Peter G. de Krassel

How Trump divided a nation but united the Democrats

The Democratic convention showcased the togetherness of a party once fractured by disagreements between Bernie Sanders’ progressive wing and the centrist-moderate wing led by Joe Biden. But even if Trump is voted out, will he accept the result?

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Former vice-president Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, and his wife, Jill (left) and Senator Kamala Harris, his vice-presidential nominee, and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, look at viewers tuned in to the virtual Democratic National Convention in Delaware on August 20. Photo: Bloomberg

Peter G. de Krassel

Published: 1:15am, 3 Sep 2020Updated: 2:35am, 3 Sep 2020

Watching the virtual conventions of the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States, I was blown away especially by how President Donald Trump has achieved the feat of unifying the Democratic Party.

It had been clear for some time that the Democratic Party was fractured, with the progressive wing led by Senator Bernie Sanders on one side and the moderate-centrist wing, led by former vice-president Joe Biden, on the other. Nonetheless, now the party has nominated Biden, with Sanders’ support, Democrats of all stripes are uniting under a single banner: defeat Trump in his bid for a second term. They have the support of many moderate Republicans who dislike Trump or his policies.

Their fury at Trump was demonstrated by former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and secretary of state, four-star general Colin Powell, former New Jersey governor Christine Whitman, former Ohio governor John Kasich and former congresswoman Susan Molinari. They were scathing in their criticism of Trump – their reason for supporting Biden.

The Democratic roll call of the 57 states and US territories to formally choose the nominee was an impressive showcase of the American story – America’s diversity, but with a bridge spanning different ethnic, cultural and political sectors that help them come together.

A video about the friendship between the late Republican senator John McCain and Biden confirmed it. It highlighted that notwithstanding their political differences and allegiance to opposing parties, they remained close friends, and worked together on issues they agreed were important to America’s interests. Affordable health care was a prime example.