Unity of the Party: How Does the Democratic Party Convention Enhance Its Chances in the U.S. Election Race?
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, the campaign of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced that it had raised $540 million to fund her presidential campaign against the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump.
This comes just days after the Democratic Party officially nominated Kamala Harris for the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, scheduled for November 5, 2024.
Restoring Confidence:
The national conventions of both the Democratic and Republican parties are considered the ultimate opportunity to clarify each party’s positions and unify them for the presidential election battle on November 5, 2024. The official purpose of these conventions is to select the party’s candidate for the presidency and to adopt the party’s platform, which outlines its principles and goals.
Although there is no constitutional or legal requirement to hold a national convention, it has become a political tradition repeated every four years since the Democrats first held such a convention in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1832. From 1832 to the current 2024 convention, the Democratic Party has organized 50 conventions, during which there have been significant shifts in its political ideology, helping it build a substantial grassroots base in the United States.
In this context, several key features distinguish the 2024 Democratic National Convention:
1. Harris’s Nomination as Party Leader: The biggest challenge for the convention organizers was managing the sudden leadership change in the Democratic Party. Transitioning from one leader to another placed pressure on party leaders to balance celebrating the new leader Kamala Harris without diminishing the status of the outgoing leader Joe Biden or treating him in a way that might lead to a lack of respect.
For President Joe Biden, balancing this transition was essential. On one hand, he needed to defend his four-year presidential record, while on the other hand, he had to make a case for his choice of Kamala Harris as his successor.
2. Biden’s Farewell Speech: Biden delivered a nearly 50-minute speech, depicting his presidency as a “recovery period from dual shocks”—the Capitol Hill riots on January 6, 2021, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The speech was not without emotional moments, as Biden received loud cheers and prolonged applause. He mentioned having “given his heart and soul to serve his nation for 50 years,” adding that his decision to forgo re-election did not trouble him, saying, “I love my job… I love my country more.”
Analysts see the speech as a mix of three main elements: promoting his administration’s legislative achievements; sharply criticizing former President Donald Trump, whom he described as a threat to democracy, a liar, and a loser; and continuously praising Kamala Harris, calling her the best decision he made in his political career and pledging to be her most dedicated campaign volunteer.
3. Harris’s Presidential Ambitions as the First Woman: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in her speech on the first day, stated that Kamala Harris’s candidacy represents “a new chapter in America’s story,” describing Harris as a historic figure who might finally break the glass ceiling to become the first female President of the United States. This statement is closely linked to Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, which ended in defeat to Donald Trump.
Observers note that Harris has not yet focused on breaking barriers to become the first woman to lead the White House, assuming the message is already clear, as she is the first woman and the first person of South Asian descent to hold the vice-presidential office.
4. Strong Support from the Obama Family: Despite delays in public support from Barack Obama for Kamala Harris following Biden’s withdrawal from the race, Obama’s speech and that of his wife on the second day of the convention confirmed their strong political backing for Harris.
The Washington Post reported that Obama and his wife energized the delegates. Obama spoke of hope, framing the election as a “choice” Americans must make to ensure a better future and a “chance” for Harris to provide others with the same opportunities she received from America. Michelle Obama added that “hope is renewed.”
5. Significant Endorsement from Clinton: On the third night of the convention, former President Bill Clinton starkly contrasted Kamala Harris with Donald Trump, describing Trump as a selfish leader who “creates and manages chaos,” while Harris possesses the vision and experience to solve the nation’s problems and work for the people, unlike Trump who has proven to work for himself. Clinton’s speech included a clear warning to Democrats not to underestimate Trump, noting that overconfidence was one reason the Democratic Party lost some elections.
Clinton’s address was comprehensive regarding the challenges facing the U.S., emphasizing that the country does not need to sell weapons that contribute to killing its citizens but needs leadership capable of solving problems and achieving everyone’s dreams. He praised Harris’s first presidential decision, choosing Tim Walz as her running mate, reflecting her wisdom and prudent leadership. He added that she has the capability to uphold American values and interests and will tirelessly work to eliminate poverty, making her the best choice to lead the U.S. in the coming phase.
6. Rising Stars in the Democratic Party: The convention was a crucial opportunity for emerging stars within the Democratic Party, who could be considered candidates for future presidential elections. This trend aligns with the party’s ambition to end the dominance of old faces in the political scene and replace them with new, rising ones, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Buttigieg’s speech was praised for showcasing his ability to theorize about a new generation of Democratic politicians. He spoke deeply about politics as a “spiritual craft,” criticizing Republican candidate Donald Trump, whom he described as potentially turning Washington into a “captive” state if he wins.
7. Dilemma of Pro-Palestinian Protests: The Gaza war crisis cast a shadow over the Democratic Party convention, particularly with massive protests organized near the convention site coinciding with its start. Although the protests, which began earlier in the week, remained largely “peaceful,” they reflected several implications, notably serving as a pressure tool and a reminder to Democratic leaders of the need to do more to end the war. They also revealed growing frustration among protesters, who felt that President Joe Biden’s decision to step down for Harris “would not make a significant difference” in U.S. policy. Harris attempted to show empathy towards Palestinian civilian victims while continuing to affirm Israel’s right to defend itself.
8. Engagement of Influencers and Content Creators: Democrats went beyond media celebrities and Hollywood stars to confirm their support for their presidential candidate, employing numerous social media influencers. For the first time this year, the Democratic National Committee issued credentials to 200 social media influencers, granting them access to convention events. With these influencers boasting tens of millions of followers, their coverage of the event resonated significantly, spreading Democratic messages more effectively than traditional media and celebrity endorsements.
Notable Highlights:
Vice President Kamala Harris concluded one of the most extraordinary months in American political history with a 40-minute speech, rallying Democrats around issues of nationalism. Her speech featured the following highlights:
1. Call for Unity Among All Americans: Harris pledged in her speech to be a president “for all Americans,” focusing on unity and the aspirations of the working class. She emphasized that the election is an opportunity to chart a new course and urged Americans to organize the electoral process beyond “bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past.”
2. Continued Attack on Trump: Harris described her electoral opponent Trump as a “serious man” who brought “chaos and disasters” to the White House. She accused Trump of trying to “waste your votes” by encouraging the storming of the Capitol building after losing the 2020 election. Harris depicted Trump as an adversary of traditional American principles, who would misuse his powers in the White House if he won, to protect himself.
3. Efforts to End the Israel-Hamas War: Harris did not add much new information regarding the Gaza war, attempting to strike a balance to avoid angering both Israelis and American Jews on one hand, and Palestinians and American Muslim and Arab communities on the other. She stated that she would “defend Israel’s right to defend itself,” while also acknowledging the “devastation” in Gaza over the past ten months and expressing hope for ending the war in a way that ensures Israel’s safety, releases hostages, ends suffering in Gaza, and allows the Palestinian people to realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.
4. Building an Opportunity Economy: Harris promised to create an “opportunity economy” that provides more people with “the chance to compete and succeed,” pledging to unite workers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and American companies to create jobs and boost the economy. She also plans to reduce healthcare, housing, and food costs.
5. Support for Ukraine and NATO: Harris vowed that as a potential president, she would continue to strongly support Ukraine and NATO, and “ensure that the U.S. maintains the strongest and deadliest fighting force in the world,” criticizing Trump’s threats to abandon NATO allies and his tendency to appease dictators like Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Harris asserted that “Trump encouraged Putin to invade our allies.”
In summary, the Democratic National Convention was a “golden opportunity” for the Democratic Party to regain its standing among Americans. Following high inflation rates affecting Biden and the Democrats’ popularity, and the emergence of divisions within their ranks due to Biden’s administration’s unwavering support for Israel, Democrats saw the successful organization of this event—both in media and social media coverage—as a means to restore their strength to face Trump and address public concerns about their policies. Hence, the convention’s slogan was “For the People.”
