Ooh great question, Lee! I vote Booker for sure. I don’t think he’d get Secretary of State — I’d guess Education or maybe Housing and Urban Development, given his experience as a mayor in Newark.
Of the Democratic contenders in 2020, who do you all think is most likely to wind up in a Biden Cabinet?
Despite a few awkward moments, the technical work behind the convention has turned out well. Democrats traditionally have a large advantage in attracting a technical workforce and innovating in campaign technology. It will be interesting to see if the Republican convention is as well-produced, especially given that Democrats had a much earlier start on virtual convention planning.
Booker continues the parade of ex-2020 presidential candidates to speak at this convention. And yet there’s still a long list who aren’t speaking at this DNC: Tulsi Gabbard, Deval Patrick, Julián Castro, Steve Bullock, John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, Marianne Williamson, Joe Sestak, Bill de Blasio, Richard Ojeda, John Delaney, Wayne Messam, Mike Gravel and Eric Swalwell. That’s how many people ran for president this year!
Another 2020 Democratic primary contender is up: Sen. Cory Booker.
The vote by mail segment is actually a good reminder of something that people need to keep in mind: The count in November may be slow compared to other years, but election results are not certified in the states until about a month after the election anyway. In other words, the final election results will be finalized at the same time as usual. So we need to be careful about calling election results “delayed” this year.
Forty-four states plus Washington, D.C., now allow any voter to vote by mail if they wish — as our state-by-state guide to mail and in-person voting will tell you.
Up until this year, there was no clear partisan advantage to voting by mail. But given all Trump’s trash-talking about voting by mail, I do wonder if it will do more to help Democrats.
With Harris’s nomination as the Democratic VP, there might be a vacant Senate seat in California after November if the Democrats win. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who is currently on screen promoting the virtues of voting by mail, has been mentioned as possible replacement for Harris should she become vice president.
Wow, yes, Sarah, that does feel premature. I think there are a lot of other Democrats who will want to try to take Harris’s place as Democratic heir apparent.
I think it’s premature, Sarah. After 2016, I think it will be a while before Democrats completely clear the field for a potential Democratic nominee. There are a lot of people who probably want to be president: Whitmer, Cuomo, a bunch of mayors, Ocasio-Cortez, Yang (?).
Sarah, that felt like a bit of a facile conclusion to suit the moment. Obviously, Harris is now next in line to be the front-runner, but she didn’t particularly stand out in this convention. Let’s wait and see!
So this morning, Politico had a piece saying that the Democratic Party was Harris’s now, writing that “It’s Harris’ party now, even if it might be a few years before she becomes its official leader — then has to fight to keep that role.”
What do people make of that … is that a little premature? Harris spoke yesterday, and many others who ran during the 2020 Democratic primary will speak tonight, so I’m curious. Do you think we’ll get more of a sense of what direction the party wants to head in? Or will it still be focused on party unity without a clear sense of direction?
Of the 7 hours of the DNC so far, this one has been the least well-programed by some margin, IMO.
Secretaries of state typically run election administration in their state. It might be the most important office on the ballot that you don’t pay attention to.
Now they’re showing a video of people talking about voting and using the postal service to cast ballots. One guy said he hasn’t missed a primary or general election in his 51 years as an eligible voter. I am very impressed.
Surely this is her introduction to many older Democrats.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard Sarah Cooper’s actual voice!
So this is Sarah Cooper, an author and comedian who went viral this spring by making TikToks while she was bored in quarantine where she just lip syncs Trump press conferences:
It scored her a Netflix special and a bunch of late night gigs. I’m almost surprised she wants Trump out of office, as he has been a real golden goose for her.
Amelia, I noticed this too. Native American voters don’t often get as much attention from presidential campaigns, but the DNC has highlighted many Native American voices during this convention.
I’ve been struck by how much discussion/highlighting there has been of indigenous people and lands during this DNC. This frank discussion of the U.S.’s history of colonialism feels very new.
To Nathaniel’s earlier point, Democrats are facing little backlash so far for targeting moderate voters over satisfying the left. They are going into the convention with much stronger party support than usual.
Here’s Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico. Haaland and Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas were the first two Native American women ever elected to Congress when they won their seats in the 2018 midterms.
Emily, my political memorabilia collection could use some of Meacham’s posters.
Meacham’s book publicist is getting a raise after this.
Meacham showing off several framed political posters behind him.
Grade inflation, Julia!!! It’s a scourge!
Micah, you’re making my grades seem inflated. I wonder if we’re reading different reactions, or if I’ve just been teaching for so long that I’m beaten down.
Julia, I made a competing DNC scorecard — tell me how I’m wrong please.
Amber Wichowsky, my colleague at Marquette, has been analyzing tweets responding to the speeches at the convention.
I’m generally sympathetic to the DNC gearing its convention programming more toward independent/moderate voters than toward ginning up its progressive base. But I truly don’t understand why you give Jon Meacham five minutes but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez only one.
Hell yeah I do. I miss travel. But The Chicks won’t let me miss them: Their new album is the shadiest breakup album ever and it’s amazing.
Clare, remember that time we drove to LBJ’s ranch outside Austin listening to The Chicks’ cover of “Landslide?”
Meacham’s appearance here seems like a play to the MSNBC crowd. Which … is probably the main crowd watching this convention.
The Chicks’ evolution post-George W. Bush controversy has been pretty amazing. Someone made a point earlier that they were the original cancel culture victims. I’m thankful that it gave them grist for “I’m not ready to make nice.”
Galen, last I heard, Bannon was still on the Republican convention docket. I assume that’ll change.
After another day filled with news (Steve Bannon was arrested at sea for committing fraud through a nonprofit), it’s worth pointing out that this convention has been somewhat emblematic of Biden’s campaign in that is has been overshadowed — or at least flanked — by lots of news. In addition to Bannon’s arrest, there’s been the Senate report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, trouble with the U.S. Postal Service, wildfires in California and, of course, the coronavirus is still the most important story in the world.
John Legend has been very much an active Democrat for years. I remember covering 2012 election day in Cleveland and he was there meeting and greeting people in the very long lines in the City of Cleveland. He’s an Ohioan originally.
No contest. The Chicks’ national anthem was second for me, though.
This “Glory” performance is the best musical act of the DNC so far.
Yeah, sorry readers, but I think the live blog is slowing down a bit because we’re all just watching this performance.
Separately, I was also at the Stephen Colbert taping where John Lewis crowd surfed.
This song, “Glory,” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2015. It’s from the movie Selma, which depicts the civil rights marches for which Lewis is famous.
The DSCC-endorsed candidate in Georgia’s special Senate election, Rev. Raphael Warnock, makes a brief appearance in this video. But he’s in danger of not making the likely runoff election — I’m surprised the party hasn’t done more to boost him.
I was lucky enough to see (and meet!) John Lewis several times over the years when he would come to San Diego Comic Con for his graphic novel series, March. He loved to tell the story of how he would preach to chickens while growing up. After the panels, he would lead groups of schoolchildren in a march down to the exhibit hall for a book signing.
Wow, the Elijah Cummings appearance — he recently passed away as well. I wonder what these interviews are from?
Two major themes that have stood out to me so far are the references to transcendent democratic values — voting, democracy, the Constitution — and drawing connections to the past. The tribute to Lewis and discussion of voting rights picks up these themes and takes them in a new direction.
I would note that our model only has Georgia as the 12th-most-likely tipping point state, though. It’s polling very closely for now. But the thing is that if Georgia is still competitive in November, it probably means that Trump is already toast because of states like Florida, North Carolina, etc.
Nor does a message of anger often energize Black voters, Matt, as you’ve written, citing political scientist Davin Phoenix’s book “The Anger Gap.” It’s something I don’t think I’ve fully appreciated in the convention. It’s probably not good politics for Democrats to just focus on Trump’s shortcomings. They need to have another message that offers a plan and hope for what their platform will accomplish.
Democrats argue that voter restrictions are designed to suppress Black voters in an attempt to create a backlash and increase Black turnout. But that message does not seem to stimulate Black voters.