Photo: Jose Luis Magana Associated Press President Joe Biden, left, and first lady Jill Biden walk down the steps of Air Force One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, en route to the White House, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024.
Aurélia End – Agence France-Presse in Chicago
Published yesterday at 11:22 p.m.
- United States
Democrats are preparing to get out their “handkerchiefs” on Monday for Joe Biden, who will come to solemnly pass the torch to Kamala Harris at the opening of the Democratic convention.
This will not be the case for pro-Palestinian demonstrators, who intend to show their anger against the president and vice president in the streets of Chicago.
Barely a month ago, the party expected to invest the octogenarian president, bogged down in the polls, without passion.
But now, after Joe Biden's withdrawal on July 21, Democrats are once again dreaming of a victory with their 59-year-old candidate against Donald Trump.
How can we imagine that Joe Biden would not feel no bitterness in the face of this outpouring of enthusiasm, which his candidacy never aroused ?
“Immense esteem”
Yet he will be prohibited from expressing anything other than unqualified support in his speech on Monday.
It will also be a kind of testament, at the end of half a century of political life, even if Joe Biden has promised to play a role in the campaign.
He is expected to plead for the defense of democracy against Donald Trump, who never conceded his defeat in 2020, and who has not committed to recognizing an unfavorable verdict at the ballot box in November.
“I will have tissues tomorrow,” LaurieBeth Hager, a Democratic delegate representing North Dakota, told AFP on Sunday.
“I am amazed by the political courage it took for him” to withdraw, she added.
“There is tremendous respect” for the Democratic president, J.B. Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, the state where Chicago is located, said on CNN on Sunday, “but [Americans] need to know they are voting for someone who can excite them.” »
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Now that he has thrown in the towel, the Democratic Party is overflowing with affection for “Joe,” who will be leaving as soon as his speech is over for a vacation in California.
There is no doubt that emotions will be very strong if, as rumor has it, Kamala Harris joins him on stage Monday night.
Protests
No tears are expected, however, from the demonstrators in support of Palestine, who want to protest against the Biden-Harris administration’s policy of support for Israel throughout the convention, with the largest rallies expected Monday and Thursday.
Organizers are talking about tens of thousands of protesters in the third-largest U.S. city, which has a long history of political mobilization.
Opponents will only be able to catch a glimpse Monday of the United Center, home of the legendary Chicago Bulls basketball team, where the convention will be held.
The streets leading to it are blocked by concrete blocks and trucks parked sideways. The room is surrounded by a security perimeter, guarded by high metal barricades.
A very large police presence will be deployed throughout the convention, while the courts have been put on alert.
Trump in Pennsylvania
The former Republican president, who since Joe Biden's withdrawal has lost his best enemy, will increase his trips to key states, to try to stop the momentum gained by his rival.
The 78-year-old billionaire will be in Pennsylvania on Monday to talk about the economy, and likely to launch a new round of vicious attacks on his opponent, this “crazy” and “communist.”
Former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, are expected in Chicago.
The convention is set to conclude Thursday with the grand speech by which Kamala Harris will accept her nomination, which has already been won following an Internet vote by delegates.
The Democratic euphoria almost makes us forget that the election is expected to be close and that Kamala Harris’ lead in the polls remains within the statistical margin of error.
Donald Trump dominates the Republican Party, despite his historic conviction in a criminal case and the prosecutions in several others.
He remains idolized by a seemingly unbreakable base of supporters, even more so since the assassination attempt on his life in July.
“I don't see us as the favorites at all,” Kamala Harris warned Sunday.