I'm just gonna' say this out loud.

[flamin lib]

The DNC's virtual convention was better than any in person convention I can remember. The production values, scripting and location broadcasts were out standing. How else can every state and territory deliver their delegates from their home location, a location chosen to represent who they are? How else could the chosen location for the speeches make as much statement as the speech itself?

[KT2000]

1. the big difference is this convention

was directed to everyone at their homes, versus watching others have a convention. This way is better IMHO, and may be more effective.

[NCjack]

83. +1.

[Dem2]

2. Have to agree

I've been trying to avoid politics, but I was told it was very positive. I watched, I was impressed! Kudos to the DNC for pulling this off.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I hope they keep doing them this way, even if there will also be

some live audiences when (if) covid19 goes away. I really liked the roll call featuring the delegates in their natural habitats, and the speeches seemed so much more personal and intimate.

[SoonerPride]

6. +1

This was so much more intimate and felt like the present.

The YouTube generation.

Convention halls with stages an balloons and funny hats is very 1970s. Sorry, but it was bad TV.

This was compelling TV from start to finish.

Even the after speech fireworks and cars with blinkers was better. It WAS!

[Politicub]

21. The drive-in supporters at the end were great.

And unexpected. I am in awe of who planners and producers.

[OAITW r.2.0]

16. Hopefully, a blended convention 4 years from now.

Maybe 1 day for live speeches from 6 or 8 people (Pres/VP) and other great Dem orators. And do the final balloon drop. It would be far more exciting than having a live convention over 4-5 days. The rest should be done as we've seen this week.

[forgotmylogin]

61. Exactly - There's no reason delegates should need to travel.

Ideally perhaps have the candidate make their speech on the last day in front of a local live audience (home state?) and have all the rest be remote.

[Spazito]

4. It was amazing!

In watching previous conventions, I always felt like an onlooker to something produced for those in the room whereas this one felt personal, like the appeals, conversations, everything was done to engage each and every one of us. I honestly think virtual will be the way of the future re conventions, maybe not in totality but a major component for sure.

[yonder]

15. What you said. Everything was so much more personal.

They were talking to us as people and not an audience. I've got to wonder how much endless applause detracts from the experience of the viewer at home, whereas in this case we were all there at the same time, as equals.

I can't say I've ever watched every night of a convention — this time I did and would like to see it become the norm.

[Spazito]

19. I admit I, too, did not watch every minute of past conventions...

and tended to tune in for the big speeches instead. Previously the roll call was, to me, pro forma and I really didn't pay attention until this time and that was because it was truly about each state, with local backgrounds showcasing their best in most cases. It went from pro forma in my mind to something very meaningful.

[burrowowl]

58. I agree!

[onetexan]

79. Bingo! Those longwinded speeches got old

I love the focus on the common people. Politics is after all for the people. The beauty of this one was it was so diverse & inclusive, a true reflection of the real America. Oh and WOMEN!! Women had more speaking time than men!

[crickets]

67. This: "I always felt like an onlooker to something produced for those in the room"

That perfectly describes how I felt about prior conventions. Watching a bunch of strangers have a big party for days just didn't appeal to me. I'd catch important speeches here and there and watch the balloon drop, but that was it. This convention came to me, and joined me in my home, making me (and all of us at home) feel like the focus, rather than expecting me to engage as a third party looking on from afar. It was a joy to meet so many new faces from all over the country and hear their stories. Every person involved was making an extra effort to reach out the audience at home, making the speeches seem much more engaging and personal.

I didn't plan to watch the entire eight hours or so, but I did, and enjoyed the heck out of it. I agree with everybody else about the roll call, too. That's the best thing ever, and I'd love to see it become a permanent fixture.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

5. REAL people....

Sharing their visions, telling their stories, making a contribution that this election is about THEM, not Joe Biden. But that Joe is important to their getting this government back to working for them. The people made this about them and the Republicans are not up to the task.

The RNC will be all about Trump and they will FAIL.

[Trumpocalypse]

7. Conventions are really a throwback

They have been irrelevant for decades. No convention has even gone beyond a first vote since the 50s. Now they are mainly infomercials for each party. The networks use to cover them all day but more recently only an hour or two a night. Hopefully this year’s virtual conference will change how they are done in the future.

[Hoyt]

8. Was pleasantly surprised. Going in, was afraid it would be like a lot of virtual talk shows, really

not as good as the "live" shows.

But, the virtual convention was really well designed and went over much better than expected.

[Wicked Blue]

9. Totally!

And the closing scene with ordinary Americans in t-shirts and shorts sitting on the hoods of their parked cars, waving American flags and cheering, their car hazard lights all flashing red and white... it was amazing. Whoever came up with this is a genius. It showed clearly that average Americans support Biden, and that he supports average Americans.

When the fireworks started, you could see the faces, the people oohing and aahing and all excited. It was wonderful.

[Happy Hoosier]

10. 100% agree NT

[StarryNite]

11. I loved it.

It was very powerful.

[a kennedy]

12. We loved it as well........I thought it was sooooooooooo personal

and those fireworks??? Who needs balloons anyway.

[Laelth]

13. You know the Republicans are shitting bricks.

They will be hard-pressed to match that performance.

-Laelth

[safeinOhio]

14. Just wait until you see theirs....

[Laelth]

17. Yes. Very likely.

That’s spooky.

-Laelth

[yonder]

29. Wow. That was quite a clip -- a work of art. No sarcasm.

I've never seen that before. I think a famous old movie, right? Charlie Chaplin in The Dictator?

Disregarding the understood intention of your point, if the RNC can come up with something half as good, over the course of four days, they will have done well.

But they won't because they can't. They don't have the chops and are behind already.

Thanks for the clip, I'll be looking that movie up.

[burrowowl]

59. The movie is excellent

Charlie Chaplin also made some other good films, they are all worth watching.

[yonder]

62. I've seen a few of his films but always thought of him as a slapstick, pie in the face kind of guy.

This clip was an eye-opener and made me realize I've under appreciated him all these years.

The things we learn on DU....

[Totally Tunsie]

60. What a great scene, proving

that technology doesn't necessarily make things better. The simplicity of the globe is the star.

Conveying this same scene today would involve pyrotechnics and sound explosions, none of which would add to the tale.

[NCjack]

84. The producers are Jared Kushner and Hope Hicks. Expect a flop.

[hibbing]

18. I thought it was good

Had to watch the actual feed to see most of it as the corporate media was dominated by the same talking heads I've listened to for the last 20 years of my life.


Peace

[crickets]

68. Same. Being able to stream it was a huge plus.

No commercials, no talking heads telling me what to think as I'm watching it, or talking over things I'd rather hear. It was the only way to go.

[Politicub]

20. I watched the whole thing, and

I’ve never watched all of the past conventions.

It was smartly produced, and was more effective at holding people’s attention, imho. There was a bit of mystery and anticipation about what or who we would see next.

Loved it.

[relayerbob]

22. Agreed, I expect there to be some hybrid version in the future

Some in-person convention stuff as well as lots of virtual

[betsuni]

23. And no booing!

[ancianita]

24. It's so true.

WE were the direct audience. A great change. We weren't "spectating" anyone speaking to some live audience. We were the direct audience. And that whole production made the convention totally PERSONAL to us in a way it never has been.

I loved thinking about the effect it was having on viewers, Republican viewers AND Trump, too.

Repubs now know that they've got nothing to compare in their televised RNC. But I won't be watching to find out.

Thank you for your post. It's a good analysis of how powerful the televised convention was.

[onetexan]

30. In deed. The inclusion of hard working, ordinary Americans and their featured stories made it really

personal and heartwarming. The majority of Americans are part of the middle class and we want to hear about the stories of other Americans living our day-to-day lives. The unity and diversity, the leadership, empathy and decency of Biden & Harris have really touched people. Godwilling it will translate to a total wipeout of the Idiot come November.

[niyad]

25. Another important aspect of this virtual convention was its lessened environmental impact.

No thousands of people flying and driving. No huge rooms that needed to be Lt and temperature-controlled. No tons of waste that needed disposal.

And no superspreaders.

[jimmyzvoice]

26. It was the best convention I have ever watched. Thanks DNC.

[RussBLib]

27. the fireworks after, and all the cars in the parking lot

flashing their lights, practicing social distancing, while watching the fireworks was a great closing touch.

Well done, Democrats!

[Jimbo S]

37. Left-turn signals

Thought of it just now. If I was there, set my (left) turn signal as opposed to the hazards. Then again, I'm sure the instructions were given to ensure conformity.

[marlakay]

28. I liked it better

It was focused on the important stuff and not watching people party. One of my favorite moments was all the candidates in total unity and laughter on screen together.

[Totally Tunsie]

64. I liked it better too because

it was focused on the important stuff and we weren't reduced to watching hundreds of hot, sweaty delegates crowded in a room and bored out of their minds at 2:30 a.m., some of whom were sound asleep.

This format got rid of unnecessary forced gaiety, random protests, and annoying gavelling to bring the hall back to order. It probably saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in venue costs, security, travel, and production.

This convention was a win-win for all.

[SharonClark]

31. I loved it and watched more of the convention than I usually do.

I liked the lack of secondary drama caused by delegates and hangers on who want to score political points. No one interviewed Jill Stein outside the convention hall, no one booed John Lewis, and no one turned their backs on speakers.

[yonder]

32. This is really a good thread. Thanks to the OP.

[Tommymac]

33. I've watched conventions since 1964...This was The Best hands down.

I hope they do this every prez election cycle.

It was personal, intimate and I felt like the speakers were talking to me personally.

I loved the little blurbs from real people, interspersed with Pols speaking, and leavened by a touch of music now and then.

It was a WOW moment, full of sizzle. I think that sizzle made Joe's super good speech even better.

Hats off to the producers of this virtuoso performance.

[crickets]

69. Oh, the music! The music was amazing. Kudos to everyone involved in that aspect. A+ nt

[Mr.Bill]

35. The difference between this convention and previous ones

was that all the participants were sober.

[Jimbo S]

36. The bar has been set

I'm thinking how many people in the RNC will be working 16-hour shifts the next three days to get ready for Monday after going "Oh, shit!" this week and realizing what they had planned is inferior to what we saw this week.

[llmart]

66. Oh, come on now...

I'm quite sure they have an empty chair ready for Clint to talk to. That takes superior planning and logistics.

BTW, is he still alive???

[SWBTATTReg]

82. Love it! I'm sure that the chair is in the Smithsonian somewhere, eh? Maybe they can dig it out of

the back room of the Smithsonian or something, use some excuse such as it's a national emergency!

[mtngirl47]

38. I wish they would have had bathroom breaks!

Otherwise it was great!

[sandensea]

39. The best since the legendary '92 convention

[equite]

40. wanted to

But I'm married to a very stubborn trump supporter along with my father that is 90. I talk to myself my husband get angry if I talk politics. My Dad repeats what fox station says and let him get angry. So I have to find personal time to even visit this site or even read the news. Bit so happy about Bannons arrest. When us anyone going to challenge the Cohen being put back in prison for not signing the NDA. I'm glad he got out. I'm wondering what can he say that we don't already know. Didn't take much for me to realize that trump is a puppet I believe of the Mercer's. Bannon works for them mostly does rebecka have souch money and nothing to do but bother with politics here and Great Britain. Couldn't figure out how to watch convention. I'm surrounded by. Red. I do wish I could run away but to old for that. I give it back best I can. If anyone would stop yelling at me so I can finish a couple sentence. This isn't the America I've always known. I domedays fell completely hopeless. But not for long cuz I must vote.

[robbob]

43. Wow, I hope you get fair turnaround

And don’t have to watch Faux News! But that raises the question; how can you be a tRump supporter if you aren’t glued to Faux? I mean, can’t your husband SEE what’s going on in the USA? My only excuse for his supporters is that they are truly brainwashed by Faux...

[panader0]

57. That is not a good situation.

No offense, but your husband sounds like a controlling ass.
You aren't even "allowed" to get on the computer? You are not too old to leave.
Don't let anyone control you that way. Where are you?

[AllyCat]

41. We watched every day.

Cannot say that for other conventions

[bucolic_frolic]

42. Agree, totally new genre

Ace for the production. Was it the usual Dem media consultants, or don't we know yet? Somebody had vision, or everyone was tasked with their allotment of time and subject. It was not boring, it was evocative, emotional. I suspect a lot of viewers are hooked and have decided, it will be hard for Lardhead to unhook them with word scramble.

[CTyankee]

44. You know, this was right in our wheelhouse: we got Hollywood and Broadway, we know how

present our best. All the pukes can do is sell hate and lies. They do that a lot better than we do.

[PatrickforO]

47. True but we are spoiled to expect good production value, and when

the GOP convention sucks, well, that might alienate some supporters. Hopefully.

[CTyankee]

49. If all you got is resentment and hatred, you're only going to get so far. What else are you selling?

Health care (only "if you can pay for it&quot , education (no unions or liberal teachers who teach evolution), entertainers (what you got there?).

It's kinda like that line from Animal House, "Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son"

[PatrickforO]

54. I'd forgotten that line. Definitely agree.

No way to go through life.

[CTyankee]

56. Yep. And we thought that was funny...

[PatrickforO]

65. LOL, well it WAS, back in the way-back-when when I first saw it.

I mean, that was in the heyday of Saturday Night Live's NRFPT players, and when we watched Animal House, we were rolling.

Funny...I watched it again maybe five or six years ago, and I made it through about a quarter of it before turning off. Just not funny any more...but, then I thought Pulp Fiction was hilarious.

[northoftheborder]

45. Applause to the producers of four nights - 10 hours -

put together seamlessly with hundreds of people over hundreds of locations, and done in 3-4 months. Amazing.

[PatrickforO]

46. Agreed. Virtual is so much better for a whole host of reasons.

Less environmental impact.

More personal - I felt like these people were in my living room, actually talking to me.

The speakers didn't have to stop for applause over and over and over. That gets old, and keeps the message from being personal.

At work, too - we're finding out virtual has actually enhanced outcomes in a variety of ways.

This whole new reality, and ability we have to be virtual, is going to change the whole world, definitely will reshape what employment looks like for a big hunk of the labor force.

[Illumination]

48. Yes! It far exceeded my expectations! Absolutely loved every moment of it!!!

[CrispyQ]

50. It was soooooo much better than I thought it would be!

Very impressed!

I hope someone watches the GOP convention & reports back, but it won't be me.

[Lars39]

51. The only thing missing is the in-person meet and greets

and talking in the hallways.

[Warpy]

52. The worst that happened was an occasional infomercial feel

but that didn't happen very often. Most of it was done really, really well. I didn't miss the crowd at all. As abonus, we're not going to see good Democrats carted off to the hospital with Covid.

The DNC realized early on that an in person convention was simply not going to be in the cards and I give high praise to the people who planned this out and did such a great job.

It will be really interesting to see what the GOP does. It can't be info tainment, they've pissed off too many people in the industry. How they're going to fill all those hours will be interesting. Because all of the futzing around between doing it live (and losing venue after venue) and doing it virtually, they lost a hell of a lot of prep time.

Yes, I'll watch part, sound off, rude music playing. There's only so much Republican Jebus anointing a king to pump up the stock market to make the rich richer that I can take.

[BonnieJW]

53. I agree!

I was moved by everyone saying the Pledge of Allegiance! The producers took what they had and they made it count. All the loud, raucous carrying on at a regular national convention can wear you out after a while. Every sentence is cheered and you lose the train of thought of the speaker. This time, there were no interruptions and you could just listen and absorb all the words.

Those huge, loud, glittering conventions just seem to make the candidate kind of small standing on that huge stage waiting for all the noise to die down so he/she can finally speak. Last night, there was just our Joe Biden standing in a pool of light telling everyone about the kind of man he is and what he believes is good and right. And how he wants that again for the country he loves. I heard him say that even though he suffered the greatest losses a person can experience - a partner and children - he still considers himself blessed.

How could anyone not vote for Joe?

[LisaM]

55. I think there were a lot of takeaways. I'd be for a more mixed version going forward.

I think the roll call from the in-state locations will probably be a keeper. And it's nice to have people participating who can't go.

But I miss the energy of the in-person experience (and Milwaukee probably missed the revenues). I fear that the corona virus is exacerbating the already-happening phenomenon of people forgetting how to be together, in person.

I really miss seeing the candidates together on stage with their families, and I always like the wrap-ups afterwards, with the news anchors sitting together at the convention site.

I really hope that we don't become a virtual society. And, there were a number of dead spots. The emcees tried, but the openings were really flat. The last two nights, I couldn't tell that it had started till it was a few minutes in.

[Mr.Bill]

75. If the convention was a contested one

requiring multiple ballots and state delegations meeting about if they are going to change their vote, the a whole lot of what the did this year won't work out. This was destined to be a very orderly convention with a pre-determined outcome. That's one of the many reasons it worked out so well.

[Joinfortmill]

63. Awesome

[Pacifist Patriot]

70. I agree. I far and away preferred this format to the convention center conventions.

Inclusive and intimate at the same time. Felt both a part of something bigger than myself and spoken to as a respected individual. Loved, loved, loved it!

[SunSeeker]

71. +1

[grobertj]

72. YES!!!

I finally got to listen to all the speeches. An its was MUCH shorter!!

[Mopar151]

73. Once rail and air made a "national convention" possible

It's been a big drunk and gladhand party, for the delegates and "party insiders", where the smoke filled rooms pulled the strings for the "purity pageant" that the public sees.

[CTyankee]

74. You forgot the part about some late night hot pillow assignations...

[Mopar151]

77. How do the hooker to delegate numbers play out?

[CTyankee]

78. How would I know? I can guess and I kinda like thinking that there's a lot there we don't know

about, but that's true about lots of conventions...

[warmfeet]

76. It was the best I have seen as well.

Very well done.

[xxqqqzme]

80. I prefer the fireworks and

parked cars blinking. It was festive and happy. So much better than a balloon drop. The producer and tech production crew are to be congratulated.

[CousinIT]

81. Agree. Hope they do it that way in the future. Used less fossil fuel too.

There will be more pandemics - climate change itself will bring more of them. Anyway regardless of that, I watched every minute of the DNC convention this time and it was SO well done. If there are awards, the DNC should get one for this. Somebody knew what they were doing with this and did a GREAT job.

[Historic NY]

85. You could actually follow along,

pbs had too many talking heads that need to know when to zip it.