Bill Clinton, 9/11 and Black Lives Matter all featured heavily on a jam-packed second night of the Democratic National Convention. Here are some takeaways from the Wells Fargo Center:
Softening her image, Part I: Former president Clinton continued the work Michelle Obama started Monday: trying to add softer edges to Hillary Clinton's profile. It's a tough task: Hillary has been on the national stage for more than 20 years and inspires fiercely polarized opinions. But it's one of Democrats' most critical challenges at this convention, because the biggest obstacle in Clinton's way is that many people just don't trust her.
A two-pronged approach has emerged to try change that: recounting personal details that humanize Hillary, and describing the work she has done for ordinary people, away from the spotlight. So we had a long Bill Clinton story about their life together -- from how they met, to buying a home, to dropping daughter Chelsea off for college -- punctuated by intimate details, like Hillary lining the drawers in their daughter's dorm room. These are the kind of scenes Democrats hope can make regular voters relate to the guarded former first lady, senator and secretary of state.
Softening her image, Part II: The second part of the push boost Clinton's standing has came from playing up less glamorous work she has done helping the less fortunate. Bill Clinton talked about how Hillary worked for legal aid in Northwest Arkansas. New Yorkers recounted the help she provided as a senator after 9/11. In one of the night's most riveting speeches, 9/11 survivor Lauren Manning said Clinton literally stood by her side after she was badly wounded, and for years visited or called to check in. It was a sharp contrast from the Republican National Convention, where a woman directly blamed Clinton for her son's death in Benghazi.
Experience: The sharpest contrast Democrats are trying to draw is of Clinton's experience and temperament against Donald Trump's, especially when it comes to dangerous world affairs. Former secretary of state Madeleine Albright recounted Clinton's travels to conflicts around the globe, saying Clinton knows safeguarding America "is not like hosting a reality TV show" and requires a "steady hand" and "cool head." Republicans argue that Clinton bungled as secretary of state. Here was the push back: that in a world in upheaval, the presidency requires someone who has been there, and can react with calm.
Change Agent: This being a Bill Clinton speech, there was a lot to unpack. His most difficult pitch was selling Hillary Clinton as a change agent, despite decades entrenched in the political establishment. "She's the best darn change-maker I've met," he said. And, in an explicit rebuke of Trump (and maybe even Bernie Sanders), he added, "speeches like this are fun -- actually doing the work is hard." (Full story by Andrew Seidman). His message: Hillary knows how to pull the levers to make real progress. That's a nuanced sell -- but one that seems less emotionally resonant at a time when outsiders like Trump and Sanders have promised outright revolution.
Historic moment of unity: Amid the politics of the moment, it's easy to lose sight of the big picture that will be remembered in history books: Clinton is the first woman to win a major party's presidential nomination. Women on the floor of the Wells Fargo Center described how meaningful it would be to their young daughters to see someone like themselves in the White House. Even one Sanders supporter from Philadelphia, Kat Richter, soaked in the moment, saying she wished she could vote for another woman, but would enjoy voting for a woman for president. She got a Clinton sign she said she'd give to her grandchildren one day. The moment was punctuated by a gracious gesture from Sanders, who called for Clinton to be nominated by acclimation, bringing supporters of both Democrats to their feet as one.
... Disrupted: Of course, minutes later several dozen Sanders supporters walked into the media tent, protesting a result they said was rigged. Many talked about voting for the Green Party's Jill Stein. Those in the protest sounded like they would never vote for Clinton. The question is: do a large share of Sanders supporters feel that way? Or just a small group good at grabbing attention?
Stark divide on Black Lives Matter: One of the sharpest contrasts of the past two weeks have been the Republican and Democratic postures toward Black Lives Matter. In Cleveland, Republicans repeatedly rose to cheers of "blue lives matter," praising police and giving only passing mention to the concerns of minorities who feel mistreated. Tuesday night, a "black lives matter!" chant broke out at the Wells Fargo Center as a group of mothers took the stage to talk about their children, who had been killed by gun violence, including some shot by police. (Colleague Tom Fitzgerald wrote this story). Democrats also brought up Pittsburgh's police chief to represent law enforcement. But the emphases were far different. The politics of the debate on policing seems likely to only deepen an already large cultural fissure.
Humor helps: Howard Dean's 2004 campaign famously imploded with an un-presidential rant and "yeeeAAAGH!" that is still known simply as "the scream." So what did he do back on stage last night? He playfully recreated the moment, drawing laughter. Too few politicians seem able to laugh at themselves and ridiculous things they sometimes (often?) do in the name of winning votes. A little self-deprecation can go a long way.
Celebs: OK, maybe celebrities shouldn't influence how we vote for president, but clearly both parties believe they help -- and after all, musicians, actors and music stars are far more loved than politicians. On that score Democrats are running away with this contest, so far featuring Sarah Silverman, Lena Dunham, Elizabeth Banks, Alicia Keys and many others. Trump (a celebrity in his own right) had Scott Baio, Duck Dynasty's Willie Robertson and soap opera stars such as Kimberlin Brown.
You can follow Tamari on Twitter or email him at jtamari@phillynews.com.