So far the Democrats in the first three days of their convention have done what the moment demands: present a “democratic-freedom alternative” to Trump, Trumpism, and the MAGA movement. And they have done it culturally as well as politically. Last night Vice Presidential standard bearer, Tim Walz, did this smashingly well.

Tonight when Presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks, we will hear a similar message. She will be eloquent and compelling, mix passion with some humor, and, importantly, give us a picture of her freedom agenda, while exposing and lacerating Trump’s authoritarian, neofascist one. If you’re thinking of politically grading this convention. it is along these lines that it should be done. I give it a high grade

To yield the flag, the national anthem, and other “emotive” symbols to the right without a fight is political stupidity. That the Democrats didn’t make that mistake at the just concluded convention is to their credit. I wish more on the left were as wise.

Inside the Democratic Party convention were delegates who easily fit into the category of left-progressive. They were delegates representing every state. They obviously don’t understand their presence at the convention as somehow in contradiction to their politics. I wish others who don’t share this view were as wise. This narrow conception of the left should be retired. It’s more trouble than it is worth.

The left isn’t and shouldn’t be an exclusive club, but a big tent. By the same token, the present day Democratic Party should be seen as a field of unity as well as struggle with the accent on unity, especially at this moment when the future of the country hangs in balance.