This 3 or 4 days marathon of chest-thumping in front of the faithful is a relic of a bygone era!
The Republicans either just finished or are about to finish their nomination convention. Until the 1960s the winner was hardly pre-determined, there was a certain level of excitement but also the whole process although it looked democratic, was no such thing. Everything was decided in the backrooms.
It then developed into a media show, essentially giving each party tons of free airtime. This reality shifted first, after 9/11 a new type of convention emerged, especially with the Republicans, that attacked what they call the "mainstream media" which to the rest of the world translates into "people who don't agree with us". Then the rise of social media and the internet killed the whole process.
Talking to the faithful is always nice, but for a party to be ignored by the independents is a grave mistake. However, for the Republicans, it is a feature because it increases the strength of "us vs them" which allows people of different opinions to be rejected. The first test occurred in 2020, and they were largely unsuccessful, they stand a much better chance in 2024 because those who engaged in this vote manipulation have so far not been found guilty, and if the Republicans win massively their "crimes" will be forgiven.
The point is that the GOP is presenting the participation of 20,000 people in a convention centre as proof that they are winning, this in a country of 330 million. The Democrats will do the same thing in a few weeks, it will be no better.
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