PHILADELPHIA — She embraced the wonkiness, acknowledging that she is not an orator like her husband or the current Oval Office holder, but Hillary Clinton can fight. After Katy Perry delivered a ‘Roar,’ Clinton spoke over intermittent protests to deliver a speech that was a liberal laundry list (thanks, Bernie), selective biography, optimistic paean to America and a cut-down of a reckless Republican foe. Who’s ready for the debates?
Here’s what to read to catch up as the two-week convention madness comes to a close.
The premium site lede-all from The Atlanta Journal Constitution's Aaron Gould Sheinin and Greg Bluestein:
PHILADELPHIA — Hillary Clinton cast herself as the right candidate to lead the country in a "moment of reckoning," accepting her party's nomination Thursday to close the Democratic National Convention as she pledged to be a steadfast hand guiding the nation at a fretful time.
Forcefully seeking to redefine her image to a national audience, Clinton presented herself as a job creator who will "empower all Americans to live better lives" and a commander in chief who will protect them from threats at home and abroad.
"We are clear-eyed about what our country is up against," she said. "But we are not afraid. We will rise to the challenge, just as we always have."
National coverage
Devoting much of the night to a flag-wrapped ode to the military and police, Clinton made an unsubtle play for uneasy Republicans. (Politico)
The New York Times' Michael Barbaro writes that Hillary, after all these years and scars, has given up on earning the electorate's trust in a traditional sense. Now it's about competence and preparedness.
Buzzfeed delves into the existential crisis of moderate Democrats at the DNC, amid the party's left turn.
Slate describes Hillary's speech as "workmanlike."
National Review says it was a rehash that will not change hard-boiled perceptions.
Don’t forget about the GOP
This Trump-Russia thing has legs. Here's Politico Magazine's Michael Crowley with a great read on a Palm Beach real estate flip Trump pulled off to make millions from a Russian oligarch.
Tweet storm
Kareem Abdul Jabbar says "I'm Michael Jordan" - "I said that because I know Donald Trump couldn't tell the difference"
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) July 29, 2016
In 2016 Convention highlight reel, Dr. William Barber II gets top five. Brought the crowd alive.
— michaelscherer (@michaelscherer) July 29, 2016
The one gaping hole in this convention had been national security. The fight against ISIS. They are filling it tonight. Very, very powerful.
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) July 29, 2016
It's about more than disqualifying Trump--it's about making the Democratic Party acceptable and an easy fit for skittish Rs, independents
— Robert Costa (@costareports) July 29, 2016
This intro from @ChelseaClinton is much different than role @realDonaldTrump kids played. Deeply personal. Not political. #DNCinPHL
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) July 29, 2016
bernie looks like they just said the inflight movie is Ted 2
— Jason Gay (@jasongay) July 29, 2016
Hillary Clinton says Donald Trump gets mad at reporters at press conferences. Don't go there, Hill. You don't have any. #DNCinPhilly
— Jim Galloway (@politicalinsidr) July 29, 2016
#DemsInPhilly were nailing it tonight. Then @HillaryClinton says Bernie's socialist cause is her cause. No one wants to win this election.
— Brian C. Robinson (@LordTinsdale) July 29, 2016
Worth noting that much of the disruption, booing, chanting, screaming against Clinton is coming from the California delegation.
— Ed O'Keefe (@edatpost) July 29, 2016
Shorter Hillary Clinton: "I am Lisa Simpson and I own it."
— Charlie Savage (@charlie_savage) July 29, 2016
The cleverest part of this riff about Trump's temperament is that it is designed to goad him into proving it right
— Alex Burns (@alexburnsNYT) July 29, 2016
A meta most-tweeted moment of the night, per @twitter pic.twitter.com/qJ88N2aKKy
— Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) July 29, 2016
My quick take: Hillary was absolutely right: there will be no new Trump. And this speech proved no new Hillary either. #2016Sucks
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) July 29, 2016
Up next
Sleep. And polls! August is typically vacation time for presidential campaigns — and America — but this election has not exactly been typical. Nate Silver has your talker on how the next few weeks, polling wise, will tell us the true shape of the race.
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