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Optimism is the key strategy for a Trump victory

GUEST COLUMN, Dick Morris

The Democratic Convention opened the door for the Trump campaign to run on a central theme: belief in America.

The dour pessimism which oozed from every orifice at the convention sets up a beautiful contrast between the two candidates and their parties: optimism v. pessimism; belief in America v. doubt about America.

Democrats believe the virus may conquer us. Republicans believe we will conquer the virus.

Democrats predict a shaky economy at best and a prolonged recession at worst. But Republicans believe the ongoing economic comeback will continue and, if Trump wins, accelerate.

Democrats believe Iran is out of control and that the Middle East may erupt into another war. Republicans believe that our sanctions have crippled Iran and only the hope of a Biden victory sustains the Mullahs.

Republicans also believe that the recent peace deals in the Middle East set up a grand anti-Iran coalition of Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States against Iran and that they will cut off funding from Hamas.

So the Trump campaign should say to the Democrats: How can you lead a country when you don’t believe in its future? Republicans should sound the theme: Believe in American and make it great again.

The Biden campaign would rather make the race a personal referendum on Trump’s style, temperament and personality. But the race will inevitably revolve around the Trump record and what it means for our future.