How Republicans and Democrats Depict Vastly Different Visions of America
This summer's conventions showcased significantly contrasting perspectives on both the future and the current state of affairs.
TroibNews 
Democrats and Republicans are not merely differing on their visions for the nation’s future; they also portray markedly different realities of America today.
Republicans depict a country where families are struggling under inflation, living in fear of crime, and facing threats from foreign adversaries. In contrast, Democrats argue that such fears are exaggerated, emphasizing that these are issues they are addressing, while claiming the true danger lies in potential Republican attacks on Americans’ rights and the rule of law.
These contrasting narratives are central to the campaign strategies of the current, chaotic presidential race. Former President Donald Trump is marketing himself as the strong leader voters can trust to confront the pressing dangers of our time. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is focusing on continuity with the achievements of the current administration, which she believes she can enhance.
To examine these narratives further, PMG analyzed speeches delivered during the Democratic and Republican conventions, which serve as the starting point for the final phase of the election.
Throughout more than 24 hours of speeches, key themes emerged: the economy, immigration, crime, and international conflicts dominated the discussions at both conventions. However, the interpretations differed significantly; Republicans claimed inflation was uncontrollable, while Democrats asserted it was declining. Republicans described U.S. weakness as a catalyst for foreign conflicts, whereas Democrats highlighted that America’s alliances had never been stronger. Republicans portrayed cities as chaos-ridden and dangerous, in contrast to Democrats’ claims of declining crime rates and their commitment to continue combating it.
Here’s how each side is promoting its messages:
**Republicans argue inflation is devastating Americans. Democrats maintain it is decreasing while focusing on affordability.**
“We’ve gone from economic crisis to the strongest economy in the entire world: A record 16 million new jobs, record small-business growth, record high stock market, record-high 401Ks, wages up, and inflation down — way down — and continuing to go down.”
— President Joe Biden
“We have an inflation crisis that is making life unaffordable, ravaging the incomes of working and low-income families, and crushing, just simply crushing our people like never before.”
— Former President Donald Trump
Inflation has been a focal point for Republicans, given consistent polling indicating voter frustration with high prices. While initial high inflation tarnished Biden’s administration, there has been a significant decrease in inflation rates since then.
Republicans zeroed in on everyday expenses that impact many Americans, frequently mentioning gas and grocery prices during their speeches. Trump emphasized the severe impact of inflation on personal finances in his convention address, promising spending cuts to eliminate the crisis and claiming, “inflation will vanish completely” under his leadership.
Conversely, Democrats mentioned “inflation” sparingly, often framing it as declining. They acknowledged the political challenge it posed and attributed responsibility to corporate greed and price gouging, while outlining measures to tackle affordability in housing, health care, and childcare.
**Democrats are now also addressing border security head-on, but Republicans have adopted a more aggressive stance.**
“It’s a massive invasion at our southern border that has spread misery, crime, poverty, disease and destruction to communities all across our land.”
— Former President Donald Trump
“I know the importance of safety and security, especially at our border. Last year, Joe and I brought together Democrats and conservative Republicans to write the strongest border bill in decades. The Border Patrol endorsed it. But Donald Trump believes a border deal would hurt his campaign.”
— Vice President Kamala Harris
Democrats are now actively defending their record on border security, a marked departure from their previous approach to immigration discussions. They reinforced their commitment to these issues, emphasizing past successes in tackling transnational crime during Harris’s tenure as attorney general.
There has been a noteworthy evolution in the party's approach as they now place greater emphasis on border security due to shifts in public sentiment following a recent surge in asylum-seekers. This evolution has provided Republicans ample opportunity to leverage public concerns, as evidenced by frequent mentions of the term “border” during the RNC.
Republicans characterized the incoming flow of asylum seekers as threatening, dubbing it an “invasion” that risks public safety, with Trump even labeling it the “greatest invasion in history.”
While Democrats adopt a more hawkish stance, advocating for border security measures, Republicans are pushing for expansive deportation initiatives.
**Republicans are focusing on crime. Democrats emphasize its decline.**
“Crime terrorizes our cities and our suburbs. As far-left policies handcuff police … To commuters often petrified to take a bus, take a train, or walk the streets in cities across our nation: I'm sorry. That man right there will fix this.”
— Eric Trump
“Donald Trump rants about law and order as if he wasn't a convicted criminal running against a prosecutor, as if we were going to forget that crime was higher on his watch.”
— Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
Republicans have strongly focused on the issue of crime, portraying major U.S. cities as chaotic. Trump even suggested that if he were not elected, the next Republican convention might have to take place in Venezuela due to rising insecurity in American cities.
While the rate of violent crime surged in 2020, it has mostly returned to pre-pandemic levels, though public anxiety about crime remains high, particularly among Republicans.
Democrats have sought to counteract this narrative by providing statistics that show “violent crime has dropped to the lowest level in more than 50 years.” They argue this decline is directly linked to their investments in police, aiming to neutralize criticisms regarding the party's stance on “defunding the police.”
**Republicans highlight threats from foreign adversaries. Democrats recognize these threats but emphasize alliances.**
“They've made us less safe and secure internationally with their incompetent withdrawal from Afghanistan. Our adversaries moved: Putin on Ukraine, Iran through their proxies, Hamas on Israel, and China, getting more aggressive every day.”
— GOP Wisconsin Senate candidate Eric Hovde
“I will make sure that we lead the world into the future on space and artificial intelligence. That America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century and that we strengthen, not abdicate, our global leadership. Trump, on the other hand, threatened to abandon NATO.”
— Vice President Kamala Harris
Republicans have repeatedly framed an increasingly dangerous global landscape as a direct result of Biden's presidency. They identified threats from countries like Iran and China as central issues during their speeches.
Although Democrats also referenced these nations, their framing was more about competition than crisis. They portrayed Trump, rather than the current administration, as a greater threat, highlighting his past relationships with Putin and Kim Jong Un.
Support for Israel was a bipartisan theme, with both parties endorsing Israel's right to self-defense. However, differences emerged, as several Democrats acknowledged the humanitarian plight of Palestinians and called for a ceasefire, whereas Republicans concentrated on supporting military actions against adversaries.
**Democrats took a strong stance on abortion rights while Republicans largely omitted the topic.**
“If they win, Republicans will not stop at banning abortion and they will come for IVF next, and they'll prosecute doctors and they will shame and spy on women.”
— Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
After the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, abortion has become a pivotal issue for Democrats, who prominently featured it at their convention, in stark contrast to Republicans.
Several speakers, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, discussed the repercussions of restrictive abortion laws, highlighting their effect on women's health and personal stories around abortion access. Harris condemned Trump for his position on reproductive rights, accusing him of seeking to restrict access to birth control and implement a national abortion ban.
While Trump has distanced himself from the idea of a nationwide abortion ban and supported state-level decisions, the Republican convention was conspicuously quiet about the issue, indicating a shift from the past when it was more prominently addressed.
In fact, the term “abortion” did not appear at the RNC, with only a few references to “protecting life” made by certain speakers, such as Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway. This demonstrates a significant change from 2020, when the issue was a more prominent topic. The absence of abortion discourse at the recent convention underscores how the political landscape has evolved since then.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Republicans depict a country where families are struggling under inflation, living in fear of crime, and facing threats from foreign adversaries. In contrast, Democrats argue that such fears are exaggerated, emphasizing that these are issues they are addressing, while claiming the true danger lies in potential Republican attacks on Americans’ rights and the rule of law.
These contrasting narratives are central to the campaign strategies of the current, chaotic presidential race. Former President Donald Trump is marketing himself as the strong leader voters can trust to confront the pressing dangers of our time. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is focusing on continuity with the achievements of the current administration, which she believes she can enhance.
To examine these narratives further, PMG analyzed speeches delivered during the Democratic and Republican conventions, which serve as the starting point for the final phase of the election.
Throughout more than 24 hours of speeches, key themes emerged: the economy, immigration, crime, and international conflicts dominated the discussions at both conventions. However, the interpretations differed significantly; Republicans claimed inflation was uncontrollable, while Democrats asserted it was declining. Republicans described U.S. weakness as a catalyst for foreign conflicts, whereas Democrats highlighted that America’s alliances had never been stronger. Republicans portrayed cities as chaos-ridden and dangerous, in contrast to Democrats’ claims of declining crime rates and their commitment to continue combating it.
Here’s how each side is promoting its messages:
**Republicans argue inflation is devastating Americans. Democrats maintain it is decreasing while focusing on affordability.**
“We’ve gone from economic crisis to the strongest economy in the entire world: A record 16 million new jobs, record small-business growth, record high stock market, record-high 401Ks, wages up, and inflation down — way down — and continuing to go down.”
— President Joe Biden
“We have an inflation crisis that is making life unaffordable, ravaging the incomes of working and low-income families, and crushing, just simply crushing our people like never before.”
— Former President Donald Trump
Inflation has been a focal point for Republicans, given consistent polling indicating voter frustration with high prices. While initial high inflation tarnished Biden’s administration, there has been a significant decrease in inflation rates since then.
Republicans zeroed in on everyday expenses that impact many Americans, frequently mentioning gas and grocery prices during their speeches. Trump emphasized the severe impact of inflation on personal finances in his convention address, promising spending cuts to eliminate the crisis and claiming, “inflation will vanish completely” under his leadership.
Conversely, Democrats mentioned “inflation” sparingly, often framing it as declining. They acknowledged the political challenge it posed and attributed responsibility to corporate greed and price gouging, while outlining measures to tackle affordability in housing, health care, and childcare.
**Democrats are now also addressing border security head-on, but Republicans have adopted a more aggressive stance.**
“It’s a massive invasion at our southern border that has spread misery, crime, poverty, disease and destruction to communities all across our land.”
— Former President Donald Trump
“I know the importance of safety and security, especially at our border. Last year, Joe and I brought together Democrats and conservative Republicans to write the strongest border bill in decades. The Border Patrol endorsed it. But Donald Trump believes a border deal would hurt his campaign.”
— Vice President Kamala Harris
Democrats are now actively defending their record on border security, a marked departure from their previous approach to immigration discussions. They reinforced their commitment to these issues, emphasizing past successes in tackling transnational crime during Harris’s tenure as attorney general.
There has been a noteworthy evolution in the party's approach as they now place greater emphasis on border security due to shifts in public sentiment following a recent surge in asylum-seekers. This evolution has provided Republicans ample opportunity to leverage public concerns, as evidenced by frequent mentions of the term “border” during the RNC.
Republicans characterized the incoming flow of asylum seekers as threatening, dubbing it an “invasion” that risks public safety, with Trump even labeling it the “greatest invasion in history.”
While Democrats adopt a more hawkish stance, advocating for border security measures, Republicans are pushing for expansive deportation initiatives.
**Republicans are focusing on crime. Democrats emphasize its decline.**
“Crime terrorizes our cities and our suburbs. As far-left policies handcuff police … To commuters often petrified to take a bus, take a train, or walk the streets in cities across our nation: I'm sorry. That man right there will fix this.”
— Eric Trump
“Donald Trump rants about law and order as if he wasn't a convicted criminal running against a prosecutor, as if we were going to forget that crime was higher on his watch.”
— Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
Republicans have strongly focused on the issue of crime, portraying major U.S. cities as chaotic. Trump even suggested that if he were not elected, the next Republican convention might have to take place in Venezuela due to rising insecurity in American cities.
While the rate of violent crime surged in 2020, it has mostly returned to pre-pandemic levels, though public anxiety about crime remains high, particularly among Republicans.
Democrats have sought to counteract this narrative by providing statistics that show “violent crime has dropped to the lowest level in more than 50 years.” They argue this decline is directly linked to their investments in police, aiming to neutralize criticisms regarding the party's stance on “defunding the police.”
**Republicans highlight threats from foreign adversaries. Democrats recognize these threats but emphasize alliances.**
“They've made us less safe and secure internationally with their incompetent withdrawal from Afghanistan. Our adversaries moved: Putin on Ukraine, Iran through their proxies, Hamas on Israel, and China, getting more aggressive every day.”
— GOP Wisconsin Senate candidate Eric Hovde
“I will make sure that we lead the world into the future on space and artificial intelligence. That America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century and that we strengthen, not abdicate, our global leadership. Trump, on the other hand, threatened to abandon NATO.”
— Vice President Kamala Harris
Republicans have repeatedly framed an increasingly dangerous global landscape as a direct result of Biden's presidency. They identified threats from countries like Iran and China as central issues during their speeches.
Although Democrats also referenced these nations, their framing was more about competition than crisis. They portrayed Trump, rather than the current administration, as a greater threat, highlighting his past relationships with Putin and Kim Jong Un.
Support for Israel was a bipartisan theme, with both parties endorsing Israel's right to self-defense. However, differences emerged, as several Democrats acknowledged the humanitarian plight of Palestinians and called for a ceasefire, whereas Republicans concentrated on supporting military actions against adversaries.
**Democrats took a strong stance on abortion rights while Republicans largely omitted the topic.**
“If they win, Republicans will not stop at banning abortion and they will come for IVF next, and they'll prosecute doctors and they will shame and spy on women.”
— Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
After the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, abortion has become a pivotal issue for Democrats, who prominently featured it at their convention, in stark contrast to Republicans.
Several speakers, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, discussed the repercussions of restrictive abortion laws, highlighting their effect on women's health and personal stories around abortion access. Harris condemned Trump for his position on reproductive rights, accusing him of seeking to restrict access to birth control and implement a national abortion ban.
While Trump has distanced himself from the idea of a nationwide abortion ban and supported state-level decisions, the Republican convention was conspicuously quiet about the issue, indicating a shift from the past when it was more prominently addressed.
In fact, the term “abortion” did not appear at the RNC, with only a few references to “protecting life” made by certain speakers, such as Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway. This demonstrates a significant change from 2020, when the issue was a more prominent topic. The absence of abortion discourse at the recent convention underscores how the political landscape has evolved since then.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
