Unconventional Conventions
July 29, 2016
National political conventions became the talk of their respective towns—Cleveland for the Republicans and Philadelphia for the Democrats—in late July 2016, as Republican businessman Donald Trump and Democratic former Secretary of State, Senator, and First Lady Hillary Clinton accepted their party’s respective nominations for president. Both conventions featured dissent from backers of unsuccessful candidates for the nomination. And both featured passionate speeches by politicians, celebrities, and ordinary people struck by extraordinary events. The tone of each convention, however, could hardly have been more dissimilar.
Republican nominee Donald Trump (left) accepts applause beside his running mate Mike Pence at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 21, 2016.
Credit: Ida Mae Astute, ABC (licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0)
The Republicans opened their convention on July 18 with a stern message of law and order, delivered in the wake of shootings that targeted police officers in Texas and Louisiana, social unrest surrounding the killings of African Americans by police, and a horrific terror attack in Nice, France. The theme of the first night was “Make America Safe Again,” and it featured such speakers as actors Scott Baio and Antonio Sabato, Jr., retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who railed against Hillary Clinton and expressed support for law enforcement officers. To America’s enemies, he promised, “You know who you are and we’re coming to get you!”
Prospective First Lady Melania Trump then delivered a speech that was well received by the Cleveland attendees. The warm feelings were short-lived, however, after news reports showed that some sections of the speech had been copied, nearly verbatim, from First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic convention address.
Political observers noted that the Republicans’ Cleveland gathering lacked some of the star power of prior conventions, in part because of a bruising primary in which Trump regularly insulted his rivals and made controversial statements about Muslims and Mexican immigrants. Prominent Republicans refusing to attend the convention included members of the Bush family—former Presidents George H. W. and George W. Bush and former Florida governor Jeb Bush—former Republican presidential nominees Mitt Romney and John McCain, and Ohio Governor John Kasich, who—though the convention took place in his home state—pointedly refused to endorse the 2016 Republican nominee.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie provided the fireworks for the convention’s second night. With a prosecutor’s zeal, he accused Hillary Clinton of a list of crimes. Conventioneers responded, “Lock her up!” On the convention’s third night, Texas Senator Ted Cruz—who finished second to Trump in the race for delegates—delivered a well-crafted speech championing conservative values. As the speech unwound toward its conclusion, convention goers sensed that an endorsement of Trump by Cruz was not forthcoming. Shouts of “Endorse Trump” were not heeded, and folks booed as Cruz, smiling enigmatically, strode off the stage. Vice presidential nominee Mike Pence of Indiana spoke later, showcasing his self-effacing humor and criticizing Hillary Clinton’s judgment.
Donald Trump spoke on the convention’s fourth night, following a humanizing introduction by his daughter Ivanka. “We will be a country of generosity and warmth,” Trump promised, “but we will also be a country of law and order!” He spoke out about bad trade deals and the “egregious crimes” of his presidential rival. “Nobody knows the system better than me,” said Trump, playfully acknowledging how his businesses have taken advantage of laws and loopholes. “Which is why I alone can fix it.” To such promises, the crowd responded, “Yes you will!”
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her vice presidential running mate Tim Kaine wave to the crowd at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 28, 2016.
Credit: Ida Mae Astute, ABC (licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0)
On day one of the Democratic National Convention, raucous supporters of the Senator from Vermont, runner-up Bernie Sanders, loudly interrupted early speakers with chants of “Bernie! Bernie!” During liberal firebrand Elizabeth Warren’s speech endorsing Clinton, some of them taunted Warren with a chant of “We trusted you!” Sanders later endorsed Clinton onstage as some of his supporters wept.
The Democrats featured plenty of star power from both politics and entertainment. Comedian Sarah Silverman encouraged Bernie fans to unite against Trump, and actresses Elizabeth Banks, Meryl Streep, Lena Dunham, and America Ferrera poked fun at the New York businessman while praising the Democratic nominee. Michelle Obama delivered a ringing endorsement of Clinton. “She never buckles under pressure, never takes the easy way out,” said Mrs. Obama. “Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life.”
Other nights saw former President Bill Clinton, campaigning to be “First Gentleman,” live up to his reputation as “Explainer in Chief” as he touted his wife’s lifelong drive to be a “change maker” for children and families. Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt in 2011 and still struggles with its aftereffects, inspired the crowd. “Speaking is difficult for me,” she said. “But come January, I want to say these two words: Madam President!”
One of the convention’s surprise speakers was Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire independent former mayor of New York City. “Let’s elect a sane, competent person,” said Bloomberg of Clinton. He later added, of Trump, “I’m a New Yorker, and New Yorkers know a con when we see one!” His endorsement preceded speeches by Vice President Joe Biden; Clinton’s cheerful vice presidential running mate Tim Kaine; and President Barack Obama, whose calls to unity among Americans and Democrats brought down the house and made longtime supporters wistful in the closing months of his eight-year presidency. Challenging the crowd’s audible response to his mentions of Donald Trump, Obama playfully admonished, “Don’t boo, vote.”
On the convention’s final night, Hillary Clinton took the Philadelphia stage following a warm introduction by her daughter, Chelsea. Clinton spoke glowingly of the country’s founders and the spirit of compromise that brought the disjointed American colonies to unite against Britain’s king in 1776. She spoke in detail of her plans as president: investing in infrastructure, raising the federal minimum wage, defending the rights of workers and minorities, protecting the environment, passing immigration reform and repairing a flawed criminal justice system.
She also spoke of her historic achievement—becoming the first female nominee for president from a major political party in the United States. “Standing here as my mother’s daughter, and my daughter’s mother, I’m so happy this day has come,” Mrs. Clinton said. “Happy for grandmothers and little girls and everyone in between. Happy for boys and men, too—because when any barrier falls in America, for anyone, it clears the way for everyone. When there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.”
