1. President Obama passes the torch
President Barack Obama made the case Wednesday for Hillary Clinton to continue his legacy. While to most people the high-energy speech may have been expected, but Obama knows the history involved. The race right now is close between Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump, Clinton has a high unfavorability rating, and Democrats have not won three presidential elections in a row since 1948.
Tonight he made the case to change that storyline.
“I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman — not me, not Bill, nobody — more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president of the United States of America,” Obama said.
Clinton appeared on stage with Obama after the president’s address.
2. Tim Kaine makes his case
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine gave the biggest speech of his life Wednesday, but his life story was really what was being sold. Speaking on the same night as Obama and Biden, Kaine had a high bar to cross.
But his speech, which included some Spanish, helped tell his story. As a Christian missionary in Honduras, former mayor, governor and senator of one of the most important swing states, Kainechecked most of the boxes Clinton needed to check for a running mate.
When listing Trump’s negatives, Kaine even mentioned Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
“How about this? John Kasich, the Republican governor who had the honor of hosting the Republican Convention in Cleveland, but he wouldn’t even attend it because he thinks Donald Trump is such a moral disaster,” Kaine said.
3. Joe Biden goes after Trump
Biden, more than anyone in modern history except perhaps former VP Al Gore, knows what it’s like to get so close to the presidency without actually getting there.
On Wednesday, he made the case for Clinton, but more than any other speaker he went after Trump.
The Washington Post headline even read: "Joe Biden delivered the Donald Trump takedown nobody else could."
“His cynicism is unbounded,” Biden said. “His lack of empathy and compassion can be summed up in a phrase I suspect he’s most proud of having made famous: ‘You’re fired.’ I’m not joking; think about that.”
4. Sanders supporters remain loyal
Supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders say they are going to keep the movement going.
Former Ohio Sen. Nina Turner said Wednesday that “Bernie was the spark” but it’s up to his supporters to keep the flame going.
Several hundred Sanders supporters continue to gather each day near Philadelphia City Hall and near the Wells Fargo Center.
Many of the supporters on the streets of Philadelphia have made it clear that they don’t plan to support Clinton or the Democratic Party despite pleas Monday from Sanders.
5. Bloomberg reaches out to independents and Republicans
Any pollster or election expert will tell you that winning a presidential election requires attracting independent voters. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg took on the odd role of selling Clinton to Republicans and independents.
It makes sense, Bloomberg has been a Republican, a Democrat and an independent.
Like Trump, he’s also a billionaire who could have paid for his own campaign had he wanted to run as a third party candidate.
He praised Clinton with one breath and then turned on Trump with the next. He called Trump a “con,” a “dangerous demagogue” and “risky.”
“Now, I know Hillary Clinton is not flawless; no candidate is. But she is the right choice — and the responsible choice — in this election. No matter what you may think about her politics or her record, Hillary Clinton understands that this is not reality television; this is reality.”
About the Author