Star-studded when the Democrats meet in Chicago

The Biden, Obama, Clinton and Carter families are in attendance. Now the Democrats are gathering in Chicago for a convention and to celebrate America’s first female presidential candidate with a minority background.

The question hangs over the well-directed meeting: Who is Kamala Harris?

“Comrade Harris has proposed Soviet-style price controls”. The drastically worded fundraising emails from Donald Trump’s campaign are dense. There is no doubt that the Republican wants to paint his opponent as an “extreme left-wing liberal” and soft on issues related to crime, immigration and the economy.

The Democrats’ four-day convention, which begins Monday in Chicago, is Harris’s big chance to respond to speeches. It is now time for her to present herself and her vision to the Americans.

No press conference

Only a month has passed since President Joe Biden’s dramatic announcement that he is not running for re-election but is standing behind his vice president. In that time, Harris has reinvigorated the party. She has held huge campaign meetings, collected record sums and largely brought in Donald Trump’s advantage in the opinion polls.

It has been described as a honeymoon. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges.

The former prosecutor Harris is criticized for not having given a longer interview or held a press conference since she took over the baton. And her appearances have been “policy light”, i.e. not containing very much substantive politics. Add to that that huge protests are planned in Chicago, mainly against the White House’s support for Israel in light of the Gaza war. Sooner or later, Kamala Harris will have to announce whether or not she’s planning a change of course.

However, the demonstrations will not be noticed inside the blue-glittering giant arena United Center. The Hollywood-directed party meeting is supposed to breathe unity and the spirit of the future, it is rumored that artists such as Beyoncé and Taylor Swift may appear. The event is well adapted to the television channels’ prime time slots, all to drum up enthusiasm for the election campaign.

“The electricity in the room will be enhanced by the millions of Americans watching and participating across the country,” said meeting chair Minyon Moor in a press release.

Will accept

Monday evening, Joe Biden will give his big speech, and then former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will also take the podium. On Tuesday, the stage is Barack Obama’s and on Wednesday, former President Bill Clinton warms up for Vice President Tim Walz. During the meeting, ex-president Jimmy Carter’s grandson Jason Carter is also expected to speak for the 99-year-old, who is receiving palliative care at home.

Thursday is the time. Then Kamala Harris will formally accept the presidential nomination and present herself and her politics.

Then the real election campaign begins.

FACT Kamala Harris

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