CHI-TOWN SHINDIG — The Weekly Opine

It’s on! Kamala Harris graciously accepts the Democratic nomination for president. (Photo credit PBS)

Democrats on a roll…

Democrats, and their now official Kamala Harris-Tim Walz ticket, sail along like a red-hot bowler rolling strikes frame after frame. Harris-Walz entered this week’s Democratic National Convention atop cloud nine. And the DNC produced a high-octane, electric affair, the opposite of the glaringly dull, boring Republican National Convention’s liars fest. Harris sealed it with a spectacular, perfect acceptance speech that – unfortunately for Trump – did nothing to derail Kamala’s runaway momentum.

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, unlike she-got-her-job via nepotism RNC Co-Chair Lara Trump, knows what he is doing. The speaker’s lineup at the DNC, albeit bloated, was an all-star cast whereas the RNC was an embarrassing collection of misfits, liars, con men and con women. The stench of corruption in Milwaukee was overpowering, as was the odor of ignorance.

Speakers’ bureau

Among highlights at the DNC was Steve Kerr, a classic modern man who recently coached the USA men’s hoops team to Olympic Games gold. Kerr eloquently defined leadership and said Dems, GOPers, Libertarians, everyone, must come together as a team. Contrast Kerr with the washed up, trashy clown Hulk Hogan, who spoke at the RNC. Regarding bringing in sports figures, the DNC routed the RNC.

DNC speakers were bodacious quote machines. Here are some favorites:

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain brought down the house when he quoted rapper Nelly, saying, “It’s gettin’ hot in here” and removed his jacket to reveal a t-shirt that read, “Trump is a scab.”

Former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham informed us she overheard Trump call MAGA supporters “basement dwellers.” Grisham was among several high-profile Republicans taking the stage to endorse Harris. Republican former Lt. Gov. of Georgia Geoff Duncan called Trump a “felonious thug” and said a vote for Harris is not so much voting for a Democrat but rather a “patriotic vote.” That works.

Trump’s Project 2025 problems are just beginning. (Photo credit MSNBC screenshot)

SNL’s Keenan Thompson’s skit about Project 2025 was hilarious! Thompson urged voters not to do what we mindlessly do when checking the “Agree” box, without reading legal agreement details. Thompson pointed out that Project 2025 is the legal agreement for a second Trump administration, and we must read it. VP nominee Gov. Tim Walz closed his outstanding speech by stating, “When someone draws up a [Project 2025] playbook, they’re going to use it.”

Tough-minded Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “You can pry this wedding ring from my cold, dead, gay hand.” Take that, fake-Christian evangelicals! House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stirred up the crowd with a perfectly cadenced speech, closing by saying “been there, done that, we’re not going back!”

Oprah Winfrey spent her first 12 minutes putting me to sleep as I wondered, what’s the point? Then, the 1990s Oprah sprang up and blistered Republicans for three minutes with lines like “choose common sense over nonsense.”

Two young U.S. congresswomen, fiery Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and charming Jasmine Crockett proved they are 1,000x smarter – and saner – than their nemesis, the Queen of MAGA Stupidity and Insanity Marjorie Taylor Greene.

One miss was the DNC’s program timing, behind schedule due to the number of speakers. President Biden’s farewell speech didn’t begin until 11:30 p.m. ET. Biden forcefully summarized his achievements as the crowd roared its approval. The love flowed as Biden handed the baton to Vice President Harris. Now, Democrats are having a Kumbaya moment with outstretched hands beyond their party, making room for everyone. But we know Dems can often be too nice. Mr. President, don’t you dare pardon Trump in an attempt to reduce the chasm between weird MAGAs and normal citizens.

The much-anticipated speech by former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger was among the most powerful. Kinzinger rocked, saying Trump is “weak pretending to be strong, small pretending to be big, faithless pretending to be righteous.” Kinzinger told wayward Republicans that “democracy knows no party but is the bedrock of our values.” Adam Kinzinger bulldozed what’s become of the Republican Party.

Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama brung the heat Tuesday night. (Photo credit NPR)

That’s a wrap

I have mixed feelings about Hillary Clinton. Hillary owns an outstanding record of service and is tremendously popular with scores of Democrats. No one received a more prolonged, thunderous ovation than Hillary. But viewed pragmatically, Ms. Clinton stirs up voter turnout among Republicans, maybe more than any Democrat. And like Melania Trump, Hillary’s ambition led her to accept public humiliation from her philandering husband. On the upside, Hillary’s presence at the DNC was a reminder Trump can win. And she offered up a biting line saying, “Donald Trump fell asleep at his own trial and woke up with 34 felony convictions.” Priceless.

I do not have mixed feelings about Bill Clinton. Despite his status as a former president, Bill should not have been allowed to speak. Bill Clinton was friendly with child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, reportedly flying on Epstein’s private jet at least nine times. He had an extramarital affair with a White House intern. Slick Willie once told us – as if we are clueless – that he smoked a marijuana joint without inhaling. At the DNC, Bill Clinton should have been relegated to standing in his luxury suite to give the perfunctory wave to the crowd.

The Clinton’s epitomize reaching backward while the Harris-Walz team, and their adoring supporters, chant “We’re not going back!” That sums it up; Kamala is a break from the (Clinton’s) past. Hopefully, Chicago 2024 is the last time we hear from Bill and Hillary on the national stage.

O my!

Barack Obama was correct when he said speaking after Michelle Obama is not smart. While the former president was his usual solid, if not spectacular self, he was no match for Michelle (no one was, although Kamala Harris came close). Ms. Obama poignantly reminded us not to allow personalities or policy details to prevent us from voting. She stated plaintively that most Americans “don’t have the affirmative action of generational wealth.”

Tuesday night, Michelle Obama cemented her standing as arguably the greatest speaker of our time. She has a palpable presence. Ms. Obama’s brilliance was carried by her words, timing, intensity, compassion, sincerity, truth-seeking honesty, and optimism. If there was a contest for president of the world Michelle Obama would be my hands down favorite. And her VP could be humanitarian Chef Jose Andres.

Cops and protesters behaved quite nicely. (Photos credit The Weekly Opine)

Protest responsibly

I agree with pro-Palestinian protesters regarding the atrocities in Gaza. I also staunchly believe Israel has the right to defend itself (but has wandered way beyond reason in Gaza). With respect to protesters, a friend of mine said recently that, along with the right to protest comes the responsibility to protest within bounds.

For example, when pro-Palestinian protestors blocked highway access to O’Hare Airport last April, forcing travelers to hop out of cars and walk several miles to the airport, well, I turned on the protesters. Not against their message but against their method.

In Chicago this week, other than a breached fence Monday night, protests were managed very well by a clearly prepared Chicago Police Department. Protest organizers were almost unanimously behaving within bounds as cops and protesters co-existed. Protesters included pro-Palestinian, homeless rights advocates and firefighters, among others.

What all of us should protest is the Electoral College. It is likely Harris will do what Democrat candidates have done the past four presidential elections – win the popular vote. But thanks to the archaic Electoral College, a small number of people in a handful of states disproportionally influence the outcome of elections here. Without the Electoral College, Trump would have nearly zero chance of winning.

Comma-la

After her nieces gave a simple lesson how to pronounce her name (comma-la), Kamala blew the roof off the United Center with her virtuoso acceptance speech. Going forward, only sinister, corrupt souls will stick with Trump. If nothing else, Democrats this week did what they should have been doing for years. Dems unhesitatingly called out Trump’s corruption and criminality with direct, unambiguous language. Did you ever think a presidential candidate’s acceptance speech would include highlighting her opponent’s record as a rapist?

Buckle up friends. This is going to be fun.