Reflection on 2020 National Conventions
Introduction
The Republican and Democratic National Conventions are a time for both of the parties’ members to come together and publicly share their values and nominate their choice of candidate for the President of the United States. The national conventions for the 2020 election were very different from any we have seen before, simply because we are facing the current coronavirus pandemic. The 2020 Democrat National Convention was held virtually on the official 2020 Democratic Party Platform, where each speaker took their turn virtually speaking about their nominee. Meanwhile, the 2020 Republican National Convention was held in-person in Charlotte, North Carolina and in Washington, D.C. at the White House. Although, some themes were common, there was a clear difference between the rhetoric each member and candidate used while discussing them.
Democratic National Convention
The 2020 Democratic National Convention according to the party’s website, was a “Convention Across America geared to engage and unite all Americans”. One common theme at this convention was what principles American citizens should expect in their President as well as what the job of a President should be. Former President Barack Obama was one of the many members of the Democratic party who spoke during the convention giving a virtual speech stating, “at minimum, we should expect a president to feel a sense of responsibility for the safety and welfare of all 330 million of us regardless of what we look like, how we worship, who we love, how much money we have or who we voted for. But we should also expect a president to be the custodian of this democracy. We should expect that regardless of ego, ambition, or political beliefs, the president will preserve, protect, and defend the freedoms and ideals that so many Americans marched for and went to jail for; fought for and died for.”
Another theme that was discussed during the DNC was centered around the four current and historical crisis that America and its citizens are facing highlighted by presidential candidate Joe Biden. That he explained as being; “the worst pandemic in over 100 years, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the most compelling call for racial justice since the 60's and the undeniable realities and accelerating threats of climate change.” He also presented a plan to tackle these issues if he is elected president to help the American economy and American people by creating new jobs in clean energy that will not only create millions of good paying jobs but also combat climate change while allowing America to become a leader in this industry. As well as bettering the American health care systems and addressing racial disparities that are seen throughout Americas systems.
Reactions to themes of Democratic National Convention
Both former president Obama and democratic nominee Joe Biden believe that a nominee for the United States presidency should be someone who wants what is best for all Americans, this theme was necessary to discuss especially during a time like these when racial injustices are at a forefront. During Joe Biden’s speech he spoke on the division that has flourished during Donald Trump’s presidency and that if he is elected for President “united we can, and will, overcome this season of darkness in America.” Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is glorifying the division that is present in America today stating, “at no time before have voters faced a clearer choice between two parties, two visions, two philosophies, or two agendas.”
The theme at the DNC that was centered around current issues such as the coronavirus pandemic, the economic crisis, racial justice issues and climate change were important to touch on during presidential candidate Joe Biden’s acceptance speech. I found this important for Joe Biden to discuss because many citizens have been effected by all of these crisis some more than others and having a candidate that acknowledges that they exist can provide people with more than hope but a plan to tackle these crisis.
Republican National Convention
A common theme and argument present in the RNC speeches given by Kimberly Guilfoyle and President Donald Trump was that the Democratic party wants to “fundamentally change this nation.” By doing things that like “defund, dismantle, and destroy America’s law enforcement” as stated by Guilfoyle. President Trump even discussed that this election alone will decide whether or not “the American Way of life” is going to be changed by a radical movement that wants to destroy it or if it will remain intact with another four years of him as the American president. Guilfoyle and President Trump both discuss the change that Democrats are trying to bring upon our nation as a threat to America itself and its citizens lives, families and futures urging American voters to choose to fight to for American greatness.
Another common argument made during the RNC was that the Democratic party’s presidential candidate Joe Biden is a threat to American jobs and wants to get rid of them. During Guilfoyle’s speech she said, “they will selfishly send your jobs back to China while they get rich.” President Trump also mentions that candidate Joe Biden is the wrong President to harness jobs in America by describing him as “the destroyer of America's Jobs, and if given the chance, he will be the destroyer of American Greatness.” President Trump uses this opportunity to state that this election will “decide whether we rapidly create millions of high paying jobs, or whether we crush our industries and send millions of these jobs overseas.”
Reactions to themes of Republican National Convention
When viewing the RNC it was interesting to see how President Trump and Guilfoyle framed the changes that the Democratic party want to bring about America, as destroying America. Especially when Biden discussed in his own speech the need to save American democracy and end “systemic racism.” Meanwhile, Guilfoyle created a sense of urgency in her speech when telling American citizens “don’t let the Democrats take you for granted, don’t let them step on you, don’t let them destroy your families, your lives, and your future.”
The other argument mentioned by both Kimberly Guilfoyle and President Trump during the RNC was that Biden would destroy American jobs. However, presidential candidate Biden stated that his “economic plan is all about jobs, dignity, respect, and community.” Also stating that there would be plans to have the future be made in America by creating “5 million new manufacturing and technology jobs.” President Trump throughout his speech discussed bringing jobs back out of China and to former coal and oil workers. Another reason I found this aspect of President Trump’s speech interesting was because the jobs he has brought back were gained by ending “the job killing policies put in place by the previous administration, like the Clean Power Plan.” Which will have environmental impacts furthering climate change which President Trump nor Guilfoyle mentioned at all during their speeches.
Conclusion
While there were many parallels between the themes and arguments mentioned during both the DNC and RNC the way that each were discussed was very different. At both the RNC and DNC there was an extremely prevalent understanding of the importance of this election and the effects it can have on not only American government and jobs, but American citizens livelihoods and future life. Both parties urged their supporters to vote and to uphold the beliefs their respective party believes in. Although, there is a clear difference between the two, it is important that all Americans inform themselves of what Americas history is and what each candidate has to say and offer. And decide if they would like to hold on to the divide or work together to make all American citizens feel safe and welcome.
Work Cited
“President Donald J. Trump Is Ending the War on American Energy and Delivering a New Era of Energy Dominance.” The White House, The United States Government, 2019, www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-ending-war-american-energy-delivering-new-era-energy-dominance/.
Taylor, Ryan. “Kimberly Guilfoyle 2020 RNC Speech Transcript.” Rev, Rev, 25 Aug. 2020, www.rev.com/blog/transcripts/kimberly-guilfoyle-2020-rnc-speech-transcript.
“Transcript: Barack Obama's DNC Speech.” CNN, Cable News Network, 20 Aug. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/08/19/politics/barack-obama-speech-transcript/index.html.
“Transcript: Joe Biden's DNC Speech.” CNN, Cable News Network, 21 Aug. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/08/20/politics/biden-dnc-speech-transcript/index.html.
“Transcript: Donald Trump's RNC Speech.” CNN, Cable News Network, 28 Aug. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/08/28/politics/donald-trump-speech-transcript/index.html.
