Night Four of the Democratic Convention Open Thread. Update!

So here we are, on the last night folks.

And so far this convention has been incredibly inspiring and even fun to watch.

Comparing it to the RNC convention last week does not even seem fair at this point since it is head and shoulders above that trainwreck we witnessed in Cleveland.

Even the ratings make that point. In fact they are so good that the Donald Trump campaign is pleading with people to skip tonight:

On Thursday morning, Trump's campaign sent a fund-raising email urging supporters not to tune into Clinton's acceptance speech on Thursday night. 

"Unless you want to be lied to, belittled, and attacked for your beliefs, don't watch Hillary's DNC speech tonight," the email read. "Instead, help Donald Trump hold her accountable, call out her lies and fight back against her nasty attacks."

(Remember folks that Republicans live in the land of opposites, so when they say you are being lied to they really are afraid somebody is telling potential voters the truth. Can't have that now can we?)

Most of the big name speakers have already had their turn on stage, but tonight the candidate herself gets to speak so that should be good too.

However it is really going to have to pull out the stops to beat a moment like this from last night.

I'm just saying.

 Earlier this happened.

12 female US Senators take the stage to praise @HillaryClinton at DNC https://t.co/mz60cUByxt #DemsinPhilly https://t.co/TWjxNmGZTk

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 28, 2016

Those are 12 Women in the Senate coming out in support of Hillary Clinton.

Not a bad endorsement. and certainly not something Donald Trump could manage to pull off.

Update:

Heads are spinning at @NRA headquarters right now. #DemsInPhilly #BuckTheNRA pic.twitter.com/vkSWe8qIx4

— Everytown (@Everytown) July 29, 2016

Seems fair.

Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, another dedicated Koch sucker, gets a prime time speaking slot at the GOP national convention.

Courtesy of Alaska Dispatch:

Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has nabbed a prime-time speaking slot at this year's Republican National Convention. 

Sullivan will take the dais Tuesday evening with nine of his freshman Republican Senate colleagues in a bid to recount the party's 2014 wins that allowed Republicans to capture the Senate majority, which they hope to retain this year, according to the senator's office. 

Sullivan will deliver a speech onstage.

I personally have heard so little about Sullivan since he was elected that I almost suspected he might be in a witness protection program somewhere.

I actually had to go to his Senate page to find out what he has been up to and the answer is as little as possible.

Essentially Sullivan hasn't done dick.

And if he did that it's because one of the Koch brothers slapped one against his cheek and told him to earn his keep.

This guy is NOT an Alaskan, he is NOT working for Alaskans, and the only reason he has a speaking slot is because the people whose ass he kisses want him to have one.

For the GOP convention the laughs just never stop, as Tim Tebow denies he is speaking and organizers start begging billionaire Sheldon Adeleson for money.

So first no Sarah Palin, and now no Tim Tebow?

Trump better start beating the weeds to drum up another fake Christian.

And if that is not bad news enough it appears that the convention organizers are rattling their tin cup in the direction of Sheldon Adelson: 

Millions of dollars short and running out of time, organizers of the Republican National Convention have written an urgent request for $6 million to Las Vegas billionaire couple Sheldon and Miriam Adelson to cover the bills for next week’s festivities. 

In a letter to the Adelsons, obtained by POLITICO, the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee revealed the names of more than two dozen prominent corporations and individuals who have reneged on a collective $8.1 million in pledged donations. 

The letter represents the most public acknowledgment to date that Donald Trump has directly cost convention organizers millions of fundraising dollars. 

“Over the past couple months, negative publicity around our potential nominee resulted in a considerable number of pledges backing out from their commitments,” the letter says. 

I am not even sure they make enough popcorn for this shit show, but if they do you can bet I will be devouring it while I watch this train wreck finally come to its fiery conclusion. 

The New York Times gets their hands on the speaker list for the GOP convention. Guess whose name is not on it. Update!

Courtesy of the New York Times:  

The roster of speakers obtained by The Times, and confirmed by two people with direct knowledge of the convention planning, reveals a lineup lacking many of the party’s rising stars. Instead, it features some of Mr. Trump’s eclectic collection of friends, celebrities and relatives, from his Slovenian supermodel wife to professional golfer Natalie Gulbis. 

The parade of people seems to have been selected to broaden Mr. Trump’s demographic reach. 

There are several notable women speaking. They include Pam Bondi, the Florida attorney general, who tangled on television with the CNN anchor Anderson Cooper after the Orlando, Fla., nightclub massacre; Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a space shuttle mission; Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma; Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa and Mr. Trump’s wife, Melania. 

There are a few African-Americans, like Jamiel Shaw Sr., who became an outspoken advocate for tougher immigration laws after his son was killed in 2008 by an undocumented immigrant; and Darryl Glenn, who is running for Senate in Colorado. 

From sports there is Mr. Tebow, the former quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner who is known for his conservative views; Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a mixed martial arts organization; and Ms. Gulbis.

Though Rudy Giuliani, Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Joni Ernts, Marsha Blackburn, Ted Cruz, Rick Scott, Scott Walker, and Mitch McConnell are on the list the bigger more recognizable political names are all missing.

Instead Trump has filled out the roster with members of his own family who each have a prominent speaking slot on each of the four nights.

So you would think that Trump would be scraping the bottom of the barrel to flesh it out a little.

Well apparently there is a bottom that he is unwilling to scrape:

But what is striking, as much as who is on the list, is who is not. Several figures Mr. Trump had said he would invite to speak, like the boxing promoter Don King and Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor, were not included.

(Just take a moment to mull over how delicious it is that Sarah Palin is mentioned in the same paragraph as boxing pimp and known murderer Don King.)

So Sarah Palin did NOT get a ticket to the big show?

Damn I am very surprised to hear that.

I was convinced that not only was she going to be there but that she would have Dakota Meyer on her arm when she arrived.

So what do we think?

Is Sarah being dissed by Trump, is this New York Times list incomplete, or is Palin simply too afraid to show up knowing that the protesters outside will be carrying guns?

Update: Well according to multiple sources it appears that Mike Pence has won the honor of standing side by side with Donald Trump as he loses this election.

Courtesy of Roll Call:

Donald Trump is planning to announce that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is his choice for his vice presidential running mate, according to a Republican with direct knowledge of the decision.

Well arguably Pence is the best choice among the group of losers that Trump had to choose from, but he brings significant baggage with him, and in the end he will provide virtually no benefit whatsoever.