It's a Whole New Democratic Party Now

Greetings from Chicago and, as Rep. Jamie Raskin called it, “The Democracy Convention.”

My first convention, as a staffer for then-governor and presidential candidate Jerry Brown, was in 1976. As a delegate, volunteer, or reporter, I’d attended every Democratic convention since, but I decided to skip this one - until Joe Biden stepped down and Kamala Harris stepped up. Then I changed my mind. And I’m so glad I did.

Of all the conventions I’ve been to, this 2024 convention was by far the most exciting, most well-staged, and most impactful. Not to mention one for the history books, with the nomination of the first woman of color to lead a major party’s presidential ticket.

And what a contrast with the sad show we saw in Milwaukee a month ago. As California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis told the California delegation, “It’s like they went to a funeral, but we came to a wedding.” The Republican convention was filled with hate speech, name-calling, whining, fear, and lies – all focused on the past. This Democratic convention was just the opposite.

It began, appropriately, with a tribute to President Biden. He’s probably the most underestimated politician in history, but no longer. Biden will now always be remembered and celebrated, not only as the most consequential one-term president ever, but especially for his selfless decision to sacrifice his own position as the most powerful person on the planet in order to save our democracy from the danger of Donald Trump. “Thank you, Joe.”

And now the torch has been passed. And not just to Kamala Harris. One of the things that struck me most about this convention – and, again, a stark contrast to Milwaukee – was the wealth and breadth of young talent on display. You could not imagine a more impressive group of young political leaders than Josh Shapiro, JB Pritzker, Andy Beshear, Wes Moore, Gavin Newsom, Pete Buttigieg, and Gretchen Whitmer – all of whom were given their moment to shine at the podium. Here in Chicago, the Democratic Party did not just talk about the future. It put the future on display.

That future starts, of course, with Kamala Harris. Over the last four weeks, any doubts about her abilities as a candidate disappeared. She generated more enthusiasm, rallied bigger crowds, and raised more money than any candidate ever in so short a time. And she capped it off with a convention acceptance speech that was truly masterful.

In a word, she “nailed” it. Harris struck all the right notes: telling her compelling personal story; warning of the dangers of another four years of Trump; taking on the major issues of the economy, climate change, gun safety, and reproductive rights; promising a strong defense and continued support of NATO and Ukraine; and pledging to be a president that serves and fights for all Americans. In one phrase, she captured what this campaign is all about: “We’re not going back.” And she did it all with a smile that lit up the entire convention center.

Harris’ first decision, of course, was her best so far: tapping Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz is just what the Democratic Party needs: not just somebody who expresses support for the middle class, but somebody who IS the middle class. He is a good neighbor, high school teacher, veteran, hunter, and football coach who exudes family values and lives by what most Americans accept as our golden rule: “Mind your own damned business!” Tim Walz is the real deal; someone every American can relate to.

But here’s what struck me most about this convention. Thanks to Harris and Walz, filling the air in Chicago were two words not normally associated with Democrats, at least not for a long time. Those words are “Joy” and “Freedom.”

The joy is real. You can see it in the way Harris and Walz campaign. They’re having a good time. So are the thousands showing up for their rallies. So are more and more Americans, as they catch the joyful vibes of the Democratic ticket.

And the freedom Democrats talk about is real: the freedom to read whatever book you want; to love and marry whomever you want; to control your own body; to cast your vote – all freedoms Donald Trump wants to eliminate. The Democratic Party has recaptured freedom. It’s now Democrats who are delivering freedom and Republicans who are denying it. That is revolutionary.

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz did more than unite the Democratic Party this week. They reinvented it. For the better.

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(Bill Press is host of The BillPressPod, and author of 10 books, including: “From the Left: My Life in the Crossfire.” His email address is: bill@billpress.com. Readers may also follow him on Twitter @billpresspod.)