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The Democratic National Convention 2024 kicks off in Chicago today, marking a historic moment as the party rallies behind US Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. With the final send-off for US President Joe Biden, the convention will celebrate his legacy while setting the stage for Harris and Walz as the duo prepares for the election against Donald Trump read more
 "What to expect")
Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Representative from New York, stands at the podium at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center, August 17, 2024, in Chicago, US. File Image/AP
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) 2024 is set to begin this Monday (local time) in Chicago, marking a pivotal moment in American politics as the party rallies behind its new leadership.
With less than 80 days until Election Day, the convention will serve as a platform for United States Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who have already been nominated through a virtual roll call earlier this month.
The convention also marks the final send-off for US President Joe Biden, who stepped down from the race last month, paving the way for a new era in the Democratic Party.
Details of the DNC
The DNC will run from Monday, August 19, to Thursday, August 22, with events primarily taking place at two iconic Chicago venues: the United Center (hosted DNC in 1996) and McCormick Place.
The United Center, known as the home of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks, will host the convention’s primetime programming, including major televised speeches, performances, and remote video presentations. The McCormick Place convention centre will serve as the venue for caucus meetings, Democratic Party briefings, and delegation meetings each morning.
The convention is expected to draw around 50,000 visitors, including 5,000 delegates and alternates.
Tens of thousands of protesters are also anticipated to gather outside the convention, particularly to voice opposition to the Biden administration’s stance on the ongoing war in Gaza. These protests are planned to occur daily from Sunday through Thursday, with the largest expected on Monday.
Harris and Walz at the helm
This year’s DNC is unique in that the nominations for Harris and Walz were confirmed before the convention. The Democratic National Committee conducted a virtual roll call on August 6, due to an Ohio law requiring party nominees to be selected by August 7 to appear on the state’s ballot.
Although this law was repealed earlier this summer, concerns about potential litigation prompted the DNC to proceed with the virtual roll call. Nearly 100 per cent of DNC delegates voted to support Harris, while DNC Chair Minyon Moore certified Walz as her running mate. A ceremonial roll call will still take place at the convention to celebrate their nominations.
Road trip. pic.twitter.com/LD8juRX0uG
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 18, 2024Harris, who has seen a surge in momentum since announcing her candidacy, will use the convention to reintroduce herself to the American public. With a background that resonates with working-class voters — a daughter of immigrants who worked at McDonald’s during college — Harris will seek to broaden her appeal beyond the Democratic base.
“Here in Chicago, Vice President Harris will use our stage to tell her story to the country, outline the Harris-Walz vision for the future, and grow our broad coalition to defeat Donald Trump,” said Emily Soong, press secretary for the DNC.
Walz has been described as a “joyful warrior” who complements Harris’s message of hope and optimism, countering the Trump campaign’s portrayal of the US under Democratic leadership as a nation in crisis.
Who is speaking at the DNC
The DNC will feature an array of prominent speakers, reflecting the party’s leadership and diverse voices, reported Politico. On Monday, Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will address the convention.
Tuesday will feature speeches from Former US President Barack Obama, Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
From capping the cost of prescription drugs for all to providing first-time homebuyers with financial support to restoring the child tax credit for families, @KamalaHarris just laid out some ways she'll help lower costs for the American people.
She has the vision, the… pic.twitter.com/ulLBup9tZU
Wednesday’s lineup includes Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, US Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Former US President Bill Clinton, and US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Finally, Harris will close out the convention with her speech on Thursday night.
Additional speakers include Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Rep. Lauren Underwood.
The ceremonial roll call, scheduled for Tuesday, will be a symbolic re-staging of the official nomination vote. State delegations will cast their votes on the convention floor, with the order of voting beginning with Biden’s home state of Delaware and concluding with Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz’s home state of Minnesota and Harris’ home state of California.
The roll call will include some live video elements to “showcase the diversity and beauty of America,” according to convention planners. The roll call will culminate in Harris and Walz officially accepting their nominations in speeches before the full convention on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
The DNC 2024 is also drawing international attention, with notable figures like Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is participating in a side event at the convention, reported Reuters.
The Biden era: A final send-off
As the DNC 2024 unfolds, it will also serve as a significant moment in honouring Joe Biden’s contributions to the Democratic Party and the country. Biden’s decision to step down from the race last month shocked many, but his immediate endorsement of Harris helped avoid the chaos of an open convention.
“They’ve been aligned for the last 3½ years,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said of Biden and Harris this week. “There’s not been any daylight.”
In a display of unity, Biden and Harris appeared together last Thursday in Largo, Maryland, where Harris thanked “our extraordinary president, Joe Biden” for his leadership. “Folks, I have an incredible partner, the progress we’ve made,” Biden said. “And she’s going to make one hell of a president.”
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This convention will be Biden’s final bow on the national stage, marking the end of a political career that spans decades. His legacy, particularly his efforts to lower prescription drug prices and his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be celebrated throughout the week.
The convention will not only highlight the achievements of his administration but also set the stage for Harris and Walz to carry forward the torch of Democratic leadership into the future.
What challenges lie ahead
The Democratic platform for 2024, which will be voted on by the full DNC membership at the convention, highlights a stark contrast with former US President Donald Trump. The platform includes proposals to raise a billionaire income tax, lower the cost of childcare, invest in clean energy, and restore reproductive rights.
However, the platform’s stance on the war in Gaza, a contentious issue within the party, calls for an “immediate and lasting ceasefire” but stops short of committing to ceasing US munitions supply to Israel—a demand from progressive Democrats.
Harris’ campaign has so far focused on portraying her as a “fearless” advocate for everyday Americans, a prosecutor who has taken on “big banks” and “big drug companies.” Yet, as she prepares to take on Donald Trump in the upcoming election, Harris will need to deliver a message that resonates with a broader electorate, not just the party faithful.
From the time I was in the Senate, I worked tirelessly to give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices.
For years, Big Pharma blocked any progress.@KamalaHarris and I finally beat Big Pharma. And we did it with no help from Republicans. pic.twitter.com/8HOGP4hg4P
Her recent unveiling of an economic policy agenda with populist elements, including a federal ban on price-gouging and tax incentives for first-time homebuyers, is an attempt to appeal to working-class voters. However, gaps in her policy agenda remain, which she will need to address as the campaign moves forward.
“Now is the time to chart a new way forward,” Harris declared in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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With inputs from agencies
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English (US) ·