Dan Balz: “Nothing counts quite as much at political conventions as what the nominee says in the spotlight. Former president Donald Trump managed to undermine three good nights at his convention in Milwaukee with a rambling, unfocused 90-minute speech that ran counter to efforts by others to remake his image in the eyes of voters. His candidacy hasn’t been the same since then.”
“As effective as Harris has been over the month since President Joe Biden abruptly ended his reelection campaign, Thursday’s speech provides her with the most significant opportunity yet to move voters, particularly those on the fence, in her direction. It will probably be the last time she will command such attention solely for herself.”
Playbook: “Aides have made it clear to the convention brass that they don’t want any hint of the timing issues that have plagued the party this week, with speeches from the most important figures pushed way past prime time (Walz, for instance, started at 11:22 p.m. Eastern). Snafus will not be tolerated. As one senior aide told us in the halls of the United Center, ‘they better not even think about cutting her damn video like they did President Biden’s.’”
