101 Days Left In Battle For The White House

July 31, 2016 No Comments

As Hillary Clinton offers optimism and continuity, Donald Trump appeals to Americans who think the USA is on the wrong track.

Video: US Election Campaign: Key States

 In 101 days, Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will become president of the United States.

In the past two weeks they've offered very different visions.
Donald Trump has pitched himself as the law and order man who can rescue a country in crisis.
Hillary Clinton is the continuity candidate in a still great, still hopeful America.

Formally, conventions are a coronation. Crucially, in this election, they're about selling the two least popular nominees of modern times.

Video: Hillary Praises Bernie And Condemns Trump

Both were dogged by protests as surrogates did their best to pitch each as the best person for the job.
Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka told the crowd: "My father not only has the strength and ability necessary to be our next president, but also the kindness and compassion that will enable him to be the leader that this country needs."
President Obama brought the house down when he said that there has "never been a man or a woman - not me, not Bill, nobody" who is more qualified to be president than Mrs Clinton.
Political analyst Kyle Kondik says the 2016 gatherings saw a switch in traditional party themes and values.
"The script is kind of flipped this time," he said.
"The Republican convention was kind of negative advocating for a lot of change, saying that the country is not great anymore and the Democratic convention has been this kind of flag waving patriotic event and sort of advocating for continuity."

Video: Trump: 'America Is Back'

The contrast was also sharp in contributors.
Big Hollywood names like Meryl Streep and Katy Perry were queuing up to back Mrs Clinton.
Less so with Mr Trump, in a data driven world that has a big impact on social media spikes.
But some of the most powerful moments of each convention weren't from Hollywood actors.
Khizr Khan, the father of a fallen Muslim soldier, said his family wouldn't be allowed into Mr Trump's America.
He challenged Mr Trump's proposal to ban Muslims from the US by offering his copy of the constitution.

Video: Obama Calls For Americans To Back Clinton

The real estate tycoon offered Pat Smith, whose son died in Benghazi while Mrs Clinton was Secretary of State.
She said she blamed Mrs Clinton directly for the death of her son in a moment that brought audience members to tears.
To have the desired impact people have to actually watch these moments.
Audience figures for conventions have dipped in recent years.
There are now 101 days until people make their choice. The stage shows are over but the message war is underway.
Out of all the noise, pomp and ceremony two key themes emerged from each convention.

Video: Trump 'Will Never Let You Down'

Hillary Clinton says it takes a village - we're better together.
Mr Trump says he's the individual who can come in and save the day.
Polls suggest more Americans agree with his notion that the country is on the wrong track.
Optimism and continuity will be a tougher sell. Mrs Clinton has the superior campaign machinery to do it.
The next three months will reveal whether any of that matters anymore.