GOP Makes a Joyful Noise While Dems Look to Bury Biden

This past week, the Grand Old Party's faithful gathered in Milwaukee and officially put a stamp of approval on a presidential ticket. Former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance of Ohio laid out a plan of hope and positivity as the Democratic Party continues with an internal battle for the best candidate. Undaunted, Joe Biden remains feisty – some might even say angry – at the sage advice that he step aside.

GOP Flash Forward

This year's Republican National Convention wasn't like the others. Only two days after an assassination attempt on the former president, the GOP's tone was united, with less vitriol toward opponents and more gratitude from Trump and his fellow Republicans that he was still here. It was a touch of vulnerability that the public hadn't seen in the bombastic candidate. He presented as a father, grandfather, and a man who nearly laid it all on the line for his country. Clearly, the point was to humanize someone who had been demonized so often.

But the RNC managed to pivot from that sober assessment of recent events. Watching the last night of the convention, no one could call this their father's Republican Party. There were raucous points with country rapper Kid Rock and wrestler Hulk Hogan, as well as poignant moments in the speech delivered by JD Vance: He spoke of addiction and his "Mamaw," who raised him when his mother couldn't. Heartlanders were glued to their devices as the convention came to a close. Trump accepted his party's nomination without any conflict among delegates, a stark contrast with President Biden, who finds himself figuratively shackled in his basement away from the piranhas of his own party.

Trump even received high praise from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who admitted the scene of the assassination attempt made him "emotional."

"Seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things I've ever seen in my life," Zuckerberg told The New York Times. "On some level as an American, it's like hard to not get kind of emotional about that spirit and that fight, and I think that that's why a lot of people like the guy."

Zuckerberg is correct: During Trump's acceptance speech, which began with details of the shooting, men and women in the audience openly allowed tears of joy and pride to roll down their cheeks unchecked. But Anna Tschetter in Emery, SD, wasn't buying it. "Maybe it hit home," she mused, "since he violates freedom of speech, which goes against the constitution and American way."

Mark Maloney, who was in Colorado, was sympathetic to Zuckerberg's emotional expressions, writing: "Somehow I imagine him getting weepy if his latte is just right."

But there was real pain on Trump's face when he paid tribute to former fire chief Corey Comperatore. After shielding his daughters at the rally, this brave husband and father lost his life protecting his family. The former president was visibly shaken as he approached the makeshift memorial, bending down to buss the helmet and embrace the fallen man's coat.

In Stinton, TX, Gomez Rul responded: "That is what America needs – more reverence for God and more reverence for our president to care for his people, realizing that God is in charge. God bless Donald j Trump."

GOP Jubilant as Biden Hunkers Down

The GOP had miraculous moments in the process of nominating its Trump-Vance ticket. Meanwhile, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, a different story was unfolding. After 50 years of service in an elected capacity, President Biden was forced to consider withdrawing from his re-election campaign. It appears the only friend he has left is his wife, Dr. Jill, as the biggest names in the party have decided it's time for him to go.

Yet, turning on their own guy, the Democrats have unleashed a hornet's nest with voters, too – at least among the most faithful Biden believers. Richard Forstot, a GOP voter in Clinton, GA, stated: "Democrats are giving the finger to 15,000,000 disenfranchised Americans who voted for Biden in the primaries. Their votes meant nothing."

Richard Mertens in Grand Chute, WI, agreed: "Talk about this disenfranchising your voter base! Every state has already voted, and he is the nominee, and now you gonna play some political bull – and take him out? Every Democrat should vote for Joe."

Heartlanders are all in for a united America.