The Democratic National Convention wrapped up last Thursday with Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech as the party’s nominee. The event was full of celebration and praise, but it felt like there was more focus on style than on addressing real issues.
Throughout the convention in Chicago, where violence and shootings continued in the city, speakers repeatedly talked about “joy.” The word “joy” was mentioned 30 times on the third night alone. However, the most mentioned word was “Trump,” who was named 160 times on the first night, 60 times on the second night with the Obamas, 94 times on the third night, and 15 times in Harris’s speech on the final night.
In terms of important issues, the convention fell short. The border crisis, a significant concern for voters, was only mentioned eight times on the first night, primarily blaming Trump for the current issues. During Trump’s last year in office, there were around 400,651 illegal border crossings, but by 2023, this number had risen to about 2.4 million.
Inflation, which is a top concern for many Americans, was mentioned only three times during the convention. Kamala Harris didn’t bring it up at all in her speech, focusing instead on Trump.
President Biden was largely absent from the convention. He gave a divisive and angry speech, making several controversial claims about Trump, and then went on vacation at the home of a wealthy donor. Biden’s presence was minimal during the convention, and he was only mentioned twice on stage.
As Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, enjoyed the convention, Washington continued its military activities in the Middle East. This raises questions about who is really in charge.
Despite the lack of substance, Harris is expected to see a boost in the polls following the convention. However, it’s unclear how long this bump will last. Betting markets show that Harris was ahead by four points at the start of the convention, but now Trump is leading by three points.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent endorsement of Trump could dominate the news over the weekend, potentially overshadowing the convention’s coverage.
Moving forward, two key questions remain: Can Kamala Harris continue to avoid posting policy details on her campaign website? And can she go for more than 70 days without holding a press conference or speaking with journalists?
It seems she will try to avoid both, while the media focuses on the spectacle rather than the substance.