(Because of publishing time lines, this column can only refer to Monday and Tuesday’s convention events and the ending of last week’s DNC convention)

Let me stress again, this column is an editorial opinion, mine. You are certainly entitled to disagree or agree with me. Our founding fathers wanted debate and discussion. They did not want riots or partisan logjams. We are all Americans and we need to work for the betterment of this nation.

Last week’s DNC was an attack fest on Trump. If it was meant to solidify their base, they did a good job. If they sought to change the minds of independents and moderate Republicans, they missed their mark.

The public wants a reason to vote for a candidate, not a reason to vote against a candidate.  Last Thursday’s speech by Biden was one of the best I have heard from him. The lead up to the speech and Biden’s political background are all pertinent information for the voter. There is no denying that as a Senator, Biden had an exemplary reputation for being able to walk across the aisle and develop a bi-partisan bill. Those are remarkable and needed skills for a U. S. Senator, and we have so little of that today.

His speech flowed smoothly and evenly as he talked about family and a greater vision. He may have been short on detail, but he stood there and made a very emotional plea as a human being.

My concern is which Biden are we seeing. The one who could cross the aisle and negotiate a bi-partisan bill or are we seeing the Biden who wants Presidency so bad that he has become the puppet of the far left of the Democratic Party. Let’s see how Biden responds to the Republican Convention and how the debates go in month. The bottom line is that after watching Biden’s debacle of his basement recordings to what he did at the DNC, there was a marked improvement and the public noticed. The question is can he maintain that persona of last Thursday.

This week it is the Republican’s turn at the convention stage. We move from Trump being the causal element of all faults in this nation to Trump is the salvation of all of nation’s woes. Who would have thought that? Welcome to the world of hardball politics.

The Democrats were angry and voiced that anger. The Republicans chose to at least voice a positive and personal approach. You had a father of a girl murdered in a school shooting, a police officer voicing support for Trump’s narcotics reform, and a reformed felon all espousing what Trump has done personally to benefit them, their causes and the nation. The Democrats painted their message with a broad paintbrush. The Republicans appeared to be interested in personal portraits. If the public wants a close and personal message, they got it from the Republicans. If the public wishes to hear a broad message about the terrible shape the country is in, the Democrats produced that message. The pundits can pontificate, but it is the voter in November who will say which message resonated with them.

Many were impressed last week with Michelle Obama’s speech wherein she highlighted the difficulties minorities have in this country and her desire to see that situation improved. Her basic improvement is to vote Trump out of office.

This week we heard a very different speech from Melania Trump. She spoke of the contributions of immigrants and how through hard work anyone can achieve the American dream. (I must admit there was this nagging thought that if you marry the right rich guy life gets a whole lot easier.) Cynicism aside, Melania Trump nailed a positive message and Michelle Obama nailed the negative message. Melania stressed her husband’s efforts to combat COVID and clearly messaged to all that she understands the pain that many have gone through over a COVID infection. I prefer the positive message of Melania Trump even while acknowledging the raw pain of Michelle Obama’s speech.

This election may well be much much closer than what the current polls indicate.