Here’s what the DNC’s card stunt was supposed to spell | McClatchy Washington Bureau

The Democratic National Convention, which wrapped with party nominee Hillary Clinton’s speech Thursday night, was a highly choreographed affair. But a final display after Clinton’s speech, relying on the thousands-strong audience in the Wells Fargo Center, went poorly despite detailed directions: a card stunt that on national television seemed to befuddle both those in Philadelphia and viewers at home.

The plan for the card stunt unfolded Thursday night before Clinton took the stage, as an announcer directed listeners through an instructional video on the arena’s screens to find red, white or blue cards left on their seats.

“Each card is assigned to your specific seat, so make sure your card stays at your seat,” the announcer said. She directed them to wait for multiple signals before deploying their card, promising that the stunt would not impede their view of the traditional balloon drop that ends the final night of the party convention.

Directions on the back of individual cards also indicated how to hold the card: “vertically in front of your face.” It also warned, “Do not hold up any other placards during the card stunt.”

But when the signal for the card stunt was triggered after Clinton finished speaking — delivered by ushers in the audience as well as a large message on the display reading “GO CARD STUNT” — the result was underwhelming:

Attendee David Dayen clarified that the message was meant to spell “stronger together,” one of Clinton’s campaign slogans, in white and blue across the arena: