A Strategy of Joy

Why joy, hope and love strike such a potent contrast to Trump’s campaign

If you spent the past week up too late watching the Democratic National Convention, welcome to my club. It was a stark difference from Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock, and rhetoric of an America in collapse at the Republican National Convention in July. The DNC itself was exuberant with hope — understandable for a party that is now pulling ahead in some national polls when just weeks ago it was begging its presidential candidate, Joe Biden, to step back.

This year’s DNC felt like watching the part of a movie right after the Hail Mary pass connects.

This is where we are, America. I am making football metaphors.

While this past week, Vice-President Kamala Harris reintroduced herself to voters, recent weeks have shown her to be a masterful politician. She coalesced delegates and endorsements in a cascade that looked effortless. She chose a vice-presidential running mate who emanates rural values, has a progressive record, and speaks to the middle. And while former president Donald Trump mocked her race, her intellect, and her laugh, candidate Harris made joy a linchpin of her presidential run.

That might be the most insightful element of this campaign.