Made-for-TV Conventions End Up as Nothing-But-TV in Covid Era
- Coronavirus fears shrank year’s biggest political events
- A series of virtual speeches replace hobnobbing, lobbying
This article is for subscribers only.
Gone are the balloons and confetti. No colorful hats, no boozy parties and perhaps most notably, no cheering fans. This year’s political conventions have been pared down to the bare essentials amid fear of the coronavirus, swapping a week of festivities for each party with two-dimensional television shows.
Both President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden had planned traditional celebrations in states critical to their electoral fortunes -- the Democrats in Wisconsin, which they need to take back after losing in 2016, and the Republicans in North Carolina, a wavering stronghold they need to maintain.