Pat’s Perspectives – August 26, 2024

Hello everyone! I apologize for the delay in my posting. I promised a weekly post, and I have failed. But don’t fret—I promise I will do a weekly post again starting now. While there have been many worthwhile stories to comment on since my last post, I want to make this post all about the Democratic National Convention last week. I promise I will do another post this week as a “catch-up.”

1.) DNC 2024: A Concert, A Rally, and a New Beginning

By now, whether you intended to or not, you’ve seen a lot of coverage from the DNC. I will admit that I did not watch the RNC as closely as I would have usually. My first observation from the DNC was that it was filled with ENERGY and EXCITEMENT. Contrast this with the lackluster, almost somber mood at the RNC. People looked excited to be there and were vocal about their excitement. Dare I mention crowd size? Well, it was undoubtedly more packed than anything recent Trump has done.

I found it very interesting that the DNC incorporated many musical performances. It worked well and could help swing some Gen Z voters, even though policy should be the deciding factor. I particularly liked John Legend and P!nk’s performances among the performers. It was also cool to see Lil Jon appear during the roll call for Georgia.

The total effect of high energy, fun vibes, and enthusiasm made for a successful DNC. I question whether the Democrats can sustain this momentum until the General Election…If they want to win, they need to. What do you think? Was the DNC exciting as a viewer? What would you have done differently?

2.) Standout Speeches by Democrats

I know this is all subjective, but I found many of the speeches at the DNC particularly compelling and precisely what was needed to make the case for Kamala come November. Although I might not always agree with the policies of these politicians, I respect and give credit when credit is due. And man, oh man, were some of these speeches fire. Of the many Democrat speeches I watched, my favorites included those by Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, and Gretchen Whitmer. In contrast to the speeches by RNC speakers, each speaker found a way to highlight our country’s unique elements, including the ability to prosper regardless of your background or upbringing. Each speaker talked about Kamala’s strengths while avoiding “worshipping” her, which many Trump speakers tend to do.

I am sure it was bittersweet for Hillary Clinton to speak in support of Kamala, but I know that without her run in 2016, Kamala would not be where she is. It was also shocking to see Oprah on the stage. Although she supported Obama in 2008 and 2012, she has stayed away from politics for the most part. Her burning house analogy was tremendous, and more people must act this way, even when it’s not political. We should always be willing to help our neighbors and fellow Americans, no matter their views or beliefs. What did you think of the Democrats’ speeches? Did they move the needle for you in any one direction?

3.) Republican Speakers at the DNC – Did it Work?

This was one of the highlights of the DNC to me. As someone who resonates with Old-School Republican values and beliefs, I was pleased to see a number of like-minded Republicans speak out against MAGA and in favor of Kamala, even if we disagree with Kamala on all her policies.

While many people will call the Republicans at the DNC RINOs, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Olivia Troye was Homeland Security Advisor to VP Pence. Adam Kinzinger is a Republican congressman. Geoff Duncan is the former Lt. Governor of Georgia. Stephanie Grisham was a former Trump White House press secretary and advisor to Melania Trump. Kyle Sweetster is a former Trump voter and claims to have “more guns than family members.” So please spare me the notion that these are all RINOs, FFS!!

In their speeches, it was clear that despite the policy differences they and many other disgruntled Conservative-leaning voters might have with Kamala Harris, they value the Constitution of the United States and Democracy more than one man. This has been one of my points of contention with the Republican Party since Trump took office—his followers are more allegiant to him than to America itself. Trumpers love to pretend they are pro-America but then support a man who is anti-America in his policies, speech, and actions.

Each Republican speaker made it clear that it was okay to hold Conservative values while still supporting and voting for Kamala Harris. Kamala’s foreign policy policies align more closely with Reagan than Trump’s…All in all, Republicans need to wake up and realize that while Kamala is not our preferred candidate, she is much safer for the security and standing of our country than Trump will ever be. If we love our country as much as we say, we must stand up to Trump and support Kamala. As Liz Cheney has always said, we can survive four years of bad policy, but we may not be able to survive the demise of democracy. Anyway, if you’re a Republican, what are your thoughts?

4.) Gus Walz – An Innocent Victim of Unprovoked Attacks

This story is heartbreaking. I hate to give these losers credit, but I feel compelled to speak up. I’ve said this publicly many times and will continue to repeat it, but ATTACKS ON CHILDREN ARE UNACCEPTABLE. If you do not know what I’m referring to, check out Ann Coulter, Mike Crispi, and Jay Weber’s tweets against Gus Walz, in which they call him “weird,” “stupid,” and a “bitch”. Full Disclosure: Ann Coulter has apologized for her disparaging remarks.

Gus Walz has special needs and is a proud son of his father, who is seeking election alongside Kamala Harris to be VP of the United States. Who wouldn’t be proud of their dad for this? He was seen tearing up, which, to some far-right jerks, is a sign of weakness. I’d beg to differ. Regardless, Gus should be left out of any attacks. I said the same of Barron Trump, who faced unfair attacks by members of the Left during Trump’s time in office. These young kids cannot be responsible for their parents and likely have little say in what is happening. In the same way, we would want our kids to be respected; we need to respect others’ kids. Also, you have to be a pretty terrible person to attack a kid.

5.) Finally – Kamala and Tim: A Vision for the Future or Missed Marks?

As I conclude this post, I want to recap. The DNC was a highly successful event for Democrats. They had the A-List of speakers and endorsements. They have the money and the momentum. However, winning the election is about who can lead America forward. To analyze this, let’s look at the speeches of the actual Democratic nominees, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Starting with Tim Walz, overall, he delivered a very solid address. He is speaking to the Midwest and rust-belt voters with his analogy of being a good neighbor. He clearly has shown himself as an “everyday, average” American. At his core, I think he is a good guy with pure intentions. However, I would have liked to see him address some of his shortcomings head-on. Address the Right’s attacks against him as it relates to labeling him as “socialist,” “pro-crime,” and “pro-illegal immigration.” Whether these are true or not, and they mostly AREN’T, he should have seized the moment to get ahead of them. Although, I’m sure we’ll see many of these coming up at the VP Debate.

For Kamala, she delivered a very passionate, poignant, and forceful speech. It was clear that she did her research. She spoke very Presidential and told a story of perseverance and determination. She was relatable in many ways and truly empathized with many Americans’ struggles. In terms of policy, I think she did more than Republicans give her credit for. She addressed the Israel-Hamas war head-on and showed she was pro-Israel while still being empathetic to the plight of innocent Palestinians caught up in the conflict. She addressed the need for more housing and better wages.

Interestingly, she shied away from addressing her policy of handing out $25,000 to first-time home buyers. Given how bad this policy is, I am sure this was purposeful, but we’ll see how she addresses it going forward. Overall, this was her first major speech, especially since becoming the nominee, and it was a solid one.

Again, I can disagree with her policy, but she offers a vision of hope for this country’s future, whereas Trump focuses on doom and gloom. All in all, the DNC was a great kick-off event for the Democrats, but in order to win, they need to buckle down on policy and keep up the momentum. What did you think of the DNC?