So Trump has figured out how to rig the election It seems the only option is for Dems to urge voters not to vote by mail and either vote early or vote in person.
And if the Dems had any political sense they'd be out there every day shouting that Trump is trying to "rig" and "steal" the election. But Dems never play hard like that. I really wish that would change.
Those freaking out about who is speaking at convention should really listen to David Plouffe's podcast with the Dem organiser Stephanie Cutter First thing is, in a normal year you have a gazillion B and C list speakers who will take the podium during low attention times and no one will care or listen. Basically only a small number of speeches really matter - the ones from the big stars. With a virtual convention in one respect you now have unlimited slots for an online on demand audience, but in a very real way, the only slots that matter are the ones that will be live and covered by the mainstream media. So you have bugger all slots to play with. In some ways this is a good thing, because you can finally focus on the tentpole content instead of so much trash. Second the dynamic is hugely different because really this is just video and not Biden/Harris in front of a vast, excited audience. This probably changes what you make. One thought is to include more "real americans" and less talking head - but there is also the question of what the media will cover - because they typically will only show what they produce themselves ... I am fascinated to see how they do this and I think they need to balance between "own content" and the media set pieces
I can't barely remember who spoke at the 2016 convention. Convention are cheesy shows that have no serious impact or importance.
That's what is under discussion apparently Of course you need your big names Joe, Kamala, the Obamas and then you need to include Bernard and likely AOC for key demos But there is real diminishing returns from the Clintons, Castro and 100 other Dem B listers compared to strategic content plays The gold star family got huge coverage in '16 That's why they are doing the Kasich thing and I guarantee you they will have other American stories around Covid
Never Trumper is pretty much part of the vocabulary and this election cycle now, it makes sense to have Kasich there. This is elections 101. PS. Just heard Chuck Hagel will speak as well and call out the Republican Party as the Party of Trump.
I guess, looking at the internals, the "Suburban housewife" strategy is not working too well, Trump is losing suburban women by a tiny 42 pts! NPR/Marist national poll (change from last):Biden 53 (+1)Trump 42 (-2)Biden leads Trump by 16 among independent voters, 52-36.Biden leads Trump among suburban voters by 25 points, 61-36, and leads suburban women by *42* points, 69-27.— The Darkest Timeline Numbersmuncher (@NumbersMuncher) August 14, 2020
About the only speeches I have any memory of are Obama's in 2004 (he mentioned my hometown) and Pat Buchanan's in 1992, which Mollie Ivans said "actually sounded better in the original German."
A key point Stephanie Cutter made is that this is a completely different format, not just a digital event. The normal convention is obviously somewhat of a circus and you mainly get your bounce off the media focus on it - because it is a live event, the media descend, and generate lots of content and storylines out of a somewhat artificial context - but it is one well understood in terms of a stage managed photo op. Trumps rallies are similar. A digital event can be similar in terms of live streams for your own dedicated audience - but that does not so easily work for media, who want to capture their own content, not just play the campaigns rah rah video. So how do you do that? I suspect one way will be the same as how the VP reveal was done - small stage live events with no audience?
This article is pretty fascinating about the power politics on the dem side. However why should it really be surprising that Obama supported Clinton over Joe? She was way more qualified IMO What Obama Really Thought About Biden The way Joe Biden explained it on the campaign trail in Iowa, he and his friend Barack Obama had long talked of Biden succeeding him in the White House, continuing the work of their administration. It was only tragic fate, in the form of the loss of his son Beau, that intervened. Now, after four years, the plan could finally go forward, with Biden running as the administration’s true heir. Barack Obama, Biden solemnly declared in his campaign announcement in Philadelphia, is “an extraordinary man, an extraordinary president.” On the social media-generated #BestFriendsDay, the campaign posted a picture of “Joe” and “Barack” friendship bracelets. Biden relabeled himself an “Obama-Biden Democrat.” But behind all the BFF bonhomie is a much more complicated story—one fueled by the misgivings the 44th president had about the would-be 46th, the deep hurt still felt among Biden’s allies over how Obama embraced Hillary Clinton as his successor, and a powerful sense of pride that is driving Biden to prove that the former president and many of his aides underestimated the very real strengths of his partner. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/08/14/obama-biden-relationship-393570
Well, that will suck for ratings. I mean, remember... "THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING! THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING! THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!" That was ratings GOLD!