DNC 2024: 5 aspects to take into account at the Democratic National Convention

COMMENT: Will Kamala Harris’ platform be presented as a move toward the center or as an appeal to the progressive base?

In one sense, viewers of next week’s Democratic National Convention know exactly what to expect. Today’s nominating conventions are essentially long television commercials. They’re not designed to make you think too much—did anyone see Hulk Hogan’s t-shirt ripping routine at the Republican National Convention last month? They are made to project unity and enthusiasm for the candidate, while seeking to attract the largest number of voters possible.

There will be standing ovations and slogans; there will be balloons.

But in another sense, the upcoming convention in Chicago is a bit of a mystery. The shortened race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, for which there is little historical precedent, has raised the number of unknowns about next week’s proceedings, as well as the rest of the campaign.

For one thing, it’s unclear where Harris stands on several important issues. As of this writing, 28 days into his campaign, Harris has yet to give an interview or hold a press conference. Media coverage of his campaign has largely focused on atmosphere and aesthetics.

We have heard a lot about the energy he has brought to his party, especially the “joy,” but little about his platform. There have been signs that he has moderated his positions on various policies, such as Medicare for All, the fracking (hydraulic fracturing) and border policy. But without media scrutiny, it is impossible to say with certainty how he plans to govern.

It’s also unclear what issues Harris will choose to emphasize at the convention and throughout the rest of the campaign. There has been an emphasis on the concept of “freedom” in the campaign. Harris uses Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” as her opening song at her rallies, and “reproductive freedom” has been a key issue for her on the national stage. Beyond that, it’s hard to say with certainty what issues she will highlight in Chicago.

There is also the mystery of how these ingredients will be mixed in the end. Will your platform be presented as a move toward the center or as appealing to the progressive base? Convention will be instrumental in shaping this perception.

Here are some key points I’ll be watching at the United Center next week:

Will Harris embrace Biden’s economy?

For the past three and a half years, Harris has been one of the most ardent supporters of the economy under President Joe Biden. In fact, it was reported this week that the White House credits Harris with creating the term “Bidenomics”. According to Axios, Harris now plans distance yourself from your boss regarding the economy, which a large majority considers the most important topic in the next election.

At a campaign event in North Carolina on Friday, Harris proposed a federal ban on price gouging in the food industry and a plan to reduce the cost of housing by offering up to $25,000 in down payment assistance to the first home buyers. These plans, particularly the ban on price gouging, suggest that Harris will blame corporate greed for increases in the cost of living in recent years, rather than the Biden administration’s policies.

Will Harris speak harshly about the border?

The immigration issue has dogged Harris more than any other since the beginning of her vice presidency. Harris’ campaign has denied that Biden appointed her a “border czar” because of a perceived vulnerability on the issue. In recent weeks, Harris has released ads emphasizing her “tough” stance on the border and her support for a bipartisan border bill that would raise the threshold for asylum seekers and tighten border controls. The bill failed in the Senate in May amid criticism from Trump as well as the progressive left.

Will anti-Israel protests influence the campaign?

Campus protests that erupted in the spring over the war in Gaza put the Biden-Harris administration in the spotlight. The topic arose during Harris’ search for a running mate. Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, considered a leading contender, came under fire from progressives because of his previous statements supporting Israel. Harris’s eventual selection of Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota momentarily calmed concerns about the protests.

But last week, the Biden administration approved a $20 billion arms sale to Israel, with Harris’ approvalwhich has rekindled passions. Chants of “genocidal Joe” have been replaced by “Holocaust Harris” in recent protests. Leaders within the pro-Palestine movement say they expect more than 100,000 protesters in Chicago next week.

How pro-abortion has the Democratic Party become?

Just 12 years ago, Obama’s campaign for president caused a stir when it removed the phrase “safe, legal and rare” from the Democratic National Convention platform on abortion for fear of “stigmatizing” the idea that abortion is morally wrong. unacceptable for any reason. Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign resurrected the phrase but omitted “weird.” After her loss to Trump, the #shoutyourabortion campaign took social media by storm. Actress and Democratic activist Lena Dunham even lamented the fact that never having had an abortion.

Harris, the first vice president in history to visit an abortion clinic, has made abortion the central axis of her political identity. She became the “voice” of the Biden administration on the issue after the ruling fell. Roe v. Wadeabout which he made vehement speeches using the phrase: “How dare you?” In January 2023, Harris gave a speech in Florida in which he edited the Declaration of Independence to fit his position: “America is a promise,” he maintained. “It is a promise of freedom and liberty, not for some, but for all. A promise we made in the Declaration of Independence, that each of us has the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Abortion will be heavily emphasized during the convention. The language speakers use to frame the topic will be revealing.

What role will religion play? Will there be prayer?

Nominating conventions often feature religious speakers who reflect on religious topics and lead the room in prayer. But given the increasing secularization of the Democratic Party in recent years and the renunciation of religious practices in public spaces, it is uncertain how prominently religion will be featured in Chicago. Harris comes from an interfaith home: her mother was Hindu and her father was Christian, and her husband is Jewish. Harris is a Baptist, although he rarely mentions his faith.

Many who attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee noted the number of sentences that there was every night. The stark contrast between conventions has the potential to be shocking.

Editor’s note: Peter Laffin is a staff writer for the National Catholic Register and a contributor to the Washington Examiner. He has published articles in The Catholic Herald, The Catholic Thing and RealClearPolitics. The opinions expressed in this comment correspond exclusively to its author.

Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in National Catholic Register.