On Night Two of the Democratic National Convention, anchor Amna Nawaz was talking to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the PBS booth when they were joined by veteran PBS journalist Judy Woodruff.
Nawaz took advantage by tossing aside her journalist hat and hosting a heartfelt feminist kaffeeklatsch hailing VP Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, as a feminist hero on “the cusp” of a historic feat, becoming the first female president, the way Hillary Clinton was supposed to have been in 2016.
Nawaz: Madam Speaker, we should also say that we have Judy Woodruff joining our conversation, sitting next to you. I know you two have known each other for a long time on your own career paths. I wonder if we could take politics out of this for a moment, and take a moment to reflect on what we are seeing here. Democrat or Republican, once again we are on the cusp of putting a woman in the highest office in the land. I would love for each of you, if you don't mind, to reflect on what it took to get here, you navigating your path in politics, Judy, you covering politics, and how we arrived here.
Isn't it presumptuous, that this will happen, just as they presumed it would happen in 2016? Pelosi initially didn’t hear the question, but eventually the conversation turned to prejudice against women in politics.
Judy Woodruff: One question I would like to put to you is, you had dealings with Kamala Harris as district attorney in San Francisco, attorney general in California, then as a senator. What can you tell us about her leadership style? People are going to make a big deal or not about whether she is a woman. Is that a factor or not?
Pelosi: When I ran for [House] Speaker I said don't vote for me because I'm a woman but don't vote against me because I'm a woman. I want you to know that I can get the job done and if I may, this is not about electing a woman president. This is about electing the best, strongest person and I know her very well. I know personally her as a person of deep faith who cares about the community and demonstrated that all the time….I'm not here to ask you to elect the next, a woman president of the United States. I'm here to ask you to vote for Kamala Harris for President of the United States. I think she has, what does leadership require? Vision, knowledge, judgment, strategic thinking, and a heart full of empathy for the people.
As Night Two signed off, Jonathan Capehart got emotional over Michelle Obama’s angry speech. After Capehart said when he was first called upon, "Can I go last?" anchor Geoff Bennett came back to him a few minutes later and Capehart opened his heart, after universal praise from panelists Amy Walter, Judy Woodruff, and David Brooks on Michelle Obama’s speech.
Bennett: Final word, friend.
Capehart (emotional): I agree with everything that everyone said. The political analysis, I can't find fault with. I agree 100%. I'm going to speak personally. As American, and as a black person.
Michelle Obama's speech and I'm trying not to look at Amna, because I have my handkerchief that she gave me for the holidays. Yesterday, I said in politics people want to be seen. They want to be seen in the way their politicians talk to them and talk about them. And when I pulled out my Amna hankie, it was when Michelle Obama said that Kamala Harris -- we never have the grace of failing forward. We never have the benefit of generational wealth. If things don't go our way we don't get to complain. That's how Michelle Obama lived her life, lives her life. That's how Barack Obama lives her [sic] life. That's how I live my life. And to hear that coming from the former first lady, is just too -- I'm sorry, but I feel seen. And I think people in this hall feel seen. And I'm certain millions of Americans feel seen. I'll leave it there. Sorry.
Amna Nawaz: Don't apologize. Can't think of a better note to end this conversation on….
