DStv Channel 403 Saturday, 02 November 2024

Takeaways from the Democratic National Convention

 

CHICAGO - It was Kamala Harris's big night Thursday but she wasn't the only US Democrat to knock it out of the park during a week of rousing speeches, celebrity cameos and lashings of hope and joy.

Here are some takeaways from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

- Star-studded convention - 

Oprah Winfrey stole the show, exhorting voters to "choose joy" and Stevie Wonder took the convention to "Higher Ground." 

US producer/actress Oprah Winfrey waves to the crowd at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago
AFP | CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

John Legend lit up the United Center with a tribute to Prince, while comic actress Mindy Kaling shared stories of cooking lessons from the vice president.

And there was comedy with a serious message from Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson, who brought a giant book on stage to represent the radical Trump-linked Project 2025 governing agenda.

There was feverish speculation over a potential appearance by global superstar Beyonce, but it didn't pan out.

 

- Family affair -

On the biggest stage of their careers, political leaders often look to dewy-eyed family moments that, if seen as genuine, can humanize them and make them relatable to voters.

Minnesota Governor and 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz's son Gus (L) and daughter Hope (2nd L) react as he speaks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 21, 2024
AFP | ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's 17-year-old son Gus touched a nation as he wiped away joyous tears, pointed to his father accepting the vice presidential nomination and sobbed: "That's my dad!"

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff provided another indelible memory, referring to Harris as "my wiiiiife" as he recounted the goofy, endearing story of their romance.

And President Joe Biden's daughter Ashley was a highlight of the opening night as she paid tribute to "the O.G. Girl Dad."

 

- Obamas sizzle -

Barack and Michelle Obama -- the undisputed power couple of Democratic politics -- partied like it was 2008 as they gave the convention a shot of star power on Day Two.

Former US President Barack Obama welcomes former first lady Michelle Obama onstage at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois
GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP | CHIP SOMODEVILLA

The 44th president got the night's biggest laugh as he goaded Donald Trump over the Republican's "obsession with crowd sizes."     

But he was upstaged by the former first lady -- by far the country's most popular Democrat -- who spoke of the "contagious power of hope" in the most cheered speech of the week.

The party made use of a deep bench of luminaries, including former president Bill Clinton, whose raspy speech was more than twice the allotted time but included some memorable applause lines. 

 

- Gaza fizzles - 

There were protests across Chicago against the administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war, and particularly over the decision not to allow a Palestinian American to speak from the main stage.

Protesters march outside the Israeli consulate during the Democratic National Convention on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois
GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP/File | Jim Vondruska

The largest protest Thursday featured several thousand marchers, but was still much smaller than the demonstrations of tens of thousands predicted by organizers, and was not the fly in the ointment that the Democrats had feared.

Protests were largely peaceful, although several demonstrators were arrested when they broke through a security fence earlier in the week around the United Center where the main program was staged.

Although the activists were largely pro-Palestinian, they were joined by others marching against a variety of progressive causes, from reproductive rights to migrant welfare.

 

- Bye bye Biden - 

The president gave an emotional keynote speech to open a conference that he thought just weeks ago he would be headlining.

US President Joe Biden greets First Daughter Ashley Biden during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois
GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP/File | Andrew Harnik

Biden took to the stage, dabbing his eyes, and spoke at length about his achievements while making a case for Harris that was criticized for lacking the pizzazz of the Obama endorsements.

Flanked by First Lady Jill Biden and Harris, the veteran Democrat's final bow marked at long last the passing of the torch for a politician who has been in the public eye for more than half a century.

"Democracy has prevailed. Democracy has delivered. And now democracy must be preserved," he declared, to one of many standing ovations from the rapt audience.

ft/mlm

By Frankie Taggart

AFP

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