Democratic convention: Hillary Clinton finds her voice while attacking Donald Trump

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Day 4: How did Clinton's big night go?

Experts corner: Judging Hillary

Day 3: Barack Obama's night

Day 2: Bill Clinton and more

Day 1: First day, first ladies

Analysis: Could Bernie have won?

What's at stake for the Democrats?

Clinton's running mate

Facts and figures

Why conventions matter

How Trump was trolling Clinton on Friday night

What happens after the conventions?

• Hillary Clinton spoke of America’s “moment of reckoning” on Thursday and called on voters to reject Donald Trump. She also basked in the historic moment: “Standing here as my mother’s daughter, and my daughter’s mother, I’m so happy this day has come.”
• Ms. Clinton was introduced by her daughter, Chelsea. Pop star Katy Perry performed ahead of the Clintons in the 10 p.m. slot and also spoke briefly: “That’s right, I love Hillary too. I have a couple of saved messages on my phone from HRC.”
• Here’s a fact check on some assertions Ms. Clinton made in her speech, as well as remarks Mr. Trump made on Thursday.
• A speech by the Muslim father of a slain U.S. army captain received loud applause. Here’s why he was offering to lend Mr. Trump his copy of the U.S. Constitution.
• Here’s a look in photos at some of the evening’s highlights.

Great speech. She's tested. She's ready. She never quits. That's why Hillary should be our next @POTUS. (She'll get the Twitter handle, too)

— President Obama (@POTUS) July 29, 2016

• The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has been targeted by a cyberattack, the committee confirmed to Reuters on Friday. The news comes less than a week after some 20,000 e-mails from hacked Democratic National Committee servers were leaked by the whistleblowing site WikiLeaks. (Here’s a detailed explanation of how the DNC hacking unfolded, and why security experts believe the Russian government was behind it.)

Day 4: How did Hillary Clinton's big night go?

The picture of Hillary Clinton presented over four days at the Democratic National Convention could not have been more compelling: She is the most qualified person to ever run for the U.S. presidency; she is among the most dedicated and tireless activists working on behalf of women and children; she never gives up.

And yet the question before the U.S. electorate remains: What more will it take for voters to finally come around to Ms. Clinton?

On Thursday night, it was her turn to tell her story. The stakes could not have been higher. Here are the memorable moments from that speech – and other speeches from earlier in the evening.

1. Hillary Clinton: 'Some people just don't know what to make of me'

Hillary Clinton had the toughest job of all at the Democratic National Convention: to follow a slew of the party's finest orators, seize the historic moment as the country's first female presidential nominee, and speak directly to voters about what's driving her candidacy and why they are mistaken to view her so negatively.

"Tonight, we've reached a milestone in our nation's march toward a more perfect union: the first time that a major party has nominated a woman for president," she said.

"Standing here as my mother's daughter, and my daughter's mother, I'm so happy this day has come," she added to loud applause.

The speech sought to mend fences – reaching out to Bernie Sanders supporters, acknowledging their important role in the nominating contests, and how their leader put social and economic justice front and centre.

Ms. Clinton did not address the fundamental reasons why her candidacy has received such a lukewarm response across the general electorate.

She is widely seen as dishonest and untrustworthy over her handling of a private e-mail server and was slapped on the wrist by the FBI for her carelessness when it comes to potentially exposing classified information to America's enemies.

But the speech was an attempt to reframe her story – and by doing so – to shift the negatives around her candidacy that are now on par with Donald Trump, according to Gallup.

"The truth is, through all these years of public service, the 'service' part has always come easier to me than the 'public' part," she said. "I get it that some people just don't know what to make of me."

Ms. Clinton attempted to fill in some of the gaps of her early history – shaped by a mother who was abandoned as a child and worked as housemaid as a teenager. From her, Ms. Clinton learned the creed of the Methodist faith: "Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can," she recalled.

It was an attempt to cement a picture – started by Bill Clinton on Tuesday night – of a woman who was born for public service. Her daughter, Chelsea, addressed the matter, too, in her introduction to her mother. The only way that her mother gets through the "sound and fury" of politics is because she never forgets who she's fighting for, she said.

Ms. Clinton has tried to turn that lifelong commitment to improving the lives of women and children into a virtue in the eyes of voters. It may be boring – but it has been consistent.

The former first lady herself has admitted that she is not really a natural politician. She is more comfortable talking policy than standing at a podium. "It's true. I sweat the details of policy – whether we're talking about the exact level of lead in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan, the number of mental-health facilities in Iowa, or the cost of your prescription drugs," she said.

"Because it's not just a detail if it's your kid, if it's your family. It's a big deal. And it should be a big deal to your president, too," she added.

And yet the most effective moments in Thursday night's speech – arguably in the entire time Ms. Clinton has been campaigning since last year – is when she spoke about Mr. Trump.

In those moments, the Democratic presidential candidate appears to have found her voice – cutting, disbelieving and disdainful. The Republican presidential candidate has taken the party from Ronald Reagan's "morning in America" to "midnight in America," she said.

She ridiculed his claim last week at the Republican National Convention that he alone could solve the country's problems.

"Really? I alone can fix it? Isn't he forgetting troops on the front lines, police officers and fire fighters who run toward danger, doctors and nurses who care for us, teachers who change lives," she said.

She tried to acknowledge the underlying anger in the electorate – anger that both Mr. Sanders and Mr. Trump have tapped. The solution was a major investment in infrastructure, fixing the country's democracy and getting Wall Street and the country's wealthiest to pay their "fair share," she said.

But over and over, Ms. Clinton came back to her rival. Mr. Trump talks "a big game about putting 'America First.' Please explain to me what part of 'America First' leads him to make Trump ties in China, not Colorado?" she said. "Donald Trump says he wants to make America great again – well, he could start by actually making things in America again," she added.

Later, she took aim at his temperament.

"Imagine him in the Oval Office facing a real crisis. A man you can bait with a tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons," she said.

The Clinton message was clear: Expect a general election campaign that is largely focused on frightening the electorate about the consequences of a Trump presidency. It was one of the few areas in Ms. Clinton's speech where she found her stride and her voice.

2. Khizr Khan: Muslim father of U.S. army captain calls out Trump

The sheer scapegoating of American Muslims by the Republican presidential nominee – who has suggested at times that they are hiding terrorists, that they ought to be registered in a database and that they be blocked from entering the country – seemed to unravel as the parents of a fallen U.S. army captain took to the stage on Thursday night.

Captain Humayun Khan was killed in Iraq in the line of duty, protecting his fellow soldiers, stepping forward when a suspicious car approached U.S. soldiers and telling his comrades to step back. He and his family were immigrants who moved from the United Arab Emirates to the U.S.

"If it was up to Donald Trump, [my son] would never have been in America. Donald Trump consistently smears the character of Muslims," said Khizr Khan, as he stood next to his wife.

In one of the most memorable moments of the night – if not the entire Democratic National Convention – Mr. Khan said: "Donald Trump, you're asking Americans to trust you with our future. Let me ask you, have you even read the United States Constitution?"

Amidst loud applause, Mr. Khan reached into his jacket and pulled out a thin book and held it up: "I will gladly lend you my copy. In this document, look for the words 'liberty' and 'equal protection of law.'"

To be sure, American Muslims will still find themselves at the centre of the U.S. presidential election under a dark cloud, their loyalties questioned by some politicians, including the real-estate billionaire. But Mr. Khan's speech was jarring proof that Mr. Trump's rhetoric does not match the reality of American Muslims.

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3. Jennifer Granholm: 'Donald, Donald. You're so vain'

The Canadian-born former governor of Michigan has a penchant for a good punchline.

She is a major Hillary Clinton ally, deeply involved in a super PAC that unleashed a stream of anti-Trump attack ads in battleground states, and is likely to be part of a Clinton cabinet one day.

Four years ago, she electrified the Democratic National Convention – and this time around she delivered some zingers.

In one part of her speech she imagined the self-centred Republican presidential candidate trying to channel John F. Kennedy.

"Ask not what I can do for my country, ask what my country can do for me," she joked.

"Donald, Donald, you're so vain. You probably think this speech is about you, don't you now," she added, riffing on the Carly Simon tune.

It is now official: Two separate Canadian-born politicians have spoken at the Republican and Democratic conventions – and each time, they have made a splash: Ms. Granholm and Senator Ted Cruz.

Experts corner: Judging Hillary and more

We asked several experts to unpack the last night of the Democratic National Convention – focusing on two questions:

1. How effective was Hillary Clinton's speech?

Tammy Vigil, Boston University assistant professor of communication:

Paul Quirk, University of British Columbia political science professor:

Lilly Goren, Carroll University political science professor:

Donald Critchlow, Arizona State University political historian:

Tammy Vigil, Boston University assistant professor of communication:

Paul Quirk, University of British Columbia political science professor:

Lilly Goren, Carroll University political science professor:

Donald Critchlow, Arizona State University political historian:

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How Trump was trolling Clinton on Friday night

The Democrats regularly trolled Donald Trump during the Republican convention in Cleveland. This week, it was Mr. Trump's turn to repay the favour. Here's some of what he had to say the night of Ms. Clinton's big speech:

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Day 3: 'That's the Hillary I know'

If this U.S. presidential election cycle so far was a contest of speeches, the Democrats would be winning hands down.

President Barack Obama delivered a moving epilogue of the hope and vision of change on which he rode to victory in 2008, and he spoke of why Hillary Clinton must continue the work in the White House after he has left the Oval Office.

The night was also a no-holds-barred mauling of the Donald Trump candidacy – from several corners. Here is a look at the night's most memorable speeches.

1. Barack Obama: 'Thank you for this incredible journey. Let's keep it going'

U.S. President Barack Obama spoke directly to U.S. voters on Wednesday with a strong message to turn away from Mr. Trump – and the fanning of flames of resentment, anger and hate – and to choose Hillary Clinton as the true heir of an inclusive America.

At its heart, Mr. Obama's speech was a powerful testimonial of the Hillary Clinton he knows from her days at the White House and on the campaign trail – the Democratic presidential nominee he now looks to, to pass the baton to for the continuation of his legacy.

"Even in the middle of crisis, she listens to people, and keeps her cool, and treats everybody with respect. And no matter how daunting the odds, no matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever quits," said Mr. Obama.

Ms. Clinton's candidacy was historic not just because she will be the first female presidential nominee of a major party, but also because no other candidate has ever been more qualified and – in this year's race – her temperament for the White House is unrivalled, according to Mr. Obama.

"That's the Hillary I know. That's the Hillary I've come to admire. And that's why I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman – not me, not Bill, not anybody – more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as President of the United States of America," he said to loud applause.

Mr. Obama did not hold back in speaking about Mr. Trump's effect on the presidential race, and he cautioned voters not to buy into rhetoric.

Mr. Obama encouraged Democrats to learn from the enthusiasm of Bernie Sanders supporters and get out in November and support Democrats up and down the ticket, get them elected and then hold them accountable.

But the night was not without its symbolism: 12 years earlier, Mr. Obama propelled himself onto the national stage with a historic keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, and then became president four years later.

Mr. Obama was at times on the verge of tears – understanding that this would be his last address to a Democratic National Convention as president and admitting that there were times when he fell short in his presidency.

"Time and again, you've picked me up. I hope, sometimes, I picked you up, too," he said, visibly moved by the moment.

"Tonight, I ask you to do for Hillary Clinton what you did for me. I ask you to carry her the same way you carried me, because you're who I was talking about 12 years ago, when I talked about hope. It's been you who've fuelled my dogged faith in our future, even when the odds are great, even when the road is long. Hope in the face of difficulty, hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope!" he added.

At the close of his speech, Ms. Clinton joined President Obama on stage – the two hugged and waved to the crowd. In terms of choreography, the night could not have gone smoother for the Clinton campaign.

2. Joe Biden: 'Donald Trump has no clue, period'

Anyone watching U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia would might have wondered: Why didn't he run for president?

For months in 2015, Mr. Biden was the subject of will-he-or-won't-he chatter. In the end, the politician from Scranton, Pa., who was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1972 at age 29, chose not to run.

Mr. Biden had left it too late in the game, and, still grieving over the loss of his son, Beau, to cancer, could not be certain that he could shoulder the emotional toll of a presidential campaign.

But the Happy Warrior – so-called by President Barack Obama because of Mr. Biden's sunny outlook, likeability and willingness to tear into opponents – delivered the most withering attack against Donald Trump yet.

"[Mr. Trump's] cynicism is unbounded. His lack of empathy and compassion can be summed up in the phrase he made famous: 'You're fired,'" he said.

"Think about everything you learned as a child, no matter where you were raised, how can there be pleasure in saying 'You're fired?' He's trying to say he cares about the middle class? Give me a break. That's bunch of malarkey," added the politician often referred to as "Middle-class Joe" because of his humble roots in Pennsylvania.

In a masterful performance, Mr. Biden spoke passionately – and at other times in a whisper – rousing thousands in the arena.

Mr. Biden said the country had never had a nominee with so little knowledge – someone with "no clue" how to help the middle class and "no plan" to make the country safer. Instead, the Republican was sowing fear in the country for his own gain and getting elected, he added.

Much has been made of Mr. Trump's blue-collar appeal to a class of white voters without college educations and left behind by the collapse of manufacturing in America's Rust Belt.

Mr. Biden's speech was pitched at getting those voters to walk back from the ledge – and turn away from Mr. Trump.

3. Michael Bloomberg: From one billionaire to another

There is unlikely to ever be another instance of a New York City billionaire using a national convention stage to send a message to a fellow New York City billionaire, but that is exactly what Michael Bloomberg did.

The former mayor of New York, elected as a Republican in 2000 and later self-identifying as an independent, skewered Mr. Trump over his business record and readiness for the White House.

The U.S. needs a president who will be a "problem solver, not a bomb thrower," he said. He called on fellow independents to step up in November and vote for Ms. Clinton.

He knocked the real-estate billionaire for claiming that he would punish U.S. manufacturers that move to Mexico or China by saying that Trump products, including clothes, are made in low-wage factories, he said.

"Truth be told the richest thing about Donald Trump is his hypocrisy," he said to applause.

In a night that saw Democrat after Democrat take the stage, Mr. Bloomberg's speech represented an outsider view on Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump – and Democrats could not have been happier.

But Mr. Bloomberg's speech was no Hillary Clinton testimonial. It simply asked voters to elect the "sane and competent" candidate. In other words: anyone but Mr. Trump.

4. Tim Kaine: Vice-presidential pick does his best Trump impersonation

The U.S. senator from Virginia took the low road in his first major prime-time TV address since being picked by Ms. Clinton as her vice-presidential nominee.

After dispatching with his personal story – his early life working as a missionary in Honduras; a hard-times governor who had to comfort his state after the Virginia Tech massacre that killed 32; and a hat tip to Bernie Sanders – Mr. Kaine turned to mocking and ridiculing the Republican presidential nominee.

It is a risky strategy for a senior politician, but Mr. Kaine is second fiddle to Ms. Clinton and he can take a chance. In other words, he has less to lose. Mr. Kaine is not running for president.

The Donald Trump impersonation came off as jarring. He mocked Mr. Trump for his over-used phrase "believe me."

"It's going to be great, believe me," said Mr. Kaine in his Trump imitation. "We're going to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it, believe me," he added.

And it went on and on.

"Hey Donald, what are you hiding? And yet, Donald still says believe me," Mr. Kaine continued.

"Believe me. Believe me? Believe me? Most people, when they're running for president, they don't just say believe me. They respect you enough to tell you how they'll get things done," he added.

Expect to see more of this vice-presidential pick on the campaign trail – trying to get under Mr. Trump's skin because his boss simply cannot afford to. It would not be presidential.

"Our nation is just too great to put in the hands of a slick-talking, self-promoting, one-man wrecking crew," Mr. Kaine implored those in the audience, but mainly those watching at home.

5. Gabrielle Giffords: 'Speaking is difficult for me'

The former U.S. congresswoman gave perhaps the shortest speech of the night.

But each word packed a punch – and highlighted her remarkable recovery from a gunshot wound to the head, and her tireless work on gun control.

She walked on stage without assistance.

"Speaking is difficult for me. But come January, I want to say these two words: Madame President," she said.

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Day 2: The most memorable prime-time speeches

With another major crack in the glass ceiling of U.S. politics, the Democratic Party officially nominated Hillary Clinton as its choice to lead the fractured party in the general election.

The roll call of state delegations took place amidst ongoing turmoil that has so far defined the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia – often pitting Clinton supporters and those of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders against each other on the convention floor. But Ms. Clinton triumphed – with South Dakota putting her over the top in the delegate count.

In a move aimed at healing the rift in the party, Mr. Sanders was given the last word. He called on the convention to suspend the procedural rules of the roll call and unanimously choose Ms. Clinton as the party’s nominee by acclamation. Delegates erupted in cheers.

The prime-time speeches tackled subjects of social justice and women’s rights. Here are four memorable ones.

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1. Bill Clinton: A rebuttal to the ‘cartoon’ Hillary created by Republicans

‘In the spring of 1971, I met a girl’: Highlights from Bill Clinton’s speech

2:30

If Hillary Clinton’s résumé could speak, Bill Clinton certainly showed what it would sound like: a lengthy chronicling of Ms. Clinton’s achievements and footprint across the United States, spanning several decades and touching the lives of blacks, women, children and the working class.

“She is still the best darn changemaker I have ever known,” said the 42nd U.S. president in a speech that portrayed Ms. Clinton as a problem-solver who improved access to health care and education and fought for racial equality. The “changemaker” theme was tightly choreographed, as Mr. Clinton repeated the phrase several times and audience members held up signs with the phrase.

The speech represented the single-most important attempt so far this week to reframe Ms. Clinton and her candidacy from that of a power-hungry politician to one of a compassionate activist who has consistently tried to improve the lives of ordinary people and is the right person for the United States at this moment.

Mr. Clinton wove a personal story that meandered through the decades. There was the love story – and the two occasions Ms. Clinton said no to Mr. Clinton’s offer of marriage. “Third time was the charm,” he joked, telling the audience that he married his best friend. But the speech was – at its heart – a window into what made Ms. Clinton and ultimately shaped her values: the injustices of the Vietnam War; the higher goals of the civil-rights movement; and the need to protect society’s most vulnerable.

After the lengthy character reference, Mr. Clinton turned to the Republican savaging of Ms. Clinton’s record and motivation at last week’s convention in Cleveland. “How do you square the things I told you with the picture the Republicans painted of their opponent in Cleveland? You can’t,” said Mr. Clinton.

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2. Mothers of the Movement: Hillary Clinton means ‘restoration and change’

‘Clinton has the courage to lead the fight for common-sense gun legislation’

There was no more powerful sight on the second night of the Democratic National Convention than nine black women – mothers whose children had died in gun violence or when they crossed paths with law enforcement – standing on stage.

“So many of our children are gone but they are not forgotten. I am here with Hillary Clinton tonight because she is a leader and a mother who will say our children’s names,” said Geneva Reed-Veal, whose daughter Sandra Bland was found hanged in a Texas jail cell. “She knows when a young black life is cut short it’s not just a personal loss, it’s a national loss. It is a loss that diminishes all of us,” added the Mothers of the Movement member, choking back sobs.

The issue of justice for the families of black people killed in encounters with the police across the country has divided Republicans and Democrats. The Republican National Convention largely ignored the views of grieving black families seeking police accountability. Mr. Trump, in the lead-up to the convention, referred to the Black Lives Matter movement as racist.

Instead, the Republican convention spoke of Blue Lives Matter and All Lives Matter – two slogans that are viewed by many black Americans as an attempt to diminish their concerns.

Putting grieving mothers of young blacks like Trayvon Martin centre stage sent a resounding message to those voters who do not buy into the subtext of Mr. Trump’s law-and-order message which unquestioningly backs law enforcement and resists gun-control legislation.

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3. Lena Dunham and America Ferrera: ‘We’re with Hillary’

Ferrera: ‘Hillary has spent the last 30 years proving what she sees in us’

The funniest opening of any speech on the second night of the convention goes to two TV celebrities: “Hi, I’m Lena Dunham, and according to Donald Trump, my body is probably like a 2.”

“And I’m America Ferrera, and according to Donald Trump, I’m probably a rapist,” said the actress whose parents were Honduran immigrants to the U.S.

“But America, you’re not Mexican?” said Ms. Dunham.

“And President Obama is not Kenyan, Lena. But that doesn’t stop Donald,” said Ms. Ferrera.

Humour and wit have been used from the stage to bridge the Clinton-Sanders divide and attack Mr. Trump’s business record. But the Dunham-Ferrera speech was pitched mostly straight: a plea by two millennials that American voters not buy into the divisive Trump vision and turn back the clock.

“The truth is that this country was founded on the belief that what sets us apart – race, language, religion, sexual orientation – should not dissolve what binds us,” said Ms. Ferrera.

But Ms. Clinton is no slam-dunk when it comes to millennial women. They belonged largely to Mr. Sanders during the nominating contests. The general election campaign is a different landscape and speeches like the one given by the two celebrities will help cement that vote and motivate voters.

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4. Larry Sanders: A moving tribute to brother, Bernie Sanders

Larry Sanders: ‘It’s with enormous pride that I cast my vote for Bernie Sanders’

Bernie Sanders was the star of the Tuesday evening roll call. As states declared their delegate totals for each candidate, South Dakota eventually put Ms. Clinton over the top.

When each state had declared, Mr. Sanders got the last word: rising to call on the convention to suspend its roll-call procedures and back Ms. Clinton unanimously through acclamation. The convention hall roared in approval.

But there was another Sanders who should not be forgotten: the U.K.-based brother of Mr. Sanders who paid a moving tribute and – through tears – talked about how their parents would have been proud of the Vermont senator’s accomplishments had they lived to see the day.

The words came as the Democrats Abroad delegation announced its votes. As Larry Sanders spoke, his brother was visibly moved.

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Clinton and Trump on par on image problems

It has been an extraordinary journey for the party and for Ms. Clinton – one that started more than a year ago with Ms. Clinton announcing her candidacy on Twitter and then piling into a black van (nicknamed Scooby) and driving from New York to Iowa on a listening tour.

At time time, the former first lady and U.S. secretary of state had an almost insurmountable double-digit lead over her nearest rival, a U.S. senator from Vermont who did not even identify with the Democratic Party. But Mr. Sanders turned the race on its head – energizing young voters yearning for a fresh name and voice – and winning key states during the nominating contests.

Ms. Clinton is still viewed unfavourably by a majority of voters, according to opinion surveys. Her saving grace is that the image problems of her Republican opponent Donald Trump are worse than hers. But that has changed in July: They are now on par, according to Gallup’s daily tracking of voter opinion.

Defying conventional political wisdom, Mr. Trump’s image is improving in the eyes of voters His unfavorability rating has steadily dropped – and the dark and divisive tone of the Republican National Convention has not changed that trend.

That puts enormous pressure on the Clinton campaign during this week’s convention. Ms. Clinton will need to reframe her candidacy and get voters to view her as an honest and trustworthy politician.

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Day 1: First days and first ladies

The Democratic Party struggled on the first night of its national convention to deliver a steady image of party unity for the TV cameras and millions of people watching at home and on their electronic devices.

Instead, booing and heckling from the convention floor could be heard whenever speakers on centre stage mentioned Hillary Clinton's name. The prime-time speeches capped a remarkable day that saw senior politicians, including Bernie Sanders himself, booed at events.

But even as turmoil swirled around the Democratic Party in the wake of an e-mail hack that revealed how the party machinery conspired to undermine Mr. Sanders, speaker after speaker detailed Donald Trump's unsuitability for the White House: his derogatory comments about women, mocking of people with disabilities and business scams that preyed on working people. Here are the key speeches from Monday night.

1. Michelle Obama's powerful case for Clinton

The first lady did something for Hillary Clinton on Monday night at the Democratic National Convention that even the candidate herself has struggled to do for months: provide a clear and compelling rationale for why she is best suited to be the next president.

Ms. Obama's speech was greeted with rapturous applause, as she wove the story of the Obama family in the White House and what is at stake in the next election.

Ms. Obama put her daughters – and the country they will inherit – at the centre of her speech. She never mentioned Donald Trump by name, but referred to the advice the Obamas gave their daughters about how to deal with a bully. "Our motto is: When they go low, we go high," she said.

Ms. Obama reminded the audience that the occupant of the Oval Office will shape how children view their country – sharing the story of a black boy who visited the White House and wondered whether Mr. Obama's hair was like his. The President leaned down and allowed the boy to touch his head and decide for himself.

The stakes in the next election are high, said Ms. Obama, and the choice of voters would determine "who will have power to shape our children."

The message was clear: Hillary Clinton would preserve any chance of decency coming from the White House and in American society, while Mr. Trump would oversee its whole scale deterioration.

Ms. Obama lauded Ms. Clinton's work on behalf of women and children, her decision to step up and serve in the Obama administration after losing the leadership race eight years ago, and her resilience in the face of relentless attacks that follow female politicians – and Hillary Clinton in particular. That kind of perseverance serves an example to her daughters, said Ms. Obama.

2. Bernie Sanders: 'Political revolution' continues

The Vermont senator is trying to manage the deep disappointment among his supporters over the outcome of the Democratic leadership contest.

The DNC e-mail hack has only inflamed that sense of grievance. The DNC apologized on Monday to Mr. Sanders and his supporters for the often-negative way that the party machinery spoke about the Sanders campaign.

"I think it's fair to say that no one is more disappointed than I am," he said on Monday night about the outcome of the nominating contests. But he urged his supporters to take pride in their achievements and to back Ms. Clinton.

3. Al Franken and Sarah Silverman: Wit and humour at centre stage

One was a cast member of Saturday Night Live, the other a comedian who can deliver a stinging take down. They also represent different camps: Al Franken, who is now a Minnesota senator, is a Clinton supporter, while Ms. Silverman felt the Bern.

Together, they attempted to use wit and humour to talk about the Sanders-Clinton divide currently roiling the Democratic Party.

But the sharpest line came from Ms. Silverman when she turned to delegates on the convention floor – and in particular to Sanders supporters chanting "Bernie, Bernie, Bernie" – and said: "Can I just say to the 'Bernie or bust' people: You're being ridiculous," she said.

For parts of the Franken-Silverman routine, competing chants from the floor could be heard. Humour did not bridge the Clinton-Sanders divide ailing the Democratic Party, but for a moment it certainly made light of it.

The routine also followed Mr. Franken's earlier speech in the night when the Harvard University graduate presented some of his other education. "I'm Al Franken, Minnesota senator and world-renowned expert on right-wing megalomaniacs: Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, and now, Donald Trump," he said.

4. Anastasia Somoza: 'Trump doesn't see me'

One of the most damning critiques of the Trump candidacy came in the middle of prime-time. Delegates and viewers at home were shown a video of Mr. Trump mocking a reporter with a disability. The incident was widely condemned and is seen as proof that Mr. Trump does not have the temperament for the White House.

After the video shown to the convention, Anastasia Somoza made her way to the stage. Ms. Somoza was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia as a child. She met President Bill Clinton in 1993 and worked on Ms. Clinton's 2000 senate campaign and later interned in her office. "Over the past 23 years, she has continued to serve as a friend and a mentor …championing my inclusion and access to classrooms, higher education and the work force," she said of Ms. Clinton.

Ms. Somoza delivered a withering message about the Trump candidacy and what's at stake in the general election. "Donald Trump has shown us who he really is. And I honestly feel sorry for anyone with that much hate in their heart. I know we will show each other, and the world, who we really are in November – when we choose genuine strength and thoughtful leadership – over fear and division," she said.

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Analysis: Could Bernie have won?

For supporters of Bernie Sanders, the Democratic nominating contests were – to borrow a phrase from the senator from Vermont – rigged against ordinary voters and in favour of Hillary Clinton.

This is why the WikiLeaks e-mails are so potent: They reinforce the suspicions of Sanders supporters. A trove of some 19,000 private e-mails made public on Friday points to a deliberate attempt by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to undermine the candidacy of Mr. Sanders.

Aside from favouritism shown toward Ms. Clinton and a lot of negativity aimed at Mr. Sanders, would the outcome have been any different if the DNC had stayed truly neutral? The short answer is: no.

Let's break it down in to three areas. Paul Quirk, Phil Lind Chair in U.S. politics and representation at the University of British Columbia, walks us through each potential area where the DNC could have influenced the outcome.

Financial resources

"Sanders was complaining throughout the primary campaign that the DNC and the party rules (especially the role of unbound 'superdelegates') were rigged to favor Clinton," said Prof. Quirk.

"But the rules had been set long in advance; and the DNC, though clearly supportive of Clinton (on grounds of electability) had very little ability to help a candidate. It doesn't make endorsements or provide resources for the candidates," he added.

Vote manipulation

"Sanders and his supporters had suspicions of behind-the-scenes manipulations by DNC, and a sizable number of Sanders supporters have subscribed to conspiracy theories – about DNC or other Clinton operatives somehow actually manipulating the vote counting," said Prof. Quirk.

"Informed people didn't credit those suspicions, but they do gain more credibility with the e-mail scandal," he added.

Superdelegates

"The DNC could not lobby superdelegates to support Clinton or work with state party officials to manipulate the delegate selection, and get away with it. Some of the people lobbied would not approve and would spill the beans," said Prof. Quirk.

"In any case, the DNC doesn't have the authority for such a role. People like Debbie Wasserman Schultz [the DNC chair who announced Sunday that she would step down at the end of the convention] and [Republican National Committee's] Reince Priebus are basically functionaries, not political leaders," he added.

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What's at stake for the Democratic Party?

In one word: unity.

A divided party heading into a general election is hobbled and risks losing the White House race.

The Democratic Party is facing a sudden crisis of unity after a trove of private e-mails made public by WikiLeaks last Friday points to a deliberate attempt by the Democratic National Committee to undermine the candidacy of Mr. Sanders.

The e-mails will likely enrage Mr. Sanders's supporters who called for the immediate resignation of DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

On Sunday, Ms. Wasserman Schultz said she would step down as chair of the DNC at the end of the convention. She also said she would open and close the convention, and address the delegates.

"I don't see where she thinks there is any margin for her in standing up in front of that crowd which is going to have 40 per cent of it devoted to embarrassing her even if she's agreed in advance to resign at the end," said Prof. Quirk.

He expects that there will be "visible friction" on the convention floor in Philadelphia and that the Democratic Party will be worse off if Ms. Wasserman Schultz goes through with speaking at the convention.

Things were going really well for the Democrats: Divisions between the Clinton and Sanders camps were beginning to heal, after Mr. Sanders endorsed Ms. Clinton. On Friday, she announced Tim Kaine, a senator from Virginia who is widely seen as a moderate and safe pick, as her vice-presidential running mate and showcased her pick on the weekend in Miami.

The Democrats were cruising in to the national convention on a unity wave.

"The Democratic Party is usually credited for being unable to [project unity]. And it's usually the Republican Party that is indicated as being more unified and 'falling in line' behind their candidate," said Carroll University's Prof. Lilly Goren.

The leaked e-mails could contribute to a "fissure" in the party, but the overall signs are good: Mr. Sanders reiterated his endorsement of Ms. Clinton on Sunday and the party is not as divided as it was eight years ago, the last time it endured a long and divisive nominating contest.

"The polling I've seen have indicated that there are more former Bernie supporters who are willing to support the Clinton-Kaine ticket than there were Clinton supporters willing to support the Obama-Biden ticket at this point [in 2008]," said Prof. Goren.

"[2008] was a difficult campaign personally earlier on: Clinton and Obama were not friendly toward each other. But I think the campaign in this cycle between Clinton and Sanders was more policy-oriented than personal – and that was part of the difference," she added.

The Sanders supporters – and the depth of their backing of Ms. Clinton – will also be tested on the convention floor.

Sanders supporters are not keen about the pick of Mr. Kaine because of the Virginia politician's past support for free trade, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and his ambivalence on abortion rights, explained Prof. Quirk.

Mr. Kaine is a devout Catholic who was picked over other contenders who had stronger credentials among liberals and progressives in the party.

There is also the question of what the Democratic Party's message and policy priorities will be around the White House race, congressional races, gubernatorial races and state legislature races.

And as for the tone of the convention – there are trade-offs. Going negative can effectively frame the opponent, but a positive message might be what the moment is calling for, according to Prof. Goren.

"Do you want to go negative 100 per cent? Which is all bashing [Donald] Trump, all the time next week. Or, do you potentially have to balance that with 'Here is what we're proposing, this is why you should be excited, this is why you should be optimistic,'" she said.

"In part because the Republican convention ended on a such a dark note with Trump's speech, you have potentially more of an opportunity with a positive message," she added.

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Hillary's running mate

The presumptive Democratic nominee picked her vice-presidential nominee on Friday and they campaigned together last Saturday

WHO WANTS TO BE ‘VEEP’?

Read Affan Chowdhry's guide to the vice presidential running mate guessing game and what’s at stake.

Tim Kaine is a long-time Virginia politician, who has served as governor and U.S. senator.

"Hillary Clinton likes her chances as the establishment candidate, up against the most anti-establishment presidential nominee in history, and she's not about to complicate things," writes the Globe's Adam Radwanski.

Read more: Clinton picks polish over populism with Tim Kaine

Philadelphia by the numbers

Host city: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dates: July 25-28, 2016

Venue: Wells Fargo Center

Delegates: There were 4,764 delegates at stake. These delegates were called on to pledge their support to either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. Going into the convention, Ms. Clinton had 2,205 pledged delegates, who were bound to vote based on their state's primary or caucus result. She also had the support of 602 superdelegates, who are not bound by a candidate beforehand and are considered wild cards. The presidential candidate needs 2,383 to secure the nomination, which Ms. Clinton secured handily on Tuesday: 2,842 votes to Mr. Sanders's 1,865.

Rules: The Democratic National Committee is responsible for running the convention and ensuring it is open and transparent. Short of the nomination by 489 delegates, Mr. Sanders has thrown his support behind Ms. Clinton. Mr. Sanders has said he wants the party to review its use of closed primaries and of superdelegates, and his campaign is prepared to take those fights to the floor of the convention if necessary.

The speakers: Political heavyweights of the Democrats' past and future will be in attendance at the convention. However, some current politicians will not be taking the stage to speak in Philadelphia. Breaking with past policy, the White House has forbidden members of Barack Obama's cabinet from addressing the convention because of concerns it would give the impression the administration is more focused on politics than on governing the country.

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Why the Democratic Convention matters

Political conventions are a chance to project party unity and readiness to lead. In the U.S., they are largely coronations – a marked shift from the convention-floor jostling, drama and uncertainty that characterized conventions more than 40 years ago.

In Canada, there is still a version of multiballot voting by party members. The last time that happened at a Democratic convention was in 1952.

U.S. political conventions are political advertisement and stagecraft. They put the party's presidential nominee at centre stage, surrounded by (hopefully) adoring delegates and a stream of speakers over several days, each speech vouching for the nominee's key attributes.

A roll call of state delegates who have travelled from across the country will pledge their support for the presumptive nominee and make the nomination official. Expect that to happen in Philadelphia mid-way through the four-day convention.

The climax is the presidential nominee delivering a prime-time speech on the last night of the convention – framing the looming general-election fight, the rival political party's nominee and what's at stake.

The night – and the convention – ends with thousands of balloons and confetti falling from the arena rafters as the presidential and vice-presidential nominees stand on stage with their families smiling confidently.

And that's a wrap.

What follows (usually) is a post-convention bump in the opinion polls for the party ticket, and weeks of crisscrossing the country to raise money, meet with voters and get ready for the next big moments – the televised debates after Labour Day and election day on Nov. 8.

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What happens after the political conventions?

With the Republican and Democratic conventions out of the way, the general election campaign begins in earnest: with each presidential ticket travelling across the country to rally voters.

"I don't think there are a lot people who are going to persuaded. On some sort of large measure, this is a base election," said Prof. Goren.

"A lot of what the campaign is going to be about is energizing your base or making them so angry that they will come out and vote against the other person," she added.

A case in point is the Republican National Convention that was effectively four days of bashing Ms. Clinton.

According to Prof. Quirk, there are three things to watching closely in the weeks following the convention:

• Ms. Clinton can expect to enjoy a bounce in the polls after the Democratic convention. But where that uptick settles eventually will be key. The Democratic candidate enjoyed a five-point advantage in national polls in June – until the FBI criticized her for her use of a private e-mail server. The tightening of national polls quickly followed. If by mid-August, Ms. Clinton is back to a five to seven-point lead in national polls, that will be a big issue in terms of who is winning the race and the likely outcome in November, he explained.

• If by mid- to late-August, it is clear that the Trump campaign is floundering and that Ms. Clinton is building a solid lead in the polls, the Republican establishment could abandon the White House race and concentrate on holding the U.S. Senate, said Prof. Quirk.

• The leader of the Libertarian Party and former New Mexico governor, Gary Johnson, is making the case on social media that some polls show the Libertarian ticket with double-digit support. If that support reaches 15 per cent, it should mean that the party should share a stage with Mr. Trump and Ms. Clinton during the presidential debates, according to Mr. Johnson. But it is not clear what the Libertarian Party leader is basing that conclusion on, said Prof. Quirk.

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