The Democratic Party is reintroducing itself to a divided nation this week, revitalized by the momentum, financial support, and enthusiasm that followed Vice President Kamala Harris’ rise to the top of its ticket.
The whirlwind of the past month culminates in a convention starting Monday in Chicago. The four-day event, attended by thousands of activists and party leaders from across the country, is designed to celebrate Harris as President Joe Biden’s successor and bolster her campaign to defeat Republican Donald Trump in November.
However, beneath the excitement, questions persist about the depth of Harris’ new support, the diversity of her coalition, and the strength of her movement. Just weeks ago, Democrats were deeply divided over foreign policy, strategy, and Biden himself, who clung to his candidacy after a disastrous debate, arguing that he had a better chance than any other Democrat, including Harris, to beat Trump.
This week’s event will differ from the formalities of modern conventions, offering many Americans their first extended look at Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. How Democrats present Harris and Walz will be crucial, especially with Trump launching a weeklong effort to counter their message.
A potential distraction could come from thousands of progressive protesters expected in Chicago to criticize the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Harris’ allies hope that these demonstrations won’t overshadow the official program, which features a lineup of current and former Democratic stars.
“Democrats are walking into that convention enthused, excited, and unified,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was a finalist to be Harris’ running mate. “It’s critically important that we prosecute the case against Donald Trump and the chaos that he would bring—and leave that convention even more unified, more excited, more enthused for the final 75 or so days of this campaign.”
Shapiro added that he welcomes protests during the convention as long as they are peaceful and follow community rules.
A key part of introducing Harris and Walz will involve giving a graceful send-off to the 81-year-old incumbent president, who is set to deliver the keynote address on Monday.
The Democratic Party might have been in a much worse position had Biden continued his campaign. Concerns about his mental and physical acuity grew after he struggled during the debates. By stepping aside and endorsing Harris, Biden will receive a hero’s farewell, 52 years after his election to the Senate from Delaware.
Biden plans to give a strong endorsement of Harris and sharply criticize Trump before leaving Chicago, making way for the convention to focus on his vice president.
Trump has attempted to stir tensions over Biden’s departure, calling Biden’s Monday speaking slot “convention death valley,” and suggesting that the president would get lower ratings than other speakers. He also labeled the convention as “rigged” because Biden, not Harris, initially won 14 million primary votes and secured delegates state by state.
The convention will highlight the party’s potential to make history, with Harris aiming to become the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first person of South Asian descent to reach the Oval Office.
“I wasn’t sure I would see this moment in my lifetime, to see a Black woman on the cusp of becoming our next president,” said Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, one of the nation’s highest-ranking Black women in elected office.
Stratton reflected on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 loss to Trump, in which Clinton won the popular vote but lost key battleground states. “I remember back in 2016 when we touched the glass ceiling, and the reaction of Republicans was just to start destroying the rights that got us there,” Stratton said. “This is another chance.”
At the convention, Harris will take credit for her and Biden’s accomplishments while signaling that she understands voters’ desires for more. Heading into Chicago, she unveiled her initial policy platform, focusing on addressing inflation and the costs of essentials like food, housing, and childcare.
Democrats will continue to emphasize abortion access, betting that the issue will drive them to success, as it has in other key races since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago.
Every living Democratic president and first lady is expected to appear this week, except for the ailing Jimmy Carter, alongside a long list of federal, state, and local officials and activists.
This contrasts with last month’s GOP convention in Milwaukee, where prominent Republicans, including former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Mike Pence, stayed away due to Trump’s antagonism.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican who investigated Trump’s actions during the January 6 Capitol insurrection, is also expected to speak this week, endorsing Harris.
With only a few days left before early voting begins in some states in September, recent polls indicate a close race both nationally and in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Polls also show that Trump retains advantages on key issues like the economy and immigration.
Terry McAuliffe, a former Virginia governor and veteran operative attending his 13th Democratic convention, warned that the excitement surrounding Harris’ rise could obscure the reality of the campaign.
He noted that the Republican convention in Milwaukee was essentially a Trump coronation, with Democrats consumed by anxiety. Now, it’s Trump who appears to be struggling to find the right message to counter Harris’ momentum.
McAuliffe emphasized that a campaign should never be taken for granted and that the outcome depends on securing 270 Electoral College votes by winning the right battleground states.
The former president isn’t giving Democrats this week to themselves. He plans to visit a different swing state each day, starting with Pennsylvania, followed by Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada by the end of the week.
Trump’s campaign is also sending high-profile allies to Chicago to hold daily press conferences, including Florida Sen. Rick Scott, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
