WASHINGTON, D.C. — Louisville Congressman John Yarmuth (D-3) says there's an upside to holding this year's Democratic National Convention virtually.

"Without the applause and all of the signs and so forth, you actually pay closer attention to what the speakers are saying. It may be actually more effective," said Yarmuth, Kentucky's lone Congressional Democrat in Washington.

The pandemic shifted this year's DNC to an online event that's featured unexpected voices like Republicans opposed to President Donald Trump. Yarmuth believes including them made sense but says progressive standouts like New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez should have been more prominently featured.

"I think AOC is certainly a star of the Democratic party. I think that was a big mistake in not giving her more time. She’s going to be around a long time, and she’s going to be a force," said Yarmuth.

Tuesday night's theme was leadership. Prominent Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former President Bill Clinton spoke of the need to reverse course with a more steady commander-in-chief at the helm.

Former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates made the case for presidential candidate Joe Biden by arguing, unlike Trump, Biden respects the nation's laws.

"Public servants promise to defend our Constitution, uphold our laws and work on behalf of the American people but from the moment President Trump took office, he has used his position to benefit himself rather than our country. He’s trampled the rule of law, trying to weaponize our Justice Department to attack his enemies and protect his friends," said Yates.

Representatives from each state participated in a roll call to formally nominate Biden as the next President of the United States. Public education advocate Colmon Elridge represented Kentucky.

Biden's running mate Senator Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama will speak Wednesday evening.