gotchanewsdaily.com 
Regarding the Aug. 22 article “The Democratic Party looks more like America, and not just on TV”:
I came of age when women could not get a credit card or a loan without a male signature, abortions were illegal, and women and people of color were excluded from most graduate schools and good jobs.
This Democratic National Convention must be terrifying to those who wish to, as Vice President Kamala Harris suggested, go back in time or maintain the status quo. The convention rocked to music originated by people of color and was dominated by young, strong, smart, funny women and people of every ethnicity other than White. The looming transfer of power was palpable. Such changes profoundly disrupt societies. It is no wonder that half the country is running scared.
The Harris campaign heralds a new world. Leading with joy is the genius spoonful of sugar we all need.
Ruth Bettelheim, Portland, Ore.
Regarding the Aug. 22 Prompt newsletter, “Did Coach Walz just claim ‘freedom’ for the Democrats?”:
Democrats are finally starting to do what Republicans have often done to great effect: co-opting buzzwords to drain their juice and lessen their impact on swing voters. Now, we have co-opted the words “populist” and “freedom” — heretofore right-wing rallying cries — which may reduce the right’s ability to use those words against us.
Tim Walz even said in his speech that it is Republicans, not Democrats, who want government intervention, co-opting the Republican bugaboo of “government overreach.” Both sides do it, of course.
I think we’re also on the verge of co-opting the bedrock right-wing touchstone, “patriotism.” We will know the co-opting is complete when liberals start feeling comfortable saying it out loud and even start — God forbid — gingerly waving those tiny American flags at rallies and proudly hanging the big ones outside their doors.
Gary Milici, Milwaukee
Commentary on the Democratic National Convention has emphasized the recurring theme of “freedom.” But the speeches were crystal clear that the upcoming election is not so much a competition of buzzwords, policy priorities or personalities as it is a clash of fundamental values.
Israeli social psychologist Shalom Schwartz found that people’s values, across many countries, fall along two dimensions: One goes from conservation to openness to change; the other goes from self-enhancement to self-transcendence. Former president Donald Trump is the embodiment of self-enhancement values: acquisition of personal wealth, control over others, dominance and gratification of desires. Meanwhile, the speakers at the convention consistently invoked self-transcendence: care for the poor, the underdogs, one’s neighbors and the environment; support for international alliances over isolation; respect for service to communities and the national security; treating immigrants as more like “us” than as alien invaders.
Sen. Raphael G. Warnock (D-Ga.) spoke of Trump’s efforts to make money off the Bible (self-enhancement) instead of following its teachings about loving our neighbors and lifting up “the least of us” (self-transcendence). The contrast couldn’t be clearer.
This is not to say that Mr. Trump’s supporters always put self-enhancement ahead of all other values, like the former president. Most people value their family members, their communities, their pets and their environments. As Gov. Tim Walz emphasized, plenty of people in Republican congressional districts look out for their neighbors. But a consistent goal of the convention speeches was to focus their listeners on self-transcendent values — sometimes with Bible references, sometimes with poignant life stories, and sometimes by pointing out that, by helping other people, other countries and the environment, we also enhance our own well-being.
Paul C. Stern, Bowie
Unscrambling the letters in “President Kamala” gives an apt description of the aura emitted by the Democratic candidate: animated sparkle.
A vast improvement over the guilty, dour scowl of her Republican challenger.
Vin Morabito, Scranton, Pa.
I watched every night of the Republican convention last month. I think I’m on solid ground when I say abortion never was mentioned. What a difference watching the first night of the Democratic convention. I don’t know how many times the “a-word” or reproductive rights were mentioned, but I’m guessing at least two dozen times. It just shows you how much the GOP is worried about the consequences of reversing Roe v. Wade this November. Compare that with the Democrats, who are counting on its impact to win the White House and both houses of Congress.
Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach, Calif.
Calling the other party weird is quite the projection when the Democratic National Convention hosts a mobile abortion van similar to that of a mobile pet-grooming service. You can’t make this stuff up.
Janie Wagstaff, Roxboro, N.C.
As a Jewish American who worries about the rise of antisemitism at home and abroad, I was delighted and proud to hear Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband, speak at Tuesday’s Democratic National Convention. The second gentleman’s ongoing fight to end hate on behalf of the Biden-Harris administration is noteworthy and admirable. Needless to say, as a Democrat, I enjoyed and applauded his performance.
But also important, as a nonpartisan rhetorician who studied and taught political communication during my career, I found his address superb. I would give him an A. The speech convincingly proved that one does not need to be a trained orator with a record of public speaking to deliver an outstanding speech. The measured cadence of Mr. Emhoff’s delivery to introduce his wife as a stepmother and to present the touching story of their blended family was genuine, palpable and authentic, something like what we would expect from talking with an ordinary citizen — one of us — rather than a seasoned politician.
Richard A. Cherwitz, Austin
Vice President Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech showed she is capable of being firm in her convictions when it comes to ensuring “safety, dignity and justice” for rising American generations. However, she came off as much less firm about ensuring “hope,” “joy” and “love” for people living in Gaza.
She said, “I will always ensure that Israel has the ability to defend itself.” However, Israel is currently in an offensive war, not on the defensive.
Convention organizers refused to allow a pro-Palestinian speaker a spot at the event, which betrays Ms. Harris’s promise that she and President Joe Biden are doing everything they can to bring about an immediate cease-fire. The two authoritarians in charge in Israel and Gaza will never allow peace when war ensures them an extension of power in their respective countries.
Kimball Shinkoskey, Woods Cross, Utah
Dana Milbank’s Aug. 25 Sunday Opinion column, “Republicans and Democrats agree: It’s all about Trump,” was spot-on.
No one who voted against former president Donald Trump in 2020 will vote for him in November, but some people who voted for Joe Biden in 2020 would not have voted for him this time. Once Mr. Biden finally realized this, he put his ego aside. At the Democratic National Convention, he said, “I love the job, but I love my country more.” Mr. Biden acted heroically to protect the country he loves.
Mr. Trump is also acting to protect what he loves: himself. Republican politicians pretend to love Mr. Trump because they believe Republican voters love him. So, yes, it is “all about Trump.” Democrats want to protect us from Mr. Trump, and Republicans want to inflict him upon us.
Vic Presutti, Dayton, Ohio
Is it just me, or is anyone else who tuned in to the Democratic convention surprised and upset by how relatively little attention was given to climate change? I think I heard Vice President Kamala Harris say “climate” only once during her otherwise terrific acceptance speech. This is a top-of-mind issue for people under 20, and it should be for everyone else.
I was heartbroken several years ago when my daughter confessed she doubted she would live past 40 because of the horrific expected consequences of climate change. Sure, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, economic and housing reform, and gun control are all important issues — but the looming catastrophe of climate change tops them all. Each successive year becomes the hottest year on record. What could be more important than saving our planet?
Mark A. Kantor, Rockville
During the Democratic National Convention, folks such as Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama cautioned that the convention euphoria would be tempered by a mistake made by Kamala Harris or Tim Walz sometime before Election Day.
They have reason to worry, because the right-wing smear machine and even bipartisan media are coiled and ready to pounce on the next “deplorables” moment. Yet, the vast majority of what former president Donald Trump says is deplorable (or just plain nutty).
When the Harris-Walz team makes that inevitable mistake, we must hope someone resurrects this Post headline from 2021: “Trump made 30,573 false or misleading claims as president. Nearly half came in his final year.”
The Post might even consider a new headline, such as: “Harris makes misstatement, has 30,572 to go to match Trump.”
Leonard Witt, Sandwich, N.H.
