Trump misses a golden opportunity in his acceptance speech

Overview:

This article was written by Elaine Kamarck and William A. Galston at Brookings.

• The article provides a detailed account of the final day of the Republican National Convention (RNC), highlighting the split-screen scenario with Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
• It examines the political implications of Biden's potential exit from the presidential race and Trump's extended, unfocused speech.

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Key Quotes:

• "The whole political world was trying to figure out whether Biden was about to exit the stage, just as Trump was returning to it."
• "Trump did not finish his speech until after midnight. By then, much of the energy had drained from the crowd at the convention hall."

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What They Discuss:

• Reporters at the RNC in Milwaukee were diverted to cover stories about the Democrats, primed by rumors of Biden's potential exit.
• Democratic figures, including Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, have reportedly urged Biden to leave the race, leading Biden to feel "betrayed by his former friends."
• Nearly two-thirds of Democratic voters now want Biden to step down, reflecting growing concerns about his age and capabilities.
• 20 to 30 members of Congress publicly or privately suggested that Biden should consider stepping down.
• Trump's 92-minute speech, the longest since 1972, meandered through various topics, largely repeating grievances and failing to maintain structure.

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What They Recommend:

• The authors imply that Democrats need to quickly solidify their candidate to effectively counter Trump's campaign.
• They suggest Vice President Kamala Harris as the likely successor if Biden exits, noting the importance of an energetic and vigorous candidate.
• Democrats should prepare for a potential upheaval in the campaign to improve their chances of victory.

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Key Takeaways:

• The RNC showcased a polarized image of the presidential race, with Trump dominating the screen and Biden's potential withdrawal overshadowing proceedings.
• Biden's frailty and growing discontent among Democratic voters and officials may push him to exit the race, likely paving the way for Kamala Harris.
• Trump's long, disorganized speech failed to capitalize on his recent gains, leaving the door open for a strong Democratic challenger.

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This is a brief overview of the article by Elaine Kamarck and William A. Galston at Brookings. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full article.