EDITORIAL – Democrats wrap up a very good week with brand new hope

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

THE DEMOCRATIC National Convention came to a joyous conclusion tonight (Aug. 22, 2024) in Chicago. I say “joyous” because “joy” was one of the prevailing themes.

That, and the much over-used “freedom.” And “hope.” But there’s no doubt the Democrats have a new sense of optimism with Kamala Harris as their nominee for president.

In many ways, the DNC was similar to the Republican National Convention held earlier. Too many speeches from nobody politicians. Too much irrelevant talk about growing up in small towns. No shortage of silliness, though the Democrats didn’t have to put up with Hulk Hogan ripping his shirt off.

But a fond farewell to and from Joe Biden, lots of entertainment, energy, and some truly impressive oratory. Michelle Obama and Barack Obama delivered a magnificent one-two punch halfway through. Bill Clinton still has the old charm. Peter Buttigieg related a heartfelt and personal story about how only a few short years ago he couldn’t have expected to ever have a happy family life.

A pleasant surprise — a surprise because, previously, few people knew anything about him — was vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, who delivered a blockbuster speech. (Though it probably didn’t go over well with anyone who went to Yale.) And watching his son Gus — who has ADHD — weeping with joy and pointing at his father and shouting, “That’s my Dad!” couldn’t help but bring a tear to the eye.

CNN engaged in much gushing about pretty much everything. If you wanted some balance to coverage of the DNC, you’d have to have flipped the channel to Fox News, though it tried to ignore the whole thing as much as possible. As CNN was praising Michelle Obama’s speech, Fox News was criticizing the price of her pant suit, and spent a lot of time covering protests outside the convention rather than what was going on inside.

And Kamala Harris, who has a real shot at beating Donald Trump, instilled confidence in her own concluding speech. She talked about her own life but she also talked about some key issues such as the southern border, taxes, abortion and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

In short, she acquitted herself well and probably changed quite a few minds. We just might be spared four more years of Trump.

Mel Rothenburger is a former regular contributor to CFJC-TV and CBC radio, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Webster Foundation Commentator of the Year finalist. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.