The Democratic National Convention: A Celebration of History in the Making
The 2024 Democratic National Convention was a celebration of history in the making. With Kamala Harris as the nominee, the delegates were "fired up" about their candidate, excited to make history by electing the first woman president, the first Black female president, and the first South Asian president.
As I attended the convention, I expected it to be a grim, somber affair, as Democrats once again placed a crown on the head of an elderly candidate none of them were convinced could beat Donald Trump. But that wasn’t the case. The atmosphere was electric, with delegates from all over the country gathered to fill seats, cast ceremonial votes, wave American flags, and cheer for speeches.
Making History
For many delegates, the convention was an opportunity to make history and be part of something special. Stephanie McGowan of New Jersey, who was wearing an American flag cowboy hat and a flag blouse, said, "I have a huge group of teenagers who are getting together to make friendship bracelets that say ‘Madame President.’" She believes that Kamala Harris is someone her daughter can relate to as a mom and a woman.
Susan Schofield from Binghamton, New York, agrees. "My 39-year-old daughter, now she’s got a whole different attitude," she said. "She’s watching it with glee. She’s in entertainment, and she thinks the production values are fantastic. Every night, we say, ‘How can it get any better?’ And every night, it gets better and better: Hakeem (Jeffries), Oprah, Michelle Obama."
From "Anybody But" to "Who I Want to Vote For"
For some delegates, the convention was a chance to move beyond simply voting against Trump and to vote for a candidate they truly believed in. When Biden was the presumptive nominee, Democrats were voting against Trump. Now, McGowan said, they’re voting for Harris. "My daughter didn’t even know who was at the top of the ticket. We’re moving from ‘anybody but’ to ‘who I want to vote for.’"
The Importance of Identity Politics
For some, the convention was a celebration of identity politics. Chase Stell from Georgia, who was wearing an "I’m a Georgian for Jimmy" button from the 1976 election, said, "The fact that she’s a woman is so big. It’s kind of nuts that it’s taken so long to have a woman president. Mexico did it before us." For him, it’s time for a change and to make history.
A Joy Factor
For others, the convention was about the joy of voting for a candidate they truly believe in. Barbara Jones of Virginia said, "With Harris, it’s more of a joy factor. It feels like the sky finally opened up. We respect Biden and what he’s done and we respect him stepping back." The delegates didn’t just come to Chicago to fill seats, cast ceremonial votes, wave American flags, and cheer for speeches. They came to fill themselves with enthusiasm for the presidential campaign ahead.
Conclusion
The 2024 Democratic National Convention was a celebration of history in the making. With Kamala Harris as the nominee, the delegates were excited to make history by electing the first woman president, the first Black female president, and the first South Asian president. For many, the convention was an opportunity to move beyond simply voting against Trump and to vote for a candidate they truly believed in. It’s a time for change, and the delegates are eager to make that change a reality.
FAQs
Q: Why were the delegates excited about the convention?
A: The delegates were excited about the convention because Kamala Harris was the nominee, making history by potentially becoming the first woman president, the first Black female president, and the first South Asian president.
Q: How did the delegates feel about voting for Harris?
A: The delegates felt that voting for Harris was a chance to make history and to vote for a candidate they truly believed in.
Q: Why did the delegates come to the convention?
A: The delegates came to the convention to fill seats, cast ceremonial votes, wave American flags, and cheer for speeches. They also came to fill themselves with enthusiasm for the presidential campaign ahead.
Q: How did the delegates feel about identity politics?
A: Some delegates felt that the convention was a celebration of identity politics, with the opportunity to make history by electing a woman, a Black woman, and a South Asian woman to the presidency.
