It’s been noted that Hillary Clinton’s surrogate speakers may be overpowering her campaign. All these big names like Bill Clinton and the Obamas sometimes overshadow the candidate herself.

These big names are recent additions to the Hillary campaign and it is important to remember earlier, smaller speakers who may have had just as significant contributions.

Clinton had multiple appearances from mothers whose children were victims of gun violence, known as Mothers of the Movement. This group includes the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, and Michael Brown. They used their personal stories of interactions with law enforcement as well as their experience meeting with Hillary to draw positive attention to Hillary’s stand on racial issues.

These mothers stood in front of the DNC and talked bluntly and openly about burying their daughters or finding their daughters dead in jail cells. Their harsh language illustrated the reality of the situation.

The authenticity continued to exude as the mothers recalled how they got to sit down with Clinton and her staffers and voice their concerns, which were then written in to policy. They gathered in a journalist-free location for hours as Clinton wrote her own notes as each mother told her story.

The stories these ladies told and the emotions they got the audience to feel used simple narrative and pathos to help convince voters that she cares about racial injustice and give her campaign a more raw and human feeling. These stories also really helped Clinton to appeal to African American voters because these women are so powerful and draw in a lot of sympathy.

While Clinton’s content and ideas throughout her candidacy has been top notch, her speaking skills and emotional connections are being questioned as she struggles to secure votes from young voters. Michelle Obama has previously remained removed from partisan politics, however her speech at the Democratic National Convention secured her as potentially the most important surrogate speaker Clinton has, filling in gaps where Clinton lacks in connecting to her audience.

Using Narrative

Mrs. Obama traced the lives of her daughters when they first started living in the White House to growing up there to now as they are about to enter in to the real world. She spoke of the toll that ugly comments towards her husband’s heritage has had on her children. She recounted how she would tell her daughters “to ignore those who question their father’s citizenship or faith” and would insist that “the hateful language they hear from public figures on TV does not represent the true spirit of this country.” As she acknowledged how her and the President serve as many children’s role model through their words and actions, she brought in Hillary and how Hillary is an advocate for all children with various types of needs because she realizes she has this type of attention and uses it in the most beneficial way. Mrs. Obama linking wants in the world for her own kids to qualities that Clinton embodies to achieve her desires added a personal touch to support of Clinton’s campaign.

Using “I” and “We”

Mrs. Obama’s constant use of “I” and “We” was instrumental. Her repetitive use of the phrase “I want a President who…” followed by “our” and “we” statements creates a personal touch. Using this first person relies on Mrs. Obama’s established character to develop character for Clinton as Mrs. Obama brings in Hillary’s actions and how she will fulfill the wishes of the American population as a whole.

Obama wove her personal story into a political argument about the election into the even bigger American narrative and linked this all to the ideas behind the platforms of Hillary Clinton.