WORCESTER, Mass. — Looking at the DNC as a whole, an assistant professor of political science at the College of the Holy Cross says it was a solid week for the Democrats.

Alex Hindman emphasized there's a much different feeling for Democrats now when compared to a month ago when President Biden announced he wouldn't seek reelection. Hindman says there's less panic and more excitement with Kamala Harris as the candidate.

But he says it's not all good, as many Democrats are still not 100% sold on the vice president. 

He says Thursday's speech was the biggest one she's given and it came during a crucial week for her campaign.

"I was a little worried about the vice president, you know, overshadowing the top of the ticket," Hindman said. "I don't think so. I think she gave a really solid speech last night. It touched on her values. We didn't get a lot of specifics, but it touched on some of the things that she really values deeply. And if this is a values election, which I think it's turning out to be, I think she really framed up the fraying, sort of the rough four corners of where she's headed in the next couple of months."

Hindman says despite momentum for Democrats coming out of the convention, the race appears to be close heading into November. 

Looking ahead, Hindman says former President Donald Trump now needs to "prosecute a case" against Democrats, hitting on issues like the economy and immigration in order to be successful.

He says it's also a crucial point in time for Trump, saying it's important the former president stay on message when speaking to voters.

"Trump has a challenge where he goes off script and in a lot of ways in the last couple elections, those have been value added for him," said Hindman. "But this cycle, it seems to be actually hurting him. And that I think they've got to figure out. Kamala is not as strong as she could be. And I think there's some weaknesses there. But Trump is sort of getting in his own way a little bit."

Hindman describes the first weekend following the DNC as an interesting one for the Trump campaign, as Republicans look to halt any momentum the vice president gained at the convention.