see how diverse this country really is, cool people from all walks of life contributing the American dream. I love the people from the non-states, especially: Guam, Puerto Rico, the Marianna Islands, the Virgin Islands. They are depending on us to make the right decisions.
The main speeches were all home runs. Doug Emhoff sure knows what he’s doing. By the time he finished talking his blended family, taking the bus to Hebrew School, and his daughter getting private time with Kamala, he had the audience eating out of his hand.
But the big deals were Michelle and Barack Obama. Her speech was like a hit single that wins the Grammy and stays at number 1 for weeks. That speech may go down in history for its shape and humor. Her delivery deserved an award.
Her hand off to Barack was so full of love, it was hard to imagine what Melania Trump was thinking at home (if she was even listening). She has no relationship to her husband. The Obamas, the Emhoffs, and the Walzes are rare examples of great couples families.
Then Obama’s speech was like a Grammy winner Album of the Year, but a concept album, like “Dark Side of the Moon.” It had so many hits woven by interstitial moments of greatness. It was a spectacular composition that landed with a charge.
As for DJ Cassidy, whom I’ve known since he was starting out, wow: what an effort he put into scoring the whole roll call. He had music bits for every state. He knew when to turn down the volume so we could hear the speakers. But it was choices that were so spot on.
I loved it when used The B52’s “My Own Private Idaho” for Idaho. That was amazing. I was surprised that he didn’t use Aretha Franklin for Michigan — he moved her to Maryland. But then Eminem was his Michigan choice. Aretha wouldn’t be happy, but it all worked out.
Production of this DNC is Emmy winning considering that a month ago there were different candidates.
Media disappointment: the big three networks still running crap until 10pm, missing all the good stuff. Fox News insisting on trying to instigate a riot out front, putting the police on the screen. Fox News is unerring in managing to miss the real news. But MSNBC and even CNN did a fine job. I was impressed with Ari Melber’s rap knowledge. He really loves it!
