Watch Bernie Sanders, Gretchen Whitmer warm up for DNC speeches in unscripted outtakes

(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/Democratic National Convention)

published 18 August 2020

Ricky Kirshner, producer of the Democratic National Convention, promised before Monday's opening night that "anything can happen" because the virtual DNC "is not scripted." That was partly true. Some of Monday night's marquee speeches were prerecorded, as were the musical performances and tributes. But other speeches were broadcast live, and for some reason, the DNC shared some pre-broadcast footage over the satellite link.

All speakers have to warm up and prepare before they go live, and you can watch Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) fuss around with his wife, Jane, and his hair for two minutes in what appears to be a fancy woodshed. "Is that a terrible thing to have my hands showing?" Sanders asked. "Yes," said his wife. "Stand up straight, enunciate," Jane Sanders reminded her husband. "Stop it, enough," he protested in reply.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) warmed up for her speech with a line about "Shark Week," followed by a mouthed expletive. "I've heard about the hot mic," she half-joked.

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This, of course, is something you would never seen in a traditional party convention, for better or worse.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.