We had plenty of questions going into the conference this week.
Like, how a lot of Democrats’ four-day occasion would characteristic Joe Biden, and wouldn’t it be awkward? And the way would Kamala Harris deal with the hand-off? Would protests disrupt the celebration? What would the temper be like? At such a rigorously deliberate occasion, would there be any surprises?
We requested our reporters on the bottom to inform us what they discovered this week in Chicago — and whether or not any of it’ll carry by to November. Right here’s what they stated.
What, if something, stunned you at this conference?
The power. I keep in mind how high-energy the 2016 conference in Philadelphia was when Democrats nominated Hillary Clinton for president — and this exceeded that by leaps and bounds. There’s been plenty of speak about when the shoe goes to drop for Harris, however the conference confirmed that the Democratic sugar excessive over her candidacy actually has removed from worn off. — Megan Messerly, Harris marketing campaign reporter
The power was palpable, however the emotion on show was additionally putting, however perhaps not stunning for a celebration that has been by such a wrenching summer time. Biden was wiping away tears after the four-minute ovation on Monday, as had been some delegates leaving the ground after he left the stage. The emotion of Gus Walz at seeing his dad on stage obtained the entire nation choked up. Even Sen. Elizabeth Warren obtained emotional after a chronic ovation when she took the stage on Thursday. — Eli Stokols, White Home reporter and co-author of West Wing Playbook
Organizers actually leaned on social media influencers at this conference to amp up their on-line outreach and join with younger voters. As Harris spoke Thursday night time, conventional journalists had been chronicling the second alongside creators — a few of whom may very well attain bigger audiences. The affect by way of voter turnout stays to be seen, however we could have witnessed a brand new media mannequin for campaigns going ahead. — Steven Overly, host, POLITICO Tech podcast
It wasn’t 1968 redux! It was only some months in the past that Republicans had been confidently predicting that the conference would devolve into violent chaos on the streets of Chicago. In fact, there have been day by day protests concerning the warfare in Gaza and drama over the DNC not designating a talking slot for a Palestinian American. However there was not almost the sort of rancor and division contained in the conference corridor that Democrats had been nervous about. — Melanie Mason, senior political author, POLITICO California
The vibes! The vibes! The vibes! Days earlier than the Democrats kicked off their conference, Harris laid out her financial coverage that was chock-full of bullet factors, however brief on specifics. It didn’t matter all that a lot as a result of we knew she had the most important speech of her life in only a few days, which in fact could be a pure place to introduce herself but additionally give nitty-gritty particulars on how she would implement that plan or another one. However we obtained plenty of biography… and plenty of Trump shade. — Brakkton Booker, correspondent, creator of The Recast
Dems actually leaned into patriotism this week — the group erupted into “USA” chants continuously, and speaker after speaker laid out what it means to like one’s nation, in an effort to attract a stark distinction with the GOP ticket. It’s becoming with Harris’ deal with “freedom,” however it’s been fascinating watching Dems attempt to reclaim — and in some methods, redefine — what it means to be patriotic after nearly a decade of Trump having such a stronghold on this message. — Myah Ward, Harris marketing campaign reporter
There have been A LOT of superstar appearances, between the musicians, actors and athletes throwing in for Harris. I suppose Democrats are the occasion of Lil Jon. And I imply, they obtained Oprah to talk. Republicans chide Democrats for being the occasion of Hollywood, however it’s not unfaithful. — Emily Ngo, co-author of New York Playbook
Did any speaker stand out? Who will you keep in mind and why?
Adam Kinzinger’s speech stood out. The assaults on Donald Trump had been extra pointed than something the Democrats had thrown his manner. And also you couldn’t assist however marvel what some Democrats had been considering, watching this Republican who may have future ambitions of their districts. Former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lips had been pursed as Kinzinger spoke. — Shia Kapos, Illinois Playbook creator
Man, let me inform you, America obtained to see Hakeem Sekou Jeffries at his best. The Home Minority Chief who may very nicely develop into the primary Black speaker if Democrats take management of the Home within the subsequent Congress. He handled the nation to his easy flows and masterful supply. When he will get rolling, Jeffries, a stan of the Infamous B.I.G., can ship each a biting line with humor and an alliterative circulation that may make it arduous to not take discover — even if you happen to don’t agree with what he’s spitting. — Brakkton Booker, correspondent, creator of The Recast
Past the headliners, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore gave a traditional wrap-yourself-in-the-flag speech, with a contemporary twist. He contextualized his time within the army and informed a pumped up viewers that “loving your nation doesn’t imply mendacity about its historical past.” In a conference by which claiming that American patriotism is a Democratic worth was clearly a precedence, Moore stood out for a way successfully he communicated that message. — Calder McHugh, Nightly editor
I’ll keep in mind standing by the Illinois delegation when Oprah Winfrey stunned everybody by strolling out on stage. Oprah lives in California now, however she did her present for years from Chicago and people right here take into account her one in all their very own. So the thrill was palpable. — Shia Kapos, Illinois Playbook creator
Is it a cliché to say Michelle Obama? Everyone knows that she is an outstanding speaker (arguably higher than her husband) however the environment within the area when she spoke was fully not like even a barnburner political speech.The group stood virtually your complete time; the conference employees, who had aggressively been attempting to maintain the aisles clear, gave as much as let individuals soak within the second. The one phrase I’d use to explain the group was “reverent” — undoubtedly not the standard vibe. — Melanie Mason, senior political author, POLITICO California
It isn’t a cliché to say Michelle. Her speech was, of these I noticed begin to end, the sharpest and most forceful drawing of not simply the political distinction voters face however the ethical distinction. That room was together with her on each phrase. The opposite one who struck me was Doug Emhoff. It was fascinating to listen to him speak so brazenly about his love story with Harris, centering his second marriage and blended household. Unsure I can recall a previous conference speech prefer it. — Eli Stokols, White Home reporter and co-author of West Wing Playbook
It must be Michelle Obama, who had a well-written speech and landed each one in all her strains with an impactful supply. She had your complete conference heart enraptured. — Emily Ngo, co-author of New York Playbook
I assumed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was one of many extra attention-grabbing speeches of the week, particularly how he drew on his expertise as a highschool soccer coach and the story he shared of his household’s battle with infertility. It was a really completely different presentation of masculinity than what we noticed just a few weeks earlier on the Republican Nationwide Conference and I’m curious to see how Dems use him going ahead, particularly as they attempt to chip away at Donald Trump’s lead with male voters. — Lauren Egan, White home reporter and co-author of West Wing Playbook
The speech from Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz and the construct as much as it stands out. John Legend rocking out to Minnesota native Prince. Walz’s outdated soccer group taking the stage in purple and white jerseys. His son, Gus, shedding tears of pleasure and delight. The Minnesota delegation waving round indicators together with his face. There was a way of pleasure and relatability that almost all politicians try for and few appear to actually obtain. — Steven Overly, host, POLITICO Tech
The Obamas, little question, however to shake issues up a bit, the incorporation of Individuals sharing their tales about abortion, gun violence and different points actually captured the group this week. Dems had been in tears as the ladies on stage shared their tales — from Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose daughter, Lexi, was killed within the Uvalde college capturing, to Hadley Duvall, a Kentucky girl who was raped by her stepfather. — Myah Ward, Harris marketing campaign reporter
Going to return to my coverage reporter roots right here and getting very area of interest for a second — however Deliberate Parenthood’s Alexis McGill Johnson. She shared the story of a Georgia girl who was “pregnant and didn’t need to be,” the primary time Democrats have at their conference highlighted a girl with an undesirable being pregnant. Whereas Dems have actually been leaning in on messaging round ladies with wished pregnancies denied emergency abortions for well being causes underneath their state’s abortion bans, this was a big departure and represents a sea change in how the occasion is considering and speaking about abortion within the post-Roe period. — Megan Messerly, Harris marketing campaign reporter
Did the conference make a distinction within the 2024 race?
No. These occasions actually exist to get occasion loyalists overrated. Whereas hundreds of thousands of Individuals could have tuned into Vice President Harris’ speech tonight and discovered extra about her, political science analysis means that fashionable conventions don’t do a ton to maneuver the needle. Possibly if Beyoncé had really confirmed up? — Lauren Egan, White home reporter and co-author of West Wing Playbook
The affect of conventions is often fairly fleeting. However what’s completely different right here is that the nominee is barely a month into her marketing campaign and, for a lot of the nation, nearly an entire unknown. Nobody is anticipating this to shift the race a lot. However to the extent that Harris and Democrats on stage had been efficient in introducing her to individuals exterior the conference corridor, it may have helped some voters decide whether or not they can see her as the subsequent president. And that’s not nothing. — Eli Stokols, White Home reporter and co-author of West Wing Playbook
Probably not, however I do assume they highlighted some stark thematic variations between the 2 candidates and the 2 events. On one hand, you had in Milwaukee a crowd chanting “combat” and pumping their fists within the air as Child Rock carried out on stage in opposition to a backdrop of flames and a waving American flag. The vibe right here was very completely different, centered on hope and, sure, “pleasure.” — Megan Messerly, Harris marketing campaign reporter
Probably not. However I do assume that particular person speeches and moments may very well be repackaged for endurance as adverts/TikToks/and so on. to assorted micro-targeted teams. Adam Kinzinger giving permission to Republicans to cross the aisle. D.L. Hughley giving his public apology that he misjudged Harris. And naturally, clips of Gus Walz tearfully cheering on his dad to strengthen Democrats’ message that they’re the occasion of households — significantly when sure conservative on-line influencers can’t cease themselves from stooping to insults. — Melanie Mason, senior political author, POLITICO California
I don’t know if it did, really. This conference in addition to the one the Republicans held final month quantity to infomercials for the occasion devoted and usually don’t have any sustainable momentum. Democrats, already in a jubilant temper, obtained to have the exuberant bash they by no means thought potential 4 weeks in the past when President Biden was nonetheless within the race. For Democrats it offered a celebratory reset, however left it open to criticism from Republicans that it’s a continuation of Biden’s insurance policies, simply with a much more dynamic messenger. — Brakkton Booker, correspondent, creator of The Recast
It might in that delegates are leaving with plans and ambitions to get out the votes of their communities. Democrats who attended the conference are fired up they usually’ve been swapping concepts with these they met in Chicago from across the nation. And the sense {that a} victory is extra in attain with Harris than Biden definitely will encourage politically energetic Democrats to journey to battlegrounds, donate extra and in any other case go the additional mile. — Emily Ngo, co-author of New York Playbook
I need to say no, however that is no regular marketing campaign. Harris has had a wild experience during the last month, and we’ll be watching to see what sort of post-convention bump she would possibly get. A post-DNC rise within the polls — particularly after she devoured up Donald Trump’s submit conference bounce final month — isn’t nothing. — Myah Ward, Harris marketing campaign reporter
