With unity, optimism, impressive energy and resolute mobilization, the Democratic convention in Chicago, Illinois was a success. The event, devoid of any suspense over Kamala Harris's nomination, was a festive political spectacle and an oratorical contest. It was not a question of complex substantive issues, but of stated intentions and professions of faith in a sort of progressive mass. Significantly, the party's programmatic text had not even been updated and still referred to Joe Biden's forthcoming second term.
The purpose of the convention was to lay the foundations of an electoral narrative and confirm the momentum underway. Above all, it achieved a prodigious feat of political communication: the reinvention of Kamala Harris at the age of 59. An outgoing figure in the administration, here she is as a symbol of newness, the embodiment of transformative hope. A vice president stuck in an overly constrained role, here she is immaculately rebranded, engaged in a different interpretation, alone on stage, taking obvious pleasure in it. Harris has twice missed her rendezvous with the American people: first in the 2019 Democratic primaries, then as vice president, a period she fumbled her way through without finding her footing. Now she's been blessed with a new opportunity, as if the previous two hadn't existed.
This Democratic family get-together, from Monday, August 19 to Thursday, August 22, was preceded by weeks of intense excitement and reassessment, due to the change of candidate. It seems such a long time ago – a month already! – but in July, many Democratic executives, anxious about Harris's vulnerabilities, were defending the principle of an open convention, preceded by a real televised competition between the contenders. However, it was too great a risk so close to the electoral deadline. Once Biden's withdrawal had been secured, discipline and vigor were required. The vice president's lightning promotion, followed by that of her running mate, Tim Walz, the scathing governor of Minnesota, was greeted with relief and hope within the party, which was quickly bolstered by a favorable wave of national and key-state polls.
In Chicago, Biden spoke on the first night, Monday, at an unearthly hour. He put all his remaining energy into detailing his favorable record. He drew rapturous applause, then was ushered out amid clamor, a "lame duck" advancing toward his twilight, embalmed alive and already relegated to the showcase of history, which we revisit from time to time. "Forward" is the campaign's key phrase. This lively, relentless movement is breathtaking. It was particularly clear on Tuesday evening, when Michelle Obama and then her husband, Barack, set the room alight with their charisma and civic catechism.
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