As a Never Trump Republican, who wrote in my vote in 2016 and 2020, this convention was the first time I have ever felt like the Democratic Party was reaching out and trying to earn my vote. It's an interesting contrast to the GOP, where I would have been tarred and feathered as a RINO and not a single person I respect even appeared. The messaging about how America is good, actually, and Americans can work together to make our country and world a better place resonated with me so much more than Trump's message that America is a hellhole.
It evoked in me the sense of America that drew me to the GOP when I heard Reagan speak about it. Yes, it was light on policy, but it wasn't 45 minutes of personal grievances either.
Confidence. That was the missing piece for Harris in the past, I think. Perhaps worrying about her own political future, concerned about stepping on toes or offending anyone, etc. In the past - trying to make everyone happy, in an effort to be a better politician.
Last night, Harris gave a magnificent speech, with confidence. If she had tried to insert various policy positions and talk about those at length, it would not have been as good.
Ah! You finally figured it out (and defined it properly). For the past, what, 8 years? the MAGA Republicans (and I'll separate them from the majority of what may be called "normal Reps") have closed their doors to ANY outsiders, not extending their hands to anyone not completely believing in their manifest. Their tent has been closed. This is the reason why Trump, even when he was leading in every poll, could not break above the 40+% mark. He never asked for anyone's vote, never extended an invitation to join him. He always simply DEMANDED to be taken seriously; it was either him or scorched Earth. And, of course, he never asked, "What can I do for you?". Seriously, do you agree with everything your friends, spouse/partner does or says? I bet no, but you still hang in there because there are more important issues and more similarities and common goals between the two of you than the fact that you like Fig Newtons and she likes chocolate chip or he likes Garth Brooks and you like (heaven forbid) ABBA. Doors should remain open. Thanks Chris, doing a great job.
All of the pearl clutching about specific details of policy on Harris' part amount to spitting into the wind. This election devolves into one question: Do you believe in personal choice and freedom or should smeone else make those decisions for you? Seems like a simple definition of democracy vs. dictatorship.
Chris - spot on. As a salesperson, the one key you learn early on (or you find a new profession) is to ask for the sale. It was a theme on all four nights, especially from the parade of Republicans who graced the stage - almost everyone was asking for the vote.
Yes!! Last night I even commented on a couple of lines you just read! I felt that the whole night. Now it will be important for both of them to really get specific about policy in speeches. The debates will be very interesting & they have to stay away from stooping to Trump & Vances negative rhetoric!!
Chris, thank you for all your work this past week! Hope you can enjoy your family and catch up on sleep this weekend 🙂
Nice piece this morning. Here's something that you made me worry about though ... If the Harris/Walz campaign is successful in reaching out the the 3%-5% of ideologically unaligned to convince them to vote for values in the Presidential election, is that good news or bad news for down ballot races, particularly contested house and senate seats? I could see an undecided voter with the following logic: 'I just cannot vote for Trump ... but I want a congress that will constrain Kamala Harris because I don't trust her on policies.'
“Placating the Republican base” might stem from a real place that pundits don’t really address. Perhaps the MAGA base really is frightening to a lot of people. More than a few Republicans have resigned from office with one of their coded reasons being something about security costs and concerns. There didn’t appear to be any dissenters from those horrific “Mass Deportations Now” signs
I add my voice of gratitude for all your hard work this week, Chris. Loved reading the live chat - thank you for providing the space - and hearing your perspectives on convention speeches. Great job! Now get some rest and enjoy the weekend!
Yes, and personally I wish she had defined tRump better as so out of touch with what is truly American. We never bow to a dictator- and at our best we try to free people from dictatorship. tRump aspires to be exactly what we as a people have always opposed with our nearly 250 years of steadfast belief and the blood of our sons and daughters.
I agree it was a good speech but not a spectacular speech. I found her comments about reaching out to all Americans interesting but I wonder if she will actually govern that way. Or, as Obama once said, “elections have consequences” as he veered sharply to the left. Tim Walz made a similar comment when he was elected as governor so I do have concerns. Now, as in 2020, many of her votes will come because voters hate Trump, not necessarily because they love her or her policies.
Uh, as a long time supporter of President Obama, I never, ever saw him "veer sharply to the left." As I have said often, I wanted multiple things when I first voted for then-Senator Obama. I wanted the economy fixed, I wanted the U.S. automobile industry saved, I wanted Osama bin Laden captured and I wanted the health care/health insurance system reformed in the manner advocated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All of those things happened. None of those things were "veering sharply to the left." Indeed, all of them made life lots better for millions-upon-millions of America. Yes, elections have consequences...but claiming President Obama moved sharply to the left doesn't make it true.
As a Never Trump Republican, who wrote in my vote in 2016 and 2020, this convention was the first time I have ever felt like the Democratic Party was reaching out and trying to earn my vote. It's an interesting contrast to the GOP, where I would have been tarred and feathered as a RINO and not a single person I respect even appeared. The messaging about how America is good, actually, and Americans can work together to make our country and world a better place resonated with me so much more than Trump's message that America is a hellhole.
It evoked in me the sense of America that drew me to the GOP when I heard Reagan speak about it. Yes, it was light on policy, but it wasn't 45 minutes of personal grievances either.
I preferred BIden in 2020 over her today. He had a reputation for moderation.
YEA!
Confidence. That was the missing piece for Harris in the past, I think. Perhaps worrying about her own political future, concerned about stepping on toes or offending anyone, etc. In the past - trying to make everyone happy, in an effort to be a better politician.
Last night, Harris gave a magnificent speech, with confidence. If she had tried to insert various policy positions and talk about those at length, it would not have been as good.
Ah! You finally figured it out (and defined it properly). For the past, what, 8 years? the MAGA Republicans (and I'll separate them from the majority of what may be called "normal Reps") have closed their doors to ANY outsiders, not extending their hands to anyone not completely believing in their manifest. Their tent has been closed. This is the reason why Trump, even when he was leading in every poll, could not break above the 40+% mark. He never asked for anyone's vote, never extended an invitation to join him. He always simply DEMANDED to be taken seriously; it was either him or scorched Earth. And, of course, he never asked, "What can I do for you?". Seriously, do you agree with everything your friends, spouse/partner does or says? I bet no, but you still hang in there because there are more important issues and more similarities and common goals between the two of you than the fact that you like Fig Newtons and she likes chocolate chip or he likes Garth Brooks and you like (heaven forbid) ABBA. Doors should remain open. Thanks Chris, doing a great job.
It was a great speech. How she dealt with Trump, Israel and Gaza was masterful. It likely birthed a few new Democrats too who were independent.
All of the pearl clutching about specific details of policy on Harris' part amount to spitting into the wind. This election devolves into one question: Do you believe in personal choice and freedom or should smeone else make those decisions for you? Seems like a simple definition of democracy vs. dictatorship.
Chris - spot on. As a salesperson, the one key you learn early on (or you find a new profession) is to ask for the sale. It was a theme on all four nights, especially from the parade of Republicans who graced the stage - almost everyone was asking for the vote.
Yes!! Last night I even commented on a couple of lines you just read! I felt that the whole night. Now it will be important for both of them to really get specific about policy in speeches. The debates will be very interesting & they have to stay away from stooping to Trump & Vances negative rhetoric!!
Chris, thank you for all your work this past week! Hope you can enjoy your family and catch up on sleep this weekend 🙂
She looked presidential.
She acted presidential.
She sounded presidential.
Fingers crossed.
Orange Jesus is having a meltdown over this.
Where's Hunter?
Nice piece this morning. Here's something that you made me worry about though ... If the Harris/Walz campaign is successful in reaching out the the 3%-5% of ideologically unaligned to convince them to vote for values in the Presidential election, is that good news or bad news for down ballot races, particularly contested house and senate seats? I could see an undecided voter with the following logic: 'I just cannot vote for Trump ... but I want a congress that will constrain Kamala Harris because I don't trust her on policies.'
“Placating the Republican base” might stem from a real place that pundits don’t really address. Perhaps the MAGA base really is frightening to a lot of people. More than a few Republicans have resigned from office with one of their coded reasons being something about security costs and concerns. There didn’t appear to be any dissenters from those horrific “Mass Deportations Now” signs
I add my voice of gratitude for all your hard work this week, Chris. Loved reading the live chat - thank you for providing the space - and hearing your perspectives on convention speeches. Great job! Now get some rest and enjoy the weekend!
I just hope Chris charged his phone
I DID!
88%!
😅
Yes, and personally I wish she had defined tRump better as so out of touch with what is truly American. We never bow to a dictator- and at our best we try to free people from dictatorship. tRump aspires to be exactly what we as a people have always opposed with our nearly 250 years of steadfast belief and the blood of our sons and daughters.
Chris, You found the real nugget of her speech! Bravo! BTW, you removed the decanter/glasses and put the old time typewriter! Neat!
If it was such a great convention how do you explain the betting odds getting better for Trump this week?
I agree it was a good speech but not a spectacular speech. I found her comments about reaching out to all Americans interesting but I wonder if she will actually govern that way. Or, as Obama once said, “elections have consequences” as he veered sharply to the left. Tim Walz made a similar comment when he was elected as governor so I do have concerns. Now, as in 2020, many of her votes will come because voters hate Trump, not necessarily because they love her or her policies.
Uh, as a long time supporter of President Obama, I never, ever saw him "veer sharply to the left." As I have said often, I wanted multiple things when I first voted for then-Senator Obama. I wanted the economy fixed, I wanted the U.S. automobile industry saved, I wanted Osama bin Laden captured and I wanted the health care/health insurance system reformed in the manner advocated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All of those things happened. None of those things were "veering sharply to the left." Indeed, all of them made life lots better for millions-upon-millions of America. Yes, elections have consequences...but claiming President Obama moved sharply to the left doesn't make it true.
Think you need your compass reoriented if you think Obama was some weird leftist.