Party faithful have been flooding through the Chicago airport as the Democratic National Convention starts on Monday. It has been a rough month for the party, with vice-president Kamala Harris quickly moving up to the top of the ticket.
The convention has a theme of “For the People, For Our Future,” and experts believe it is a crucial moment for Democrats to come together and build on the momentum behind the Harris campaign.
President Joe Biden is set to give a speech tonight outlining his administration’s achievements and how a Harris administration will continue that work.
Just a few weeks ago, Biden withdrew from the presidential race due to criticism about his age and ability to win, especially after a challenging debate with his Republican opponent, former president Donald Trump.
After Biden stepped back, Democrats quickly rallied around Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Walz will symbolically accept the nomination following a celebratory roll call during the convention.
Other notable speakers at the convention include former president Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former president Bill Clinton, and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
According to convention chair Minyon Moore, “Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are fighting for the American people and America’s future — Donald Trump is only fighting for himself.”
While foreign policy details of a Harris administration are not expected to be a key focus of the speeches, it is anticipated that Harris will follow the approach set by Biden in handling the U.S.’s relationship with Canada.
Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, and Liberal MP John McKay will be attending the convention. They have been engaging with American counterparts on both sides of the political spectrum in preparation for the November election.
In recent polls, Democrats have seen a surge in enthusiasm since Harris joined the ticket. Polls in battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania have slightly shifted in favor of Democrats.
Harris is now in a close competition with Trump in the presidential race, as per a recent Pew Research Center survey. The enthusiasm for Harris among her supporters is strong, with 62% backing her strongly, compared to only 43% for Biden a month ago.
Experts emphasize the importance of Harris continuing to unite Democratic voters by focusing on shared desires for reproductive freedom and opposition to Trump.
Outside the convention, thousands of activists are expected to demand an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, highlighting a potentially divisive issue for the party.
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