The Democratic National Convention (DNC) began yesterday, Aug. 19, in Chicago with a surprise appearance from Vice President Kamala Harris, along with speeches from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, First Lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden.
The DNC occurs every election cycle and is when Harris will be officially recognized as the Democratic presidential nominee in front of press and delegates from around the country. The Republican National Convention (RNC) that officially nominated Former President Donald Trump as Republican nominee occurred last month in Milwaukee, IL.
Typically, the candidates for either party are nominated at the DNC. This year, however, Vice President Kamala Harris has already been declared as the Democratic nominee with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
Over the next three days, attendees and viewers will see everyone from union leaders, civil rights advocates and ordinary citizens to the political candidates themselves. Monday’s speakers emphasized differentiating Harris’ policy from Trump’s. They pointed out the policies of the Biden and Trump administrations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the employment rates during their respective terms.
Other speakers like Hillary Clinton said American citizens have begun to break down “the highest, hardest glass ceiling” for women. Clinton said Harris was one in generations of women reaching new heights in the political world.
On Monday, viewers also heard from citizens in support of Harris, including Harris’ childhood friends, reproductive rights activists and citizen Rich Logis, who told his story about switching his vote to Harris after being a Trump supporter.
“We need to be able to trust our leaders, and that’s why I am all in for Kamala Harris,” Logis said in a video to the DNC crowd.
Throughout the convention, every speaker affords voters an opportunity to hear about their candidates’ policies and prior achievements, which is important for undecided and swing voters across the country. Financially, the convention is also an opportunity for leaders to network in front of donors who may be willing to fund their missions throughout the election cycle and beyond.
Support for Harris is expected to expand in the upcoming week as past campaigns have experienced a bump, or “convention bounce,” in the polls following their conventions. According to Politico, the Harris campaign may be experiencing an early start to their polling bump, putting them ahead of the Trump campaign by 2%.
The Harris for President (HFP) campaign will strive to maintain its momentum throughout the week, with upcoming speakers including former President Barack Obama and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg as well as acceptance speeches by Harris and Walz, respectively.
To end Monday’s opening festivities, Biden took to the stage after First Lady Jill Biden and their daughter Ashley Biden. Biden was greeted with cheers from the crowd and continued his endorsement of Kamala.
“Kamala and Tim understand that this nation must continue to be a place of possibilities,” Biden said. “Not just for a few of us, but for all of us. Join me in dedicating your whole heart to this effort. And with all my heart, I promise I’ll be the best volunteer Harris and Walz camp have ever seen.”
