By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@.com
With 78 days left before Election Day 2024, President Joe Biden (D) officially handed the reins to Vice President Kamala Harris (D) in his Aug. 19 speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Biden served as keynote speaker on day one of the conference, where Harris is expected to accept the party’s nomination on Aug. 22.
“Are you ready to vote for freedom? Are you ready to vote for Democracy and America? Are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?” asked Biden at the top of his speech in Chicago. “Our best days are not behind us, they’re before us.”
Harris became the official Democratic Party nominee for president on Aug. 6 via a virtual roll call. Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, her running mate, will officially accept their nominations during the DNC.
As he took the stage, Biden fondly paused for lengthy applause from the DNC crowd. Those in attendance shouted “Thank you Joe,”as Biden reflected on his presidency and what’s at stake in November.
“America, I gave my best to you,” said Biden, quoting lyrics from “American Anthem” by Norah Jones.
Biden spoke on his economic successes during the address, touting “record small business growth.” He also noted that his administration has worked to ensure that “total prescription cost can be capped at $2,000 no matter how expensive the drug.”
The $2,000 out-of-pocket cap is for anyone with Medicare Part D. The cap will fully go into effect in 2025 through the Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden signed into law in 2022.
Biden also acknowledged the results of his executive action earlier this year to tighten security at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Border encounters have dropped over 50 percent,” said Biden.
The standing ovation Biden received at the convention was a stark contrast to how the Democratic Party treated him after a poor June 27 debate performance. In the days and weeks after, top Democrats called for Biden to step down.
Biden officially withdrew from the 2024 presidential election on July 21, puting his support behind Harris.
Much of night one of the DNC was about pushing excitement for and confidence in a Harris-Walz ticket.
Hillary Clinton (D), a former presidential candidate, spoke during opening night about progress and highlighted Harris’ past as a lawyer.
Clinton pushed the need to fight to get Harris in office this November in hopes of accomplishing what Clinton was not able to in 2016.
“No matter what the polls say, we can’t let up. We have to fight for Kamala as she will fight for us,” said Clinton. “We’re opening the promise of America wide enough for everyone. Together, we put a lot of cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling.”
Clinton highlighted several women who have run for president or were nominated for the vice presidential role in the U.S. including Shirley Chisholm and Geraldine Ferraro.
“We both got our start as young lawyers helping children who were abused or neglected,” said Clinton about Harris. “Kamala carries with her the hopes of every child she protected, every family she helped (and) every community she served. As president, she will always have our backs.”
DNC Chair Jaime Harrison shared what Americans can look forward to at this year’s DNC.
“In the coming days, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November,” he said. “As we move forward to formally select our party’s nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same – lowering costs, restoring freedom, protecting the rights of all people and saving our democracy.”
U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07) acknowledged the historical aspect of this year’s convention.
“I am honored to support the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz team,” said Mfume, in a statement sent to the AFRO. “I have attended every Democratic convention since 1980, where I was a delegate for the late Senator Ted Kennedy. Without a doubt, this will be among one of the more historic ones.”
Democrats paid homage to Biden for his dedication to the party throughout the first night of the DNC.
“The American people owe President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years,” said Harrison. “We will honor that legacy and the decision that he has made today, through a firm commitment to nominating and electing a Democratic president this November who will carry that torch into the next four years.”
Harris made a sudden and brief appearance on stage hours ahead of Biden, recognizing his leadership.
“This is going to be a great week,” said Harris, to much applause and cheers. “I want to kick us off by supporting our incredible President Joe Biden. Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime service to our nation and for all you will continue to do.”
Day one of the convention featured delegation breakfasts and caucus meetings.
It also included DemPalooza, a series of trainings and panels to ensure Democrats win up and down the ballot in November. Sessions included talks about the future of immigration reform, protecting the vote and talking to friends and family about Project 2025.
There’s much more to come at the DNC including a speech from former President Barack Obama.
On day two, a youth council meeting will be held, along with a session to address Black voters. The rural council and disability caucus meeting will also be held in the afternoon.
Day three of the conference, a variety of different caucuses will meet. The Black, Hispanic, AAPI Caucus and Native American Caucuses will each hold their sessions on the morning of Aug. 21.
On the final day of the convention, there will be a session to address how women in politics can combat misinformation created via artificial intelligence and another on how to gain political ground in places that are considered “factory towns.” The day will also include a session titled “Crisis in the Court: It’s Time for Reforms to Restore Legitimacy and to Protect Our Constitution.” The Women’s Caucus will also meet, along with the poverty and interfaith councils.
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