Introduction
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) and the Republican National Convention (RNC) are pivotal moments that set the tone for the upcoming presidential election. Two notable speeches given during these conventions are those delivered by Joe Biden and Donald Trump. While Trump's speech received mixed reactions, especially due to its length and tone, Biden's speech was largely praised for its depth, coherence, and heartfelt delivery. Let's analyze both speeches in various aspects to understand which one truly shines.
Safety and Propriety
Donald Trump's Speech: The speech was given to a crowd of around 2,000 unmasked individuals who were tightly packed, and at times even cheered, spreading germs and violating public health guidelines during a pandemic. Additionally, the event did not conduct virus tests on attendees. The proximity of non-infected individuals to potentially infected ones created a significant risk of a 'super-spreader event.'
Joe Biden's Speech: In contrast, Biden's speech adhered to public health guidelines and did not endanger anyone, let alone 2,000 people and their families and communities. This not only upholds public health but also sets a good example for decency and prudence in public gatherings. The speech avoided any risk of public health violations, thus gaining an edge in terms of safety and propriety.
Legal Compliance
Donald Trump's Speech: The use of the White House for a political event was a clear violation of the Hatch Act, which limits how federal employees can engage in political activities.
Joe Biden's Speech: Biden's speech, on the other hand, did not break any laws, thereby maintaining adherence to legal norms and ethics.
Length and Delivery
Donald Trump's Speech: Trump's speech lasted an interminable 75 minutes, the longest convention acceptance speech in at least 40 years—and possibly ever. This required the audience to sit idly through an exhaustive recounting of his administration's achievements, making it feel more like a monologue than a compelling address.
Joe Biden's Speech: Biden spoke for a concise 25 minutes, which is the shortest presidential convention acceptance speech since 1972. His tight delivery was widely praised for its authenticity and impact, making the speech more digestible and memorable.
Coherence and Message
Donald Trump's Speech: The speech was often incoherent, filled with mix-ups, partisan attacks, and boasting. Trump repeatedly gaslighted his audience, mischaracterizing Joe Biden's policies and positions, and even breaking the law by defaming protests shortly after.
Joe Biden's Speech: Biden's speech was coherent, heartfelt, and stayed on message. He promised to work for everyone, including those who don't vote for him, and provided an inspiring vision for the future. The speech balanced sorrow and hope, offering genuine solutions and a positive agenda.
Truthfulness and Characterization
Donald Trump's Speech: Trump's speech was laden with distortions and misleading statements, both about his own record and Joe Biden's policies. His attempts to gaslight and divert attention were evident and fell flat with many viewers.
Joe Biden's Speech: Biden delivered a factual and accurate account of the situation, earning praises for his honesty and truthfulness. He did not misrepresent or mislead the audience, ensuring credibility and trust.
Salience and Focus on Critical Matters
Donald Trump's Speech: Trump's lengthy speech disproportionately focused on non-critical topics like his personal achievements, while barely mentioning the deadly pandemic that had cost over 180,000 lives. This lack of focus on crucial issues was glaring and called for scrutiny.
Joe Biden's Speech: Biden, in contrast, addressed the most pressing issues, including the pandemic, unemployment, and the overall state of the nation. His 25-minute speech incorporated vital elements and offered significant relief and reassurance.
Conclusion
A comprehensive analysis of the DNC and RNC speeches reveals that Joe Biden's speech was thoroughly better than Donald Trump's on all counts. From style and substance to truth and salience, from health and safety to propriety and legality, Biden's speech set the standard for effective and credible communication. The same day as Trump's long and distorted speech, Kamala Harris delivered a powerful address, exposing Trump's failures, further highlighting the disparity between the two.
The conscious choice between these two speeches by the respective leaders reflects their contrasting approaches to leadership and governance. While Trump's speech was long, monotonous, and often off-message, Biden's speech was concise, heartfelt, and coherent, setting the stage for a more constructive and hopeful political discourse.
For those interested in a deeper dive, the video of Kamala Harris's address, which includes a powerful indictment of Trump's failures, is highly recommended for a fuller understanding of the stark contrasts between the two speeches.