The 2024 Democratic National Convention begins today in Chicago, by Caitlin Yilek

 

Vice President Kamala Harris is riding a wave of voter enthusiasm heading into the Democratic National Convention, which has transformed the race against former President Donald Trump with three months to go.

The four-day convention in Chicago begins Monday, about a month after President Biden’s reelection campaign concluded, as a growing number of Democrats question the 80-year-old’s ability to serve as commander in chief for another four years.

Democrats quickly united around Harris, who named Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

When is the 2024 Democratic National Convention?

The convention starts on Monday and runs through Thursday.

Keynotes and programming begin at 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. CT) on Mondays. Evening programming begins at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) Tuesday through Thursdays.

The festivities are expected to conclude each evening around 11:00 PM ET, which is 10:00 PM CT.

Where is the Democratic National Convention?

This year’s convention will be held in Chicago, a Democratic stronghold that last hosted the nominating convention in 1996, when then-President Bill Clinton was running for reelection. Events will be held at two venues: the United Center, which will host speeches and other events in the evening, and McCormick Place, which will host official party business and meetings during the day.

Chicago isn’t in a swing state, but the city is about an hour’s drive from Wisconsin and Michigan, two battlegrounds that are likely key to Democrats’ ability to win the White House in November. Wisconsin and Michigan, both considered “blue wall” states, have historically leaned Democrats but went for former President Donald Trump in the 2016 election before Mr. Biden took them back in 2020.

Neighboring Minnesota, while not considered a hot seat, was considered competitive for Republicans this year before Harris named Walz as her running mate.

When Democrats announced Chicago as the host city, they stressed that the region played a crucial role in Mr. Biden’s victory in 2020.

“The Midwest reflects America,” DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison said last year.

What’s happening at the convention?

More than 4,000 delegates will gather in Chicago to recognize Harris as the Democratic nominee and endorse the party’s platform.

The convention usually includes a roll call vote to formally nominate the presidential and vice presidential candidates. But Harris officially cemented her status as the frontrunner for the presidential ticket earlier this month when she won a majority of delegates in a virtual roll call. The vote was held in early August to avoid potential issues with ballot access in Ohio. A ceremonial roll call is still expected to take place at the convention.

What is the speaker schedule for the 2024 DNC?

The official schedule has not yet been released. However, Democratic National Convention officials confirmed that President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will speak on Monday. Monday’s theme will be “For the People,” and speakers will pay tribute to Mr. Biden, DNC officials said.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the 2016 candidate, is also expected to speak Monday, according to a source familiar with the planning.

A meeting with former President Barack Obama is scheduled for Tuesday, under the theme “A Bold Vision for the Future.”

The event, titled “A Fight For Freedom,” will feature former President Bill Clinton and Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi of California, according to a source familiar with the program. A spokesperson for Rep. Tom Suozzi confirmed that the New York congressman, who flipped a red seat to blue in a special election earlier this year, is also on the lineup.

DNC officials said Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will also speak this week.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will address the convention on Monday, while Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will speak on Tuesday.

Walz is expected to take the stage Wednesday to formally accept the nomination for vice president. Harris will formally accept the presidential nomination during her speech Thursday at a night dedicated to “For the Future.”

What is the Democratic Party’s program for 2024?

Democrats unveiled a draft of their plan in July, when Biden was still running for president.

Trump is mentioned dozens of times, trying to highlight a stark contrast between the Democrats’ priorities and the positions of the former president and the “2025 Project,” a conservative blueprint for the next Republican president.

The Democrats’ platform proposes to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, make the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit permanent, make child care affordable, and reduce health care costs.

He also proposes a minimum income tax for billionaires, raising the corporate tax rate, banning “junk fees” and stepping up clean energy projects.

On reproductive rights, the platform says Democrats are committed to passing legislation to codify abortion protections, strengthen access to contraception, and protect access to in vitro fertilization and FDA-approved medical abortion.

Democrats also want to erase federal convictions for exclusive possession of marijuana, strengthen democracy, secure the border and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

The platform also mentions support for “a negotiated two-state solution that guarantees Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state with recognized borders and supports the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and security in a viable state of their own.”

Scott MacFarlane, Nikole Killion, Aaron Navarro and Ed O’Keefe contributed to this report.

[CBS News]

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