Have you ever seen Democrats be so ‘Merica?

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What The White House is Talking About:

Obama’s speech.

What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:

Obama’s speech, plus analysis.

The Speech, Tick Tock:

According to a White House official on background…
June: Obama met with high-level staff to talk about it in broad strokes.

2.5 weeks ago: Cody Keenan, chief speechwriter, began writing in earnest.

July 18: First draft presented to Obama.
 
After that: Six drafts went back and forth between POTUS and Keenan.

Monday night: Inspired by Michelle’s speech, Obama stays up until 3:30 a.m. to work on his.

Tuesday: Obama does a run-through of the final draft, aloud, in the White House Map Room.

Wednesday afternoon: “He’s playing with it, but not making major changes.” Obama decides no need to do another run-through.

At 8:27 p.m., he leaves the family quarters, boards Marine One, departs White House.

At 9:40, Obama arrives at Wells Fargo Center to deliver what was likely his final, major political speech of his presidency to an audience of that size.

Obama’s Speech Confidence Level=High:

Same source, “He played golf on Saturday, which should show you where his mind is.”

Does This Mean it Worked?:

Google Trends says there was a +190% spike in search interest for “voter registration” after Obama spoke. Clinton needs Obama to make sure this happens because her favorability is at its lowest, ever.

The Beast, IRL:

Twitter: @DavidNakamura

Our Daily Melania:

The U.K.’s Daily News broke word of Melania’s Secret Service name: Muse. I mean, I’m even more obsessed because how perfect is that. Donald’s is Mogul. All first couples’ codenames start with the same first letter. Fun fact: Obama is Renegade, Michelle Obama is Renaissance.

Feel The Bern, Literally:

While the DNC went on inside, outside, this pro-Bernie bro accidentally set himself on fire.

What is With Tim Kaine’s Eyelashes??:

Because they are spectacular! I had people tweeting me everything from mascara to extensions, but I think they’re natural. Bless up.

Getty Images: Robyn Beck

What Philadelphia is Talking About:

Barack Obama.

What America is Talking About:

Barack Obama.

Have You Ever Seen Democrats Be So ‘Merica?:

Traditionally, Republicans have been the party of American exceptionalism, the party of U-S-A chants and ‘Back-To-Back World War Champs’ shirts. But this week — and particularly last night — Democrats made the case it’s now actually them.

There was Biden: “We are America. Second to none.”

Getty Images: Aaron P. Bernstein

And Bloomberg: “join with me — not out of party loyalty but out of love of country — and together, let’s elect Hillary Clinton.”

And Obama: “America is already great. America is already strong.”

It was the hopeful foil to Trump’s pessimism. That positivity risks coming across as tone deaf at a time when 69% of Americans think the country is on the wrong track, according to a June Gallup poll. But the solution they offered to America’s problems was us working together, not a nominee as the only person who can fix everything.

Dems’ Pitch to Disaffected Repubs:

Fun fact: There was more Romney in last night’s DNC than four days of the RNC. Clips from Romney’s Salt Lake anti-Trump speech were included in a video parade of presidents, generals, and Republicans suggesting how dangerous Trump could be as commander-in-chief.

It was one of several appeals made to Republicans last night.

“Any party that would nominate Donald Trump for president has moved too far away from his party of Lincoln,” Kaine said. “And if any of you are looking for that party of Lincoln, we’ve got a home for you right here in the Democratic Party.”

And Obama said explicitly what Cruz only hinted at: “What we heard in Cleveland last week wasn’t particularly Republican — and it sure wasn’t conservative.”

DNC Pop:

On the convention’s penultimate night, Diplo performed at the DNC After Bash. He also posed next to an all-gender restroom sign:

Twitter: @87films

Black Eyed Peas were also in town, sans Fergie.