Authenticity in political messaging

This week, I followed the Democratic National Convention (DNC), a party convention for Democrats ahead of the United States presidential election.

For an avid political observer, party conventions such as this are a great opportunity to analyze speeches delivered by leaders, providing insight into the issues affecting the local population.

Currently, in the United States, there are six living former presidents, four of whom are Democrats and two are Republicans.

Their system imposes a two-term limit for presidents, thus the number of former presidents who remain key figures of their parties, holding considerable influence.

The DNC featured Democratic presidents such as the incumbent Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton. The other living Democratic president, 99-year-old Jimmy Carter, who held the position from 1977 to 1981, could not make it due to poor health.

The party convention saw speeches from Biden on the first night, followed by Obama on the second night, and Clinton on the third night. Their spouses, Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, and Hillary Clinton, also spoke.

Normally, after leaving office, former US presidents would make their fortune in book deals and public speaking. They are paid very highly for their speeches.

So, it is great to see how these expensive speeches pan out during the convention. Former President Clinton, who turned 78 just a few days ago, is known for being a plain-speaking leader with the uncanny ability to explain things to the layman.

His speech was injected with his wry sense of humour as well as his upbringing, which won over many, coming from one of the Southern states – known for being more conservative than the rest of the population.

Then it came to former President Obama, whose oratory display showed he was still as sharp as ever. To the global audience, the leadership in the US has lost a touch of eloquence since Obama stepped down eight years ago.

Obama, known for his charisma and ability to rally crowds, eased into his speech with witty jokes delivered in a deadpan voice.

Easily one of the best speakers in his party, he tore into the Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump effortlessly, mocking him as a billionaire who never stops complaining, filled with gripes and grievances.

I think most Democrats were able to stay on message, saying that the election would be a turning point for Americans, and they would have to choose the values that would define the next four years.

For the Democratic ticket, it will be about generational change, hope, and the future, while for the Republican ticket, their campaign is mostly about tightening the border and immigration issues.

Kamala Harris, the incumbent vice president, and as of writing, still the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has been a protected figure of late, opting not to be interviewed until she secures the Democratic nomination.

This is part of the strategy for her team as support increases for Harris, with many Democratic backers being more receptive to her after the sudden decision by Biden to drop out of the race, not seeking re-nomination at the eleventh hour.

Harris, who is running to be the country’s first female president, picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate as vice president.
Walz spoke at the convention, delivering the biggest speech of his life.

His story is rather interesting, being a public school teacher, a coach of American football, as well as serving in the National Guard. He is an everyman politician.

He cuts a figure of someone who may be seen as an oddity in politics. While he lacks the grandeur and poshness that is usually associated with people of his stature, Walz makes up for it in terms of his authenticity.

His speech was quite interesting in the sense that he made no apologies for being from rural America, being a crack shot, tinkering with his vintage truck, and his family values.

This air of authenticity provides a boost to the Democratic ticket – a party that is seen to have a sense of elitism, unable to resonate with the common man.

One highlight during the speech was when he spoke about fertility treatment and how it allowed him to start a family. Republicans recently blocked a bill on women’s rights to reproductive care in its Senate.

The camera then panned to his family, who were overwhelmed with emotions, and Walz’s teary-eyed son, Gus, visibly shouting in pride: “That’s my dad, that’s my dad.”

This emotional moment was authentic. It was political messaging at its best.

The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.