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Tasfia Ahmad offers a recap of this year's Democratic National Convention, identifying various politicians and celebrities that have endorsed Joe Biden. This article explains the unique and unprecedented approach the Democrats took to the convention; throughout COVID-19, such events have been heavily reliant on technology. Learn why some Republicans have chosen to endorse the former Vice President, and the public's attitudes towards him.
From Monday, Aug 17, to Thursday, Aug 20, the United States hosted a Democratic National Convention. Its aim? To formally nominate and introduce the Democratic candidates running for President and Vice President of the United States. This year, the convention focused on the Democratic nominee, Joe Biden and his potential Vice President, Kamala Harris. Biden is former Vice President, having worked under the Obama Administration, and Harris is the senator for California. The convention was originally supposed to take place in Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, however, due to COVID-19, the convention was prominently virtual. Each day, for two hours, at the Democratic National Convention or DNC, different speakers and guest stars, live or pre-recorded, appeared through those four days to talk and share a few words about the candidates they support.
Day One: Monday, August 17, 2020
The first day of the convention is mainly an introduction for the viewers watching on TV. The commentator for the first day was American actress Eva Longaria, while other speakers included: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, New York Gov; Andrew Cuomo, Michigan Gov; Gretchen Whitmer, former Ohio Gov; and former first lady Michelle Obama. In an unconventional move, John Kasich, a Republican who ran against Donald Trump in the 2016 GOP primary, also spoke.
In addition, many citizens shared their stories on television about the issues they have endured, and how President Trump failed to solve them. Cuomo and Whitmer discussed COVID-19, its politicization and Biden's suitability for the role of president - "a leader who can bring us up not tear us down (...) that man is Joe Biden," said Cuomo.
In a pre-recorded video, Michelle Obama argued that a second term under Trump would be dangerous. Throughout the presentation, she explained that one cannot "fake" their way through the presidency, and blamed an excessive number of coronavirus-related deaths on Trump's reluctance to act. She went on to identify the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and criticized Trump's "derision" towards the Black Lives Matter movement. She asked Democrats to vote for Biden "like our lives depend on it", and concluded: "Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country." Obama elaborated, “If you take one thing from my words tonight, it is this: if you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can."
Day Two: Tuesday, August 18, 2020
The second day of the convention is more personal. The commentator for the second day was American actress, Tracee Ellis Ross who played Rainbow Johnson in the ABC show, Black-ish. Speakers included: Former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer; New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; former President Bill Clinton; and spouse Jill Biden.
Ocasio-Cortez had only 90 seconds to speak, but endorsed Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination. However, the move was seemingly procedural, as "Convention rules require roll call & nominations for every candidate that passes the delegate threshold." However, Joe Biden did secure the most delegates, following an unusual roll call vote that zipped around to all 50 states and territories, while Sanders came second in the delegate count. In her speech, Ocasio-Cortez applauded the runner up for his “historic, grassroots campaign to reclaim our democracy”, and recognized his efforts in reducing systemic inequalities.
Yates, Schumer, and Clinton shared three to four minute speeches about Biden. Former President Clinton expressed his fears that Trump would only continue to bully people, and described him as a man "who defines the [presidential] job as spending hours a day watching TV and zapping people on social media"
They later segued to the former Second Lady’s speech - that of Jill Biden. She discussed her husband’s achievements as a family man. It is those qualities, she said in her heartfelt speech, that would help repair the divisions in a country faltering from the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. “With love and understanding and with small acts of kindness, with bravery, with unwavering faith”, she said and closed the night off with “Bring us together and make us whole.”
Day Three: Wednesday, August 19, 2020
This day was specific to the youth. The commentator for Day 3 was American actress, Kerry Washington who played Olivia Pope in the ABC show, Scandal. The convention contained speakers and performances involving American singers Billie Eilish and John Legend; American rapper Common; and basketball player, Stephen Curry. Furthermore, it discussed issues children in America deal with and/or share a strong passion for. These included: climate change, gun control, immigration, women’s rights, and the VAWA (Violence Against Women Act). These topics were tackled in hopes of increasing youth voter turnout in this upcoming election.
There were numerous other speakers. These included: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren; former Representative, Gabby Giffords, who resigned due to an assassination that caused her severe brain damage; former President Barack Obama; and Vice President nominee, Kamala Harris.
Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi spoke about female representation in the House, and the new leadership America needs. The same message about leadership was shared by Hilary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren. Clinton said, "America needs a president who shows the same compassion, determination, and leadership in the White House that we see in our communities. Throughout this crisis, Americans have kept going—checking on neighbors, showing up to jobs at grocery stores and nursing homes. Because it still takes a village. We need leaders equal to this moment. We need Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
"That empathy, that decency, the belief that everybody counts - that's who Joe is." - Barack Obama
As for Elizabeth Warren, she shared her struggle as a teacher, parent and overall fighter for issues that she and Biden care for. “I love a good plan, and Joe Biden has some really good plans—” Warren said during her speech.
Obama spoke next, sharing his opinions about Biden and overall urging people to actively participate in American democracy. He encouraged the public to vote for a president who would be "the custodian of this democracy". and criticized Trump for failing to take his job "seriously". Obama clarified, "For close to four years now, he's shown no interest in putting in the work; no interest in finding common ground; no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends; no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves." In contrast, he described Biden as an empath who will listen to struggling single parents and military families.
Harris finally took the spotlight, talking about the journey that brought her to the DNC stage, discussing issues she advocates for like reproductive and maternal healthcare and civil rights. She said her very being at the convention was “a testament to the dedication of generations before me". Harris went on to discuss the financial harships endured by her mother, who raised her daughters "to be proud, strong Black women. And she raised us to know and be proud of our Indian heritage." She too condemned Trump's "failure of leadership" which has "cost lives and livelihoods". Discussing coronavirus, she noted that marginalised groups are disproportionately affected.
Day Four: Thursday, August 20, 2020
The final day of the convention was now turning the show to Democratic nominee, Joe Biden. The commentator for this day was American actress, Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Spectators heard from new guests such as New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, Former Mayor of South Bend Pete Buttigieg, former presidential candidates Andrew Yang and Michael Bloomberg, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, Other speakers included: Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms, Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Winscosin, Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, and the Biden family. All shared their opinions about Biden, and why he should be the President of the United States.
Moreover, the fourth day of DNC paid tribute to Congressman and civil rights leader, John Lewis, who recently died in July. Organizers also shared a video of 13-year-old Brayden Harrington, who has a stutter, sharing his story of friendship with Biden.
The Democratic National Convention demonstrated many impassioned speeches, moments, and discussions - all to persuade Americans to vote blue. The same tactic will be implemented in the Republican National Convention starting the week after the DNC, from Monday, August 24 to Thursday, August 27. It will last two hours each day. The format will be the same as the DNC with speakers, guest stars and performance, but there will instead be more in-person events in Charleston, North Carolina. The RNC is designated for the Republican nominees running for President and Vice President - currently Donald Trump and Mike Pence, who are both in office currently.
The convention ended with Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and their respective partners standing onstage, while fireworks were displayed.
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