Democrats have no vision for the future, at least no vision they are willing to publicly share. Breitbart noticed this and pointed it out very effectively
The convention, objectively, was not so great.
...the convention itself failed to explain to the American people what Kamala Harris intended to do as president. There was no vision, no policy.
The constant, spontaneous refrain was: “We’re not going back.” But there was never an explanation of where Democrats are going to, or where Harris wants to take the country.
Until the last evening, when a string of speakers discussed foreign policy — all Ukraine, no Israel — the only policy discussed was abortion.
Harris’s speech was all about biography, and attacking the opposition. (The “special guest,” whom many had hoped would be BeyoncĂ©, may as well have been President Donald Trump, whom Harris mentioned fifteen times in total.)
Trump’s acceptance speech was perhaps too long; Harris’s speech was too short. It showed no sense of leadership and never reached out to independent voters or wavering Republicans. (A cameo by Adam Kinzinger will not do the trick.)
There was little drama at the convention — by design.
Democrats arranged their primary to ensure President Joe Biden would not face a challenge, then allowed party insiders to pick Harris as his replacement. There were no dissenting blocs, save for the pro-Palestinian “Uncommitted” delegates, who were a tiny and sullen minority.
There weren’t even amendments offered when party leaders asked for a vote on a platform that does not have the word “Kamala” in it.
The truth is that Democrats aren’t feeling “joy.” The word “relief” might be more accurate — relief that they no longer have to pretend to support an ailing, and failing, Biden.
There is some genuine happiness at nominating the first black woman, or the first South Asian candidate. But many speeches betrayed a sense of anxiety.
Michelle Obama, of all people, spoke about “deep pit in my stomach, a palpable sense of dread about the future.” They know Trump can win.
The convention was the high point for Democrats, the end of a month in which Kamala could set the agenda and the media could protect her. Now it is up to Trump.
That last sentence is particularly salient. Trump, unlike Harris, has laid out a specific vision as well as policy positions. The Democrats attacked; not Trump's policy positions but that of an unaffiliated proposal that they deceitfully tried to tag as Trump's. Trump has offered to debate, often. Trump has faced the media and has taken plenty of questions from both the media and from influencers alike. He's not afraid.
But there's something he needs to do that the Democrats have unsuccessfully tried to do as a mere soundbite. Trump needs to lay out his positive vision for the country in two distinct ways.
- He needs to state his positions and why they will help Americans succeed. His base gets it, he needs to do it in a way that will inspire 'joy' in centrists and even some left of center voters who may not be completely sold on Harris. The Democrats soundbites of joy are merely keywords, there is no underlying reasons for the joy they proclaim, because there are no policies undergirding the emotion. Unless unfettered abortion is their reason for all this supposed pending joy. It's like they left the lane open entirely for Trump. He needs to capitalize.
- He needs to forgo, not completely but in large part, the personal attacks. He will have opportunities to sprinkle those into debates and Q&A sessions with the media. But he needs to focus on the positivity of the future, because it's clear, the only positivity Harris and the Democrats are offering is the word 'joy' itself. No plans, no ideas (except abortion and some ideas Harris stole or at least copied from Trump). It's an open buffet for Trump to dine at. Yes, an occasional snipe won't hurt, but leave that mainly to others.
Democrats have zero vision for the future (or one they are unwilling to share openly) and Trump and Republicans do have a clear vision. That contrast needs to be made abundantly clear. If he does that, Trump cannot lose.