Time-lapse video: United Center during the DNC convention in Chicago
Watch a time-lapse video showing the United Center filling and emptying during the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
CHICAGO – It is important to remember that party conventions are high-tech motivational events for all major parties.
Candidates do not win elections because their party put on a better show in the summer.
But these events are still educational and entertaining because they provide political party candidates with an opportunity to introduce themselves to a larger audience while speaking in an arena packed with their most dedicated supporters. This year, the Republican and Democratic conventions happened to be within a month and 90 miles of each other, one in Milwaukee and the other in Chicago.
How do the two compare?
“I don’t know if there has ever been a greater contrast between two party conventions,” said a Democrat from Milwaukee.
Perhaps.
The Republican National Convention took place just days after an assassination attempt on the former president Donald Trump, and a true religious fervor permeated the event in Milwaukee. Trump also had a decisive lead over the Democratic President Joe Biden and gave the four-day negotiations a triumphant tone.
In contrast, the Democratic Party Convention took place just one month after Biden’s resignation and Vice President Kamala Harris became the party’s nominee, the first black and Indian woman to ever do so. The mood in Chicago was revival and full of energy.
“The Democrats will be leaving Chicago with a big step,” admitted a prominent Wisconsin Republican. “They are united behind Harris/Walz, which was not the case with Biden/Harris.”
Here are more comparisons and contrasts of the two gatherings. The analysis also includes the views of a number of Wisconsin politicians who agreed to speak on background about their actual perceptions of both events.
Layout and logistics
There was a clear winner in this area.
The Democratic National Convention was held at two locations in Chicago, the McCormick Place Convention Center and the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks. The two locations are about four miles apart and are between 15 and 75 minutes apart, depending on the time of day.
McCormick Place, where events were taking place throughout the day, was chaotic and crowded. The United Center was also crowded, especially after the first day, and there were long lines at security for those who arrived too close to the 5:30 p.m. start time.
Milwaukee’s venue was compact, with attendees within minutes’ walk of the Fiserv Forum, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the newly remodeled Baird Center. Security was tight in response to the Trump assassination attempt, but lines were surprisingly short and police officers from across the country were friendly.
“If I had to say, Milwaukee would have beaten Chicago by a wide margin,” admitted one Democratic political consultant.
Just like baseball and football, some things don’t change.
Winner: Republican Convention (by a clear margin).
Conventional production
First, someone should get an award for pulling off this Democratic convention within 30 days of Biden dropping out of the race. The production was tight, the themes were clear, and the videos, especially those introducing the second gentleman, Doug Emhoff and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walzwere first class.
You’d think the Democratic team had spent a year getting everything together.
There was only one major mistake: On several days, the conferences lasted a long time, and important speakers, including Biden and former President Barack Obamamissed prime time – an almost unforgivable sin.
“They place a high value on show,” said one Republican Party leader. “So much so that they can’t give their keynote speeches in prime time.”
The Republicans were equally pleased with the staging of their convention, which included daily themes that echoed Trump’s motto “Make America Great Again.” Just like the Democrats, the convention stage shone and the videos were timely and good.
Several GOP veterans said it was the best convention they had attended in decades.
But in the end, it all fell apart. In his closing speech, Trump went off course, improvised a series of attacks on the Democrats, and delivered a deadly boring 92 minutes in his nomination speech. In contrast, Harris and Walz delivered two succinct, powerful speeches in a total of 55 minutes.
“I think the Republican convention was stronger, but after Trump’s first 30 minutes, everything fell apart,” the Republican Party chairman said. “He should have stopped there.”
Winner: Democratic National Convention (narrowly).
Star power
Remember, conventions are less political events than television shows, so it’s important to let the stars shine to maintain a national audience.
In this area, the Republicans fell far short of expectations.
musician Children’s skirtCEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship Dana WhiteFormer wrestler Hulk Hogan.
Really? The only character missing here was the 1980s television icon Mr T.
Even their political stars – yes, there really are – seemed to be a little shortchanged: Tucker CarlsonUS Representative. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt GingrichThe absence of former GOP presidents and vice presidents as well as Republican bigwigs was striking.
The Democrats overwhelmed their audience with celebrities from all walks of life.
Biden, Obama and his wife, Michellewho gave the best speech of the Convention, and former President Bill Clinton and former Foreign Minister Hillary Clinton were the focus. A number of rising political stars, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez To Maxwell Frostreceived speeches.
As for the music, there was no BeyonceBut you still had Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, John Legend, Lil Jon, Jason Isbell, Mickey Guyton, PinkThe chick and many more. And there were many real celebrities, like actresses Mindy Kaling And Eva LongoriaCoach of the Golden State Warriors Steve Kerr and talk show host Oprah Winfrey.
And yes, there are many Generation Z guys I’ve never heard of.
Winner: Democratic National Convention (overwhelmingly).
Congress visitors
Rarely has a group had as much fun singing together as the delegates at the RNC.
Their ad-libs were great, including chants of the Republican vice presidential candidate’s nickname JD Vance Grandmother: “Mamaw! Mamaw!” They added “JD’s mom, JD’s mom” when he mentioned her. His mother’s real name is Bev Vance.
The Democratic crowd was equally enthusiastic.
When the time came, they never missed an opportunity to deliver some variation of “We’re not going back.” And when a speaker happened to say, “If we fight,” the packed House responded, “We’ll win.” The Democrats also repeatedly shouted “USA” without being asked.
Both teams also managed very well to get through five to six hours of non-stop programming. The exceptions: a few dozen people left the event early when Biden and Vance found their speeches unconvincing and boring.
Winner: Draw.
Topics for the conference
The GOP affair made one thing clear: the current Republican Party is one and the same as Team Trump.
The RNC platform comes from his campaign. His daughter is co-chair of the Republican Party. Donald Trump Jr. was allowed to introduce Vance, a personal friend. At times it seemed as if every member of the Trump family was in the spotlight.
In fact, the whole thing had something of MAGA about it.
Which was fine back then.
But after the Democratic Party Convention, everything seemed a little narrow and limited.
Yes, the Democrats all spoke as if Harris could do no wrong and Trump was an imminent threat. That’s to be expected. But the convention also featured a wide variety of voices from different ethnic and family backgrounds on many political and social issues.
OK, at times the Democrats’ definition of “freedom” was similar – on Wednesday night alone, 20 speakers talked about abortion rights and 10 about LGBTQ rights – but one Democratic strategist from Wisconsin saw this as a strength.
“The development of freedom as a core principle/message of the Democratic Party seems important now that we have seen what it can look like in just a week,” the strategist said.
However, the most influential speakers were Republicans and former Trump staffers who spoke about their experiences with the 45th president. Their statements were powerful.
Winner: Democratic National Convention.
In short, the Democrats put on the better show, the Republicans put on the better theater, and delegates from both parties shone. It was all great fun.
Now we have to see what this all means. The Wisconsin party chairman said:
“I can’t wait to see the polls right after Labor Day. Then we’ll know what the race really looks like.”
Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 313-6684 or [email protected]. Follow him on X at @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.
