Party conventions in the US election year are usually major coronation ceremonies. For the Democrats, many things are different in this dramatic and turbulent election campaign. Nevertheless, a major spectacle is to be expected.
In the coming days, the US metropolis of Chicago will be the scene of another major spectacle in the presidential election campaign. The Democrats will be meeting there for a four-day party convention. This year, everything is a little different than in previous election years. The party in Chicago was actually supposed to officially elect President Joe Biden as its candidate for the election in November. But the 81-year-old dropped out of the race in July in a dramatic turnaround under pressure from his party and made way for his Vice President Kamala Harris. The 59-year-old is now in the spotlight at the meeting.
Will Harris be officially nominated at the party convention?
Yes and no. The Democratic Party had brought forward the selection of candidates and carried out the process digitally – due to deadlines for printing ballot papers in one state. The more than 4,500 delegates from all states attending the party convention in Illinois cast their votes in an online vote at the beginning of August and officially nominated Harris as the presidential candidate. Her running mate, Tim Walz, has also already been chosen. The party had previously determined that no separate vote would be necessary for the running mate after he had been selected by the candidate. However, according to the party, there will be “solemn and ceremonial” votes for both in Chicago. However, this is purely symbolic.
What else happens at the meeting?
Harris and Walz will appear at the convention and celebrate their nomination with big speeches, fire up the base and present their plans for the future. A lot of other high-profile figures from the party will also speak, including Biden. Appearances from former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are expected, as well as Hillary Clinton, who was the party’s first woman presidential candidate in 2016. Harris and Walz’s partners are also expected to appear. There are also likely to be some show performances. And: The party will decide on its substantive program for the election.
Outside, however, there is likely to be a contrasting program: some protests are expected around the party convention hall – especially against the Middle East policy of the Biden-Harris administration.
How exactly does it work?
The main program at the party conference, which runs until Thursday, takes place in the evening according to local time – i.e. in the German night. The meeting will therefore extend into the German Friday. The party has not yet published the exact program – but some dates have already been set: In keeping with the tradition of previous party conferences, Harris will speak at the grand conclusion on the last evening, i.e. in the German night of Friday. Walz is expected to speak the day before. Biden is expected to speak in the German night of Tuesday. His appearance is also likely to serve as an attempt by the Democrats to demonstrate unity again after a few very heated and confrontational weeks within the party before his exit.
Is the show the focus of the party conference?
In a way, yes. After long, paralyzing debates about Biden’s condition, the Democrats have experienced a new surge of enthusiasm. It is completely unclear whether Harris will actually be able to prevail against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the end. The party is trying very hard to maintain the momentum and is likely to stage the convention as a major display of new beginnings.
Harris’ appearances have so far been strictly choreographed. Since she started as the new front woman, she has not given any interviews or press conferences, but has restricted herself to scheduled campaign appearances – probably in an effort to stick to a fixed script and not make any mistakes. In the weeks after the party convention until the election, she is unlikely to be able to get away with this. Then her real test will be ahead.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
