6 Things Hillary Should Do In Her DNC Speech

Hillary Clinton takes the stage in a few hours to give the speech of her career. We all know her and we all have our opinions. If she has any chance to change those, tonight must be it. Here’s what I hope she does.

1. Don’t talk to the country, talk to the person across the table. It’s no secret that Hillary is not the most natural orator, and she is in the unfortunate position of following some people who are. Bill, Michelle, Cory Booker, Joe Biden, and Barack — the last three days have been a DNC for the ages. Why compete with that? It’s widely known and reported that Hillary is at her best when she’s one on one. She listens. She emotes. She connects. To a person, everyone who has had an intimate audience with the Secretary speaks glowingly of her empathy and her commitment to take action in order to help. Politically, too, Hillary has succeeded in moments of vulnerability and humanity. She should take a page out of her husband’s and her friend Joe Biden’s books tonight. Both of them spoke extemporaneously at times, and even brought their voices down to a near whisper. The crowd was rapt. Tears were shed. It was a master class in political speechifying.
2. On that note, let the microphone do the work. When Hillary tries to command the crowd, she can get a little yell-y. It’s laid the groundwork for some of the great comic impressions. The word “shrill” comes to mind. (Say what you will about implicit or tacit sexism — that is undeniably the way a huge swath of America responds to this tone.) She should lean in, speak from the heart. It makes a huge difference.
3. Don’t make it about Trump. The vast majority of Americans know that Trump is a jackass. The 14 million or so who voted for him in the GOP primaries don’t care. They’re dug-in and aren’t going anywhere. He may be a jackass, but he’s their jackass. Figure he doubles that in the general election — gets to about 30 million votes. That leaves another 90–100 million voters who just need to feel that Hillary Clinton is acceptable. She’s not a monster. She’s not the Anti-Christ. She’s not selling our souls to China or Goldman Sachs or the War Machine, or whatever it is they believe. The last three days have done a wonderful job of laying out her life story, of using powerful surrogates to explain why they believe in her. She’s been teed up, but now it’s up to her to close the deal. Tell her powerful American story. Show what that legendary work ethic can do for average Americans. Demonstrate how she has lived it and gets it. There will be plenty of time (and plenty of opportunities) to poke Trump later.
4. Don’t try to be all things to all people. That’s what gets you into trouble — that’s how you got this reputation in the first place. Be who you are. Take your stand. The American people just want to know you’re on their side — they would rather know that you differ on a few issues than wonder if you’re being genuine on any issue.
5. And for God’s sake, tell the truth! Duh. You were Secretary of State. You changed the face of the world. No one will dock you points if your helicopter didn’t come under fire.
6. Go ahead and name drop. In addition to your personal narrative and your ability to “get it” when it comes to middle class middle Americans, the next most powerful tool at your disposal are your global relationships and your high esteem among world leaders. Go ahead and be that lady at the party. It will be a great way to subtly demonstrate the contrast between the know-everything and the know-nothing. You’re damn right it’s cool.