The Democratic National Convention has started and is expected to last a week. Originally slated to select Joe Biden, it will instead be a crowning of Kamala Harris.
Joe Biden will be speaking on the first day, but will otherwise be absent the rest of the week. This is an unconventional move, but one that makes sense once Biden’s unpopularity is accounted for. The NY Post says:
The timing of his reported family vacation means that the highest-ranking elected Democrat in the country won’t be present for the remainder of his party’s convention this week.
In doing so, he will avoid any risk of upstaging Harris in her hometown of Chicago, though it’s not clear that he would’ve outshone her. Last week, audience members began leaving a joint Maryland event between the duo after Biden took the podium.
While not as violent as originally believed to be, protesters have still surrounded the convention and are protesting against Israel’s war in Gaza. WGN9 reports:
A group of protestors have broken through the barricades that make up a portion of the security barrier surrounding the United Center for the DNC.
The breach occurred around 4:45 p.m. near Park #578, along Washington Boulevard, the area where demonstrators met after marching from Union Park on Monday afternoon.
The week will set the tone for the campaign in November. Kamala will likely adopt a moderate tone in order to capture swing voters. How her speech goes will also be critical on how the American people perceive her.
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