Democrats this week in Chicago almost pulled off an impressive, arena-sized trick. They told us so very many times during their quadrennial nominating convention that Americans were reacting to the prospect of a Kamala Harris presidency with "joy," that many of our fellow citizens watching the proceedings from far away likely convinced themselves that such an improbable outcome was true.
I do not doubt that the professional Democratic delegates on the United Center floor—elected officials, union reps, celebrities—experienced the full-body euphoria of no longer having to feign enthusiasm for an octogenarian slipping both mentally and in the polls. They have, in the building, thrilled to the charismatic words of Barack and Michelle Obama, the American-music beats of DJ Cassidy, and above all the polling spread opening up between Harris and the GOP nominee Donald Trump.
