By Marcia Morgado

Comedian Julia Louis-Dreyfus moderated Night 4, the 11-Emmy winner star of Veep and Seinfeld is a decades-long Democrat. She brought combative one-liners into a forum that up to that moment had remained zing-less. She and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang poked fun at vice president Mike Pence, who recently had difficulty pronouncing VP nominee Kamala Harris’ name. Louis-Dreyfus expressed enthusiasm for the forthcoming VP debate between Harris and “Mica Pints. Or is it Paints?” Yang retorted, “It’s pronounced ‘Ponce,’ I believe.”

During one of the many times when she urged people to “Text ‘vote’ to 30330,” after a pause, she cracked: “That would be the president’s golf score if he didn’t cheat.” After a brief “Okay, look, I’ll admit that was a little nasty. But we all know he’s a cheater. And I’m proud to be a nasty, nasty woman.”

“Joe knows the fear military families live with because he’s felt that dread of never knowing if your deployed loved one is safe” after his late son, Beau, deployed to Iraq.“

Iraq War veteran, Purple Heart-recipient, Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth’s speech had the gravitas of someone who’s risked her life to keep us sage. An advocate for fellow soldiers, in 2009, then-president Obama appointed her as Assistant Secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs. After two terms in the US House of Representatives, she was elected to the US Senate in 2016. She concluded, “Donald Trump doesn’t deserve to call himself Commander-in-Chief for another four minutes, let alone another four years. Our troops deserve better. Our country deserves better.”

It was another veteran, in his case of the Afghan War, who reaffirmed his love of country and trust in its ability to evolve. Former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg said: “America has been at its best whenever we make that circle of belonging wider.” He remembered joining the Army when it was policy to discriminate and exclude gays, lesbians, and transgender people. Ten years later, he is married to the man he loves and has made history as the first out candidate for the presidency. He added: “Love makes my marriage real, but political courage made it possible—including that of Joe Biden, who stepped out ahead of even this party when he said that marriage equality should be the law of the land.”

Buttigieg’s speech led to a candid virtual get together between some fellow Democrats who ran for the presidency; they shared memories of “the Joe we know.” Viewers enjoyed an affable discussion between Senators Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Buttigieg, Beto O’Rourke, and Yang. In this context, Sanders said that all Americans should support Biden, “whether you’re progressives, whether you’re moderates, whether you’re conservatives.”

The program included a segment with 13-year old Brayden Harrington that merits mentioning because of the courage demonstrated by a boy Biden met earlier this year on the campaign trail. And what it says about Biden when he realized that Brayden stuttered, just like he did. Still, sometimes he pauses to regain the rhythm of his speech. He invited Brayden backstage and shared with the teenager a Yeats poetry book he uses to practice public speaking. “He showed me how he marks his addresses, to make them easier to say out loud. So I did the same thing today.” Empathy and perseverance in action by the candidate.

“Give people light,” set the stage for Joe Biden’s address to accept his nomination for president of the United States. Focused and energetic, he committed: “Here and now, I give you my word: If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst. I will be an ally of the light, not of the darkness.”

He proceeded to set forth a civilized and generous leading style: “I am a proud Democrat, and I will be proud to carry the banner of our party into the general election. It is with great honor and humility that I accept this nomination for the President of the United States of America. But while I will be a Democratic candidate, I will be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn’t support me as I will for those who did.”

“Character is on the ballot. Compassion is on the ballot. Decency, science, and democracy, they are all on the ballot.”

Under 25 minutes, the acceptance speech conveyed strength and passion, empathy and intelligence, and a willingness to listen and work with others, from his vice president to experts in the fields of science, environment, medicine, finance, and other areas to foster an era of economic expansion, social justice; prosperity to benefit all the citizens of this country, not just “the one percent.” He addressed young and old with the same resolve: to serve them regardless of race, gender, social position, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. He expressed a sense of purpose anchored in respect for others, love of family and country, faith, and overall goodwill.

The message was a promise to defend America, to find a solution for COVID-19 because unless the pandemic is under control, the economy cannot get back on its feet.

Biden extended an invitation: “With passion and purpose, let us begin – you and I together, one nation, under God – united in our love for America and united in our love for each other.” It will require that everyone does his/her part because “together, we will win.”