The metamorphosis of a chrysalis into a butterfly has a pretty name: the imaginal molt. It's this tale of political entomology that is dominating the American media today when it comes to Kamala Harris, combined with a sudden amnesia about the vice president's past vulnerabilities. Has she changed, or are we looking at her differently in the light of this solemn moment? The candidate for the Democratic Party, which will be holding its convention in Chicago, Illinois, from August 19 to 22, is benefiting from exceptional political momentum, built up in just the four weeks since Joe Biden withdrew from the race for the White House. The convention promises to be a celebration of the new ticket she is forming with her running mate, Tim Walz, the clever and comforting governor of Minnesota.
Harris is generating unprecedented enthusiasm. It's palpable in her public events. It can be cautiously perceived in poll after poll of American voters, particularly in the key states of the industrial Rust Belt (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan) and in highly contested segments of the population, such as independents, women and people of color. Finally, it can be seen in the current meanderings of Donald Trump, disoriented by the removal of Biden, his best rival. He has gone so far as to denounce a betrayal of democracy within the president's party.
For procedural reasons, the state-by-state roll call of Democratic delegates was already carried out remotely in early August. The flavor of the convention will lie in the speeches. Biden will address participants on the first evening, Monday, before withdrawing to the White House. His forced political twilight has surely inspired bitterness in him. Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton will precede him. Barack Obama is scheduled to take the stage on Tuesday, followed by Bill Clinton the next day. During these packed days, the streets of Chicago are expected to be bustling with activity. Two rallies are planned in support of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, while the White House hopes to conclude negotiations in Cairo, Egypt, to free hostages held by Hamas by the end of next week.
It's hard to find a precedent for the extraordinary political reconfiguration that has taken place in the United States since July 21. When Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race that day, in a statement that evaded both the reasons for his withdrawal and the pressure he was feeling from his own side, he set off a series of chain reactions. In less than 48 hours, Harris took his place, while all potential candidates for the nomination moved out of her way. Donors restored the abundant flow of contributions. The candidate secured the support of the delegates, eliminating any unnecessary suspense. Her meteoric rise destabilized the Republican Party, which had emerged from its own convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in mid-July with a conquering spirit.
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