The Democratic National Convention officially got underway Monday in Chicago, with the party energized by a late switch to Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Speakers during DNC primetime Monday included Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Olympic men's basketball coach Steve Kerr, United Auto Workers Union President Shawn Fain, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.
Harris herself made a surprise appearance on stage. Welcome by massive applause, she thanked Biden and said she was feeling optimistic. The night will be capped by a keynote address from President Joe Biden himself, who stepped aside from the 2024 race a month ago to make way for the Harris-Walz ticket.
Celebrating Biden's Leadership
Harris's speech kicked off the convention with a focus on celebrating President Biden's leadership. She expressed gratitude for his “historic leadership” and “lifetime of service to our nation” and highlighted his commitment to “the future of our country.”
Other speakers echoed Harris's sentiments, praising Biden's accomplishments as president and his commitment to the American people. Senator Tammy Duckworth, for instance, commended Biden for being “probably the greatest labor president, the greatest renewal president, we’ve had.”
Unity and Shared Vision
Harris's speech also emphasized the importance of unity and a shared vision for the future of the country. She stressed that people from all walks of life are “united by our shared vision for the future of our country” and urged the audience to “fight for the ideals we hold dear.”
This theme of unity was echoed by other speakers, who called for Americans to come together and work towards a common goal. Coach Steve Kerr, for example, invoked his team's gold medal performance in Paris, arguing that “the greatness of this nation doesn't come from any one of us, but from each of us doing our part to build a more perfect union.”
Focus on the Working Class
The convention also focused on the importance of addressing the needs of the working class. Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers Union, highlighted Biden's historic decision to stand with the UAW on the picket line in 2023 and praised Harris and Walz for standing “shoulder to shoulder with the working class.”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez further emphasized the need to prioritize the middle class, arguing that “in Kamala Harris, we have a chance to elect a president who is for the middle class because she is from the middle class.”
Looking to the Future
The convention also looked towards the future, with speakers emphasizing the importance of breaking down barriers and fighting for progress. Hillary Clinton spoke of the need to break the “highest, hardest glass ceiling,” referencing Shirley Chisholm, Geraldine Ferraro, and her own candidacy in 2016.
Clinton also invoked the powerful message to “keep going,” urging the audience to “be proud champions for the truth and for the country that we all love.” She concluded her speech by declaring that “the future is here. It's in our grasp. Let's go win it.”
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The first night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago was filled with inspiring speeches and a powerful call to action. The focus on unity, shared vision, and the needs of the working class set the tone for a convention that aims to galvanize the party and its supporters for the upcoming election. As the convention progresses, it will be interesting to see how these themes are further developed and how the party presents its vision for the future of America.
