Well, I’ve given myself a weekend (long weekend) to ponder the Democratic National Convention from last week. In a word, it was magnificent! In the words of Rod McKuen in Jacques Brel’s Season in the Sun, “we had joy, we had fun . . .”!
In watching MSNBC each evening, particularly the day after the DNC roll call, they played a side-by-side comparison of the roll calls. The DNC roll call was a celebration, while the RNC felt more like a funeral! Is the RNC less than enthusiastic about its nominee?? It sure felt that way.
The roll call, though, symbolized more. It celebrated passing the torch to a new generation. I think Nikki Haley was right (and this is probably the only time you’ll hear me say that) when she said the first party to nominate a younger candidate (someone under 80) will be the winner.
I don’t know if that’s true, but what is true, the Democrats in nominating a younger generation has energized young voters. This was a group that was less than thrilled with either Trump or Biden.
Biden has been a phenomenal president and has done so much to get the US back to its proper place as leader of the free world and to solidify allies once again. He was absolutely the right man for the time. But I always viewed him as a “transitional” president – the bridge between chaotic Trump and the future.
Kamala is the future. The GOP is stuck in their “old white man” mentality. They just can’t conceive of the new generation or the future. They want to go backwards. I, for one, am not willing to go back! And it appears Millennials don’t either.
This is truly a big block of untapped voters. Biden stepping down has allowed the Democrats to court those voters.
Yes, Trump tapped JD Vance for his running mate and that was certainly a surprise. Vance is a younger generation – he’s only 40. But, I doubt that under Trump’s administration Vance will have any meaningful role to play. He’ll just be sitting in the wings waiting and hoping for his turn! I suspect, however, that the turn will never come. I suspect Trump does not plan on ever leaving office if re-elected! It is obvious to anyone paying attention that Trump wants to rule as an autocrat – a Putin mini-me, if you will!
But, the roll call on Day 2 of the convention was not the only joyful time. The entire week felt joyful and up-lifting! The acceptance speech VP Harris gave was full of hope. Her eyes were fully on the future and her words were inspiring!
Contrast that to Trump’s constant whining about how awful the country is. His negative view on all things American is just not inspiring or hopeful. I honestly cannot imagine how anyone can support someone who has such a dim view of our country. But, then, this is the party that wants to ban books, ban teaching our real history, and supports a man who denigrates wounded/fallen warriors, sexually assaults women, and is convicted of 34 felonies (with more indictments still pending)!
All in all, I felt the DNC this year was one of the best! And I thought 2020’s DNC was inspired, with its unique format thoughtfully put together during the COVID pandemic!
A side note – VP nominee Tim Walz’s acceptance speech was great. And his son’s (Gus) emotional response was so wonderful. To think that Ann Coulter and others criticized Gus Walz for his emotional outburst until it was revealed Gus has nonverbal disability. Whether disabled or not, Gus’ response was heartfelt and genuine. The happiness and pride he had for his father was absolutely appropriate. To think otherwise only shows the small-mindedness and the heartlessness – and dare I say envy – of the GOP! #TeamGus
IMHO . . .
In My Humble Opinion 