3 Weeks? No Problem!
The Democratic Party is in chaos, with just 3 weeks to go before the convention!
A certain disaster? Believe it or not, this may be the best thing to happen for the Democrats and the Never-Trumpers (formerly known as the “responsible branch of the Republican Party,” unofficially chaired by Lynn Cheney).
Consider how the “chaos” might unfold:
Week 1
Joe Biden releases his delegates. There’s no justification or precedent for them to automatically go to Kamala Harris. Biden made ae weighty endorsement, but that’s not who state delegates previously chose or are obliged to vote for. The established rule is that it comes down to what state delegates decide in an open convention — of which party unification is an implicit outcome and possibly achieved in advance, (i.e., with a first ballot majority assured and thus preempted, as occurred with Kennedy in 1960).
Viable candidates, including Kamala Harris, declare their intention or agree to be drafted. Interest and anticipation among the general public grows to an unprecedented level. With all the drama and history-making, potential voters pay attention to something other than their browser news feed, social media, and favorite TV show ads.
Week 2
Candidates agree to an equitable mix of purposefully planned appearances, as negotiated by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). These might consist of public speeches, debates, media appearances, town hall meetings, and/or online presence (e.g., website, Facebook account, Wiki entry).
This week of campaigning allows candidates to clearly and efficiently let known their differences and similarities be known. Expect each campaign to designate an official website. Also, the DNC might establish an official website where it posts candidates’ positions and their responses to key questions in 200 words or less each. The debates, probably just two, take place this week. In the process, we find out who’s camera-ready and debate-ready.
As the most unique, publicized, and compressed campaigns, we can be assured the general public will tune in. This is an ideal opportunity for low-cost, high-impact political campaigning. Implicitly, the candidates’ areas of agreement become a de facto party platform.
This week is open season for endorsements (with a pre-established starting date) and for polling of citizens, donors, and (informally) state delegates. In addition to polls by the established national polling bureaus, the Democratic party and/or private polling companies might conduct within-state polls, would serve as a proxy for the now-past state primaries and caucuses.
This week is open season for candidate-specific contributions (with a pre-established starting date). This may work better anyway. They just hit you up for money once or twice, and there’s a limited period of time in which donations are be made. The DNC can encourage contributions to be made to the common fund — which, by law, is not subject to dark money. Major endorsements and donations are listed on the DNC site. Possibly (ideally?), candidates agreed in advance not to accept dark money.
Week 3
Candidates can now spend campaign contributions and run ads. Presumably, the candidates’ campaigns have been crafting paid ads in anticipation. The DNC might spend a huge chunk of campaign contributions on a general “vote Democratic” campaign, thus linking their President, Senate, and House campaigns by publicizing the party platform and making clear what Democratic candidates have pledged to support and can accomplish with Senate and House majorities — things like “reasonable gun violence prevention” laws and “not trying to violently overturn the results of a free and fair election,” which the general public overwhelmingly supports.
Week 4
The Democratic convention takes place following the established playbook, which culminates in party unity.
Let the chaos begin!!
