'Democratic Delegates Express Relief, Confident of Victory: "Now We Know We’re Going to Win"'
President Biden's speech expresses appreciation not only for his accomplishments but also, importantly, for his choice to step aside.
TroibNews 
CHICAGO — Michelle McFall was moved to tears when Joe Biden appeared on stage.
Seated close to the stage and just five rows from the front as the president absorbed the applause on Monday during the first night of the Democratic National Convention, the delegate from Pennsylvania was visibly emotional.
Earlier in the evening, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval had anticipated in a text message "the longest standing ovation in the history of standing ovations." Though perhaps not reaching that mark, the duration of the applause was significant, and the energy in the room hinted at a mixture of joy and relief, rather than pure elation.
“A hero’s welcome,” John Morgan, a major Democratic donor from Florida, remarked. He further commented, “nobody likes to be cheered after you are pushed out of a window and they cheer you as you are falling.” He compared the experience to “attending your own funeral.”
In that moment, among the Pennsylvania delegates, everyone remained on their feet, cheering continuously as McFall applauded vigorously and dabbed at her eyes.
I had earlier met McFall at the breakfast for Pennsylvania delegates at the Palmer House hotel.
McFall, 55, from Murrysville, serves as the political director for Malcolm Kenyatta’s campaign for auditor general and chairs the Democratic Committee of Westmoreland County. In this predominantly Republican area, being a Democrat can be challenging. "I wake up every day where it’s difficult to be a Democrat. We had one of my committee members in 2021 attacked by a Trump supporter,” she expressed. Yet, recently, the tide seemed to be turning. “It’s everything. It’s the way Joe Biden handed the torch,” she noted.
When asked about her expectations for Biden’s speech that evening, she simply said, “Thank you, Joe.”
“For passing the torch?” I inquired.
“For all of it,” she replied.
Dan Muroff, another delegate, expressed a sentiment of deep gratitude. “Gratitude for what he did as really one of the most transformational presidents,” and acknowledged Biden's timing for a leadership change, comparing him to George Washington.
Joanna McClinton, speaker of the Pennsylvania House, anticipated emotional reactions, highlighting the exemplary leadership transition which she felt the opposition should emulate.
State Senator Vincent Hughes shared his profound respect and emotional anticipation for the evening. “I think he goes on the Rushmore of great presidents. And I think that was cemented by a very courageous decision he made when he chose to step away.”
Reflecting on the collective anticipation, McFall described the moment as a challenging but hopeful period for Democrats, likening their prolonged tension to holding their breath.
“There’s joy,” I suggested, “and there’s relief?”
“Now we know we’re going to win,” she responded confidently.
Feeling confident and moved, McFall reacted strongly to Biden’s remarks on Monday night. As he criticized Donald Trump and acknowledged the influential role of women in the upcoming elections, she energetically showed her support. Moved by the preceding speech by Biden's daughter and the President's display of affection towards his family, she found herself unexpectedly emotional.
“I didn’t think,” she confessed, “I was going to shed tears.”
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
Seated close to the stage and just five rows from the front as the president absorbed the applause on Monday during the first night of the Democratic National Convention, the delegate from Pennsylvania was visibly emotional.
Earlier in the evening, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval had anticipated in a text message "the longest standing ovation in the history of standing ovations." Though perhaps not reaching that mark, the duration of the applause was significant, and the energy in the room hinted at a mixture of joy and relief, rather than pure elation.
“A hero’s welcome,” John Morgan, a major Democratic donor from Florida, remarked. He further commented, “nobody likes to be cheered after you are pushed out of a window and they cheer you as you are falling.” He compared the experience to “attending your own funeral.”
In that moment, among the Pennsylvania delegates, everyone remained on their feet, cheering continuously as McFall applauded vigorously and dabbed at her eyes.
I had earlier met McFall at the breakfast for Pennsylvania delegates at the Palmer House hotel.
McFall, 55, from Murrysville, serves as the political director for Malcolm Kenyatta’s campaign for auditor general and chairs the Democratic Committee of Westmoreland County. In this predominantly Republican area, being a Democrat can be challenging. "I wake up every day where it’s difficult to be a Democrat. We had one of my committee members in 2021 attacked by a Trump supporter,” she expressed. Yet, recently, the tide seemed to be turning. “It’s everything. It’s the way Joe Biden handed the torch,” she noted.
When asked about her expectations for Biden’s speech that evening, she simply said, “Thank you, Joe.”
“For passing the torch?” I inquired.
“For all of it,” she replied.
Dan Muroff, another delegate, expressed a sentiment of deep gratitude. “Gratitude for what he did as really one of the most transformational presidents,” and acknowledged Biden's timing for a leadership change, comparing him to George Washington.
Joanna McClinton, speaker of the Pennsylvania House, anticipated emotional reactions, highlighting the exemplary leadership transition which she felt the opposition should emulate.
State Senator Vincent Hughes shared his profound respect and emotional anticipation for the evening. “I think he goes on the Rushmore of great presidents. And I think that was cemented by a very courageous decision he made when he chose to step away.”
Reflecting on the collective anticipation, McFall described the moment as a challenging but hopeful period for Democrats, likening their prolonged tension to holding their breath.
“There’s joy,” I suggested, “and there’s relief?”
“Now we know we’re going to win,” she responded confidently.
Feeling confident and moved, McFall reacted strongly to Biden’s remarks on Monday night. As he criticized Donald Trump and acknowledged the influential role of women in the upcoming elections, she energetically showed her support. Moved by the preceding speech by Biden's daughter and the President's display of affection towards his family, she found herself unexpectedly emotional.
“I didn’t think,” she confessed, “I was going to shed tears.”
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
