“Therapy for traumatized Democrats.”
– Michelle Goldberg
Welcome to the Times Opinion's recap of the second night of the Democratic National Convention. Our writers rated the night on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 meaning it was a disaster for Kamala Harris, and 10 indicating a significant boost in the polls. Below are the best and worst moments, including speeches by Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer, Doug Emhoff, and Michelle and Barack Obama.
Best Moment
Kristen Soltis Anderson: Doug Emhoff’s depiction of Kamala Harris as a “joyful warrior” could be a powerful theme for the upcoming months.
Binyamin Appelbaum: The energetic state roll call, especially with Lil Jon as Georgia’s hype man.
Josh Barro: Democrats showcased a video that contrasted Harris’s plan to reduce drug costs, build three million new homes, and cut taxes for over 100 million Americans with Trump’s plan to repeal Obamacare and impose a national sales tax to benefit billionaires.
Charles M. Blow: Michelle Obama’s sharp criticisms of Trump, showing she still holds a grudge—a grudge worth holding.
Michelle Cottle: Both Barack and Michelle Obama delivered compelling speeches. Although Michelle’s had more edge, both were impactful.
Liam Donovan: In a night filled with predictable anti-Trump rhetoric, Emhoff stood out by delivering a disarming, self-deprecating, and humanizing speech about Kamala Harris.
Michelle Goldberg: Michelle Obama’s speech offered solace to Democrats still grappling with the loss of hope under Trump and the anxiety of his potential return.
Matt Labash: Emhoff’s speech was a pleasant surprise—warm, funny, and genuine. He was clearly smitten with his wife, much like Melania with Trump.
Worst Moment
Anderson: The hour after California’s delegate vote, set to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” felt like a slow deflation. Anyone expecting must-watch TV likely felt disappointed.
Appelbaum: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker trying to outdo Trump with his line, “Take it from an actual billionaire: Trump is rich in only one thing. Stupidity!”
Barro: Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stumbling over Harris’s name. What was that about?
Blow: The program dragged with the early speakers.
Cottle: Bernie Sanders’s grumpy, shouty laundry list of policy must-dos felt out of sync with the convention’s vibe.
Donovan: Pritzker, a hotel heir, using his net worth to criticize Trump right after Sanders gave him the stage was surreal.
Goldberg: While I’m a fan of Pritzker, his flex about being an “actual billionaire” was off-key at a convention centered on middle-class economics.
Labash: Watching Chuck Schumer dance his way to the lectern was fun at first, but it quickly became a bridge too far.
What Else Stood Out
Anderson: Lil Jon’s appearance during Georgia’s delegate count likely lit up many “elder millennial” group chats. It was a much better use of celebrity power than anything preachy.
Appelbaum: Bernie Sanders reminded Democrats that politics is ultimately about policy, even during a night filled with party enthusiasm.
Barro: The high-energy, DJ-led roll call was fun, particularly when Lil Jon helped cast Georgia’s votes, even if it wasn’t electorally useful.
Blow: Barack Obama carefully balanced his roles as an elder statesman and a 'queen maker,' showing reverence to Joe Biden while positioning Harris as the heir to the Obama legacy.
Cottle: Doug Emhoff’s segment was adorable, from the video intro voiced by his son to Emhoff’s humorous recounting of how he met Harris. His shout-out to his “motha”? Chef’s kiss.
Donovan: The roll call displayed the party’s enthusiasm for the ticket and the palpable relief in the convention hall. Surprisingly fun to watch.
Goldberg: Despite Republican attempts to paint Democrats as antisemitic, Tuesday night featured a strong showing from Jewish leaders like Schumer, Sanders, Pritzker, and Emhoff.
Labash: If Trump gets re-elected and tries to overturn the 22nd Amendment, Barack Obama might want to jump back into the fray. Love him or hate him, he still packs a punch.
