A Virtual Roll-Call Vote Will Do Severe Harm to Democratic Prospects

A virtual roll-call is a terrible idea, says Julian Zelizer .

It smacks of insider politicking and backroom dealmaking, Zelizer says.

It makes the party look weak, and afraid of its own base, at a time when Democrats desperately need to project strength, he says.

Zelizer: Virtual roll call will do severe harm to Democratic prospects.

Frida Ghitis: Why hold a convention if the ticket has already been nominated? She says Democrats won't benefit from an over-managed convention this year .

She says a debate, even a stilted one where most of the cards are in the hands of the Biden campaign, has the potential to get the president out of his comfort zone.

Ghitis says Democrats don't need a press conference on steroids, with speaker after speaker repeating talking points.

There’s precedent for opening things up at a Democratic convention that Biden should consider.

In 1948 , President Harry Truman looked to be headed for overwhelming defeat.

Truman was able to unite the party outside the South and, with a strong boost from Black voters, he surprised the pundits and won reelection by a commanding margin.