The Democrats have concluded their convention, and by most measures, it was a success. There were no major mistakes and many moments that tugged on our heartstrings. Joe Biden rose to the occasion and delivered an acceptance speech that shattered any doubts about his vigor and mental acuity. His optimistic vision of what America can be was downright inspiring.
Now it’s the Republicans’ turn. While the circumstances are markedly different, it might make sense for party leaders to recall what was arguably the greatest Republican National Convention in recent memory — 1984 in Dallas. It is hard to believe it has been more than three and a half decades since Ronald Reagan was nominated for a second time. That he would be the unanimous choice to be the party’s standard-bearer may have been a foregone conclusion, but it did not diminish the delegates’ or Reagan’s enthusiasm for the events.
While Reagan was a bit uncomfortable with the personality cult that surrounds nominating conventions, he deeply appreciated his party’s support and enjoyed the time he spent in Dallas. Weeks before the convention, Reagan told his handlers that rather than swoop in at the last minute to claim the crown, he wanted to get to Dallas ahead of “the big night” so he could spend time thanking as many supporters as possible. And that is exactly what he did. Shortly after arriving at his hotel, he met with former President Gerald Ford, after which he attended a raucous rally in the hotel’s atrium. Later that evening, he was joined in his suite by Vice President George H.W. and Barbara Bush to watch on television as Nancy delivered her speech. Once she was back at the hotel, the Reagans and Bushes received party officials who formally notified them of their nominations.
The next day Reagan attended an ecumenical prayer breakfast, was interviewed (separately) by Time magazine and the Los Angeles Times, addressed a luncheon meeting of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, and a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee. That evening he went to the convention center to deliver his acceptance speech.
That was not the end of the day for the Reagans. After the speech, they hosted a reception for old friends and longtime supporters. By the time it was over, Reagan was worn out, handwriting this in his private diary: “We were both pooped and glad to get to bed.”
Tired though he may have been, before leaving Dallas the next morning, Reagan spoke to a meeting of the Republican National Committee and then went on to events in Chicago. Eventually, he and Nancy arrived at Camp David for a well-deserved and much-needed rest. That weekend Reagan surprised Nancy by screening Night Into Morning, the movie she made with Ray Milland in 1951.
Fast forward to today, when neither major political party can host the spectacle of a national convention. Both must instead stage “virtual” or vastly scaled-down events to present their cases without the traditional glitz we have come to expect. There is no way to know whether voters will miss that. Traditionally, candidates enjoy a post-convention “bounce” in the polls after multiple nights of nonstop rallies, fawning speeches, hootin’ and hollerin’, silly hats, and balloon-drops. It will be interesting to see if that is the case this year.
Instead of the extravaganzas we have come to expect, the conventions are more sober, serious, and solemn discussions of the issues we face. While not as entertaining as past conventions have been, that is probably a good thing. Sometimes substance matters.
Reports are that President Trump wants his Republican convention to be a better show than the Democrats’ was. That’s understandable, but he would be well-advised to avoid giving in temptations to answer the Democrats with a circus. Bearded ladies and chihuahuas riding tricycles may be fun to see, but have no place in the process of nominating candidates for president and vice president and presenting voters with a party’s plan to address the country’s problems.
Although there are significant differences between today and the time when Reagan was nominated for a second term, the stakes are similarly high — some would say higher. We face an unprecedented health crisis, record unemployment, increased racial tensions, and ominous threats from adversaries, among other challenges. Simply put, we need to make critical decisions about what kind of country we want to be.
It might help to be reminded of what Reagan said when he accepted his party’s nomination for president for the last time 36 years ago:
“Just this past Fourth of July, the torch atop the Statue of Liberty was hoisted down for replacement. We can be forgiven for thinking that maybe it was just worn out from lighting the way to freedom for 17 million new Americans. So, now we’ll put up a new one.
“The poet called Miss Liberty’s torch the ‘lamp beside the golden door.’ Well, that was the entrance to America, and it still is. And now you really know why we’re here tonight.
“The glistening hope of that lamp is still ours. Every promise, every opportunity is still golden in this land. And through that golden door, our children can walk into tomorrow with the knowledge that no one can be denied the promise that is America.
“Her heart is full; her door is still golden, her future bright. She has arms big enough to comfort and strong enough to support, for the strength in her arms is the strength of her people. She will carry on in the eighties unafraid, unashamed, and unsurpassed.
“In this springtime of hope, some lights seem eternal; America’s is.”
Biden has told us where he hopes to lead this country. In a few days, Trump will be afforded the same opportunity. While neither can come close to the eloquence of the Great Communicator, we need to listen carefully. Their messages matter.
Mark Weinberg, an executive speechwriter and communications consultant, served as special assistant to the president and assistant press secretary in the Reagan White House, and as director of public affairs in the office of former President Ronald Reagan. He is the author of the best-selling memoir, Movie Nights with the Reagans (Simon & Schuster.)
