The Democratic National Convention (DNC) has adopted a platform for the 2024 election, a move that underscores the party’s commitment to Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive nominee, even as President Joe Biden faces internal pressure to abandon his re-election bid.
Despite Biden’s recent struggles and mounting calls within his own party for him to step aside, the platform explicitly refers to “President Biden and Vice President Harris” and their “progressive agenda.” This suggests a continued focus on the current administration’s policies and a strong signal of Harris’s intended role as Biden’s running mate, if he decides to run.
The platform, approved by delegates on Monday night, was crafted “prior to the president passing the torch in an act of love and patriotism,” according to Mayor Regina Romero of Tucson, Arizona, co-chair of the DNC platform committee. The platform’s forward-looking vision is intended to “echo the voice of all,” Romero added.
Harris herself delivered surprise remarks at the DNC in Chicago, expressing gratitude for Biden’s leadership and calling him “incredible.” “I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible president, Joe Biden, who will be speaking later tonight,” Harris said. “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation and for all you will continue to do. We are forever grateful to you. Thank you, Joe.”
Biden addressed the convention on the first night, delivering a speech that touched on his accomplishments, criticized former President Donald Trump, and discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
This development comes after a tumultuous period for Biden’s potential re-election campaign. Following a widely criticized debate performance against Trump in June, calls for Biden to withdraw from the race intensified. Recent reports suggest Biden is “stunned” by the pressure he’s facing from within his own party.
While the DNC platform solidifies Harris’s position as the likely vice-presidential nominee, Biden’s decision to run for re-election remains unclear. The party’s platform serves as a roadmap for their vision for the future, but the question of who will lead them remains unanswered.
