The Democratic National Convention, August 17th-20th, 2020 will feature a Star-Studded Array of the Country’s most Prominent Party Leaders, Key Allies of Presumptive Democratic Nominee Joe Biden, and Rising Stars in Democratic circles.
All of the Speeches are set to take place during Two Hours of Primetime, 9-11 p.m. ET, with each Day of the Gathering centering around the Theme of "Uniting America", One that the Party views as a Sharp Contrast between Biden’s Vision and Leadership and Trump’s, and One that also draws on the Chief Conflict throughout the Primary that frequently pitted the Moderate Faction against the Progressive Wing.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Former Second Lady Jill Biden, Former President Barack Obama, and the Former Vice President Headlining each of the Four Nights.
Monday, the First Night of the Convention, Showcases a Slate of Speakers that Reflect the Ideological Spectrum lined up behind Biden’s Candidacy:
Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Progressive Stalwart who was Biden’s Chief Rival for the Democratic Nomination; Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Former GOP Presidential Contender who competing against President Trump in 2016; Govs. Andrew Cuomo of New York and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan; Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto; South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn; Alabama Sen. Doug Jones; Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar; and Former First Lady Michelle Obama, who will Deliver the Keynote Speech.
Tuesday features, both a look at some of the Party's more Established Leaders and its youngest Stars, including: New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Former President Bill Clinton; Former Acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates, who briefly oversaw the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer; former Secretary of State John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential Nominee; Delaware Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Close Friend of Biden's who was One of the Co-Chairs of his Vice Presidential Search Team; and Former Second Lady Jill Biden will Deliver the Night’s Keynote Speech.
On Wednesday: Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Presidential Nominee; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Sen. Elizabeth Warren; New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham; Gabrielle Giffords, the Former Congresswoman from Arizona who was Severely Injured when a Gunman Opened Fire at a Campaign Event in Tucson; and the Night leads up to a Speech by the Vice Presidential Nominee, Sen. Kamala Harris; just before former President Obama is set to Close out the Night.
The Event culminates on Thursday, when Two Women who were in Contention to be Biden’s Running Mate: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; and Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Speak in the Lead-Up to Biden's Speech, during which he will formally Accept the Party’s Presidential Nomination.
Other Speakers set for the mostly Virtual Event on Thursday include a number of Biden’s Former 2020 Rivals: New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker; Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg; California Gov. Gavin Newsom; Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin; Delaware Sen. Chris Coons; and Members of Biden’s Family. While some of the Speeches will be Live, others will be Pre-Recorded, a result of the Changing Circumstances due to the Pandemic and the need to Minimize any Technical Issues.
The Slate of Speakers aims to Highlight Biden’s Efforts to Not only Court Uncertain Progressives, but also Demonstrate his Commitment to Broadening the Coalition, which Includes some Disillusioned Republicans such as Kasich, that he hopes will Deliver him the White House in November. Additional Speakers, including National Leaders, Advocates, and Celebrities will be Announced in the coming days, according to Convention Planners.
The Convention, which was Planned to be in Milwaukee in July, has been hobbled by the Virus. Organizers first Pushed the Date back to August, then Pared-Back the Event by Anchoring it in the City with a Mix of Virtual Events and, Ultimately, announced that the Gathering was Moving to an almost entirely Virtual Affair, with Biden Scheduled to Accept the Nomination from his Home State of Delaware.
Details around Biden’s Speech have yet to be Released, but his Decision reflects just how much the Coronavirus Pandemic has Transformed Planning for the Quadrennial Event. Delegates and Members of Congress, too, were told to Stay Home rather than Travel to Milwaukee.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
