There are seemingly impossible comparisons—apples and oranges, for example—but in politics, you have to make a choice. American voters will have to decide between the party of a man who lines up complaints and reproaches and the one led by a woman who wants to be given a chance.
What do we think about the race for the presidency of the United States, now that the two conventions are over? I have fresh in my mind the testimonies collected at the Democratic convention. In fairness, I reread the column I wrote at the end of the Republican convention in July. Oh, how times have changed! And yet, that was only about thirty days ago.
The Republicans had struck me with their “desire to avoid conflict, to ease tensions, to look for the right word, the right argument to reconcile Americans.” The atmosphere was, I had emphasized – and I still remember it well – one of harmony and unity. The return to the White House seemed assured.
It was without suspecting that this race for the presidency would accelerate with another candidate carrying a completely different energy. And that Donald Trump would remain himself.
“DONALD TRUMP IS NOT A SERIOUS MAN.”
I also wrote a month ago, at the end of the Republican convention, that Donald Trump had managed to spoil the good mood of his supporters. I noted that during the 92 (!) minutes of his speech – the longest speech ever given at a political convention in the United States – “the thousands of Republican delegates and activists gathered in the Fiserv Forum (had) been subjected to waves of resentment and pounded with blows of bitterness that they (had) applauded less and less vigorously.”
An undeniable contrast in Chicago: Kamala Harris proved effective, whipping up the crowd at the United Center with a 37-minute speech full of attacks on her opponent, but also rich in references to her personal history and to the inclusive and tolerant vision of the United States that Democrats are trying to convey.
The idea, of course, is to appeal to those undecided voters – 2%, 3%, maybe 5% of the electorate – who cannot find their political family. One could hear, in different ways in the speeches, these invitations to take an interest in Democratic proposals “even if you don’t agree with us on everything.”
TO FEAR OR TO TRUST
Beyond the newfound unity among Republicans, in July there was no hand extended to uncertain, hesitant voters. Donald Trump’s speech was a series of recriminations and apocalyptic descriptions of the United States under the leadership of the Democrats.
In the spirit of this “urgent” press release from the Trump-Vance campaign distributed during the Democratic convention, which warned that “Comrade Kamala and the dangerously liberal Tim Walz will burn this country to the ground!”, adding, to eliminate all ambiguity: “These two corrupt career politicians have made it clear that they want a massive amnesty for illegal immigrants, Soviet-style price controls and the complete obliteration of America.”
“THANK YOU, JOE!»
What is remarkable is that even in the face of such delusional remarks, Democrats were unable, a month ago, to mount an inspired response. Joe Biden had to be pushed out. He left reluctantly, as we know, convinced that he was still capable of being re-elected to the presidency.
After the energizing week Democrats had in Chicago and seeing the resentment gnawing at Donald Trump, Joe Biden couldn’t have done a better job for his party. And his country, probably.Thank you, Joe!“, Indeed.
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