Created Equal: Will Democrats’ enthusiasm prove contagious for independent voters?

Following speeches from high-profile Democrats — including Barack and Michelle Obama and Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz — enthusiasm for the Harris campaign has reached a fever pitch at the Democratic National Convention.

Still, the question remains whether that enthusiasm will lead undecided voters to choose Kamala Harris in November.

Subscribe to Created Equal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Shikha Dalmia from the Institute for the Study of Modern Authoritarianism says the Democrats have taken the ideas of patriotism and freedom from Republicans.

“They’ve stolen the message of patriotism from Republicans,” said Dalmia. “But they’ve also stolen the message of freedom from Republicans, and giving a meaning to freedom that is inclusive in modern in a way that Republican conception of freedom doesn’t strike people us such.”

Not only have Democrats put patriotism back in their messaging, they’re also demonstrating something that Andrea Bitely, a political communications strategist, says the Democrats represent something that independent voters want: normalcy. 

“I think they’re making a case that they are the rational, normal party,” she said.

While normalcy and common sense have emerged as strengths of the Harris-Walz ticket, there is still a glaring gap in support from anti-war protestors from the progressive wing of the party represented by “uncommitted” delegates at the convention. 

James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, co-chaired a forum at the DNC on Palestinian rights on Monday, but says the DNC is taking an unnecessary risk not allowing a Palestinian representative to speak.  

“It wouldn’t have hurt at all to invite a Palestinian American,” said Zogby. “Especially some of those who are very close to the Vice President, who she knows and respects, who she knows from when she was Attorney General. I never understand when campaigns make unforced errors and simply can’t recognize it.”

Now that the Democratic Party’s surrogates have given their endorsements rallying the base, all eyes are on Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech to close out the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.

Guests

• James Zogby is the president and co-founder of the Arab American Institute. He currently serves as chair of the DNC Ethnic Council and was appointed to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom by President Obama, serving from 2013-2017. 
• Shikha Dalmia is the president of the Institute for the Study of Modern Authoritarianism. She is also the editor-in-chief of the free Substack publication, “The UnPopulist.”  
• Andrea Bitely is the former spokesperson for former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and is currently the political and communications strategist at Bitely Communications.  

Listen to Created Equal with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.