There are lots of good “takeaway” articles about the Democratic convention (See here, here, here and here, for example) Nearly all of the wrap-up articles note how well-produced it was and cite it as likely to produce a nice ‘bump’ of indeterminate length for Harris-Walz. Here are some excerpts from “Democrats rejoice as ‘joyful’ Kamala Harris puts them back in the game,” Ed Pilkington’s analysis at The Guardian:
On Tuesday, the Obamas added their own ideas on how to tackle Trump. Focus by all means on fears of a possible second Trump presidency – “the deep pit in my stomach”, as Michelle put it – but also bring him down to size, make him look as small as he is.
A good point, and somebody needed to say it. Pilkington notes, further:
It was fitting that the most forceful put down of Trump during the week came from Harris herself. “In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man,” she said. “But the consequences of putting him back in the White House are extremely serious.”
She invited her audience to contemplate what Trump would do if he were returned to power, fortified by the recent US supreme court ruling that makes him largely immune from criminal prosecution.
“Just imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails,” Harris said, “and how he would use the immense powers of the presidency.”
A party leader unleashed. A new mood of positivity and optimism. Fresh ways to hit Trump. The Democratic party emerges from the convention in much more robust health than it entered it.
Also,
Messages were pumped out designed to soothe the doubts of wavering voters. A Harris presidency would be tough on crime, good for your family’s budget, lower your middle-class taxes, secure the border – and do all this with compassion and kindness, not the other side’s disparagement and hate.
The convention repeatedly bashed Trump for overturning abortion rights, driving the point home with heart-wrenching accounts from women denied health care in states with abortion bans, including a woman raped by her stepfather aged 12 and a second woman who miscarried in her bathroom having been turned away from hospital.
“This is what’s happening in our country because of Donald Trump, and he is not done,” Harris said.
In addition,
Latest polls put Harris just a few points up over Trump in battleground states like Wisconsin without which Harris will have difficulty prevailing. That’s a dramatic improvement on Biden, but it is still well within the margin of error.
Meanwhile, Trump is not letting up on his pursuit of darkness. As Harris was preparing to address delegates on Thursday, he was down at the US border with Mexico scaremongering about “hardened criminals pouring into our country”.
Will it work? Nobody knows.
What Democratic strategists do know is this. If they let their party faithful leave Chicago, turn off the TV, sit back and relax as they bask in the glow of so much talk of joy and freedom and a new beginning, then they lose.
As conventions go, this one had many more ups than downs. On the whole, was it was much better than any other in recent memory. Democratic leaders and rank and file should now prepare for the Republican’s all-out assault and mobilize an unrelenting counter-attack, one which will show that 2024 Democrats are ready to win.
