Dems vs. GOP: Who won the convention war?

Going into the conventions, the goal for Obama and his GOP rival, Mitt Romney, was to generate momentum for the final stretch of the campaign. Were both events duds?

Obama and Romney
(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images, Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

And... it's over. The Democrats have wrapped up their energetic three-day convention in Charlotte, N.C., making the case for their presidential ticket: Michelle Obama extolled her husband's character; Bill Clinton authoritatively defended Obama's record; and the president himself vowed to finish the job he started if given a second term. A week earlier, the Republicans had their shot, with Ann Romney working overtime to humanize Mitt, veep nominee Paul Ryan slamming Obama, and Romney promising to restore prosperity in ways the Democrats haven't. Political conventions are designed to juice campaigns as they enter the home stretch toward election day. Whose big event generated more momentum, Obama's or Romney's?

Team Obama trounced the GOP: Judging by the conventions, "you'd wonder why this election is even close," says Eugene Robinson at The Washington Post. Republicans were united against Obama, but mustered little enthusiasm for Romney. The Democrats made a compelling, spirited, and optimistic case for the need to re-elect Obama, with Clinton eviscerating every attack the GOP has fired at the president. These "three-day infomercials" don't turn elections, but Obama's unquestionably gave him an edge.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us