The Democratic National Convention (DNC) has returned, this time under never-seen-before circumstances. The function was held in Chicago and hosted many speeches highlighting the party’s visions for the upcoming election and a potential Harris presidency.
Many key issues such as climate change, reproductive rights, the economy, and social issues were discussed passionately. The convention emphasized unity amongst the democrats, calling themselves “the party of joy.”
Some key speakers across the four nights were former presidents and first ladies Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, current President Joe Biden and first lady Jill, Bernie Sanders, Nancy Pelosi, and Vice President Kamala Harris along with her running mate Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota.
As mentioned, this is one of the most historically significant DNCs in history. Kamala Harris became the first woman of color to be nominated for president by a major political party. This milestone was celebrated as a significant step towards greater diversity and representation in American politics.
She replaced current President Biden in the race. President Biden’s emotional farewell speech marked the end of his long and impactful career. First elected to the senate in 1972, Biden has since served 52 years in the political field. His reflections on his time in office and his vision for the future resonated deeply with many attendees and viewers.
Another surprising occurrence was the inclusion of Republican speakers. Many served under former President Donald Trump and came to the stage to express their disdain with the former President. Stephanie Grisham, former White House Press Secretary, political commentator Ana Navarro, John Giles, the Mayor of Mesa, Arizona, and Olivia Troye, former Trump administration official were standout names amongst the influx of GOP speakers.
Along with the commotion inside the convention, a lot of action also took place just outside the convention. Thousands of protestors in support of a free Palestine were parading outside the stadium. During her speech, Presidential Nominee Harris addressed the topic, and said, “Let me be clear, I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself.”
She said that Israelis should “never again” go through the horror and “unspeakable” attacks of October 7. She continued with her view on the Palestinian side of the war, and said, “At the same time what has happened in Gaza in the past ten months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.”
Harris continuously claims to be in communication with Israeli president Netanyahu attempting to secure a ceasefire deal, but it is uncertain how much progress has been made.
The next few months will be undeniably critical as both Trump and Harris work to translate their momentum from their respective conventions into actionable strategies for voters.
As the nation turns its attention to the upcoming election, the 2024 DNC will undoubtedly resonate, molding a new political landscape and influencing the direction of American policy and leadership.