The ‘shambolic’ convention that failed to dent tycoon’s support

A SONG calling for “brotherly love” drifted out from a Bernie Sanders rally at the Democratic convention towards a group of religious fundamentalists holding placards that declared “Homo sex is sin”.

A member of the fundamentalist group Jeremiah York had a heated debate on the sidelines with three Muslim women in brightly coloured headscarves about Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

“Millions of Muslims are murdering people,” he said. Basmah Nada, a 21-year-old political science graduate, replied: “Ninety per cent of people killed by Isil are actually Muslims.”

“Brotherly love,” continued the song. “Stop the violence. Lend a helping hand.”

This exchange was one snapshot of a bitter argument that is playing out as Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate, launch their bids for the White House.

Mrs Clinton says America is for everyone. Mr Trump says build a wall.

The differences between the two campaigns crystallised at the Democratic and Republican conventions over the past two weeks, where the parties formally nominated their candidates for the presidency.

The Trump campaign went first. Cleveland was transformed into a carnival of police forces, protesters and partygoers for the four-day political orgy.

Vendors touted crude memorabilia. Trump bobble-head dolls sold for $20 (£15) a pop. Badges printed with Mrs Clinton’s face screamed: “Life’s a b----. Don’t elect one.”

Radical Christians, gun lovers, and immigration-haters came out in force. A truck covered in images of dead foetuses circled the area, the driver yelling edicts against abortion at women on the street.

Posters carried pictures of children under the headline: “Victims of illegal immigrants”.

Overall, the convention spoke to an America the world does not often see: the Bible-belt south, rural Midwestern towns and decaying inner cities.

Mr Trump’s presidential campaign has been largely fuelled by the support of the white working class. They celebrate his tough talk on immigration and thrill at his controversial declarations.

While the Democratic convention often included passages in Spanish, the Trump convention did not pander to the large Hispanic population. “Americanism, not globalism, will be our credo,” Mr Trump said.

It couldn’t have been more different to the Democrats’ convention.

In Philadelphia, Mrs Clinton rolled out an all-star line-up including Katy Perry and Paul Simon, with a roster of America’s political and military giants as speakers. Among the speakers was a transgender women and the father of a fallen American Muslim soldier.

“Americans don’t say: ‘I alone can fix it,’ ” Mrs Clinton said in her acceptance speech, mocking Mr Trump’s prescription for healing the country. “We say: ‘We’ll fix it together!’ ”

Pundits in Washington called the Republican event “shambolic”, but many voters did not agree. Mr Trump and Mrs Clinton have equally high unfavourability ratings in the polls.