Democrats played the convention not to lose...

But did it work?

Biden's convention bounce where it counts currently sits at a negative 0.1% 

It would appear that the Democrats basically played out this convention as if there was very little point in having it... which might be the case in a so-called virtual convention situation. The media apparently played along by limiting the amount of coverage they gave (which will allow them to do the same during the RNC convention). The idea still appears to be to run out the clock and avoid anything that might upset the apple cart. 

But they also seem to be banking on the idea that there the GOP will do much of the same and that their convention will be as lackluster and irrelevant as the DNC was. Of course, I am not 100% convinced that they are not right. How do you go about creating a buzz and enthusiasm when you have a virtual convention without any actual buzz or enthusiasm. It's a tricky question.

Obviously where the Democratic convention was meant to downplay everything and basically keep things as generic and non-specific as could possibly be.. the GOP convention will be much the opposite. I expect them to play offense and play to win.