Andrew Weissmann: "Is it just me, or is this the best friggin convention we have ever seen?"

[Dennis Donovan]

Link to tweet

Andrew Weissmann (weissmann11 on Threads/Insta)🌻
Party conventions usually are scripted, "life-like," deadly bores - regardless of party.
Is it just me, or is this the best friggin convention we have ever seen? Inventive, inspiring, energizing.

It hit a home run!

[bullimiami]

1. I'm 65 and it's the best I've ever seen.

[peppertree]

28. Hear, hear. I never thought anything could top the '92 DNC.

But our guys and gals proved me wrong!

[mzmolly]

36. Agree.

That one was amazing as well.

[peppertree]

38. Wasn't it though. My favorite, I must admit, was Zell Miller

I feel bad saying that, because he later turned coat - that old boozer.

But his Zell zingers were something else.

The one I always remember was his line against Perot:

"Sounds to me like instead of shaking the system up, Mr. Perot's been shaking it down!"

Ross quit the very next day.

[mzmolly]

43. Zell Miller was great.

My favorite moment however was the reunion of Fleetwood Mac. Don't Stop captured the hopeful vibe of that time, perfectly.

https://watch.weta.org/video/dont-stop-iponiu/

I played the song to death in the Bush years, when I needed an emotional boost.

[NoSheep]

48. Remember when Zell said he wanted to challenge Tweety to a dual?

[peppertree]

49. Oh - that's right. By then he had pretty much turned coat, sadly.

There was an ugly meanness to him by 2004.

Of course though, hard liquor will do that to people eventually.

[NoSheep]

68. yeah...ye ole likker

[peppertree]

69. As they often say in the Deep South:

We've got a dry county - and the drunks to prove it.

[NoSheep]

70. that's a good one!

[peppertree]

71. Why, thank you.

It is what it is.

[BonnieJW]

31. I'm 75 and I've never watched a convention.

I watched this one and I'm so glad I did. I was either grinning, crying, or dancing. The roll call? A party.

[North Shore Chicago]

2. Mr. Weissmann

is truly one of the most informative guests on MSNBC!

[rockbluff botanist]

3. Wow! My opinion too.

For someone as buttoned down as Andrew Weissmann to almost use bad language, well, just WOW!

[wordstroken]

21. For Weissmann to make that statement is awesome!!

I totally agree with you — and with him!!

[FHRRK]

4. Made the some comment last night - Andrew is one intelligent guy!!!

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219362443

[Chakaconcarne]

5. It's kind of blowin' me away.... How do they possibly top last night?

...and I thought that after the first night...

[gordianot]

30. I would be willing to bet Tim Walz has a couple meme's tucked away.

[badhair77]

6. I'm 71. I've seen them all since the late 50s. They used to be on all day when I was a child.

I’ve been so exhausted with politics this past year I wasn’t going to watch but I was sucked in on Mon and this is the best.

[displacedvermoter]

12. But back then they would actually cover the nuts and bolts

Last edited Wed Aug 21, 2024, 12:50 PM - Edit history (1)

of the Convention, including disputes over accreditation of delegates (no longer a thing normally) platform hearings (which now get hammered out well in advance) and other matters people don't want be to bothered with any more. I always found that fascinating, but the whole process has changed now, and coverage is now as shallow as everything else the media present.

I forgot to say, Hell Yes!, this is the best Convention I ever saw. Whoever is running this is a genius, and deserves both a Cabinet spot and an Emmy!

[Lonestarblue]

66. And, remember, they had only weeks to reframe the convention to support Harris instead of Biden.

An impressive result!

[displacedvermoter]

67. Somebody last night opined that this was

a political convention and "not a concert" with some concern. But, you know, people actually watch concerts, and remember them!

(Truth be told I don't remember a lot of concerts I went to 🙄 when I was younger!!!)

[PatSeg]

7. That was my reaction on the first night

I've never seen anything like it.

[CrispyQ]

8. Filling two arenas & connecting the two events was masterful!!!

Take that, crowd size Donnie!!

[D23MIURG23]

9. Our leaders are bringing their A game to take the country back.

I'm very proud of my party and my country right now. The Democratic party and those who don't want a dictatorship of the rich and unfit are not going quietly.

[Self Esteem]

10. In my mind, I don't think anything can top 2008.

[Happy Hoosier]

14. That was awesome.... but I don't think even that can top what we've seen this year. NT

[Self Esteem]

18. That's cool. I disagree.

2008 was truly special from my view. A historic, flawless convention with great speeches by Hillary, who was very graceful in defeat, Bill, Joe and of course, Obama on the final night (maybe the greatest convention speech of all time).

And to top it off, the tribute to Teddy Kennedy, who would die not long after, was extraordinary. Hearing him speak for the final time at that convention, pulling from his 1980 convention speech, will always stay with me as an unforgettable moment.

It also didn't hurt that I felt immense relief and confidence about that election. It truly felt like a celebration of what I knew was coming.

Unfortunately, while I still think Harris has a really good chance of winning, and imo is the favorite, it's not a slam dunk and the anxiety I have about this race does creep into my enjoyment.

[johnnyfins]

22. I agree.

Its almost as if Im waiting for the other shoe to drop. The dishonesty and horseshit from the other side has me worried. I am worried and hopeful. I guess thats better than just worried.

[Self Esteem]

27. Exactly.

As much as I want to enjoy this, and I am, it's still in the back of my mind that there's still a decent chance Trump somehow pulls this off.

Funny enough, it's probably the first convention since 2004 where I am not really confident we'll win.

As I said, 2008 felt like a celebration of what was to come.

I felt good in 2012.

Definitely felt good at the convention point in 2016.

Was very confident four years ago.

But today? Definitely worried. Like you, worried and hopeful but worried nonetheless.

[erronis]

39. "there's still a decent chance Trump somehow pulls this off" - if not winning the election,

then jamming the gears of the election and democracy. With help from other greedy people such as Thiel, Putin, Murdoch, Koch, etc.

[Wild blueberry]

11. Loving it!

Feel as though it's a whoosh of healing energy after all the destruction of the Carnage years and aftermath, like we have collective PTSD. Everything about this convention, the superb speeches, and the deep bench of great Democratic talent is cheering, enlivening, and refreshing. We've needed positive energy, and this convention has it blowing out the rafters and into our homes. Agree with Andrew Weissman!
Thank you.

[erronis]

40. Nicely written - I feel your vibes.

[Happy Hoosier]

13. Definitely. I had planned to give it a miss.

But it is actually pretty awesome. Whoever ran this event needs a prominent role herding cats in the Harris admin... they know how to get stuff done!

[Cirsium]

15. My 17th

This is far and away the best one.

[ananda]

16. It absolutely is!

So much fun and energy!

[onetexan]

17. Hell yes!! Much more diverse, fun, YOUNG, energetic & vibrant with uplifting messages of hope and moving forward

and unity, and most importantly, NOT GOING BACK!! The producers of the show did a great job, and that DJ - i can't say enough how fun that roll call was

[Attilatheblond]

25. Have watched these conventions since I was a youngster. I remember mostly male faces, almost ALL white,

and some funny hats. It didn't look the the America I knew from walking around my multi-cultural neighborhood. No, didn't look like it at all.

Slowly, painfully slowly, the DEM conventions changed. A few more women, the occasional person of color, but it still didn't quite look like my America, the one I saw, the one I knew outside our door.

I am old now, and come from a line of women who fought for rights from back when my grandma couldn't vote. My daughter carries the fight on her narrow shoulders, and has since she was 14 and researched for a paper on sex education and reproductive freedom. We marched for Planned Parenthood and reproductive rights, at her suggestion, when she was 15. She signed us up to be on call to guard the boundary of the PP Clinic, and shield clinic visitors from protesters the week the court ordered ban on such protests was lifted. And we were among the many who held that border line many MANY times, shoulder to shoulder, a human privacy screen. We sometimes sang Amazing Grace when the hostile, angry protesters failed to sing their hymns in those early Saturday morning hours. That really pissed them off, the very fact that, yes, we knew the words.

But still then, the DEM Convention, while improved in looking more diverse, still had a ways to go.

Last night, watching with my now middle aged daughter, I tried to keep my face turned to the TV at an angle from her sight, lest she see the tears running down my face. Then she mentioned the diversity, the energy, the HOPE. Ah! She noticed the change too, and she has always paid attention.

Yes, thinking back to what I remembered from all the decades of watching, I was thinking the same thing. THIS looks like my AMERICA! This was the America I knew and loved. And I almost felt the hands of my mother and grandmother on my shoulders. I could almost hear them: FINALLY!

Yep, a mighty fine convention we have going on. While I am mindful of the many ways the Oligarch owned GOP has planned for, and intends to steal this election from the voters' hands, my depression is lifting.

The fight is on, but what an army we have to wage it!

[erronis]

41. Wow! Your thoughtful post brought tears to my eyes also. Joy again.

[Attilatheblond]

50. Thank you, erronis. Mostly, it's just lived experience, shared in hopes of inspiring

or at least making someone laugh, or shed a tear of understanding.

I hope that mentioning the 4 generations of women in my clan who engaged in various ways will remind us all to salute the generations before us and encourage the generations after us.

Someday, remind me to tell you about my grandmas death, on Missouri's primary election day in 1960. The old girl did indeed 'die with her boots on'.

[NNadir]

57. Thank you for this comment. It made my day. n/t.

[Attilatheblond]

58. And you made mine.

[BComplex]

47. I totally agree about the DJ! He's so awesome, and what a great way to set up the roll call! That was so much

fun!!! Nobody has ever dreamed of doing it that way before!!

[ms liberty]

19. Yes. It's 2008 but more -

But maybe I say that because as a woman, it is. So much more.
And it feels young and new and lighthearted. And fun. It's genius. Whoever planned this has it going on.

[relayerbob]

20. Going to be a tough act to follow in 2028

[TommyT139]

44. Having any convention at all in 2028

...will prove that this one was a success.

[relayerbob]

45. That's a good point

[moreland01]

23. I don't know . . .

I cried my eyes out in 2008 (Obama) and in 2016 (Hillary) watching those inspiring conventions.

This one hasn't made me cry as much (I will admit to some tears, especially after hearing from the women who was impregnated at 12 by her scumbag father), but it sure has me jumping up and down, cheering and smiling so much my face hurts. All the positive feels.

I keep resisting allowing my mind to drift back to how it felt on that night and following morning of November 8th. Like, I don't want to get my hopes up just to be slammed back to the ground.

The last 8 years has been so deflating, disappointing, demoralizing . . . just awful . .. realizing what kind of people we share this country with.

Here's to hoping that FINALLY, after an overwhelming win for the Harris/Walz campaign, the MAGAts crawl back into their hidey holes for the rest of eternity.

[erronis]

42. I agree, but I think the last 3+ years have also been filled with positive actions

and a glimpse of what is possible when the magats/republicans are steam-rolled out of the way.

Thanks to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

24. The DNC has to be COMMENDED for the Roll Call of States PARTY!!!

Close to an hour of non-stop EXCITEMENT and JOY filled with celebrities, rousing intro speeches, uplifting music, and more!

BRILLIANT move on the part of the DNC organizers!!

[a kennedy]

26. Gonna be hard to top, 2nd Gentleman, Michelle, and Barack......

They were just perfect for this convention. Gonna be very hard to top them.

[yobrault1]

29. Jamie Harrison was not taking any chances

and pulled out all the stops for this convention. He deserves a lot of kudos as does the crowd for their sustained energy.

[Oopsie Daisy]

32. It's a good one! I'd change a few things, but I'd happily give it 4.5 stars.

EDIT: I thought that Patti Labelle was marvelous! A bittersweet moment.

[Jarqui]

33. It is the best rollout to convention I've ever seen

Short as it has been ...
But what they have done is remarkable - haven't missed a beat

I'm not sure about the 2008 convention.
I waited about 40 years for that one and never campaigned harder to that point.
They're both special

[SpankMe]

34. It's not just you

It's the BFC (Best Friggin' Convention), alright!

[mzmolly]

35. The best

in my time. And, I've been watching conventions since the 80's.

[LiberalArkie]

37. This is the best, but, the most exciting I think was the 1968 convention. Who knew what was going to happen next.

I mean, wasn't Mike Wallace arrested? Who was going to be beat up by the the inside storm troopers?

If it was a movie, no one would believe it.

[Peregrine Took]

46. Well, I still love the old ones best with all the spontaneity but of the modern ones this is the best friggin' one!! nt

[marybourg]

64. Do you remember when the delegates used to

“Snake-dance” around the perimeter of the (much smaller) arena holding up pillar signs for their candidates? That was when the actual voting for the nominee took place at the convention.

[Blue Owl]

51. Oh it's pretty goddamned AWESOME

Celebrating Joe's last four years along with his legacy career as one of America's greatest senators and VPs, and now transitioning to a bright future full of FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY with our next generation of fabulous Democratic leaders....

[Cha]

52. Out of the PARK!!

[ultralite001]

53. Damn straight...

TIA...

[lostnfound]

54. I feel like I'm mainlining joy. Nt

[Elessar Zappa]

55. This is the first one I've actually watched

so I can’t compare it to others, but this one is certainly exciting and inspiring. I’ve enjoyed all the speakers, especially the Obamas.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

56. I agree with Andrew

[joanbarnes]

59. I remember 1968

So I had grave misgivings, especially when Biden “stepped down,” but I could not be more proud of my Hometown, Chi Town!

[Wednesdays]

60. Indeed, yes!

And we're just now coming out of halftime!

[Hekate]

61. OMG yes

[I_UndergroundPanther]

62. A resounding yes

From me!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

63. I just remembered the White House Convention of 2020.

It was a travesty. Downright third reich-like. Tons of flags and not a true patriot in sight. I still don't understand how it was allowed, other than breaking the law and rules are a mainstay of the GOP.

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/rnc-2020-day-4/index.html

[Aussie105]

65. The enthusiasm, the positive energy!

Coming at you in waves, you can feel it through the TV.
What must it be like to be actually there?
Unending, almost overpowering energy, enthusiasm, optimism, the ultimate Trump antidote!

Bottle it, sip it sparingly until November!

The pent-up frustration with Trump and his evildoers is released, their power over us is now no more than an irritation to be sneered at.

Or to coin a phrase or two:

There is light at the end of the tunnel!
Tomorrow will be better than yesterday!

etc