It was a moment for the ages.
A historic nomination.
A ceiling-crashing speech.
A historically-significant white pantsuit.
And a banger of a balloon party.
As Thursday night drew to a close, giant balloon descended slowly, and in ever-increasing numbers, and enveloped the stage at the Philadelphia Convention Center with an unceasing cascade of rubber, trapped air, and patriotic colors.
The undisputed star of this Democratic balloon soireé was former president and first-husband-to-please-please-be, Bill Clinton.
BILL! God, he was made for GIFs. pic.twitter.com/ljwZkxmaJy
— Allison Rockey (@AllisonRockey) July 29, 2016
politicians kicking balloons dot tumblr dot com #DemsInPhilly pic.twitter.com/otyv2pbDDL
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) July 29, 2016
.@billclinton got a balloon and he is keeping it. #DemConvention #DemsInPhilly pic.twitter.com/nWeC8EkxAi
— Jeremy Art (@cspanJeremy) July 29, 2016
Tim Kaine: more than just dad jokes and great eyebrows.
Tim Kaine is just lettin' loose! https://t.co/LIFy6wWHVG
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) July 29, 2016
Hillary Clinton showed us that being an effective world leader and policy wonk doesn't mean you can't let loose.
Why were people so worried about humanizing Hillary Clinton? Just give her a balloon! pic.twitter.com/7fhAHwdIQB
— Tyler Menzel (@tylermenzel) July 29, 2016
The Democratic nominee also made good on her "Stronger Together" campaign slogan, generously lofting off a star-studded orb so others could have a turn.
Hillary is having the time of her life. pic.twitter.com/VaR6W4jL6W
— Agnes Mazur (@amazur) July 29, 2016
The same munificence can't be said of her husband. Watch, as the former president denies an—it must be said—somewhat grabby child.
A Clinton aide said that Bill gave the hoarded balloon to his granddaughter, Charlotte. Makes sense: What other balloon could he possibly have given her? There were just no other balloons.
Alas, it had to end. And so end it did. Not with a whimper, but with a pop. And another pop. And probably thousands of pops.
Goodbye, balloons. So long, and thanks for all the joy.
UPDATE: Their techniques have become more sophisticated. pic.twitter.com/qyI8HpkdJO
— Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) July 29, 2016