First day of Democratic National Convention like watching ‘great Shakespearean play’

My primary interests are literature and movies. Not politics. But there was so much incredible drama packed into Monday’s Democratic National Convention that it transported me into those worlds. It was an amazing exercise of emotions – up and down.

I feel like I’ve just seen a great Shakespearean play, or a hilarious comedy, or sat through an intense thriller. Yesterday was an amazing day that started off with so much tension: the release of the DNC emails and the booing of not only Debbie Wasserman Schultz who was essentially ousted as the DNC Chair, but also the booing of Bernie Sanders by his own supporters when he met with them in private before taking the big stage.

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Every time it seemed Hillary Clinton’s name would be mentioned, you expected it would be met with heckles. Then you had a series of strong speeches from New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren. They broke up the power speeches with bits of comedy with Sen. Al Franken — who hasn’t been funny in eight years – and Sarah Silverman. It broke up the pace.

But the most remarkable moment of the day broke down a myriad of the barriers. Michelle Obama’s speech was a moment of dramatic transcendence.

It went beyond politics. It was so well delivered. I teared up. It was amazing. I heard people talk about it afterward saying that it may be one of the two or three greatest speeches ever given at a convention. From the First Lady! All of us were looking forward to hearing Warren breathe fire or Sanders rally the masses, but Michelle Obama took the roof off that house. I was stunned; caught completely off guard.

And I can’t wait for the encore.