The Democratic National Convention officially begins in Chicago on Monday, signaling a pivotal moment for the party. Just four weeks ago, President Joe Biden stepped down from the presidential race, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee. This dramatic shift in leadership has profoundly altered the Democrats’ 2024 strategy, making the convention even more noteworthy.
The first day of the convention promises a symbolic handover of the Democratic party to Harris. Traditionally, the party’s nominee delivers a keynote speech on the convention’s final night. However, this year, President Biden will give his address on the opening night, followed by a speech from First Lady Jill Biden. President Biden is expected to use his address to symbolically pass the torch to Vice President Harris, concluding five decades of involvement in Democratic politics and emphasizing the perceived threat to the nation if Donald Trump returns to the White House. Vice President Harris will be present for Biden’s speech.
The convention’s opening night will be themed “For the People,” a direct reference to Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign and a phrase she has continued to use in her new campaign. This theme emphasizes the contrast between the Democratic party’s commitment to the American people and Donald Trump’s perceived self-serving agenda. The theme also signifies the party’s focus on highlighting the accomplishments of Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
In addition to speeches from elected officials and party leaders, the convention will feature presentations from ordinary Americans and various performers throughout the week. However, the convention will also be a stage for thousands of activists who are expected to converge on Chicago to advocate for various causes, including abortion rights, economic justice, and a ceasefire in the Gaza war. Protests are expected throughout the week, with many activists prioritizing an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Chicago has undergone months of preparation for the influx of activists, with police undergoing training on constitutional policing, county courts expanding capacity for potential mass arrests, and hospitals near the security zone reinforcing emergency preparedness. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is scheduled to speak on the opening night, has assured the public that the city is fully prepared for the anticipated protests.
While the Democrats rally around their top-of-the-ticket candidates, Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, will be engaging in their own week-long campaign across key battleground states. Similar to the Democrats, the Republicans have designated a theme for each day of their campaign events. Monday’s focus is on the economy. Both Trump and Vance will be campaigning in Pennsylvania, a key Rust Belt state, where they have both focused their recent efforts.
To counter the Democratic convention, Trump’s allies will hold daily press conferences in Chicago, offering a prebuttal to the speeches and events taking place at the United Center.
