U.S. Democratic Party is surging towards their convention.
Everything's looking good for Harris, all good and dandy? Not quite, as the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel continues to stir up controversy. With the presidential election less than three months away, the Democrats are looking to build on their momentum and prepare for the final stretch of the campaign. Kamala Harris will be officially accepting her Democratic nomination at the end of the party's convention, which begins in Chicago this Monday and lasts until Thursday. Surveys show that Harris has a significant advantage over Donald Trump in the polls. Key voting demographics are buzzing about the possibility of electing the first female president in history.
However, even in the initial stages of their alliance with their new nominee, there are some bumps in the road. The conflict in Gaza is still a contentious issue, with widespread criticism coming from the left. Although university protests have ceased, and Biden's exit from the race has alleviated some tension for the party and the government, pro-Palestinian protests are expected to draw tens of thousands of people close to the security zone. It's a touchy topic that could potentially disrupt the event, intended to showcase unity.
Protests could get loud and rowdy, some even fearing they may breach the convention hall filled with delegates and the press. However, the conflict in Gaza isn't currently high on voters' priorities. As the convention begins, polls suggest that the Gaza war ranks lower on the list of concerns for under-40 voters, with immigration, economic growth, and income equality taking the lead, according to the New York Times.
The Democrats are trying to cater to both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian voters. Swing states like Michigan, where over 100,000 Democrats voted against Biden in the primaries due to the Gaza war, are essential. Michigan has a large Arab-American population.
Which way now?
Posters in Chicago prominently display a stylized Kamala Harris with the bold message: FORWARD. Harris positions herself as the candidate of the future, with Trump symbolizing the past. "We're not going back!" is the mantra at her rallies, reflecting the clear-cut choice she wants to present for the November election: for or against. The most influential Democrats will elaborate on this theme in Chicago.
- Monday evening (all times are local Chicago time, 7 hours behind German time), Joe Biden and his wife Jill will deliver their speeches. Biden is expected to acknowledge his successful term as Democratic president and introduce Harris as his successor. Hillary Clinton, the 2016 presidential nominee, is also set to speak.
- Tuesday evening, Barack Obama will take the stage, joined by Harris' husband Doug Emhoff. Michelle Obama, unofficially, is scheduled to appear.
- Wednesday evening, Harris' running mate Tim Walz will officially accept his nomination. Former President Bill Clinton is among those scheduled to speak beforehand.
- Thursday evening, Harris will have the opportunity to address undecided voters and convince them of her qualifications to be president.
The election is still two and a half months away from its conclusion, with Harris maintaining a slight advantage but riding a wave of popularity that may wane after the convention. Biden's varied attacks appear to be missing their mark, but this trend could change. Most poll results are within the margin of error, meaning statistically, Harris and Trump are neck and neck.
Post-convention, Harris' campaign may shift focus to policy issues. She hinted at this on Friday by outlining her strategies to reduce consumer prices and slow inflation. So far, Harris hasn't given a proper interview, despite having been the designated candidate for over three weeks. She's scheduled to give her first interview during the last week of August, an opportunity that the Republicans are likely to seize for their attacks. Their first televised debate is scheduled for September 10th, with both sides already preparing.
However, for now, what happens in Chicago this week is crucial. Harris is set to become the Democratic nominee, the second woman in history to achieve this feat. Will she succeed where Hillary Clinton failed and defeat Trump?
(paraphrased)
Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the Gaza conflict, some Democrats are still hesitant to fully commit to Harris due to her stance on the issue. Given this, I'm not going to make any bold predictions about her support among certain voting blocs until after the convention.
Moreover, despite calls for Harris to address the issue directly, she has chosen to focus on other policy matters and has yet to give a proper interview on the topic. This strategy may be intended to divert attention away from potential divisions within the party and present a unified front heading into the election.
