The Democratic National Convention kicks off on Monday after a tumultuous month within the party that has endorsed Vice President Harris as the leading candidate for the presidential nomination.
Few would have predicted such a convention a month ago, when President Biden was the presumptive nominee. Since then, he has dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris.
Since Harris announced her candidacy to replace Biden, the party and Democratic voters have appeared to overwhelmingly support her.
All eyes will be on Chicago to see if the Democratic National Convention can spur her momentum.
Here are five things to note:
To what extent are protests disruptive?
Political party nominating conventions often bring together the most ardent supporters and opponents of a party or a particular candidate, so some level of protest is common.
But the possibility of protests has received more attention than usual throughout the convention amid divisions within the party over the Israel-Hamas war and the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict — divisions most visible through protest votes during the Democratic primary.
Biden had no strong rivals for the nomination, but some Democratic voters rallied to vote for the “unconditional” option in protest of his support for Israel.
While Harris may be able to distance herself more easily from deep-rooted feelings about Biden’s record and handling of the conflict, she is also facing pressure from pro-Palestinian protesters just weeks into the race.
Some protests have already taken place Scheduled throughout the week“The convention will be held on Wednesday, April 11th, and we will be holding a special event at the United Center in Chicago, where we will be holding a special event,” said a spokesman for the Democratic Party.
The event was overshadowed by the chaos of the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention, where anti-Vietnam War protesters were beaten by police. The Democrats subsequently lost the presidential election when then-President Johnson dropped out and Vice President Hubert Humphrey became the Democratic candidate.
What about Harris?
Harris quickly gained support from the Democratic Party as she ran for office.
Just over a day after she announced her candidacy, enough delegates had publicly endorsed her to make her the leading candidate, and other potential Democrats and party leaders also endorsed her as a candidate.
Harris’ rise has been impressive for a vice president who was once seen as a potential drag on the campaign trail due to her low approval ratings.
Her presidential acceptance speech, scheduled for Thursday, will be the culmination of a nomination process that began months ago and an opportunity for her to share her vision with a national audience.
Harris has spoken to sold-out crowds around the country over the past few weeks, and Thursday’s speech, and the convention as a whole, is a chance for her to reach an even wider audience at a time when the political spotlight is on her.
Will the Democrats stick to the script?
The exact schedule of speeches at the convention has yet to be announced, but most of the major party leaders are expected to take the stage.
Biden is scheduled to open the convention with a speech on Monday night, and former presidents Barack Obama, Clinton and Hillary Clinton are also scheduled to speak. Minnesota Governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz is scheduled to formally accept the nomination in a speech on Wednesday, and Harris is scheduled to address the convention on Thursday.
These types of speeches are almost always planned out word for word, allowing the speaker to stick to the script and deliver their message with all eyes on them, but that doesn’t stop the speaker from improvising on their own or in response to calls from the audience.
Moments like these could be a big boost for Harris, but they could also be dangerous.
Convention speakers are almost certain to prepare some sharp remarks to attack former President Trump and the Republican Party and take positions on specific issues, but some out-of-the-blue remarks could be memorable and last beyond the convention.
How will speakers talk about the war between Israel and Hamas?
Harris has distanced herself somewhat from Biden on the war issue because she doesn’t have control over aid or weapons decisions, but she hasn’t completely escaped disgruntled Democrats who want to see a shift in Israel policy.
Members of the Free and Unfettered People Movement hope Harris’s candidacy is a sign of that change, saying at a rally in Arizona this month that it was “now” time to reach a deal to free hostages held in Gaza and secure a ceasefire.
But groups such as the Campaign Against Biden say they see Biden and Harris’ policies as essentially the same.
The convention could be an opportunity to lure those Democrats back into the party, which Democrats had hoped to do in 2016 after a bitter primary between Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) exposed internal rifts that continued into November.
Addressing the war in a way that doesn’t alienate Democrats on either side may be key to keeping the party united.
Any big surprises?
Nominating conventions are some of the most closely choreographed events in politics, with every speech and roll call vote meticulously planned, but that doesn’t mean surprises aren’t possible.
The protests will be held outside and will not be allowed inside the arena, but people could come into the United Center. The convention will be attended by several undecided delegates, which could create ripples over the war.
Meanwhile, a surprise, unannounced appearance by a guest could create even more excitement among those in attendance and supporters watching at home.
