What Went Down On Night 2 Of The RNC

Last night was a balancing act between optimism and painting a dark picture of an America under Biden. I expect to see a lot more of that balancing act tonight — though perhaps with less flair.

Last night felt more normal than I had expected as the program wore on, with Nikki Haley and Tim Scott closing up the evening. I’m watching for the dynamic I felt that defined the 2016 RNC, with lots of unusual speakers and the chanting of “Lock her up!” (about Hillary Clinton). Much harder to achieve that effect virtually, but I am waiting for that surreal Trumpism feeling.

In our data, Republican convention speeches have historically been much more likely than Democrats to include references to American exceptionalism or threats to the American way of life. That pattern seems to be continuing this year.