Two conventions, two speeches.

ADVERTISEMENT

Benen's lead: "I’ve been watching major-party conventions for a long time," he wrote "This was probably the lowest point a party has reached in my lifetime," adding shortly after, "It was a spectacle so offensive, it was hard to even comprehend."

Fast forward ten days later to the Democratic National Committee's convention in Philadelphia and Benen's reaction to Khan's speech

First the Republican version, then the Democratic side.On the GOP stage, you have a grieving mother, Pat Smith, angry withover her handling and explanation to her over the 2012 Benghazi terror attack that left her son dead along with three other Americans.At the Democratic event, there's a grieving father, Khizr Khan, angry withover his immigration proposal that includes enhanced vetting and screening of those coming to the U.S. from Muslim countries.After Smith's remarks, the reaction — particularly from the left — is one of outrage.Here's what MSNBC's Steve Benen said of Smith's remarks in writing for Rachel Maddow's blog on July 19 Benen's close: "Imagine if the Democratic National Convention invited several people, including grieving family members, to spread obvious falsehoods and conspiracy theories about the Republican administrations? Democrats would be seen as fanatics lacking in the seriousness of purpose necessary to govern."Benen's lead: "The timing was almost certainly coincidental, and yet, somehow perfect. Last night, Donald Trump campaigned in Iowa, where he assured voters he’s right about bringing back torture and blocking refugees fleeing terrorist violence. And right around the time those remarks were uttered, a 1,000 miles to the east, the exact opposite message was emanating from the floor of the Democratic National Convention."Benen's close: "Americans heard from quite a few high-profile speakers at the two major-party conventions, but when it comes to sheer emotional weight and resonance, no one topped Khizr Khan."If that isn't the most blatant illustration of how two similar stories can be presented in two entirely different ways when seen through a blindly partisan lens, I don't know what is.