The Democrats’ big advantage is that they have nonsolipsists at the top of their party. The Democrats have a leadership class of Clintons and Obamas who are better at reaching beyond the epistemic closure of their own tribe than anybody in the G.O.P.
The Republicans had better speeches during the first three hours of their convention nights. But, in the crucial hour from 10 to 11 o’clock, when the wider country pays attention, the Democrats crushed the opposition. Michelle Obama wrapped a Regular American story line around her Harvard Law degree better than Ann Romney could wrap one around Mitt’s Harvard Law degree. Bill Clinton offered more policy substance than Paul Ryan and was more trans-partisan about it.
President Obama has never actually taken the bold step and offered a growth and debt-reduction package that borrows from the best of left and right, but he always seems like he is about to. He will occasionally let you get a glimpse of his inner longing for Simpson-Bowles.
We have two parties that are really into themselves. But Clinton and Obama are able to project balance.
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