Democratic Convention: Winners and Losers

The Republican convention of Tampa, taken hostage by the populist and radical base, like the whole Republican Party, has been a nauseating exercise: It’s not enough to be in disagreement with one’s competitor — one must also hate him. This convention has been a popularity-seeking exercise, rarely seen in these circles, even if conventions are necessary points for boosting followers. However, Tampa will remain a record in history. The convention that chose Barry Goldwater to oppose Lyndon Johnson was not as full of hatred — yet, it was held at the beginning of the Vietnam War, which went on to shatter America.

The Democratic convention of Charlotte has been a completely different affair. It has allowed Democrats to hear the entire country in a strong and energetic manner. But all the voices have not been carried in the same way.

The Charlotte gathering has seen its fair share of events. Without a doubt the most electric was Bill Clinton’s 45-minute intervention. At the end of his presentation, one could sense the electricity pulsing around the arena. It’s one of the strongest moments that the Democratic convention has known. The Washington Post summed up Clinton’s speech as “historically memorable.” There was the tone, the humor, the ferocity in denouncing Republican lies, the education. At the time he gave reasons to vote for Barack Obama again and reasons why the Republicans are dangerous and only propose a single remedy for the crisis which is spreading across America — the same remedy which has, due to them, plunged the country into recession: tax reductions. We will not forget the word “arithmetic,” launched by “42,” to explain why the Republicans tell stories so soon. Proof of the political sex appeal of Hillary’s husband: His speech scored a higher audience score than the opening match of the new season of (American) football.

There was also Michelle Obama’s speech on Tuesday evening, which repeatedly earned her a standing ovation. She did not attack Romney, like the other stakeholders, but reminded Americans who Barack Obama is and why they voted for him in 2008. In her dress, which showed off her impressive muscular arms, she humanized the man who Americans too often find too intellectual and too distant.

And the 44th? The one who is often presented as the best speaker of his generation has not given the best speech of his political career — far from it. It was more a speech on the State of the Union, as The New York Times noticed, than an electoral campaign speech. He covered his two points well: the project for the four years to come and giving the citizens back a feeling of optimism. But he missed something. For example, instead of saying that Republicans were responsible for the recession, he had to explain, to Bill Clinton, how the Republicans fabricated this crisis by deregulation. It was needed to bring the final blow against Romney/Ryan by showing that the Republican bill proposes simply to go back to the recipes that put over 8 percent of Americans into unemployment and millions on the street. Contrary to Clinton, Obama does not have the “killer instinct.”

Another strong moment: the “Pledge of Allegiance,” the oath to the nation, by Gabrielle Giffords, former representative of Arizona, injured by a bullet in her head. It was a moment of intense emotion.

Let’s hope that the energy of these four days will bring Obama to the White House again. The debates to come next will be a timely decision.