“We won’t be returning“A Harris victory is a fresh start for the Democratic Party” has become a mantra for presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. It’s an explicit promise not to return to the policies of the Donald Trump era, but there’s also a more subtle, implicit message: Harris is a fresh start for the Democratic Party.
The only problem with this mantra is that it will bring Harris (and all of us) back again, at least for a few hours during next week’s Democratic National Convention.
it isNBC News reports:“President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been confirmed as speakers at the convention.” It has been reported that President Jimmy Carter’s grandson is set to speak on his grandfather’s behalf.
To keep the momentum going and get the momentum we need going into the tournament, Harris said,Freed from the burdens of the past” But what to do when “what’s been” calls for another curtain call?
The problem is not catastrophic or insurmountable, but it is dangerous to a campaign that has been surprisingly effective in bringing about change for Biden, an unpopular president who was eliminated as the Democratic presidential nominee just weeks ago.
Similarly, Bill and Hillary Clinton have decades of baggage they could do without. Her message, according to the lyrics of a song Bill used at the end of his 1992 convention speech, was “Keep thinking about tomorrow.”
To be sure, former presidents have always featured at party conventions, sometimes to great effect. Indeed, Bill Clinton’s speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, in which he campaigned for Barack Obama’s reelection, is often considered a milestone, and Obama later referred to him as “the man who got the nod.”Explanation Secretary.”
But those were different times and circumstances were very different.
First, Harris is trying to do something arguably more difficult: she is the sitting vice president while also trying to run for president as a “change” candidate.
Remarkably, Harris has managed this feat (for now), but to maintain her momentum, her campaign must strengthen, not weaken, her positive message and the stark contrast between her and the older Trump.
Instead of focusing on Democratic big names, next week’s convention should focus on Ms. Harris and Mr. Walz and the rising stars auditioning to be her running mate: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, to name just a few.
These rising leaders will certainly be the center of attention next week, but keeping track of them with so many dignitaries scheduled to speak will be a challenge.
In some ways, this is a happy dilemma.
Trump’s Republican Party doesn’t have this problem, in part because many of the party’s past figures are no longer welcome in the party’s former “big tent.”
Former President George W. Bush He skipped last month’s Republican National Convention. — including three living former Republican vice presidents (Mike Pence, Dick Cheney and Dan Quayle) and former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
Unity may be a good thing, but it also signals the shrinking of a party that banishes outliers and throws out the window anyone who won’t drink the Kool-Aid. That’s what the Republican Party is today.
Conversely, Team Harris must find the perfect balance between honoring heroes of the past and looking to the future.
It’s impossible to plan everything (but stillOutside protestersWhile it could upset her big plans, the Harris team could mitigate any potential issues by scheduling “veterans days” earlier in the week or earlier in the evening.
Part of the plan seems to be to feature Biden early in the week and then remove him as soon as possible. “Monday night is Joe night.”A source told CNN.“And he’ll hand over the keys.”
But if Harris wants to turn up the music and kick back, Biden won’t be the only guest who’ll have to head out the door early. She’ll also have to find a way to get Clinton and Obama to ride off into the sunset, which is no easy task.
It is vital that Harris does not let this practice become a thing of the past. She must turn the page and start writing the next chapter.
Matt K. Lewis is a columnist, podcaster, and author of “Too stupid to fail” and “Super rich politician.”
