Why the Democratic Convention is More Dramatic
If you only read one thing: Chaos on the Democratic convention floor yielded to at least begrudging party unity Monday, as Michelle Obama, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders delivered full-throated endorsements of Hillary Clinton. Tearful images of distraught Bernie supporters flooded television screens as he delivered a forceful call for his faithful to back his former rival. But the First Lady’s speech will go down as one of the successful pieces of political oratory, deftly crafted to attack Donald Trump without listeners realizing she was doing just that. “Our motto is, when they go low, we go high,” Obama said, delivering an instantly memorable phrase. She used her care for her daughters to question Trump’s temperament, providing the sort of rhetorical flourish that made it the highlight of the evening.
Just one day in and the Philadelphia convention is proving to be more dramatic than Cleveland, with more arrests on day one than the entire week at the Republican National Convention. Bernie Sanders has lost control of his political revolution, as his adherents protest on despite his best efforts to get them to fall in behind Clinton. The protests were a sideshow to the evening, and threaten to mar tonight’s roll call vote at which point Clinton will make history as the first female major party nominee.
We’ll have more from Philadelphia this afternoon. In the meantime, here are your must reads:
Must Reads
Bernie Sanders Has Lost Control of his Political Revolution
Sanders supporters continue to protest the Democratic convention, even as the Senator urges them to support Clinton, TIME’s Charlotte Alter and Sam Frizell report
Meet the ‘Bernie or Bust’ Delegates at the Democratic Convention
‘I’m feeling raw and bitter,’ one tells TIME’s Philip Elliott
Michelle Obama Was the Real Star of the Democratic Convention’s First Night
TIME’s Maya Rhodan on the First Lady’s barnburner
Elizabeth Warren: Reject Trump’s ‘America of Fear and Hate’
The Massachusetts senator turns a favorite argument against him [TIME]
Sound Off
“That is what Barack and I think about every day, as we try to guide and protect our girls through the challenges of this unusual life in the spotlight. How we urge them to ignore those who question their father’s citizenship or faith. How we insist that the hateful language that they hear from public figures on TV does not represent the true spirit of this country. How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high.” — Michelle Obama on Monday night
“Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States.” — Bernie Sanders
Bits and Bites
Sarah Silverman to Bernie Sanders Supporters: ‘You’re Being Ridiculous’ [TIME]
See the Bernie Sanders Supporters Who Booed at the Democratic Convention [TIME]
Republicans Want to Party Like It’s 1985 [TIME]
The First Openly Transgender Convention Speaker Talks to TIME [TIME]
Trump Stumps in Virginia, Bashes Kaine [USA Today]
