DNC & RNC Repap

We’re nearing closer and closer to the 2020 presidential election with each passing day. With the increased racial tensions, rampant pandemic, and systemic inequality in the United States, along with two diametrically opposed candidates on the ballot, one could make the case that this election is the most important in our lifetimes. Despite one-sided adherence to social distancing guidelines and protocols, both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions took place over the past two weeks, and the difference in substance, tone, and messaging reflected how vastly opposed these two parties truly are.

Since the DNC came first, I’ll reflect on it first. If I’m completely honest, I was slightly underwhelmed by the event’s opening night. I understand that as a progressive I’m not the target voter the DNC was trying to interest, but I found the opening night disappointing nonetheless. As the event went along and more notable speakers began making appearances, I was reassured and excited about what was transpiring. Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, and Joe Biden all gave rhetorically-skilled and substantive speeches over the course of the four-night event. Instead of only offering opposition to Donald Trump, the DNC was able to fully convey the Democratic party’s 2020 platform, which is one full of policies (such as healthcare expansion, police reform, etc.) and ideologies (unity, strength, etc.) which appeal to an array of voters in the Democratic base. There’s only so much that can be done in a socially-distant and largely digital platform, but I felt that by the end of the DNC, the Democratic Party made its message clear, and I’m still excited to vote for Biden / Harris come November 3rd.

The RNC, on the other hand, was a nightmare. What could be considered a Trump family reunion featuring the occasion lunatic guest speaker demonstrated the vitriolic hatred and angst which makes up the modern day Republican Party. From Kimberly Guilfoyle shouting her way through a completely nonsensical speech to Charlie Kirk spreading the same sort of misinformation he does regularly on Twitter, the smaller speakers were absolutely atrocious during this event. The main event speeches such as Melania Trump and Mike Pence weren’t much better, simply droning on and offering no real case as to why voters should choose Donald Trump this time around. To cap things off was Donald Trump’s White House speech which was appalling by all standards. Using the White House as a political prop was an unprecedented and despicable move, and the fact that the audience of over 1,000 people was not socially distanced, masked, or tested speaks volumes as to how Trump views this pandemic as unserious. Trump’s final speech was riddled with lies and misleading claims, and by the end of the event, even the audience didn’t seem to understand his messaging. I would describe the RNC as embarrassing and troublesome for a variety of reasons.

In two days it will be September, which will mean we will be two months away from this year’s historic election. The Democratic and Republican National Conventions highlighted once again how distinctly opposed these two parties’ platforms are, and likely won’t affect the polls too severely in the coming weeks. That’s a story for another day, though, as it seems Donald Trump is coming back in polling as Joe Biden’s lead continues to shrink. What did you think of the conventions this year? Let me know. Thanks for reading.