DemDaily: Four Magical Nights
September 3, 2024
"The Eyes of the World" were on Chicago 12 days ago as exhilarated Democrats formally nominated Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as their next President and Vice President of the United States.
For the four magical days and nights of the August 19-22, 2024 Democratic National Convention, the Windy City shook with the excitement of some 50,000 participants celebrating not only the promise -- but the possibility -- of the future.
The week's outcome was the unexpected culmination of one of the most stunning chapters in the history of American politics -- set into full motion by President Joe Biden's July 21 announcement that he would be stepping aside from the presidential contest and passing the generational torch to his Vice President, Kamala Harris.
| Close to 450 parties, forums, speeches, campaign trainings, council and caucus meetings were featured on the 2024 Democratic National Convention Calendar, hosted again by DemList as the Party-recommended resource for free promotion of official and unofficial allied events in Chicago. Support our Work Here! |
For many, the convention was their first real introduction to Harris -- a former San Francisco District Attorney, California Attorney General, US Senator and the country's first female and first minority Vice President -- who has embraced the nomination with every ounce of her being -- bringing a genuine enthusiasm and excitement to the top of the ticket.
The raw energy of the Convention could be felt from the moment anyone walked through the doors of the United Center -- with national political and press figures, elected officials, delegates, donors, an occasional celebrity or former colleague spinning by or around you -- connecting and reconnecting in a way you can only do at the convention.
Passing through the curtain to the inner arena, you became immediately immersed in the whirlwind of 5,000+ exuberant delegates from every state, the territories, DC and Democrats Abroad -- proudly claiming their designated section and place in history.
Such was the mood when a poised, passionate and compelling President Joe Biden addressed an enrapt audience Monday night in one of the last and most significant political speeches of his presidency.
Biden highlighted the legacy of his administration's accomplishments -- one likely to be recorded as among the most consequential since Lyndon B. Johnson if not FDR.
| While taking care to credit Harris as his partner in progress, the Great Statesman said, "I've got five months left of my presidency. I have a lot to do. I intend to get it done. It has been the honor of my lifetime serving as your president. I love this job. but I love my country more." To Donald Trump, Biden called out, "You cannot say you love your country only when you win." |
A coveted "Floor" credential offered a panoramic view of exuberant faces embued by a renewed confidence in the mission of the party and its newly-chosen messengers.
While inspiration is unique to each individual, the 2024 Convention provided no shortage of sources in the form of an endless parade of celebrities, politicians, labor leaders, public figures and everyday Americans taking to the stage each night.
Tony Goldwyn, Kerry Washington, Mindy Kaling, Ana Navarro, Eva Longoria and Comedian D.L. Hughley were among the celebrity speakers during the star-studded production, as well as Saturday Night Live's Keenan Thompson, who nailed a skit dismantling "Project 2025," the GOP's Blueprint for a second Trump term: "a document that could kill a small animal and democracy at the same time."
Among Other Seen Celebs: Ava DuVernay, Marisa Tomei, Tim Daly, Stephen Colbert, Anthony Anderson, James Taylor, Busy Philipps, Jon Cryer, Iain Armitage, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Octavia Spencer co-hosted the Creative Coalition’/Joan Jett concert, Billy Porter performed at a DNC/Nancy Pelosi luncheon, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus hosted a daytime panel with US women governors.
Some famous faces joined their home states for Tuesday's ceremonial nomination roll call, with a party-style musical intro to each delegation by DJ Cassidy. Director Spike Lee (NY), actors Sean Astin (IN), and Wendell Pierce (LA). were in the house, and Rapper and Atlanta native Lil Jon revved up Georgia as it declared its 123 votes for Harris.
Five generations of Americans in the arena, and an estimated 21.8 million viewers each night took in the experience, along with the words and wisdom of past and future party leaders -- eclipsing the July 15-18 Republican National Convention viewership by nearly 15%.
Some watchers understood, for the first time, the magnitude of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's place in history: "Together we've put a lot of cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling...We are so close to breaking through...The future is here."
... the compelling command of Bill Clinton's ability to connect with his audience, and the powerful presence, humor and hope that is Barack Obama, who wasted no time in taunting Trump: "There’s the childish nicknames, the crazy conspiracy theories, this weird obsession with crowd sizes" -- before making a direct appeal to American voters.
| "Now the torch has been passed. Now it’s up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in. And make no mistake: it will be a fight...America is ready for a new chapter. America’s ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris." - former President Barack Obama |
Other Speakers welcomed the opportunity to take on Trump, with the crowd responding wildly Monday to Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's: "Kamala Harris has a resume; Donald Trump has a rap sheet," and thunderously applauding for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez' (NY-14) fiery prime time attack against the "two-bit union buster."
In a surprise appearance Tuesday, Oprah roused the arena to its feet: "There are choices to be made when we cast our ballot. Values and character matter most of all. In leadership and in life. More than anything -- you know this is true -- decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024.”
The best and the brightest of the Democratic Party took a turn in the spotlight throughout the week, from candidates and rising state legislators and mayors kicking off the gavel each night between 5:15pm-5:45pm CT, to the prime-time appearance of future White House aspirants.
In addition to Convention Co-Chair and host Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Governors Gretchen Whitmer (MI), Gavin Newsom (CA), Josh Shapiro (PA), Andy Beshear (KY), Wes Moore (MD) and Roy Cooper (NC) spoke, as did Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Over four themed nights, signage and presenters seamlessly appeared, a footnote to what one DNC member said was "the most exceptionally well-organized and unified convention in thirty years."
Musical performances from music legends and luminaries highlighted the schedule each night, including Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, The Chicks, Common, Mickey Guyton, Jason Isbell, Maren Morris and Pink, who sang "What About Us" with her daughter, Willow, in tribute to gun violence survivors.
John Legend and Sheila E performed Prince's song "Let's Go Crazy" ahead of Walz's acceptance speech Wednesday night -- among the most popular moments of the convention.
"Growing up in a small town," said the former teacher, coach, veteran and Governor," you learn how to take care of each other. That family down the road, they may not think like you do, they may not pray like you do, they may not love like you do, but they're your neighbors and you look out for them and they look out for you."
| DemList is a free resource and relies heavily on individual contributions. If you appreciated the National Convention Calendar and the trusted, informative DemDaily column, please say thank you with a contribution of $25, $50 or $100 Here! |
It was former First Lady Michelle Obama, however, who in a commanding and empowering speech only she could have delivered, truly brought the house down.
"Something wonderfully magical is in the air, isn’t it? Yeah...A familiar feeling that has been buried too deep for far too long. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the contagious power of hope!" exclaimed Obama before eloquently inviting you into the compelling story of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Then she artfully excoriated the opposition.
"For years," said Obama, Trump did everything in his power to stoke fear about her and her husband because he was "threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black.
I want to know -- I want to know -- who’s going to tell him, who’s going to tell him, that the job he is currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?" -- a reference to Trump's recent claim that immigrants were taking "Black jobs."
She parted with, "You know what you need to do. So consider this to be your official ask. Michelle Obama is asking you -- no, I’m telling y’all -- to do something."
On Thursday, August 22, 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris became the first Black woman and first Indian-American to accept a major party presidential nomination.
28.9 million people watched her acceptance speech, outsizing former Trump’s acceptance speech by half a million viewers.
| "We are the heirs to the greatest democracy in the history of the world. And on behalf of our children and our grandchildren and all those who sacrificed so dearly for our freedom and liberty, we must be worthy of this moment...together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told." - Kamala Harris |
On behalf of the DemList family, I want to thank DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, DNCC Chair Minyon Moore and Executive Director Alex Hornbrook for so skillfully steering the helm of the historic convention.
A shout out to the DNCC Political and Coalitions, and Press office teams, as well as the Host Committee and Mayor Johnson's staff.
... and thanks to the followers of our DemDaily political column on the presidential, politics and the players -- which reached a 62% open rate across every state during the Convention. The regular column will return September 5.
Related: Read the Daily rundowns on the Convention
Watch for the launch of the January 2025 DemList Inaugural Calendar celebrating the election of Harris-Walz to the White House! Contact us for sponsorship opportunities now and during Inaugural.
As always, DemList will keep you informed.
DemList
Connecting You to The Party
Connecting You to Each Other
Kimberly Scott
Publisher
SignUp for the DemDaily column on the issues, politics and the players.
Follow DemList on Facebook, Twitter and Linke
Please Support Our Work!
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Hollywood Reporter, Politico, Reuters, Time, NewYorkTimes, HarrisWalz Campaign, DNCC, Variety
