A Fox News panel had high praise to offer after former first lady Michelle Obama’s address at the Democratic National Convention Monday night.
In her nearly 19-minute speech, Obama denounced President Donald Trump for creating chaos and division and failing to lead with empathy and competence. She also urged Americans to bring his presidency to an end and elect former Vice President Joe Biden.
Many right-wing figures, including some Fox News contributors, criticized the address online. Fox News chose not to air much of the first portion of the convention, opting instead to show Sean Hannity interviewing Donald Trump Jr. Nonetheless, the conservative network’s panel for the convention was apparently impressed by Obama’s speech.
“It’s very difficult to try to connect with an audience without an actual audience there with you but she has the ability to connect with people through the screen,” Fox News anchor Dana Perino said. “You got the sense when you talk about authenticity, she has it in spades.”
“She has that voice, she has clarity, and she knows what she is out there wanting to do,” Perino added. “She was trying to get everybody to really focus and then she had a call to action. Ask for your ballot tonight. I think that the DNC if they look over the course of the night, the first virtual convention of our history, I think they would say that Michelle Obama stuck the landing.”
Fox News host Chris Wallace agreed, saying Obama’s speech was a “heck of a contribution” to Biden’s campaign.
“She really flayed, sliced and diced Donald Trump, talking about the chaos and confusion and lack of empathy, especially coming from this president and from this White House,” he said.
Juan Williams, a network co-host and political analyst, said he believed Obama’s address outdid her rousing “When they go low, we go high” speech in July 2016. He compared the tone she took with viewers as something like that of a mother addressing her family.
40 PHOTOSDNC 2020 – Night OneSee GalleryDNC 2020 – Night One
In this image from video, Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden leads a conversation on racial justice with Art Acevedo, Jamira Burley, Gwen Carr, Derrick Johnson and Lori Lightfoot during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Former First Lady Michelle Obama addresses the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)
In this image from video, Eva Longoria, serving as moderator, speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) addresses the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Presumptive Democratic vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris speaks in a video recorded montage during the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Republican, Former Ohio Governor John Kasich addresses the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, CEO of Quibi Meg Whitman addresses the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)
In this image from video, Megan Rapinoe of Orlando, Fla., not seen, leads a discussion with Michelle Boyle of Pittsburgh, Bradley Driefuss of Tucscon, Ariz., and Trung Le of Simsbury, Conn., and Aldo Martinez of Fort Myers, Fla., participate in a conversation with frontline workers battling the coronavirus pandemic speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Megan Rapinoe of Orlando, Fla., Michelle Boyle of Pittsburgh, Bradley Driefuss of Tucscon, Ariz., and Trung Le of Simsbury, Conn., and Aldo Martinez of Fort Myers, Fla., participate in a conversation with frontline workers battling the coronavirus pandemic during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Megan Rapinoe of Orlando, Fla., speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Maggie Rogers performs “Back In My Body” during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Maggie Rogers performs “Back In My Body” during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Kristin Urquiza of San Francisco, speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Majority Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., speaks from Charleston, S.C., during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks from Albany, N.Y., during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden leads a conversation on racial justice with Art Acevedo, Jamira Burley, Gwen Carr, Derrick Johnson and Lori Lightfoot during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
Rep. Gwen Moore, D-WI., waits her turn to speak during the Democratic National Convention at the Wisconsin Center on August 17, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.(Scott Olson/Pool via AP)
Rep. Gwen Moore, D-WI., speaks during the Democratic National Convention at the Wisconsin Center on August 17, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.(Scott Olson/Pool via AP)
In this image from video, Leon Bridges performs “Sweeter” during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Leon Bridges performs “Sweeter” during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
Rep. Gwen Moore, D-WI., speaks during the Democratic National Convention at the Wisconsin Center on August 17, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.(Scott Olson/Pool via AP)
In this image from video, Philonise Floyd, right, and Rodney Floyd speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisc., speaks at the Democratic National Convention Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool)
In this image from video, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, farmer Rick Telesz of Volant, Pa., speaks with Eva Longoria, serving as moderator, during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Marley Dias of West Orange N.J., speaks with Eva Longoria, serving as moderator, during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Michelle Beebe of El Paso, Texas, speaks with Eva Longoria, serving as moderator, during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, grandchildren of Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, including Finnegan Biden, Hunter Biden, Natalie Biden, Naomi Bisden and Maisy Biden, lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Scott Richardson of Swarthmore, Pa., speaks as he talks with Eva Longoria, serving as moderator, during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Rev. Gabriel Salguero delivers the invocation during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
In this image from video, Eva Longoria, serving as moderator, speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Democratic National Convention via AP)
The control room for the Democratic National Convention is seen before the start of the convention Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The control room for the Democratic National Convention is seen before the start of the convention Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The control room for the Democratic National Convention is seen before the start of the convention Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Former U.S. Rep. Susan Molinari (R-NY) addresses the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) addresses the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, actress and activist Eva Longoria speaks to Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) during the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) addresses the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 17: In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA) addresses the virtual convention on August 17, 2020.The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo by DNCC via Getty Images)(Photo by Handout/DNCC via Getty Images)Up Next
See Gallery
″‘This is who we are in this family. This is our identity. We have empathy. We understand compassion,’” he said. “I am surprised at how penetrating I felt it to be. I really thought that was a great speech.”
Even conservative analyst Brit Hume had mostly positive notes to offer.
“She was very good, she’s a very good speaker, for someone who doesn’t like politics she certainly is good at it,” he said. However, Hume also claimed Obama’s remarks were “laced with distortions and exaggerations.”
Former DNC chair Donna Brazile, now a Fox News contributor, said she was disappointed that Obama didn’t mention Biden’s historic running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
- This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Source: Read Full Article