Kamala Harris needs to score points on the economy and immigration at the party convention, experts say. Then the Democrat could gain more points. The city of Chicago is also preparing for protests.
The Democratic Party wants to hold a kind of coronation mass for Kamala Harris over four days. Harris has already been nominated as presidential candidate and has also named Tim Walz as her running mate.
Now it's about spreading the euphoria that is palpable at the party base, says political scientist Lara Brown. Much of what is happening in Chicago is a staging of support for the Harris-Walz candidate duo. “The party wants to demonstrate unity,” says Brown, “and show that we are enthusiastic and passionate about this.”
Fill the election campaign with content
The party strategists are also concerned with filling the election campaign with content, with a program. Harris expressed it this way at a joint appearance with Joe Biden a few days ago: “We are taking the next step forward in our fight,” and added a thank you to President Joe Biden. The audience took up this “Thank you, Joe” in chants.
Something like this might sound like the opening of the party convention in Chicago's Convention Center. Joe Biden is the main speaker on the first evening. Former President Barack Obama will follow on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, former President Bill Clinton and Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz will speak. Thursday will be dedicated to Kamala Harris alone – and perhaps a surprise celebrity guest. There has already been speculation about George Clooney, Beyoncé or Taylor Swift. Such a highlight of the show has not yet been confirmed.
Harris and Trump roughly on par
There are also experts who warn against too much democratic euphoria. Harris is by no means miles ahead of Donald Trump in the polls, warns pollster Kyle Kondik. At the moment, the overall result is tied. “You could perhaps argue that Harris has a tiny lead, but not enough to really be the favorite. It's an extremely close race,” says Kondik – just like in 2016 and 2020.
According to many experts, Harris needs to make up ground on the issues of the economy and immigration, and find her own position on the Gaza war. Demonstrations by pro-Palestinian groups have been announced on the sidelines of the party conference.
Demos announced on the sidelines of the party conference
Chicago Police Chief Larry Snelling believes his forces are well prepared. The police chief rejects comparisons with 1968, when violent protests against the Vietnam War overshadowed a Democratic Party convention in Chicago. People should be able to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to demonstrate, said Snelling. “We will protect them. But we are prepared to intervene and arrest people if they use violence or commit crimes.”
The demonstrations announced this time are not comparable to the mass protests against the Vietnam War, emphasizes political scientist Lara Brown.
Brown believes that the convention will be a success for Harris overall and that she can gain another two to three points in the polls: “She has the momentum, the momentum. After this convention, it could well be that she is leading in the polls in each of the swing states that will decide the election.”
According to Brown, this could get her through the election campaign in the fall. “If she doesn't make any catastrophic mistakes – in her televised debate with Trump, with regard to the economy or in foreign policy.”
