1. The DNC has a deep bench of new stars. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock all gave fiery speeches on the first day of the Democratic party’s national convention, taking place in Chicago, IL this week. Rep. Crockett made the case between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, and again distinguished herself as the straight-shooter that she has been in Congress — cutting no corners in describing Trump as a “78 year old lifelong predator, fraudster and cheat known for inciting violent mobs.” Ocasio-Cortez was similarly incisive in targeting Trump and the Republican party, while defining Harris as the candidate who fights for working people. AOC’s energy was infectious, as was her spirited storytelling about her own background in bartending, and the crowd responded in kind. Sen. Warnock also talked about his family’s background in the deep South, as well as threats to democracy such as voter suppression, and the necessity of voting, with inspiring oration, making him a standout candidate for future leadership in the party. 
  1. Hilary Clinton did what she needed to do. Receiving one of the biggest standing ovations of the night, the former Secretary of State gave a stirring speech that emphasized the historic nature of Harris’ promising candidacy as the first woman president of the United States. Though referencing her own nomination for presidency, Clinton was sure to say, “the future is here” and “keep going” — moving beyond her own political story to put the spotlight on Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz chances for the White House. She gave a moving endorsement of Harris, highlighting the vice president’s potential to back abortion rights from the highest office in the land, and describing the “barrier that would fall for all of us” were she to win. Clinton also shared a vision of freedom that includes a big tent, for women, families, children and people of all stripes. 
  1. President Biden secured his legacy. Throughout the night, chants of “Thank you, Joe” and “We love you, Joe” rang in the arena – but none so much as when the man himself took the stage to an almost 5 minute standing ovation. Similar chants punctuated his speech, during which the president also spoke to a future of freedom built on a foundation where “democracy has prevailed, democracy has delivered”. Biden gave a sharp rebuke to the January 6 insurrectionists and their inciters, pointing out that “you cannot say you love your country only when you win.” Referencing other events, like the Charlottesville riots and Trump’s notorious response that “there were fine people on both sides,” Biden established a story in which he showed up for democracy and essentially saved it from chaos and violence under Trump. He also spoke of the progress delivered by him and Vice President Harris, pointing to their administration’s response to COVID-19, as well as in securing new jobs, small business growth, lowered inflation, support for unions and other accomplishments. At one point, he encouraged the crowd at the United Center to say “thank you Kamala too,” and later added, “I love my job, but I love my country more,” making clear reference to his decision to drop out of the race and make way for her ascendancy. Overall, President Biden painted a convincing picture of achievement, sacrifice, and necessary succession, of a team that has built a better America, and progress that can be continued by his former running partner. Of Harris’ opponent? Well, Biden had this to say: “he’s the loser.” 
  1. “Progress is not guaranteed, we have to fight for it.” That was the theme of the night, with each speaker making clear distinctions between the vision for America promised by the Harris-Walz campaign and the Trump-Vance one. In particular, no one shied away from pointing out Trump’s felony convictions — which indeed stand in stark contrast to Harris’ past as a prosecutor. The Democrats are clearly fighting Trump in terms he and Americans understand, namely: that he has a rap sheet and is a career criminal, and has landed on the tagline, “when we fight, we win.” The party also used the COVID-19 pandemic and the Biden-Harris’ reaction to it to mark the difference between them and the former Trump administration, under which Trump notoriously underplayed the devastation while giving crackpot advice like telling people to inject bleach as a cure. The Democrats also emphasized the threat of Project 2025, which they have taken great pains to tie the Trump campaign to (and many of the former administration’s staffers are reported to have been involved in the planning document).
  1. There is real energy around Kamala Harris.  Though not speaking at the convention until Thursday night, Vice President Kamala Harris was present in the house on day one as the energy in Chicago coalesces around her candidacy for the presidency. Harris’ narrative is filled with family photos of her as a girl, and the story of her being raised by a working class mother, and people truly do see themselves in her. Reproductive rights was also in the spotlight at the convention, where women shared stories of being denied emergency abortions, and President Biden referenced the Supreme Court’s roll back of Roe v. Wade, and promised that a Harris-Walz administration would restore it. We still await a detailed platform from Harris on this and other policies, but that is expected with her and Walz’ remarks. After day one, Harris has been positioned as a potential president our children can look up to. But it will be crucial to see how she defines herself from her party’s main podium. Stay tuned for more of our coverage over the next few days of the convention, where Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Tim Walz, and VP Harris are still slated to speak.  

URL Media is in Chicago covering the DNC 2024, follow us on our website and on social media @url-media for community centered, on-the-ground reports all week!