US voters have to decide who is the lesser of two evils

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (L) and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump are seen in a combination of file photos taken in Henderson, Nevada, February 13, 2016 (L) and Phoenix, Arizona, July 11, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

People entering the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia these past days for the 2016 Democratic National Convention have been first greeted by goods on display in an official merchandise store. The most eye-catching is a poster of the party's nominee Hillary Clinton, looking 20 years younger and with red and gold rays radiating from her.

Each day from 3 or 4 pm on, the speakers talked about how great Clinton has been in fighting for the American people in everything from women's rights, social and racial equality, education, healthcare and national security, and how evil Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, is in everything he represents.

In between the speeches, short video clips were played eulogizing Clinton and mocking Trump, triggering a frenzy of applause and laughter from the audience. The mood smacks of a cult of personality.

Yet the bid to present party unity and widespread support for Clinton has been interrupted from time to time by shouts of protests from supporters of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

There have been other "conventions" ¬outside the arena in the FDR Park and outside City Hall. Tens of thousands of supporters of Sanders and Green Party candidate Jill Stein have braved the heat to stage protests every day, portraying a Clinton that is starkly different from the one depicted inside the arena.

The debates on the street are far more exciting and thought-provoking than the speeches delivered in Wells Fargo Center.

For example, there has been no talk inside the arena about the Democratic National Committee staffers working in favor of Clinton and against Sanders, including efforts to manipulate US news media to disadvantage Sanders.