# 2020 Virtual convention thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 17, 2020, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353 "2020-08-17T23:18:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/304 "2020-08-25T03:26:39Z")
So the complaint from Republicans was that the DNC was nothing but doom and gloom, and their convention was going to be upbeat and positive, right? > **[Republicans paint dark picture of future if Trump loses](https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-election-2020-ap-top-news-religion-politics-f54a020371addfa13b24027dec03007c)** > > WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans offered dark warnings about America’s future if President Donald Trump fails to win a second term, opening their scaled-down national convention Monday night by casting the GOP as a protector of religious freedom, the... > [@](#): > > Republicans predicted a national “horror movie” should President Donald Trump lose in November, flinging out dark warnings on Monday’s opening night of their scaled down national convention. > [@](#): > > Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida likened the prospect of Biden’s election to a horror movie. > > “They’ll disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home, and invite MS-13 to live next door,” Gaetz declared. These people lie about _everything_. All the time. Lie, lie, lie. They lie about what they’re going to say and they lie about what they’re going to do. All lies. At least there’s no extra charge up-front for the fear-mongering; it’s part of the package. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/305 "2020-08-25T03:37:02Z")
I know this is logical thinking, so it doesn’t apply, but… When Obummer was president FOR EIGHT YEARS, these things didn’t happen, to wit: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home, and invite MS-13 to live next door So are they saying old white guy Biden is more evuhl and dangerous even than that Black Muslim Kenyan Un-American Devil? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/306 "2020-08-25T03:39:34Z")
Republican voter: “I’m too scared to think straight!” ---
**Author:** ![SwissMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@SwissMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwissMan)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/307 "2020-08-25T03:54:16Z")
They have to. It’s like a drug; they built up a tolerance and now they need even more. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/308 "2020-08-25T07:10:08Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Republican voter: “I’m too scared to think straight!” That came through–the “too scared” part anyway. We had the McCloskeys, who pointed their guns at St. Louis protestors, talking about how they feared for their home and themselves, and were charged, while the so-called Marxist protestors were not. We had Kimberly Guilfoyle deliver a screaming rant about how Biden would introduce socialism or communism or some other ism that Americans must be on guard against. And we had Donald Trump Jr. do the same, although with less screaming and ranting. In fairness, I did appreciate the remarks from Nikki Haley and Tim Scott. I didn’t necessarily agree with them, but they were delivered eloquently, calmly, and with conviction. People like that are what the Republicans need more of. Hint to Republicans: You need fewer Kimberly Guilfoyles and McCloskeys, and more Nikki Haleys and Tim Scotts. My takeaway from Night 1 of the RNC: The Republicans’ message is, “Be afraid, America. Joe Biden will destroy your way of life.” My takeaway from the entire DNC: The Democrats’ message is, “Let’s move forward together, for a brighter future for _all_ Americans.” ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/309 "2020-08-25T11:18:25Z")
I hope Melania plagiarizes Michelle Obama’s speech again and says, “ Because whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division, and a total and utter lack of empathy.” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/310 "2020-08-25T14:50:14Z")
Melania (or her speechwriter) is at least politically savvy enough not to plagiarize anyone else’s speech that criticizes her husband directly. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/311 "2020-08-25T15:37:13Z")
Donald Trump Jr blatantly practices his dad’s hand movements and mannerisms in front of a mirror for hours ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/312 "2020-08-25T16:20:20Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > They don’t give the delegate vote totals for the nomination. I think that was the real roll call but maybe they’ll do a show one for prime time. This isn’t the first time the Republicans have “fudged” the roll call vote. In 2012, each time a state voted, the secreatry’s “confirmation” of the vote left out any votes for Ron Paul - only Romney votes were “counted.” ---
**Author:** ![Skunkdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Skunkdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skunkdog)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/313 "2020-08-25T16:42:35Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > Even Trump said this morn that Bernie got screwed. Wow, a lifelong Democratic Socialist who spent the majority of his 40 years in politics as an independent who caucused with the Democrats was not welcomed with open arms and the nomination? Say it ain’t so! ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/314 "2020-08-25T18:57:16Z")
It was a joke, son. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/315 "2020-08-25T19:19:56Z")
As is much of the RNC. ---
**Author:** ![anny\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/316 "2020-08-25T21:51:39Z")
I didn’t watch any of the convention (and don’t intend to), but people on Twitter today seemed to be convinced that Junior and Kimberly were coked-out. So, Dopers that watched – is that just Twitter nonsense or did the two speakers generally look like maybe they’d snorted a few lines to get their energy up? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/317 "2020-08-25T22:01:19Z")
Holy shit, Donny, Jr. and his girlfriend were coked out of their minds; and that’s a conservative guess. Between her histrionics and his bleary, watery red eyes, they must have tooted up just before appearing. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/318 "2020-08-25T22:04:20Z")
I love the Dope. There’s always someone willing to take one for the team. 👍🏼 ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/319 "2020-08-25T22:23:21Z")
> [@anny\_m](#): > > So, Dopers that watched – is that just Twitter nonsense or did the two speakers generally look like maybe they’d snorted a few lines to get their energy up? She looked WAY TOO ENTHUSIASTIC for a convention. And conventions are a place where people are enthusiastic. If a normal convention goer is at level 10, she was level 32. He looked like he always does - just a little more dazed. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/320 "2020-08-25T22:30:17Z")
> [@anny\_m](#): > > I didn’t watch any of the convention (and don’t intend to), but people on Twitter today seemed to be convinced that Junior and Kimberly were coked-out. I don’t know but that’s what I’m hearing. From fine people who are experts, really smart people on the elements of cocaine. I don’t know but many people are saying it. ---
**Author:** ![ThisIsTheEnd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisistheend/32/4713_2.png) [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/321 "2020-08-25T23:13:07Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/cP6V_9Vzwyg/hqdefault.jpg "The Perfect Analogy for Guilfoyle’s Unhinged RNC Speech") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP6V_9Vzwyg) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/322 "2020-08-25T23:32:28Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > I don’t know but that’s what I’m hearing. From fine people who are experts, really smart people on the elements of cocaine. I don’t know but many people are saying it. I checked with a friend of mine who watched (she hates trump but loves pain so she’s watching) and is an authority on coke usage and she said _definitely_. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353/323 "2020-08-25T23:38:00Z")
A comparison of Nielsen ratings: > **[First Night of 2016 Republican National Convention Draws 23 Million Viewers](https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2016/first-night-of-2016-republican-national-convention-draws-viewers/)** > > An estimated 23.4 million people tuned in to watch the opening night of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18. > **[Media Advisory: First Night of 2020 Republican National Convention Draws 17...](https://www.nielsen.com/news-center/2020/media-advisory-first-night-of-2020-republican-national-convention-draws-17-million-viewers/)** > > An estimated 17 million people tuned in to watch the first night of the 2020 Republican National Convention on Monday, August 24. > **[Media Advisory: First Night of 2020 Democratic National Convention Draws 19.7...](https://www.nielsen.com/news-center/2020/media-advisory-first-night-of-2020-democratic-national-convention-draws-19-7-million-viewers/)** > > An estimated 19.7 million people tuned in to watch the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention on Monday, August 17. > **[First Night of 2016 Democratic National Convention Draws 26 Million Viewers](https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2016/first-night-of-2016-democratic-national-convention-draws-viewers/)** > > An estimated 26 million people tuned in to watch the first night of the 2016 Democratic National Convention on Monday, July 25. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-virtual-convention-thread/918353.md?page=17)