SALT LAKE CITY — Democrats launched the first-ever digital national presidential convention Monday night.
The event included multiple speakers from the Democratic Party — and one Republican — as well as musical performances — all from a digital perspective. Accessing the event through streaming services, cable, television networks and radio, delegates and regular viewers learned about their soon-to-be nominee former Vice President Joe Biden, and a call for unity to defeat President Donald Trump.
Actress Eva Longoria Baston hosted the opening night, offering introductions to prerecorded and live — albeit remotely — speakers. The coronavirus pandemic, racial justice protests and “a more perfect union” were reoccurring themes of the first night.
Much of the night was dedicated to “unity” and the character and qualities of the presumptive nominee, but little was said of party platform or policy initiatives.
Highlights:
- Unity proved to be a major theme throughout the night.
- Several speakers spoke about the need for Americans to pay attention to ongoing issues with the U.S. Postal Service and mail-in ballots.
- Government and public responses to the coronavirus pandemic were a constant talking point throughout the night.
Quotes of the night:
- “Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump golfs.” — Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont
- “A virus attacks when the body is weak and when it cannot defend itself. Over these past few years, America’s body politic has been weakened. ... Only a strong body can fight off the virus.” — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
- “I’m a lifelong Republican, but that attachment holds second place to my responsibility to my country.” — Former Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich
- “Being president doesn’t change who you are, it reveals who you are … a presidential election can reveal who we are, too.” — Former first lady Michelle Obama
Digital-only presentation
- The event featured recorded speeches from multiple locations.
- Short vignettes played throughout the night, highlighting various issues like the coronavirus pandemic, the health care system, political division and thoughts about the upcoming 2020 election.
Faith opens the show
Democrats began the first digital national presidential convention with a star-studded introduction of the Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance by five of Biden’s grandchildren with their hands on the hearts, and an invocation by Rev. Gabriel Salguero, a Florida pastor and president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition.
- “All mighty God, we confess that our nation needs you, and has always needed you,” the reverend began.
- “We pray for your blessing upon all of us. Republican, independent and Democrat, as we strive to form a more perfect union. We pray fo your strength, guidance and wisdom,” the reverend prayed.
Michelle Obama says Biden understands struggle, standing by his character
Former first lady Michelle Obama spent the bulk of her speech appealing to parents who may have been watching, championing empathy for others and embracing unity.
Obama said: “When you see something that is not right, you must say something, you must do something. That is the truest form of empathy. Not just feeling but doing. Not just for ourselves or our kids, but for everyone.
Obama said Trump is the wrong president for our time. “It is what it is,” she said, a reference to Trump’s comments in an Axios interview on the coronavirus deaths.
- “He is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment.”
Obama talked about Biden as a man of faith, humility and resiliency.
- “I know Joe. He is a profoundly decent man guided by faith. He was a terrific vice president.”
- “Joe is not perfect. And he’d be the first to tell you that. But there is no perfect candidate ... and his ability to learn and grow — we find in that the kind of humility and maturity that so many of us yearn for right now.
- “We are one nation under God and if we want to survive, we have got to find a way to live together and work together across our differences.”
Obama may have thrown in a reference to Kanye West’s presidential bid when she said, “This is not the time to withhold our votes in protest or play games with candidates who have no chance of winning.”
Silence before song
The family of George Floyd — a Black man whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police ignited nationwide protests against police violence and racial injustice — led a moment of of silence.
- Grammy award-winning musician Leon Bridges performed his song “Sweeter” after the silence.
- The song was released after Floyd’s death. The song lyrics are “written from the perspective of a Black man taking his last breath,” according to Variety.
Hoping for a life more sweeter,
Instead I’m just a story repeating.
Why do I fear with skin dark as night?
Can’t feel peace with those judging eyes.
Maggie Rogers performed her song “Back In My Body” from the coast of Maine. The Grammy-nominated musician was introduced by Sara Gideon, the current Maine Speaker of the House who is running to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in this fall’s election.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo talks COVID-19, Trump
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke at the convention, using the coronavirus pandemic as a metaphor for how the country can unify in times of division.
- He said a strong body defeats the coronavirus. Division does not.
- President Donald Trump didn’t create the division in the country. Division “created Trump,” the governor said.
- “Of course we will wear masks, because we’re smart. Of course, we’ll socially distance because staying away shows how close we actually are.”
- “Joe Biden is what I call America tough.”
More on the pandemic from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appeared on screen to talk about how her state responded to the coronavirus pandemic, and why a Biden presidency could lead to a national plan.
Whitmer said it’s crucial for the U.S. to fight the coronavirus pandemic together. She said the country should listen to medical experts and follow a national strategy.
- “We executed our plan. We saved thousands of lives. Just imagine if we had a national strategy.”
- She called on all Americans to work together and gave a shout out to nurses, doctors and frontline health care workers as “the MVPs” of the pandemic since they help save lives even when it puts them at risk.
- “Let us find the strength to do the work.”
Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich — a Republican — speaks on values
In a rare appearance by a Republican at an opposing party’s convention, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich said he’s proud of his GOP heritage, but in recent years he has seen the values of his party disrupted. He said the principles set out by the party’s founding father President Abraham Lincoln have been lost.
The career Republican said he and Biden “absolutely” disagree on some issues, “but that is OK,” because difference in opinion and the dialog created by those differences is inherently American.
Kasich called Biden a man of faith “who can help us see the humanity” in each other.
- “I believe the best of America lies ahead, but only when we rediscover our shared belief in a United States of America.”
- “We can dream big dreams and we can see the top of the mountain as a United States of America.”
- “No one pushes Joe around.”
- “I know Joe Biden with his wisdom ... and his decency” can lead the country in the right way.”
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar hits Trump on Postal Service
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar — who was a contender for the party’s nomination in the 2020 primary — appeared briefly during the broadcast, speaking about unity, the U.S. Postal Service and Biden.
“The president may hate the post office, but he’s still going to have to send a change of address card come January,” she said.
“Unity isn’t about settling, it’s about striving for something more. It isn’t the end, it’s the means. It’s how we get stuff done.”
Klobuchar talked about Biden’s history under President Barack Obama, who she said was “better known tonight as Michelle’s husband.”
Klobuchar said Biden is a man of “scrappy” and “hard-working roots.” She says he knows “redemption” and resiliency.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders reveals what’s at stake in upcoming election
Sanders, who endorsed Biden shortly after dropping out of the Democratic primary race in April, told his dedicated corps of supporters to vote for Biden. He also spoke on policy — the most of any speaker Monday evening — to include Biden’s stance a national minimum wage, national health care and childcare and climate change.
“Together we have moved this county in a bold, new direction,” the independent senator said. But, “if Donald Trump is reelected, all the progress we have made will be in jeopardy,” he warned.
“As long as I am here, I will work with progressives, moderates, and yes, conservatives, to preserve this nation from a threat that so many of our heroes fought and died to defeat,” Sanders said, accusing Trump of moving the country in an “authoritarian” direction.
- “Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump golfs. “
- “Together we must build a nation that is more equitable, more compassionate, and more inclusive. I know Joe Biden will begin that fight on day one. “
The full schedule of speakers and performers for the remainder of the convention can be found here: Democratic National Convention schedule.