Over the course of the DNC, several performers made appearances, each implicitly claiming “I’m With Her.” Of all these attempts to bring pop culture references into the convention, the one most worthy of attention was made by Hillary herself in the closing moments of her acceptance speech: "I’m with Hamilton."
“I may not live to see our glory, but I will gladly join the fight,” she borrowed from "The Story of Tonight," the song where revolutionary heroes pledge to join the fight for their country's freedom. She takes another quote from "The World Was Wide Enough," saying she wants her legacy to be “planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” The reference was less than three seconds of an hour-long speech, and one of many times she has been connected with the show. As a lover of both the show and a well-placed literary reference, I would have been something akin to deeply offended if neither candidate had made good use of "Hamilton’s" rich political themes and popularity. I was expecting a name-dropping of America’s favorite musical about America. It’s not the mentioning of the show that has me impressed; it’s the consistency and parallelism between her speech and the show’s themes, themes that resonate.
"Hamilton" is not the just the pop musical of the moment; it resonates with Millennial Americans because it addresses some of our most pressing political concerns: mistrust of those that claim they have our best interests at heart, insecurities about work ethic and a desire to leave a legacy for building a nation that will be better for our children. I find it encouraging that Hillary Clinton is a candidate responding to these pressing concerns, and allowing them to shape her political platform.
Popular media has already shown its direct impact on this presidential election in other areas. A circulating study shows that with every Harry Potter book voters have read, they are less likely to support Donald Trump. Reporters speculate that this correlation is because of allegorical connections are drawn between the series’ antagonist (You-Know-Who...) and the messages of the Trump campaign. How then, should we expect from fans of "Hamilton" to vote?
Aligning herself with "Hamilton" has proved a poignant rhetorical device that connects Hillary’s campaign to the themes of the Broadway show far beyond more transparent attempts to pander to voters. (My biggest beef with Hillary Clinton is her claim that she always has hot sauce in her bag. Luckily, that has nothing to do with being the leader of the free world.) So be it the effects of having a talented speech writer, or a propensity to believe that being a good leader doesn’t always mean people like you, my previously lukewarm feelings about Hillary Clinton have risen a couple of degrees. After her speech, I was able to make the most politically confident claim I have been able to make all year: I’m with Hamilton. And Hillary’s with Hamilton. And I can make that work.
Here are some of the many reasons to get excited that Hillary is actively aligning herself with the Broadway show:
She believes that your voice actually makes a difference.
The critically acclaimed “hip-hop musical” made its way into the hearts of audiences at a time where voters are really fed up with disappointing governmental power structures. By insisting on a non-white cast for a story of our nation’s founding that is traditionally whitewashed, writer/actor/director Lin Manuel Miranda has reclaimed American history and acknowledged the contributions of women, slaves, and naturalized citizens in its founding. The show is the millennial dream come true, toying with the dangers and power in revisionist histories, insisting on individual agency, and encouraging political involvement. Hillary deftly navigates away from voter frustration with “the lesser evil” and Donald Trump’s claims that he is the “only hope” by positioning herself as this election’s best bet for a bright political future in this election. She and President Obama reiterated their faith in political participation, saying, “Don’t boo, vote!”
She reminds us of “young, scrappy and hungry” Hillary.
It’s easy to imagine Barack at a college party, and young Bernie at a rally, things that make them "electable." Why is it that it's hard to engage with a young Hillary? Reminders that she is a mother and grandmother aren’t convincing enough to make voters think of her as likable. (See Ali Wong’s stand up comedy on how easily men are deemed good dads and women deemed bad moms. Powerful working women are often classified as non-maternal). Hillary needs us to be able to imagine her as the star of our study group. Her record of dedication and early political success, as well as pictures of Hillary from her days as a law school student, most effectively introduce younger voters to Hillary Rodham, study group superstar, woman voters can more easily identify with.
She aligns herself with Angelica and Eliza, the true stars of "Hamilton."
For all the complaints out there that "Hamilton" doesn’t pass the Bechdel test, it features complex female characters capable of independent thought in memorable leading roles. Hamilton takes care to acknowledge the achievements of women as contributing members of our nation’s formation. “You want a revolution? I want a revelation!” Angelica sings, echoing Hillary’s call for equal pay and women’s rights. The women of the show shine, while the eloquent and ambitious Alexander still undeniably comes off as a large dick.
She’s ready to werk.
The best thing "Hamilton" has done for show-goers is to remind them that politicians don’t just make showy speeches, they have actual work to do. "Hamilton" makes cabinet meetings, negotiating compromises and making calls concerning national safety engaging without dumbing down the details. Hillary's commitment to governing is similar in spirit to George Washington’s quip from the show, “Winning was easy, young man; governing is harder.”
She acknowledges the elephant in the room.
Unfortunately, Bill Clinton is never going to live down his inappropriate relations with (against) Monica Lewinski, and we are not going to forget that Hillary also had to endure that media storm. Hillary evokes Eliza Hamilton’s unswerving loyalty to the American public, particularly America’s children, despite the betrayal of her husband. Hillary strikes a similar cord as “Dear Theodosia” in her call to Americans to vote with their children’s interests in mind. (Take a listen to the heart-melting duet here).
She endorses the genius line “Immigrants, we get the job done!”
"Hamilton’s" hearty acknowledgment of the contributions of immigrants to building America is music to the DNC’s ears. Hillary received endorsements from Astrid Silva, mother and daughter Francisca and Kayla Ortiz, and Adriano Espaillat over the course of the four-day convention, each vouching for her commitment for humane treatment and support for undocumented immigrants.
She reminds us “In New York, you can be a new man.”
Unlike the insecure Alexander, Hillary didn’t have to become President of the United States to get into the public eye or to get power. She’s been there for the last 30 years. She’s shed her title as the First Lady and is forcing Americans to view her as a real contender for this office. Additionally, this is her most convincing attempt to connect to New York, a state she claims boldly but which only makes lackluster claims back. Hillary’s support for this story about New York City’s distinctly American history, and for the theater, is one of the most authentic and genuine seeming displays of New York pride she’s exhibited on the national stage.
