We’ve argued before that Donald Trump is a poor messenger for an important message. It’s a message that should be heeded not because his policy prescriptions are the right ones — many would, we believe, be damaging if implemented. It should be heeded, rather, because it captures real and justified concerns shared by millions of Americans.

On Thursday night, despite undisciplined ad libs that sapped his convention speech of energy, Trump came closer than ever before to becoming an effective messenger. Beneath his occasionally mangled delivery was the voice of millions of people who feel left behind, vulnerable and dismayed by political and cultural developments at home and abroad.