2020 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
Various Networks, Check local listings
If Joe Biden sticks the landing with his acceptance speech tonight, concluding four days of virtual conventioneering for the Democrats in advance of the 2020 presidential election, this week’s socially distanced, unprecedentedly presented event arguably – and I’d argue it passionately – may emerge as the best presidential national convention ever televised. Without delegates interrupting speeches every other sentence with prolonged and partisan applause, the messages from the speakers have been clearer and delivered more intimately. The mixture of live and pre-recorded elements has worked almost (though not quite) seamlessly. Each night’s roster of speakers, so far, has been framed around a consistent theme, and certain speakers have more than risen to the occasion. (Not to name names, but start with one Harris and two Obamas.) And oh, my! The virtual roll call, which was delivered remotely from each state and territory? That has to be standard operating procedure from now on. And if the Republicans don’t adopt a similar approach next week, they’ll have wasted one of the greatest advantages of going second in these August convention schedules – learning from, as well as reacting to, the opposition. Tonight, the Democrats conclude their get-together (well, almost get-together). C-SPAN begins its nightly, totally objective convention telecast at 8:50 p.m. ET. Cable news stations show up earlier with blanket coverage, usually at 7 p.m. ET, and the major broadcast networks join in at 10 p.m. ET.