Republicans have made their first major pitch for Donald Trump’s re-election, framing him as a defender of an American way of life that is under attack from Democrats.
From the opening video of the Republican National Convention – a video literally dripping with patriotism – the message was that America was a land of promise, opportunity and heroes – but that it was under assault.
The Democrats were portrayed as creatures of The Swamp intent on obstructing Trump’s presidency while seeking to keep the American economy shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic and fanning the flames of violence in the streets.
By contrast Trump was portrayed as a defender of religious freedom, gun rights and law and order – a leader who had kept most of his campaign promises including a conservative-majority Supreme Court.
These starkly differing narratives will be hammered repeatedly by Trump over the next two and a bit months as he seeks a come-from-behind election victory against Joe Biden.
Day one of the convention contained much cheerleading about Trump and about his achievements, but very little about what his vision for America is for the next four years.
This is a gap that the Republicans will need to fix in the coming three days or else they risk simply appealing to Trump’s existing base without winning over the undecided voters who they will need to defeat Biden in November.
The first day of the four-day convention, a two and a half-hour prime time package, was more slick than the Democrats clunky opening day last week.
It featured ordinary Americans, small businesspeople, educators, nurses, telling their story about how the Trump administration has helped their lives.
But the Republicans had fewer big name speakers than the Democrats and there were few standout moments.
The Republican program spent much time trying to reframe the story of Trump’s much criticised handling of the Coronavirus.
Trump’s poll ratings have fallen during the pandemic and Republicans know he has to work hard to reverse the popular perception that he has mishandled the crisis.
The Republicans used the program to focus on China’s role in the early spread of the virus and argue that Trump had saved potentially millions of lives by implementing early travel bans from China and Europe.
It was telling that Trump’s first appearance on the prime time program was a pre-recorded cameo appearance of the president talking to frontline workers and first responders about the pandemic.
On the economy – an area where polls show Trump is seen as a better manager than Biden – Republicans sought to repeatedly remind voters how strong the economy was before the pandemic hit in March.
Former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who many believe will run for president in 2024, scored some hits against Biden’s record as a global leader, arguing that as vice-president the Obama White House was too soft on Iran, North Korea and China.
All up, it was a competent start by the Republicans but they will need to speak more about their vision for the future and less about the past in the days ahead.
Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia
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