This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

I was listening off and on to the Republican National Convention last week and have no idea what they are actually for.

The singular, clear message is they hate Hillary Clinton. Hating on Hillary was the only subject other than a few flowery references to Donald Trump by his family members, but there was virtually nothing of substance. They seemingly cannot progress beyond the party of "no."

While I expect there will be a significant share of Trump-bashing this week during the Democratic National Convention, it is my hope they mostly rise above the bashing and be the grown-ups in the 2016 election.

When President Obama was running for office in 2008 and 2012, he spoke to the best of what American could be rather than tearing down others, giving him eight years in office.

Let's hope Hillary Clinton is, as the Republicans have charged, a continuation of the Obama presidency.

David Taylor

Salt Lake City