What to watch as the Democratic National Convention gets underway in Chicago
CHICAGO– The Democratic National Convention begins Monday in Chicago, just four weeks after President Joe Biden ended his campaign and made way for vice president Kamala Harris to top the Democrats’ list.
The political transformation just months before the general election battle with the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trumphas meant a rapid succession of changes for the Democrats’ 2024 forecast in general, making the convention all the more remarkable.
Here’s what you can see on the first day:
Until a month ago, Biden was expected to take the convention stage on Thursday night, as is customary for the party’s nominee. Now, Biden will deliver a speech on the convention’s opening night on Monday, as will his wife, first lady Jill Biden.
Biden is expected to use his keynote address as a symbolic transfer of his party to Harris, capping five decades in Democratic politics and underscoring what he calls the threat to the country if Trump returns to the White House.
Harris will be on hand to watch the president’s speech. Signs around the arena will feature a regular Biden-ism: “Spread the faith.” While Harris is expected to stick around all week, officials say Biden has no plans to be in Chicago after his own performance.
According to convention organizers, the theme for Monday’s events is “For the People,” a reference to the theme of Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign and a phrase she has incorporated into her new campaign, starting with a fundraising email the night Biden left the race.
The phraseology refers to its launch in 2019to which Harris — a prosecutor and the first woman to serve as California attorney general — recalled introducing herself in court as “Kamala Harris, for the people,” adding, “In my entire life, I’ve only had one client, the people.” Throughout that campaign, Harris returned to that phrase again and again, in speeches but also on signs and T-shirts, and as part of her flagship campaign committee’s campaign. official nomenclature.
On the convention’s opening night, organizers noted that speakers will make the argument that “while Donald Trump puts himself first, Democrats are fighting for the American people,” something they said is reflected in Harris and her running mate, the Minnesota governor. Tim Walz.
In addition to elected officials and party leaders, Democrats plan to honor “ordinary Americans” and a few entertainers each night.
Thousands of activists are expected to descend on Chicago, hoping to draw attention to abortion rights, economic injustice and the war in GazaDemonstrations are expected every day of the convention and while their agendas differ, many activists agree on an immediate ceasefire in the War between Israel and Hamas is the priority.
For months, preparations have been underway for the tens of thousands of activists expected in the city. Chicago police have undergone training On constitutional policing, district courts say they are creating more space in preparation for mass arrests and hospitals near the security zone are improving emergency preparedness.
Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnsonwho is among the speakers expected to take the stage on the convention’s opening night, said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” that the city was prepared for the thousands of activists expected to participate in protests around the DNC.
“Our local law enforcement worked with the Secret Service and other local agencies to ensure a safe, peaceful, yet lively and exciting convention,” he said.
While Democrats are touting their top candidates, Trump and his running mate, Senator from Ohio. JD Vancehave a whole week of their own events going through the battleground states. Just like the Democrats — and just like their own convention last month — Republicans are adding a theme to each day’s events, with Monday’s focus on the economy.
On Monday, both Trump and Vance will be in Pennsylvania, the Rust Belt battleground where both men stuck the last few daysEach day of the DNC, Trump’s allies will also hold a press conference in Chicago, a preview of what’s expected from the stage at the United Center.
___
Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP