The Republicans offered consistency and stability, not only in messaging, but, and perhaps more interestingly, in production value. Speakers appeared in one of two settings — the grand Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC and another location in the capital before the same American flag backdrop, with only a couple speakers recording from other locations but maintaining consistent polish. In many ways, the messaging was exactly what you’d expect from a pre-fab Republican convention yet injected with Trumpian barbs and trolls both from the man himself in the Oval Office and several speakers. That’s astute strategizing to both the MAGA-base, many who never considered themselves Republican or conservative before Trump came along, and those more traditional voters who weren’t so keen on Trump the last time around, but certainly have his back now…

In a time of extreme anxiety, economic uncertainty, and a great divide between the party of the red carpet and everyone else, the Democrats’ convention was nothing more than a grotesque infomercial and telethon, each night hosted by its very own washed-up celebrity. Instead of solutions, they gave America The Burning live musical performances, convoluted theories regarding race or climate, and lectured on how awful our nation is and always has been. The Republicans, on the other hand, seemed to offer a return to something more grounded and tangible.