Matthew in the middle | 2024 DNC – Times-Standard

The contrast between the RNC and the DNC was worlds apart. The theme of the RNC was dystopian American carnage, with the Biden administration personally raising our homeowners insurance premiums, the price of eggs, and gasoline. We are being invaded at the border by foreign gangs of rapists and drug dealers! You get shot walking into the grocery store! Vote Donald Trump or we’re all dead!

The theme of the DNC was hope, joy, and freedom. The first night of the DNC had Coach Steve Kerr, former Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), First Lady Jill Biden, and our current 46th President, Joe Biden. The second night had Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Senators Chuck Shumer and Bernie Sanders, former First Lady Michelle Obama (personal note: Michelle is 60 and looks like she could be 35), and former President Barack Obama. The third night had House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, and finally Coach Tim Walz. For the final closing night they had Senator Elizabeth Warren, Alex Padilla, Tammi Baldwin and Mark Kelly, former Representative Gabbi Giffords, former Sec. from Defense Leon Panetta, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger and closed with Vice President Kamala Harris.

The DNC zingers were fast and furious. On the first night, they had a mockumentary of “Law and Order” that centered around the prosecutor and the criminal. I don’t have to tell you which of these candidates was a former prosecutor and which is a convicted felon with numerous felony charges pending. Some of my favorites were from former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who said, “If you vote for Harris, you’re not a Democrat. You’re a patriot!” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told Republicans who want to control women’s rights, “Mind your own damn business!” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “Donald Trump is like an old friend. You broke up with him. But he just won’t go away. He’s been circling the bloc for the last four years. He’s been trying to reconnect with the American people. Bro, we broke up with you for a reason.” I would have said, “Bro, I can think of 81 million reasons why we broke up with you.”

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said, “Good evening. I’m Pete Buttigieg. You may know me from Fox News.” From Angela Alsobrooks, Democratic candidate for Senate from Maryland: “Kamala Harris knows how to keep criminals off the streets. And in November, with your help, she’ll keep one out of the Oval Office.” We had former President Bill Clinton, who said, “Two days ago, I turned 78 … and the only personal vanity I’ll claim is that I’m still younger than Donald Trump.” Michelle Obama spoke of Harris’ mother, who said, “Don’t sit around complaining about things. Do something!”

That’s why I’m going to Clark County, Nevada, with the “Pros from Humboldt” in late October to visit neighborhoods for early voting. You can whine on Facebook every day, or you can travel to a state where the vote count is highest and go door to door. Which do you think is more effective in getting your candidate elected?

The former first lady continued, “She understands that most of us will never have the grace of failing forward. We will never benefit from the positive action of generational wealth. When we see a mountain in front of us, we don’t expect an escalator to take us to the top. No. We put our heads down. We go to work. In America, we do something.” Michelle also said, “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s looking for right now might be one of those ‘black jobs’?” She’s still got it!

Okay, the joy and excitement were great while it lasted. Now it’s back to reality with old, angry, white America. This election will come down to the Electoral College and seven states: the Sun Belt states of Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and the Rust Belt states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Whichever candidate wins the majority of those states will be our next president.

Matthew Owen lives in Eureka and believes the First Amendment allows for freedom of speech. He can be reached at [email protected].