National political conventions have evolved into party pep rallies. The only real business is the effort to generate as much positive press as possible. But even by that standard, the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is shattering expectations.
The New York Times, which just a few days ago published an extensive op-ed on why Donald Trump should not be president again, offered up this news analysis on Wednesday:
“Yet even before a single balloon has dropped at their national convention this week, Republicans have united — seemingly without reservation — behind the man (DJT) and his message. Across downtown Milwaukee, delegates, officials and lawmakers appeared to be taking a victory lap in the middle of a race that many believe is breaking their way, galvanized by a would-be assassin’s bullet and the chaos gripping the rival party.”
Nikki Haley, who was the biggest thorn in Trump’s side during the primaries, spoke glowingly about the nominee Tuesday night. “President Trump asked me to speak to this convention in the name of unity,” Haley said, adding: “I’m here tonight because we have a country to save, and a unified Republican Party is essential for saving her.”
She got a standing ovation.
To use a sports analogy, it feels like Trump and the Republicans are on their opponent’s 35-yard line and driving, while Biden and the Democrats are mired back at their own 20-yard line facing third and long. And to continue the sports analogy, their quarterback is ineffective.
Politico reported that Democrats are circulating a polling memo from BlueLabs Analytics showing that “Alternative Democratic candidates run ahead of President Biden by an average of three points across battleground states. Nearly every tested Democrat performs better than the President.”
Maybe somebody can break through Biden’s cocoon and share that information.
As Lisa Lerer and Rebecca Davis O’Brien wrote in the Times analysis, “It has been decades since those at any Republican convention felt so confident — even optimistic — that they had the right candidate, the right causes and the right moment.”
Democrats will get their chance next month in Chicago, but it will be difficult, if not impossible to match the GOP’s unity and enthusiasm. The party is fractured by the question of whether to try to push Biden aside or go all in and hope for the best.
Republicans are having a moment, while Democrats are having a meltdown.
Things can change between now and November because, well, they always do in political campaigns. However, Republicans are going to come out of Milwaukee with a sense of destiny, while anxious Democrats are preparing to meet in Chicago, uncertain of how to turn the tide.
