Los Angeles Times:

For all their differences, Donald Trump and Joe Biden share a similar view of the 2020 election: It’s more a choice between two men than between competing agendas.

“Character is on the ballot,” Biden says often. His acceptance speech last week focused far more on the kind of person he is than on what he would do as president. At the Democratic convention, the portrait of Biden as a kind, empathetic family man was a studied contrast to the thrice-married, bombastic reality show star who is now president.

At this week’s Republican gathering, Trump’s supporters also framed the election as a test of leadership character.

“We see the choice clearly,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). “Strength or weakness. Energy or confusion. Success or failure.”

…

Trump has said so little about his plans for a second term that for the first time since 1856, the GOP decided not to adopt a detailed party platform, instead approving a statement of support for administration policy, whatever it may be.

The result in the coming months could be a presidential campaign unusually devoid of policy contrasts — surprisingly given the huge policy differences between the two parties and voters’ clear hunger for solutions to pressing economic, health and social problems.