Despite the obvious ideological differences, the two conferences of the various parties presented an internal unity. • The goal remained the same: to recruit more supporters towards the climax

• President Trump and his deputy. Approaching the moment of truth // Photo: IPI

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  Photo: IPI

Last night, in a speech accepting President Trump's appointment, the curtain fell on the Republican National Convention, which convened in Charlotte, North Carolina. This ended two weeks that were saturated with intense political activity at the national level. For a week ago it was the turn of the Democratic Party to hold its national conference, which was held in Milwaukee and formally elected its presidential candidate, Joe Biden.

Despite the salient ideological differences that created a deep chasm between the parties, he composed a common denominator between their two conferences. Unlike some of the past conferences, which were laden with rifts, friction and controversy from home, this time the two conferences were characterized by an atmosphere of inner unity and a desire to mobilize the fans and activists for a final effort on the eve of the decision. 

Indeed, especially in the Democratic camp, the conference emphasized the stabilization of the ceasefire agreement between representatives of the mainstream and pragmatic party and the leaders of the liberal-progressive current created by Socialist Senator Bernie Sanders, who allowed all factions to congregate under the tent of the party. In the Republican Party, the process was simpler, as the movement created by President Trump had long since taken over the old party establishment and removed its key representatives from the rostrum as well. 

Flashlight at Republican conference: "Biden's America will not be safe" // Photo: Reuters

Following the conference, Republican figures such as former President George W. Bush, former Chief of Staff Colin Powell and Obama's 2012 rival Mitt Romney were absent from the conference. 

Another common denominator between the two rival camps was anchored in the fact that both were forced to hold their conferences in a largely limited and digital format, without the mass ceremonies, colorful parades and carnival atmosphere that surrounds these events and usually makes them a colorful and unique American celebration. 

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As a result, the scope of the media coverage of the two conferences was also affected, and the viewing rate for them was so far lower than usual. As a result, Biden did not gain the momentum expected in the polls, which in the past was a permanent result of a "Likud conference," which received massive, sympathetic and sustained media exposure. So too is the Republican election campaign hurting, and for Trump - who is lagging behind in national polls - it could be a not-so-easy blow in his efforts to take the initiative following a particularly successful conference and thus narrow the gap.

As for the content side, both parties together made an effort to form a broad internal front against the opponent. Biden has done so through the appointment of deputy candidate Kamala Harris, who is set to recruit minority groups to the flag. For Harris defines herself as part of the African-American community. 

The elephant in the room

However, the fact that Harris is one of the mainstream and moderate currents in the party is supposed to shield her from Trump's harsh criticism for her alleged affiliation with the extremist camp. This is without upsetting the progressive camp in the party (from the house of Sanders' creator), whose hostility to the White House will cause him to vote, even if he does not fully identify with the Democratic card. 

A more complex picture emerges in the Republican Party. In contrast to the Democratic convention, the Republican convention in Charlotte was more of a movement than a traditional one, and was replaced by the veteran Republican elite by ordinary citizens and regional and local activists whose contribution to the American ethos was miraculously elevated. 

At the conference itself, which focused on the president himself (who appeared at it every day) and his family, a special effort was made to radiate, for affluent suburban voters, a pragmatic and moderate image of Trump, compared to many of his statements and actions on issues such as immigration and ethnicity. But to her and a thorn in her side. 

First, despite the meticulous production efforts, the elephant in the room did not disappear altogether. That is: the corona virus, which most of the speakers chose not to address at all. Some of them, including Vice President Mike Pence, have chosen to praise the White House for its handling and leadership in this traumatic issue. And if that wasn't enough, the shooting of police officers in the African-American Jacob Blake in the state of Wisconsin sparked a wave of protests, which had already subsided following the killing of George Floyd. 

This changed the public and media agenda in the midst of the conference, shifting the spotlight from government achievements directly to the issue of police violence and the treatment of minorities and the underprivileged (and spawned a series of new protest measures, including in sports). 

As for the Jewish and Israeli aspect of the conferences - in this context the gap between the two parties is particularly noticeable. As for the Democrats, relative to the opposing positions toward Israel of part of the party's liberal wing, the platform drafted on the eve of the conference was relatively moderate, avoiding an affinity between continued security assistance to Israel and construction in the settlements. In his speech, Biden also stressed the importance of the unconditional struggle against anti-Semitism and its violent and ugly manifestations on U.S. soil. 

On the other hand, the atmosphere that blew from the Republican direction toward Israel was much warmer, as evidenced by the fact that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's speech to the rally was recorded from Jerusalem, with the majestic sights of the city united in his president's sovereignty. And when Pompeo's firm support for Israel resonates even more with its impressive setting. 

As mentioned, two months before the decision on November 3, and a few days before the start of early voting in some countries, the scales are in favor of the Democratic candidate. However, everything can still change - and in one fell swoop - over the next two months.