Democratic National Convention begins with Biden passing the torch to Harris – National
Party faithful feel invigorated by vice president Kamala Harris rapid rise to the top of the ticket as Democratic National Convention The kickoff will be in Chicago on Monday after a tumultuous month for the party.
The theme of the four-day convention is “For the People, For Our Future,” and observers say it will be a key moment for Democrats to unify the party and build on the enthusiasm generated by Harris’ campaign.
President Joe Biden is expected to deliver a speech Monday night that is expected to detail his administration’s accomplishments and outline how a Harris administration will continue that work.
Aphrodite McCarthy, a participant from Mississippi, said Biden had been a good president, but it was difficult to build momentum around his campaign because there were serious concerns about his ability to win.
“We were all very concerned,” said McCarthy, dressed in a Wonder Woman costume.
“We just felt like we needed more energy.”
When Harris was confirmed as the nominee, McCarthy said, “it was like daylight was here again.”
Just weeks ago, Biden dropped out of the presidential race amid growing criticism about his age and mental acuity. Those concerns were heightened by a disastrous debate with his Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump.
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Democrats quickly rallied behind the vice president and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who will symbolically accept the nomination after a celebratory roll call during the convention.
Kelly Jacobs has attended five other Democratic conventions and has become known for her creative outfits featuring the candidates. Draped in a floor-length Harris and Taylor Swift gown, Jacobs jumped for joy when asked about how the mood among Democrats has changed since Harris topped the poll.
“Everything is different. People are excited,” Jacobs said.
Other speakers scheduled this week include former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are fighting for the American people and the future of America – Donald Trump is only fighting for himself,” convention chairman Minyon Moore said in a press release Sunday.
Experts say the speeches are unlikely to go into detail about the Harris administration’s potential approach to foreign policy.
Observers said they expected Harris to follow Biden’s lead on the country’s relationship with Canada.
Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, and Liberal MP John McKay, co-chair of the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group, will attend the convention. Hillman also attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month.
Hillman worked with other members of Ottawa’s Team Canada and provincial politicians to reach out to their American counterparts on both sides of the aisle ahead of the November election.
Polls remain tight, but Democrats have been riding a wave of enthusiasm since Harris took office. Polls have moved slightly in their favor in key battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
According to a Pew Research Center poll released last week, Harris is now tied with Trump in the presidential race. Among her supporters, 62% said they strongly support her. A month ago, only 43% said the same for Biden.
“The degree to which this change has been effective is remarkable,” said Marc Trussler, director of data science for the University of Pennsylvania’s Election Studies and Opinion Research Program and a Canadian.
It will be critical for Harris to continue to find ways to please the broad coalition of Democratic voters by focusing on what they have in common: a desire for reproductive freedom and an aversion to Trump, Trussler said.
Several factors could divide the party and discourage voters from turning out in November. The most explosive of these is the war in Gaza.
Thousands of activists gathered outside the convention on Monday to demand an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
People waved Palestinian flags as speakers were applauded for saying they were determined to voice their opposition no matter who leads the Democratic Party.
Protester Louisa Joy said she believed the United States’ support for Israel made it complicit in the war and wanted to challenge all leaders to do better.
“No matter who commits genocide, it is still genocide.”
© 2024 The Canadian Press
