The Death Star and the Basement

Donald Trump (October 15, 2020): A critical stance towards Joe Biden and Democrats, accused of actions that threaten safety, job security, and traditional values.
- Claims: "kill your jobs, dismantle your police departments, dissolve your borders, release criminal aliens, raise your taxes, confiscate your guns, end fracking, destroy your suburbs, and drive God from the public square."
Joe Biden (October 22, 2020): Focused response regarding Trump's leadership amid COVID-19.
- Claims: "Anyone responsible for that many deaths should not remain as the president of the United States."

Date: August 17, 2020, Democratic National Convention.
Urquiza's Background:
- Daughter mourning the death of father, Mark, from COVID-19 six weeks prior.
- Her father passed alone in an Arizona hospital.
Major Points from Urquiza's Obituary:
- Mark's death was due to political carelessness and lack of leadership amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Initiated a campaign for awareness, citing that many like her father did not deserve to die from the virus.
Criticism of Donald Trump:
- Urquiza chastised Trump, stating that her father was healthy before entrusting him with leadership, indicating that trust in Trump's handling of the pandemic led to her father's death.

Event Description:
- Featured ordinary Americans defending their right to personal safety.
Mark and Patty McCloskey's Message:
- Their encounter with protesters in St. Louis was highlighted, showcasing a defensive stance towards personal property and gun ownership rights.
- McCloskeys emphasized the right to self-defense and warned of the threats to suburban safety from protest movements.
Incident Detail:
- On June 28, a group of Black Lives Matter protesters walked by their home, resulting in the couple confronting them with firearms, leading to legal issues for the couple.

Events impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Democrats opted for a completely virtual event.
- Republicans had a hybrid event after moving venues due to health restrictions.
Key Takeaway:
- While Biden focused on health and economic issues as central to his campaign, Trump highlighted the perceived threats from protesters and the need for law and order.

**Financial Comparison:
- 2020 saw the most expensive presidential campaigns in U.S. history.
- Biden outspent Trump, raising significant funds despite initial concerns about his campaign's viability.
- Final fundraising breakdown:
- Biden: $1.04 billion
- Trump: $774 million
Voter Stability and Polls:
- Despite dramatic events, polling remained stable reflecting a polarized electorate where few voters were likely to switch allegiances.
- Small shifts were noted in swing states benefiting Biden, particularly as Trump downplayed the pandemic during critical times.

Biden’s Virtual Campaign:
- Criticism of his online presence indicated it was less engaging than Trump's active rallies.
- Media narrative questioned Biden's ability to campaign effectively while adhering to health guidelines.
Trump's Advantage:
- Access to earlier fundraising; aggressive spending strategies led to the initial cash lead in the electoral race.
- Conducted large in-person rallies, a strategy that may have contributed to a more direct voter engagement despite health risks.
- Over 100 rallies held before Election Day compared to Biden's fewer engagements.

Television and Digital Advertising:
- Biden aired significantly more TV ads, with 553,000 supporting his campaign compared to Trump’s 249,000.
- Digital media expenditures showed increased parity between Biden and Trump compared to 2016, when Trump had a significant lead.
Campaign Effectiveness:
- Biden's focus on the pandemic resonated positively with the majority of voters.
- Trump's messaging faltered amidst his administration's inconsistent pandemic management, ultimately impacting his favorability ratings.

Biden’s prominent themes revolved around health care and economic recovery during the pandemic.
General public sentiment leaned towards favoring Biden on handling the pandemic in pre-election polls.
- Biden’s narrative contrasted with Trump's defense of his incumbency based on job creation and the economy prior to the pandemic.
Trump's strategy involved a focus on crime and public safety, branding Biden’s supporters as proponents of “defunding the police,” leveraging fear-based messaging.

The public's perception shifted towards Biden as a reliable leader on health issues, especially amidst pandemic-related turmoil.
Although some reported perceptions indicated declining support for Democrats due to civil unrest, actual polling did not show significant backlash against Biden from the protests.
The Republican narrative posited a law-and-order platform, yet voter concerns shifted back to the pandemic and economic inclusivity, diminishing Trump's effectiveness on this front.

Joe Biden emerged victorious, citing his win as reflective of opposition to Trump's perceived failings amidst national crises.
Despite the challenges faced by Biden in the campaign, including managing party unification post-primaries, his message resonated with a majority.
Election results demonstrated an ongoing trend towards partisan polarization but also revealed a potential for mobilization against incumbents amid crises.

Following the election, Trump undermined electoral integrity with unfounded claims of fraud, indicating a continued partisan divide and setting the stage for potential political conflict post-election.