It was the week of Democrats, of Joe Biden exiting politics and Kamala Harris emerging from the shadows. The Democratic Convention, spread over four days, was a thriller to watch. There was drama, exuberance, tears of sadness, of joy, there was lots of roars and hoots with many zany one liner for memes, reels and gifs. Against a lineup of celebrities and politicians, also, some real people took over the DNC stage reciting, recalling their pain and anguish, their hopes and desires. In a background of Gaza solidarity protestors protesting, musician Stevie Wonder urged the crowd to choose “joy over anger”. The fundamentals of democracy thus oozing, dripping from ceiling to floor.
The four day Democratic National convention (DNC) has come to an end today. And what fitting end it was. Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the presidential nomination, but not before she made a formidable fiery pitch to the American voters. Her acceptance speech dripped in optimism, in hope, towards doing the right thing. She was welcomed on stage with an electrifying roar, she was heard with rapt attention. There were tears, there were goosebumps gliding through the emotions of people. And it was not just Kamla Harris, but every person who took the centre stage at the DNC. For a new dawn has risen for the Democratic party.
A month ago the party that had become frail, divided and disorganised, outshone by Donald Trump but at the end of these four days goes out revived and emboldened. They had a turnaround, the much needed turnaround, which is striking and to be honest quite remarkable. For the Democrats have finally brought their A-game into the T (trump)-game.Yes, the four nights of DNC were heavily invigorated in attacking Donal Trump.
Besides the tearful sentimental farewell, a goodbye to the politics of Joe Biden, the Convention had some wow, jaw dropping zingers by the veterans – from Hilary to Barack to Bill who all dug their fangs deep to diss and tear into Donald Trump. The barbs were savage but witty; taunts that were a mirror of who he is. A full throttle anti Trump rampage was unleashed at the Convention, the veterans reveled in the entertainment of tearing Trump apart and everybody in that hall and outside enjoyed.
When Barack Obama (his dynamism still setting fire to GQ cover) gesticulated Trump’s “weird obsession with crowd sizes”, the crowd went wild. When 78 year old Bill Clinton (still as dashing as he was when he was in his 40s) joked that he is still younger than Donald Trump, the hall overflowing with young blood of the newer times laughed out loud. They nodded, they agreed, they believed when he said, “The next time you hear him, don’t count the lies. Count the ‘I’s.” When Michelle Obama said, “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?” the crowd erupted. But the loudest roar of hope erupted when Hilary Clinton rallied support for Kamala Harris to break the proverbial glass ceiling to become the first female U.S. President. With barbs also came support for Kamala Harris, unanimous, unwavering support for Harris – Walz. The Democrats, each and every, eloquently talked about Kamala Harris’s qualifications and character, her plan for the economy and issues on which the party has broad public support, like abortion rights and healthcare.
Seeing the scintillating energy reverberating in Chicago, the sunlit room in Delhi being warmed by the hues of deep blue and red emitting from the tele, the exciting chants, the joy, emitting in the probability of Kamala Harris becoming the next President, the DNC channelled grit and power. It reinstated the confidence in confidence and a belief that the oldest democracy’s grand old party will face a fierce battle from a party which has risen in unity and joy.
The mood all through four days remained buoyant, with fears of a repeat of the party’s chaotic 1968 convention in the same city evaporating, instead of division and acrimony there was unity and pure joy. The Veterans, beautifully, sophisticatedly did a job that was long overdue from them. They brought back the energy of the good old days of humour and levity in a party which had sunk into holes of pessimism, dissatisfaction and panic. They ensured that the party does not have a repeat of the party’s chaotic 1968 convention in the same city. They delivered remarks that infused the party and its young voters and supporters with new hope. Hope that did not feel cathartic. Hope that came with notes of caution and warnings against complacency.
The DNC have also given a preview of what the next 75 days are going to be. They will be exciting and thrilling filled with hope and anguish. There will be lots of name calling, they will diss on them, them will tear into they, new plans will be put forward, old ones will be recalled. The mood will be jumpy but electrifying. The gloom around Joe Biden’s candidacy has lifted as opinion polls show Harris pulling narrowly ahead of the Republican nominee Trump in swing states. Harris has also pulled up in her endorsements. But will it all last? Anything can happen in politics. But one thing is certain this American election is going to be different from what we were expecting at the beginning of 2023. It could well end in a surprise, a shocking surprise, one which has not happened in a long time in the long time.
