With just 52 days until the presidential election, millions of Americans tuned in live during the Dermocratic Convention and the Republican National Convention, respectively. The Demoratic National Convention (DNC), a four day event hosted by Milwaukee, Wisconsin was a complete departure from the Republic National Convention that featured no social distancing and wearing of masks.
The DNC covered a wide array of topics that reached and thus empathized with the demands of many American groups- the working class, middle class, the wealthy, young voters, students, families, and the many racial groups that make up this country. While attacks towards President Trump were not omitted, the criticism was certainly conveyed in a sensible and professional manner.
From August 17, 2020 to August 20, 2020, emotions ran high as key speakers such as former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama kicked-off day one of the convention with reflecting upon their time in the White House with Joe Biden, commending his character and leadership style. Both acknowledged the imminent racial tensions and injustices.
Another major point of emphasis was the importance of voting, not only to merely exercise one’s civic duties, but to vote for sensible candidates driven by fact, intellect and experience. Other speakers that night included Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar, Vermont’s favorite Senator, Bernie Sanders, and our very own Governor Andrew Cuomo. Many of these speakers contended that the Biden-Harris team is crucial to the unification of our country.
Governor Cuomo once again took the opportunity to infamously attack President Donald Trump and his administration, calling him “incompetent” on multiple occasions for the mishandling of the Coronavirus due to his willful ignorance and blind-eye towards the crisis as well as for promoting division between Americans. He took pride in conveying the message that we are all “New York Strong” and noted the importance of community and altruism between one another.
The following three nights featured Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Former South Bend Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg who praised Joe Biden for being an ally to the LGBTQ community. Other individuals that made headlines were Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton as well as Former First Ladies Rosalynn Carter and Hillary Clinton. These former presidents sought out a less prevalent role during the convention, but nevertheless urged the American people to vote for Joe Biden, for he is the democratic choice to defeat President Donald Trump.
The fourth and final night included Joe Biden accepting the nomination for the official Democratic Presidential nominee in which he articulated his journey both as a long-standing politician as well as his journey of many losses including the death of his son Beau Biden in 2015. This final day was meant to commemorate his son and speak candidly about his views, perceptions and life lessons from his father. His acceptance brings forth a much more humble upbringing than his opponent, President Trump.
The Republican National Convention, however, was conducted with an emphasis on blatant attacks towards Joe Biden in which the President often falsely accused Joe Biden of wanting to “defund the police” and supporting “anarchist rioters,” which Biden himself has denounced on multiple occasions.
The main focus of all four nights which began August 24, 2020 and ended on August 27, 2020 was how President Trump did a tremendous job in improving the economy. Major speakers from this convention were Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Ivanka Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Kellyanne Conway.
Vice President Mike Pence’s speech featured the headline comment that “Joe Biden’s America is unsafe.” He then proceeded to praise President Trump for his effective and energetic leadership, claims that many Democratic leaders contest with. There were mentions of gratitude towards U.S. soldiers and Revolutionary war leaders.
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and the President’s daughter Ivanka Trump recalled the unfair and erroneous portrayal of the President in the media. This was a major point throughout the four nights as well.
President Trump made it a point in his acceptance speech to mention America’s founding fathers. He claimed that Joe Biden is the antithesis of American values and thus will destroy the country. Some of his audience members were yawning throughout his hour long speech, showing disinterest and disengagement. However, the speeches failed to mention new goals that they’d like to accomplish in the coming election year but instead make claims against the opposing side.
Perhaps the greatest highlight of President Trump’s speech was the fact that the audience congregated in the White House lawn were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing, making it seem as though the COVID-19 pandemic was a crisis long gone and eradicated.
Whether or not you affiliate yourself with a certain political party, it’s important to vote for leaders that will enact positive social change on November 3rd, 2020. Vote for leaders that align with your concerns, not what the media glorifies or demystifies a candidate for.
