On Thursday night, when US President Donald Trump accepted the nomination, the curtain came down on the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, and two weeks replete with national political activity came to an end. A week earlier, it was the turn of the Democratic Party to hold its convention, which formally selected Joe Biden as its candidate.
Despite the clear ideological differences that have created a schism between the parties, the two conventions had a common denominator. Unlike past conventions, which were full of conflict and dispute, this time both were held in an atmosphere of internal harmony and enlistment by activists ahead of the final stretch.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Especially in the Democratic camp, the convention placed an emphasis on putting aside the strife between the centrist stream and the leaders of the liberal progressive wing, like Sen. Bernie Sanders, allowing all factions to come under the candidate's tent. For the Republicans, it was simpler, because the movement that created President Trump has long since taken over the institutions of the Grand Old Party and banished its representatives from the podium.
Another thing the two rival camps have in common was the fact that they both had to hold their conventions in mostly digital format, without mass events, parades, or the traditional carnival atmosphere that envelops events like these.
As a result, the media coverage of both conventions was also pared back, and viewership was lower than usual. Biden didn't see any jump in the polls, which has usually been the result of a "unified" convention that is covered massively. At the same time, the Republican campaign is expected to take a hit for the same reasons, and for Trump, who is behind in national polls, it could be very difficult to take the initiative after an unusually successful convention.
As far as content went, both parties made an effort to set up a broad front against the opponent. Biden did so by naming Sen. Kamala Harris his running mate, a move designed to win over minorities. Harris identifies as a member of the African-American community.
However, the fact that Harris is part of the moderate, centrist camp of the party should make her immune to Trump's criticism that she is part of the "radical" camp, without drawing the ire of the progressive wing, whose hostility to the current White House could prompt it to vote, even though they don't completely agree with the Democratic ticket.
With the Republicans, things are more complicated. Unlike the Democratic convention, the Republican one in Charlotte was more about a movement than a traditional party, and the place of the old Republican elite was taken by ordinary citizens and regional activists whose contribution to the American ethos was celebrated.
The convention itself, whose main emphasis was the president (who appeared on each day) and his family, made a special effort to project the image of a pragmatic, moderate Trump to draw in affluent suburban voters.
First of all, despite the well-run production, the elephant in the room couldn't be hidden: coronavirus. Most of the speakers decided not to acknowledge it. A few, such as Vice President Mike Pence, opted to praise the White House for its handling of and leadership in the traumatic event. And if that wasn't enough, there was the police shooting of Jacob Blake, an African-American man in Wisconsin, which re-ignited the wave of protests and rioting that had died down somewhat.
So the public and media agenda changed suddenly in the middle of the convention, and turned the spotlight from the administration's achievements to the issues of police violence and treatment of minorities and the poor.
As for Jewish and Israeli issues at the conventions, the gap between the two parties was especially wide. The Democrats, given the hostility to Israel among some of the liberal faction, published a platform that was moderate and avoided linking defense aid to Israel to a freeze in settlement construction. In addition, Biden emphasized the important of an unconditional battle against anti-Semitism and violent, ugly expressions of it on US soil.
But the mood from the Republicans was much warmer, and proof of that is that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's speech was recorded in Jerusalem, against the background of the breathtaking sight of the city that was united on the president's watch. His unequivocal support for Israel echoed even more against the impressive scenery.
Two months before the decision on Nov. 3, and days before early voting begins in some states, things are going Biden's way. But things can still change, in one fell swoop, in the next two months.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
