 "US President Joe Biden, Democratic presidential candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff stand on stage during Day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, US, August 19, 2024. Reuters")
Day one of the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago set the stage for an eventful week with a blend of speeches, tributes, and attacks against the Republican party front with a focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and labour rights in the US, while the war in Gaza was mostly sidelined.
The night was marked by the presence of prominent Democratic leaders, the transition of power from United States President Joe Biden to US Vice President Kamala Harris, and the party’s ongoing battle against former US President Donald Trump.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key moments and takeaways from the first night of the DNC:
Biden’s political farewell
Biden’s address on the opening night of the convention was a poignant mix of personal reflection and a clear signal of the transition of power to Harris. Biden, who was met with a rousing ovation from delegates holding “We love Joe” placards, began his speech with a heartfelt declaration, “I love you!”
This affectionate opening set the tone for what would be a 50-minute speech reflecting on his accomplishments and the future of the Democratic Party.
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Biden’s speech focused on his administration’s major achievements, such as a significant public works package, a robust climate program, and efforts to stabilise the economy. Despite the convention running late, causing his speech to miss prime-time coverage in much of the US, Biden confidently declared, “America’s winning.”
He highlighted his close relationship with Harris, calling her a “close friend” and stating that choosing her as his running mate was the best decision he ever made. In a symbolic gesture of passing the torch, Biden promised to be the “best volunteer” Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have ever seen.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBiden, who had no plans to linger at the convention, was set to depart for a vacation in California’s wine country immediately after his speech, marking the beginning of his political exit. In his closing remarks, Biden poignantly stated, “I gave my best to you for 50 years,” signalling the end of an era in American politics.
Kamala Harris’ surprise tribute
Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance on stage to pay tribute to Biden before his address. In a brief but heartfelt speech, Harris thanked Biden for his “historic leadership” and “lifetime of service to our nation.”
Harris’s candidacy represents a significant moment in American history. If elected, she would be the first woman, the first South Asian person, and the first Black woman to occupy the White House. Her candidacy is seen as a symbol of representation and diversity, a theme that was echoed by several speakers throughout the night.
Clinton evokes the ‘glass ceiling’
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was greeted with wild applause, delivered a fiery speech in support of Harris, evoking the “glass ceiling” metaphor she famously used in her 2016 concession speech. Clinton expressed hope that Harris would achieve what she could not — becoming the first female president by defeating Trump.
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She painted a powerful vision of Harris “on the other side of that glass ceiling” taking the oath of office as president. Clinton closed her speech with a reflection on her own political journey, stating, “I want my grandchildren and their grandchildren to know I was here at this moment. That we were here and that we were with Kamala Harris every step of the way.”
The divisive Gaza conflict
While the DNC proceeded inside the convention hall, the streets of Chicago were filled with thousands of protesters demonstrating against US support for Israel during the ongoing war in Gaza.
The protest, which took place just blocks away from the United Center, highlighted a significant divide within the Democratic Party on the issue of US foreign policy in the Middle East.
The protest, largely peaceful despite earlier tensions, saw demonstrators holding signs that read, “End US aid to Israel!” The city’s initial attempts to block the protest, including denying permits for sound systems and stages, had led to a legal battle, but the demonstration proceeded without major incidents.
At one point, a small group of protesters breached the outer perimeter of the convention site, but police quickly intervened.
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Inside the convention hall, the issue of Gaza was largely unmentioned until Biden addressed it directly in his speech. Biden acknowledged the concerns of the protesters, stating, “Those protesters out in the streets have a point. A lot of innocent people are being killed, on both sides.”
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His remarks were met with applause, temporarily uniting the audience on this contentious issue. Biden pledged to continue working towards “ending the war in Gaza and bringing peace and security to the Middle East,” a statement that resonated deeply with the convention attendees.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also touched on the Gaza conflict, praising Harris for her efforts to secure a cease-fire and bring hostages home. Meanwhile, Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia made a brief allusion to the conflict, reflecting the complex and often divisive nature of this issue within the Democratic Party.
Attacks on Trump via COVID-19 tragedies
The convention also served as a platform for Democrats to criticise former President Donald Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on labour rights. Nearly 1.2 million people in the US died from COVID-19, and Democrats did not shy away from holding Trump accountable for his response to the crisis.
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan delivered an emotional speech about losing her brother to COVID-19 in Tennessee, while Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois, a nurse, accused Trump of turning the COVID crisis into a “catastrophe.”
Rep. Robert Garcia of California, whose mother and stepfather both died of the disease in 2020, echoed these sentiments, saying, “We are not going back,” a slogan of Harris’s campaign.
Labour rights at forefront
The convention also highlighted the importance of labour rights, an area where Democrats aimed to one-up Republicans. In a show of solidarity with the working class, United Auto Workers (UAW) president Shawn Fain led a blistering chant of “Trump’s a scab!” and recalled Biden’s support for autoworkers during their 2019 strike.
Fain praised Biden for making history by joining the picket line, contrasting it with Trump’s lack of support for workers.
Ocasio-Cortez, one of the night’s most anticipated speakers, delivered a fiery speech attacking Trump’s labour policies. She drew on her own experiences as a former waitress, describing how she struggled without health insurance and faced financial difficulties.
Ocasio-Cortez accused Trump of being a “union buster” and a “patriot” who only fights for the wealthy and big business. Her speech drew some of the biggest cheers of the night, reflecting the growing influence of progressive voices within the Democratic Party.
Honouring Jesse Jackson
The first night of the DNC also paid tribute to civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was recognised for his contributions to the Democratic Party and his role in paving the way for leaders like Barack Obama and Kamala Harris.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and California Rep. Maxine Waters were among those who saluted Jackson, with a video montage celebrating his legacy. Jackson, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, made a powerful appearance on stage, raising his arms in triumph as the audience applauded.
Harris has long admired Jackson, calling him “one of America’s greatest patriots.” Jackson’s “Rainbow Coalition” speech from the 1984 Democratic convention was cited as a pivotal moment in American politics, symbolising the unity and diversity that the Democratic Party continues to champion.
In addition to honouring Jackson, the convention spotlighted the theme of diversity, with speakers like NAACP President Derrick Johnson echoing the importance of representation in the Democratic Party.
Johnson’s quip, “I’m here to do my Black job,” was a direct response to Trump’s controversial remarks during the June presidential debate about immigrants “taking Black jobs.” The night’s events underscored the Democratic Party’s commitment to inclusion and its rejection of Trump’s divisive rhetoric.
What next?
With Joe Biden preparing to exit the political stage, the convention served as a platform to pass the baton to Kamala Harris and attempt to reaffirm the party’s commitment to key issues such as labour rights, healthcare, and foreign policy.
The focus on representation, diversity, and the ongoing battle against Trump will likely shape the tone of the convention in the days to come.
For now, the Democratic Party remains resolute in its mission to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as the next president and vice president of the United States. Biden stated in his speech, “We saved democracy in 2020. And now we must save it again in 2024.”
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With inputs from agencies