In early July, this year’s convention in Chicago seemed destined to be a major disappointment for the Democrats. The outlook was bleak in the Windy City, as the party faced turmoil following President Joe Biden’s painfully revealing debate performance.
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| Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images |
Delegates and party members cringed as Biden stubbornly refused to step down from the 2024 ticket, and with each primetime interview he gave over the summer, the party's fragile situation became even more evident.
What is typically a rallying event designed to energize the party and motivate voters to support the Democratic ticket started to feel more like a duty rather than a potentially historic, must-attend occasion.
Then, the tides turned. By late July, Biden had stepped down, paving the way for Harris to take the top spot on the ticket unopposed, and suddenly, support surged from all corners — even Beyoncé threw her weight behind the new candidate. In just 48 hours, real excitement began to build. Who would be Harris’s running mate? And what would happen at the now highly anticipated Democratic National Convention? A new candidate meant a fresh kind of convention.
The Democratic National Committee needed to create an event that welcomed a younger leader while gracefully passing the torch from older Democrats and reintroducing Harris to the electorate in front of 5,000 delegates, 12,000 volunteers, and 15,000 media members.
According to a source close to the convention who spoke to Morfeli Reporter, the event broadcast over four nights this week is the result of DNC staffers working around the clock to execute a new vision. This reimagined convention aimed to showcase Harris as a dynamic leader while respectfully acknowledging Biden’s role, honoring what Rep.
Nancy Pelosi described as his "very selfless" decision to step aside for the good of the party. Meanwhile, adjustments were made to the event’s logistics, celebrity invitations were managed (since the Hollywood vibe this week clearly doesn’t fit Biden), new videos were shot, and the United Center was subtly transformed to reflect Harris’s influence.
Like much of political campaigning, many elements came together at the last minute. The same goes for this year’s DNC, as sources told Morfeli. Adding Kerry Washington and Mindy Kaling as hosts was a late decision, with the choice of a prominent Black woman hosting one night and an Indian American taking the stage the night before meant to reflect Harris’s Jamaican and South Asian heritage.
While the committee appears to downplay any challenges or heavy lifting caused by the sudden shift to a Harris-led ticket, the fact that two A-list TV producer-actors like Washington and Kaling were booked last minute highlights the importance of showing support and the level of attention Harris commands at this pivotal moment.
After the ticket change, Biden’s speech was rescheduled for the convention's first night. The DNC’s strategy was to provide the seasoned politician with ample time to address both the party and the nation following his historic departure.
According to sources at Morfeli, many within the DNC entered politics because of Biden, making this moment particularly significant. With Harris watching from within the stadium — and later joining Biden on stage after his speech — the plan was to dedicate the remaining three nights to looking ahead, passing the baton to the party’s future.
Unfortunately, live events come with their challenges, from speeches running long to waiting for cheers and applause to subside. These moments were not only a testament to an energized crowd and a party with much to discuss but also led to Biden’s speech being pushed beyond primetime and past many bedtimes.
The president took the stage at 11:30 p.m. ET, and his speech, which lasted over 50 minutes, extended well past midnight. It’s uncertain when the speakers earlier in the evening were scheduled, but the lineup on day one — featuring Rep. Maxine Waters and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass — seemed more aligned with a Harris-led ticket than the Democrats who might have been spotlighted had Biden not stepped down.
Political conventions are often a blend of pretaped, candidate-friendly PR, live speeches, and carefully staged moments intended to leave a lasting impression on voters. In the whirlwind weeks leading up to the convention, Harris spent time filming videos, Politico reported, which are being shown throughout the event.
Meanwhile, some clips aired during the first two nights were generic enough to apply to any Democratic candidate — such as one featuring a former Trump supporter describing their journey away from MAGA and across party lines.
t’s hard to tell if the musical acts were chosen for a Biden or Harris-focused event. James Taylor on the first night, who was cut short due to time constraints, certainly leans towards a Biden vibe, while rapper Common aligns more with Harris’s self-described “hip-hop girl” persona.
As often happens in politics, many details were finalized at the last minute, and the DNC only announced performers shortly before each night’s events began.
One performer who is sure to captivate the crowd is Harris herself. Her brief appearance onstage Monday had what seemed like the entire arena on its feet, cheering her on. Moments like these help smooth over any hiccups in the revised convention schedule, showing that if the candidate’s star power is this impactful, the DNC’s work has already made a significant impression.
