Brookings
·
Published
July 19, 2024

Trump misses a golden opportunity in his acceptance speech

Leans Left
Commentary
·
2024 U.S. Elections
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Summary

  • Elaine Kamarck and William A. Galston at Brookings examine that the Republican National Convention highlighted a stark contrast between a verbose Trump and a struggling Biden, leading to widespread speculation about Biden's potential exit and Kamala Harris's possible rise as the Democratic candidate.
  • The article argues that while Trump missed an opportunity to solidify his lead with a long-winded, undisciplined speech, Democratic officials and voters are increasingly viewing Biden as a weakened candidate, potentially paving the way for Harris to step in and challenge Trump's controversial policies.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Original Read Time
9 min
Organization
The Brookings Institution
Category
Israel-Gaza War
Political Ideology
Center Left

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