CHICAGO – One of the most unusual Democratic conventions in generations begins Monday and will make history by nominating Kamala Harris as presidential candidate just a month after Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign.
Vice President Harris quickly unified the party and secured the nomination despite not running as a front-runner in any primary. Since then, her campaign has been statistically tied or slightly ahead of Donald Trump in national and political polls.
Here are five key things to watch for during the four-day convention here, where Democrats will try to maintain their momentum.
Will the happy theme continue?
Harris’ success so far is thanks in part to her ability to transform the gloom that surrounded Biden’s race against Trump into a more cheerful one. Her upbeat personality – with a laugh that Republicans have ridiculed for years – has found a natural fan base and sparked countless positive memes and viral clips on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Biden’s exit appears to have sparked enthusiasm among Democrats and uncommitted voters desperate for a candidate who isn’t trying to become president in his 80s.
Democrats are well aware of this advantage and will try to harness this energy at the convention. But they must find a balance: Insisting on a cheery and optimistic theme may have its limits for a party that continues to warn that a Trump presidency could spell the demise of American democracy.
Joy and fear are both motivators. Biden relied more heavily on fear of Trump’s return, doomsday predictions and appeals to America’s goodness. Harris’ approach was different. She swapped those for a more hopeful core message of “freedom and opportunity.” And with the support of her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris has sought to instill a sense of confidence in Democrats by deriding Trump and his allies as “weird.”
Mood or politics?
Harris’s surge has been largely based on good vibes. So far, she has kept her message tightly under control and avoided media interviews, and that is expected to continue during convention week. It will be a historic nomination – she is the first black woman and the first Indian-American ever nominated by a major party – and offers ample opportunity for feel-good moments.
But how heavily will Harris and the Democrats lean on it? Or will Harris use the convention as an opportunity to flesh out her vision for governing and explain how she will seek to improve people’s lives as president? Although she has been criticized for largely avoiding policy details, in the days leading up to the convention, Harris began rolling out economic proposals that focus on lowering costs — on rent and housing, groceries, child care and prescription drugs. Will the convention be her opportunity to unveil more policy plans? Or will she keep her vision general, without filling in any more gaps?
Is Harris breaking with Biden?
One of the thornier questions for Harris is whether she wants to carry on Biden’s legacy or forge her own path. It will inevitably be a mix of both. But which elements of the Biden presidency does she embrace and promise to carry forward? And in which areas does she propose to forge her own path? Does she openly break with Biden’s executive actions, legislative proposals and foreign policy decisions — and if so, what does she propose instead? The answers will likely come in the form of subtle hints. Harris is trying to unite the party, and that starts with cementing the passionate base of support Biden continues to enjoy. But many voters are unhappy with their economic situation and the status quo under the Biden administration.
Trump’s campaign is portraying Harris as a continuation of Biden’s policies, saying in a recent statement that she “cannot shake the stench of the Bidenomics she has repeatedly praised.” And it will be up to Harris to convince disaffected voters that she can offer a fresh vision, not just business as usual.
Inspire the base or appeal to the independents?
A quadrennial question for presidential candidates at party conventions is how to balance the task of mobilizing the base with appealing to independent and persuadable voters who often decide the election. For Harris, who is short on time, the convention is an important opportunity.
Harris has made significant progress in improving her support among Democratic-leaning groups that are hostile to Biden – particularly young voters, African Americans and Latinos – but she needs to do more to solidify support among those groups.
And while some “double haters” – voters who dislike both Biden and Trump – appear more receptive to Harris, she still has a lot of work to do with undecided voters. Independent voters usually decide the outcome of presidential elections, and many of them are notoriously difficult to win over. How will Harris use the convention to reach them? The answer could provide clues to her strategy for the closing stages.
How is Harris dealing with the protests in the Gaza Strip?
It has become routine for Democratic politicians to be booed by protesters demanding a more confrontational US stance toward Israel over its bombing of Gaza. There were protests in Chicago on Sunday, before the convention began, and convention organizers and city officials expect more this week. How will Harris handle them?
The answer has political implications. Democrats have privately debated whether most of the protesters are winnable voters or radical agitators beyond their reach. But there are Arab Americans and Muslim voters, especially in the swing state of Michigan, who have threatened to stay home. They want Harris to take a more aggressive stance and increase pressure on Israel to negotiate a ceasefire. She has been more outspoken in her criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but it is unclear whether she will break with the Biden administration’s policies.
Harris has already faced protests at her rallies. In a speech earlier this month, she snapped at them, saying, “You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, say so. Otherwise, I’ll do the talking.” A few days later, she showed more patience when pro-Palestinian hecklers interrupted her, telling them, “I respect your opinion,” adding, “I’ve been clear: Now is the time to negotiate a ceasefire and do the hostage deal.”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.
