But does it matter?

I streamed an incredible night of speeches from Night 3 of the DNC last night, and immersed myself in the pageantry of the event. But one thought kept nagging at me over and over again throughout the evening…

First, to set the stage — I almost always lean Democratic. I certainly vote on the environment, I like to think that I vote for fairness and reasonable, thoughtful, consistent policies on economics and some social issues. I approve of equal pay for equal work, equal love, equal access to America’s incredible resources, and equal opportunity for anyone willing to work for it. I approve of a safety net, but not one that can be abused or taken for granted. I love the National Parks. I respect the military, and especially our overused and overstretched Special Forces. I value diplomacy and the hard work to make alliances over cluster bombs. I appreciate anyone who goes above and beyond to make their community, their state, and their country a better place. I applaud anyone willing to step up and do more, to reach out and help, put themselves out there. To show up.

I watched Michael Bloomberg, self-made billionaire and former Mayor of New York City. I giggled at Vice President Joe Biden’s speech (and was humbled and heartened when he spoke of his late son, Beau). I absorbed and contemplated VP-nominee Tim Kaine — his style, folksiness, and political-life accomplishments (seems like a steady, thoughtful guy). I was filled with the optimism that only President Obama can project, and reminded what an amazing (but yes, certainly not perfect nor complete) recovery he has guided the country through. But I could not get a deeply-seeded splinter out of my mind…

Does any of this really matter?

All us Dems were watching this and feeling hopeful, feeling good, maybe even feeling confident. But last week, the Repubs were doing the same thing — feeling they had found their answer, that their candidate would Make America Great Again, that he would blow up the system and put the country back on a better track (for them). Emotions are running high, and each side shakes their heads and can’t believe that the other team has this leader as their quarterback.

I can’t stop wondering if there is anyone out there actually on the fence, or have we already become so entrenched in our own camps, that all of this is simply stagecraft? Who is it that each candidate is trying to convince? Is any of this unity, positivity and optimism, and expression of the accomplishments of the past 8 years actually reaching anyone new? It is striking to me, of course, that the polls are so close (and, is that real too, or simply manipulation to keep the media interest high for ratings purposes?)

I read (with some degree of depression) Michael Moore’s story the other day about why The Donald will win the election, and it basically centers around the idea that the people who are most in the Clinton camp won’t vote. They won’t show up, and that the demographically dominant Trump supporters are so fed up with being overlooked that they are more motivated that usual.

The point is, half are #NeverTrump, and half hate Hillary. Half don’t believe that the country is on a better track than we were 8 years ago, or that the recovery has been fast enough or fair enough or equitable enough, while the other half are swooning about the accomplishments, respect, and drama-free path that we have been walking under Obama. If you watch Facebook or read the comments in news articles, it is almost completely one or the other. Love or hate. Black or white. Conventional vs. Revolutionary.

Ultimately, my question is this. Are there really minds out there that need making up? Are there really people on the fence? Will all the speeches and ads and debates actually matter — are there minds to be changed? Or is this simply all theatre because it is what is the tradition, but minds are actually all made up?