Story highlights
Social audiences upset over Joe Biden's repeated use of the word "literally"
Ex-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords recites the Pledge of Allegiance, bringing many to tears
Facebook: Mentions of Barack Obama 192% higher than Mitt Romney mentions last week
Anyone can turn on a TV, scan a newsfeed or fire up a laptop to get a sense of the important topics that were discussed at this week’s Democratic National Convention. This is not about those important topics.
1. Biden goes off-script, literally
Grammarians and wordsmiths everywhere cringed as Vice President Joe Biden used the word literally instead of figuratively several times during his Thursday speech.
The text of Biden’s prepared remarks did not include the offending word. His speech went something like this: “Look, Barack understood that the search for (Osama) bin Laden was about a lot more than taking a monstrous leader off the battlefield. It was about so much more than that. It was about righting an unspeakable wrong. It was about – literally – it was about healing an unbearable wound, a nearly unbearable wound in America’s heart.”
@rickklein tweeted, “Joe Biden literally thinks ‘literally’ means ‘figuratively.’ “
@indecision suggested, “Literally #drink”
“If you take a drink every time Biden says ‘literally’ you literally will be passed out by the time Obama takes the stage. #dnc2012” tweeted @brfreed.
Politico reported the Obama campaign bought this promoted tweet to run when users search for “literally.”
“Vice President @JoeBiden: Osama bin Laden is dead, and General Motors is alive.”
However, it was no longer appearing when searched following the conclusion of the convention.
2. U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
Sure, bin Laden’s death represented more than the fulfillment of a promise or the resolve of America. But the explosion of “U.S.A.!” chants at the mention of his demise made some uncomfortable.
“Ah, really didn’t like that line Mr. Pres. “Osama bin Laden is dead.” (Crowd cheers) Death should never be a celebration,” tweeted @MichaelHarris_.
“Not sure anyone has gotten louder cheers tonight than dead Osama bin Laden,” posted @bethreinhard.
3. Getting social
President Barack Obama’s statement, “I’m no longer just the candidate, I’m the President,” drove a record 43,646 tweets per minute.
@gov released these figures, “A new record political moment on Twitter: @barackobama drives 52,757 tweets per minute. Over 9 million tweets sent about #DNC2012”
Imagine Michelle Obama bragging someday how she beat the president’s tweets-per-minute record only to have her brother, Craig Robinson, set her straight over a family dinner.
“Barack Obama” was the most mentioned political term Thursday night on Facebook, 40% higher than Bill Clinton mentions Wednesday, Facebook officials told CNN. Obama mentions were 192% higher than Mitt Romney mentions on the night of his acceptance speech, they said.
4. We cried
Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords received an emotional reception Thursday night as she recited the Pledge of Allegiance at the convention. Giffords survived a gunshot wound to the head in a 2011 attack that killed six people and wounded 13 others, including the lawmaker, during a constituent meet-and-greet in Tucson, Arizona.
“Gabby Giffords just led the Pledge of Allegiance at #2012DNC and made me cry. #hero,” tweeted @ElizabethBanks.
Speaking of heroes, @CoryBooker posted, “Ok, now Gabby Giffords just made me cry. What a testimony to strength, resilience, perseverance and beauty!”
5. The conventions are finally over
No one said it would be easy. Literally.