Coverage and analysis of the 2024 Democratic National Convention taking place in Chicago.
The Chicago Sun-Times has learned that the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which begins Monday, will also feature tributes to President Joe Biden, who will make the case for the election of Vice President Kamala Harris in his prime-time opening speech.
KAMALA, DOUG/TIM, GWEN/BILL, HILLARY COME TO CHICAGO ON SUNDAY: Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff arrive in Chicago from Pittsburgh on Sunday evening. Harris and Emhoff will attend Monday’s inaugural event, where she will receive the baton from Biden and be present for the salute to the president. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, will head to Milwaukee for a rally on Tuesday and return to Chicago later in the day.
Harris, Emhoff and the Walzes will stay in Chicago until Friday.
Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton — the 2016 Democratic nominee and former secretary of state, senator and first lady of New York — are the main attractions at a big-money fundraiser for the Harris Victory Fund in Highland Park on Sunday night. According to an invitation obtained by the Sun-Times, donations range from $25,000 to $100,000.
Hillary Clinton will speak to the convention on Monday evening, Emhoff on Tuesday, Walz on Wednesday and Harris on Thursday.
After his speech, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who will also speak at the party convention on Monday, will leave Chicago.
PREVIEW OF BIDEN’S SPEECH ON MONDAY: In his keynote speech on Monday, Biden will advocate for his “partner” Harris to become the next president and Walz to become the next vice president.
“The president’s desire is to make a strong case to Harris-Walz and hand them the convention, which will be spotlighting the Biden-Harris record all week,” aides said.
Convention planners had their plans thrown into disarray when Biden dropped out of the race on July 21, while Harris secured the nomination within a day, rapidly changing the dynamic of the race.
Harris and Walz arrive in Chicago in a better position after former President Donald Trump’s election seemed all but certain following the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month.
Biden plans to travel for the Harris-Waltz ticket, his aides said, and has an extensive travel schedule in the coming weeks.
