Democrats Stage A PR Coup
The Democrats’ ability to promote their national brand has been problematic for years. They haven’t done a great job of campaign basics: staging events, performing in television, or expressing a positive vision for the country.
The past few days, however, their effort has been extraordinary. Within hours, the Biden marketing and email fundraising efforts transitioned from Biden to Harris, including those “from celebrities.” They seamlessly changed Twitter accounts. They got Harris t-shirts out - and onto Facebook - within a day. They’ve dominated the media in the best possible way and pushed Republicans to the sidelines. And they’ve become a social media sensation.
Videos of Kamala dancing went viral (and immediately evoked comparisons to Donald Trump stiffly embarrassing himself in the dance floor). They immediately helped her establish her brand as a “happy warrior,” as did her remarks in Milwaukee and the scenes of her with her husband.
She quickly established continuity with the Biden campaign, making a point of keeping his campaign manager
Within two days she had secured enough delegates to be assured of the presidential nomination at the Democratic Convention.
The announcement and the transition largely mooted much of the media speculation about party in-fighting and the prospects of chaos at the Convention. No one can predict what will happen in Chicago, but the media effort to drum up controversy - and apparently promote Trump - is over for now.
The transition had to have been carefully coordinated orchestrated - and kept secret from the carping, hyper-critical media that had relentlessly worked to drive President Biden from office - especially CNN and The New York Times, whose opinion pages were filled with some of the pettiest, snarkiest, and ultimately irrelevant commentary in the distinguished publication’s history.
Credit is due to Democratic politicians who refused to be baited by sensation-seeking hacks like Jake Tapper and Kaitlin Collins, and for the speed with which the party came together.
Joe still hasn’t been seen since he came down with Covid, but he gave a shout out to Harris over a speakerphone. “I’m watching you, kid. I love ya,” he said with obvious pride.
Harris’ early remarks were not only filled with praise for Joe Biden and pride in the accomplishments of their administration, they were forward-looking, expressing a vision of ending poverty, providing affordable health care to all, and giving everyone in America an opportunity to succeed.
The Republicans seemed surprised by the rapid developments, but immediately fell back to their tried and true responses of racism and personal smears. House Speaker Mike Johnson even had to admonish his members to avoid racist and sexist references. But the gears of the Republican slime machine will soon be grinding out swill in an effort to destroy her. They’re scared right now but will soon be in full-attack mode.
The road to the White House won’t be easy, but they’ve gotten off to a great start.
If she succeeds, if she can fulfill the promise of her words, the American Dream will live.
And maybe, just maybe, MAGA Republicanism will die an ignominious death.
Way to go, Democrats. Keep it up.