NEW YORK (AP) — Disillusionment. Fear. Rage.
In a divided America, the political conventions are sure to arouse those sensations among the millions of viewers tuned in. Then in a commercial break, an electric guitar will blare the final lines of the "The Star-Spangled Banner" over images of a diverse group of U.S. athletes tearing up as they heard their national anthem during 2012 Olympic medal ceremonies.
The words flash by on the screen, white on a black background, between the shots of sobbing and beaming champions: "FOR 17 DAYS ... WE ARE ALL ... UNITED." The 30-second spot closes with a rising American flag, the graphic for NBC's Rio Games coverage and the date of the opening ceremony.