reformreporter
Vice President Kamala Harris is entering the Democratic National Convention with renewed energy and momentum, signaling a significant shift in the race against former President Donald Trump as the election approaches in just three months. The convention, which begins in Chicago on Monday, comes after President Joe Biden concluded his reelection campaign, responding to growing concerns within the Democratic Party about his ability to serve another term given his age. This pivotal moment has seen the Democratic Party quickly rally around Harris, who has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate.
The four-day Democratic National Convention will officially kick off on Monday, with programming set to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, and continue through Thursday. The event will be held at two key locations in Chicago: the United Center, which will host evening speeches and major events, and McCormick Place, which will handle official party business and daytime meetings. Chicago, though not a battleground state, is strategically located near Wisconsin and Michigan—two crucial states that could determine the outcome of the November election. These states, part of the so-called “blue wall,” traditionally leaned Democratic but flipped to Trump in 2016 before Biden regained them in 2020. Minnesota, while not considered a battleground state, was thought to be competitive for Republicans this year until Harris named Walz as her running mate, reinforcing Democratic support in the region.
The convention is set to draw more than 4,000 delegates who will officially recognize Harris as the Democratic nominee and endorse the party’s platform. While the convention typically includes a formal roll call vote to nominate the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Harris secured her position earlier this month in a virtual roll call, which was held in advance to avoid complications with ballot access in key states like Ohio. A ceremonial roll call is still expected to take place during the convention.
The speaker lineup for the convention has not been fully disclosed, but it is confirmed that President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will speak on Monday. Monday’s theme, “For the People,” will focus on honoring Biden’s contributions to the party and the nation. According to sources, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee in 2016, is expected to speak on the same night, alongside leaders from major labor unions.
Tuesday’s program, centered on the theme “A Bold Vision for the Future,” will feature a keynote speech from former President Barack Obama, who will lay out his vision for the country’s path forward. Prior to Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama is expected to deliver remarks, though she will not formally introduce her husband. On Wednesday, the theme will be “A Fight for Freedom,” with former President Bill Clinton and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi scheduled to speak. New York Congressman Tom Suozzi, who flipped a red seat blue in a recent special election, will also be part of the Wednesday lineup. Other notable speakers throughout the week include Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker will also address the convention on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
Governor Tim Walz is slated to accept the vice-presidential nomination on Wednesday, while Vice President Harris will formally accept the presidential nomination during her speech on Thursday, a night dedicated to the theme “For the Future.” Anita Dunn, a former senior adviser to Biden who has since joined the main super PAC supporting Harris, offered a preview of Harris’s speech. “What you can expect to hear from the vice president this week is going to be a message about moving this country forward, about an opportunity economy, where everybody in the country feels they can get ahead, where corporations are held accountable, where people know that they have an even shot with the rest of the world,” Dunn said in an interview with “CBS Mornings.” She emphasized that Harris’s speech would focus on progress and forward momentum, contrasting with the past under Trump and the GOP. “You’re also going to hear about opportunity and excitement and moving forward,” she added.
The Democratic Party’s platform for 2024, which was drafted in July when Biden was still in the race, highlights a clear contrast between the Democratic agenda and the positions of Trump and his allies. The platform advocates for progressive policies such as raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, making the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit permanent, ensuring affordable child care, and lowering health care costs. The platform also calls for a minimum income tax on billionaires, raising the corporate tax rate, banning “junk fees,” and investing in clean energy projects. On reproductive rights, Democrats are committed to passing legislation that would codify abortion protections and expand access to contraception, IVF, and medication abortion. Additionally, the platform supports expunging federal marijuana convictions, strengthening democracy, securing the border, and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The platform also reiterates support for a negotiated two-state solution that upholds both Israel’s security and the rights of Palestinians.
As the Democratic National Convention unfolds, the party’s unity behind Harris and the platform’s progressive agenda will set the stage for the final stretch of the 2024 presidential campaign, as Democrats prepare to make their case to the American people.
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