Delegates are gathering in Chicago for the start of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), which will see Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz formally nominated to be the party’s candidates in the 2024 presidential race to take on Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Harris has enjoyed an astonising boom in popularity since Joe Biden made his historic decision not to pursue another term in the White House a month ago, standing aside and endorsing his deputy as his successor in the wake of his disastrous debate performance against Trump in Atlanta on June 27.
With the party rallying around Harris, she has surged in the polls and cemented her appeal by adding Walz to the ticket, a sequence of events that has left Trump and Vance reeling, with seemingly little idea how best to respond to the new challenge they face.
This week’s four-day convention will build towards Harris’s speech on Thursday evening, with Biden, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and Adam Kinzinger all due to address the event before then.
Security has meanwhile been ramped up as activists arrive to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
Gwen Walz has always worked in close proximity to her husband, the Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz.
Oliver O’Connell19 August 2024 16:00
Oliver O’Connell19 August 2024 15:40
Here’s James Liddell with a report on Trump’s latest attempt to win back attention from Kamala’s big moment, further evidence that he’s lost his knack as a poster.
Joe Sommerlad19 August 2024 14:50
It’s fair to say Laura Ingraham has not been enjoying the recent Kamala bounce but the idea that the Democratic convention will not match up to the sober and substantial policy discussion on offer at last month’s Republican ho-down in Milwaukee is just too ridiculous for words.
Or perhaps I’m forgetting Kid Rock’s affordable housing symposium?
Joe Sommerlad19 August 2024 14:20
Luke Skywalker himself is in town and the likes of Julie Louis-Dreyfus, Mindy Kaling and Kerry Washington are expected to play a part at the DNC this week.
CNN meanwhile reports that rumors are swirling that Beyonce or Taylor Swift could put in an appearance, which would certainly disprove Trump’s dodgy AI “endorsement” from the latter once and for all.
Here’s more from Myriam Page.
Joe Sommerlad19 August 2024 14:05
Joe Sommerlad19 August 2024 13:50
Joe Sommerlad19 August 2024 13:20
Joe Sommerlad19 August 2024 12:50
Weeks of Democratic infighting leading up to President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race have reportedly left some emotional scars between the president and some party leaders.
Those close to Biden have told Politico that the president is slightly resentful towards his old friend and ally, former president Barack Obama, who did not directly tell him to leave the race despite allegedly privately raising concerns that he could not defeat Trump in November.
As a result, Biden will supposedly not stay on to hear Obama’s speech on Tuesday at the DNC after delivering his own address tonight.
Here’s more from Ariana Baio.
Joe Sommerlad19 August 2024 12:20
Gwen Walz shares story of how she and Tim met as they join Harris on pre-DNC bus tour
Ron Johnson has one of the odder critiques of Tim Walz
Trump posts AI-generated image of Harris speaking at DNC with communist flags
Fox anchor warns DNC ‘will entertain you but you pay for it with lower living standards’
Hollywood in Chicago: Stars to hit up the Windy City amid rumours of Taylor Swift and Beyonce appearances
Watch live: Democratic National Convention attendees arrive in Chicago as Joe Biden to headline opening night
Democrats project anti-Trump slogans onto Republican’s Chicago tower
Trump ally Mike Lindell says he will shave moustache to enter DNC in disguise
Biden to skip Obama’s DNC speech as he ‘harbors resentment’
