Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts waves as he walks to the podium to address the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The 2012 Democratic National Convention concluded with a bang last night, as President Obama, Vice President Biden, and many other speakers electrified the crowd in Charlotte. Here are some of the best performances of the convention’s final night:
Best Speech: President Obama rose to the occasion, delivering yet another powerful and memorable convention address.
Best One-Liner: “Ask Osama bin Laden if he’s better off now than four years ago!” – Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.
Best Video: “Fired Up, Ready To Go,” which whipped the delegates into a frenzy by telling the story of Edith Childs, the South Carolina woman who coined Obama’s iconic rallying cry.
Best Celebrity Cameo: Many of Obama’s Hollywood endorses gave strong speeches, but this award has to go to Mary J. Blige for being the first woman to ever “get it crunk” at a convention.
Craziest Speech: Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm received one of the loudest ovations of the week with her manic, fist-pumping defense of the auto bailout (and takedown of Mitt Romney.)
Most Powerful Moment: Georgia Rep. John Lewis, who framed the Republican-backed “voter ID” laws in term of his long personal struggle for civil rights, and declared “I don’t want to go back.”
Biggest Loser: The Republican National Committee, whose convention paled in comparison to the Democrats — both in terms of audience and enthusiasm.