Washington.-If Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls had played one more season at the United Center Arena, they might not have received as enthusiastic a reception as those who spoke on the opening day of the Democratic Party Convention.
As Hillary Clinton said at the beginning of her speech, with an obvious look of surprise and happiness: “There is a lot of energy in the stadium!” And she added, “Something is happening in the United States, you can feel it, something we have worked for and dreamed about for a long time.”
There were clear peaks of enthusiasm, such as the surprise appearance of Kamala Harris, speeches by Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Hillary Clinton, Jasmine Crockett, Raphael Warnock and Steve Kerr, whose inclusion in the list of speakers was a smart move to link sport and politics. But beyond these high points, enthusiasm remained at an extremely high level and grew as the night progressed.
The audience responded with remarkable energy to a wide variety of speeches over nearly five hours, all crafted in different ways around the theme of the day, “for the people.” Accompanying this main theme, the subtext of this start to the Convention was to celebrate the achievements and honor the legacy of President Joe Biden as a way to close one stage of the Party in order to make way for a new era.
The “for the people” theme was a way to draw a contrast with the Republican Party, especially its candidate, former President Donald Trump, who is characterized as someone who does everything for his own benefit. In the words of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Trump “has only cared about one person, himself.”
The choice of voices to speak was a clear gesture to highlight the diversity of American society. Women and minority and historically marginalized communities, such as people of color, took center stage on the first day of the Convention.
The transition from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris is an indication that passing the baton is not just about moving from one leadership to another. As Georgia state senator Raphael Warnock said in his speech, “this is Kamala Harris’ America.”
Joe Biden is a symbol of the Democratic Party of the last half century. Beyond his virtues and his defects, it was clear what could be expected from his leadership. This predictability was a reassurance for citizens in 2020. However, four years later, it was not enough to dispel doubts about his vitality and the notable lack of enthusiasm for his candidacy among the Party’s rank and file and also in broad sectors of the citizenry.
That enthusiasm returned, at least briefly, in what could be characterized as his farewell speech in this election race. Biden looked visibly emotional, even with a few tears coming out of his eyes as he crossed paths with his daughter Ashley on stage after she introduced him. The audience chanted his name repeatedly and applauded many parts of his speech.
Kamala Harris joined Joe Biden on stage after the latter’s speech. It was the setting of the transition. And also a bet on a future led by Harris and in which a range of younger leaders is emerging for the coming decades.
If the first day of the Convention makes anything clear, it is that enthusiasm has returned to the rank and file of the Democratic Party. Will this enthusiasm and this new leadership be enough to win the elections in November? Two and a half months is a long time in politics, and even more so in an electoral contest as different as this one.
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2024-08-22 10:37:05
