The DNC Is Preparing for the Worst in Chicago -- Without the Help of the City's Mayor

[RandySF]

CHICAGO — President Joe Biden’s top advisers are all too aware the ghosts of 1968 may haunt their convention here, but they’re grappling with a pair of more urgent and thoroughly modern-day challenges as summer nears: How far can they go in reprising their virtual 2020 convention to mitigate the threat of disruption inside the arena, and how will they navigate a rookie mayor who unabashedly sympathizes with protesters?

Trumpeting the success of their Covid-era convention four years ago, some in Biden’s orbit are aggressively pushing to make the 2024 conclave a hybrid production. That would mean in-person speeches from the president, party luminaries and rising stars to draw television attention alongside a mix of pre-recorded testimonials and videos from other parts of the country.

The goal: drive maximum viewership on television and the internet while minimizing live programming and openings for protest in Chicago’s United Center. This would mean moving party business, such as rules and platform votes, off the floor and denying would-be demonstrators a chance to seize on contentious debates.

While the Biden campaign, White House and convention planners have only just started hatching plans, senior Democrats tell me they’re discussing whether to conduct such business before the convention even begins or move it out of the arena and across town to McCormick Place, their other Chicago venue. Serendipitously, Biden’s advisers may have a very good reason to move up such housekeeping: If the Ohio Legislature does not relax its ballot certification deadline, which is before the Democrats’ August convention, the DNC may have no choice but to technically nominate the president before the conclave begins.

Also under consideration for Chicago: reviving the pre-taped delegation roll call from each state featured in 2020.




https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/05/10/rookie-mayor-chicago-dnc-00157208

[maxrandb]

1. Another EFFING "Dems in Disarray" from Politico...err...I mean

The propaganda rag of the RN-TSF-C

Retrumplican National The Sick Fuck Committee

[hlthe2b]

4. Usually so, but in this case there is reason for concern, IMO.

It is a very small minority, but an active one who would think creating a violent spectacle would somehow help their cause. Anarchy has always had some appeal to the extremists in society and that unfortunately includes both sides of the political spectrum (or purposeful infiltrators).

The lack of experience for the quite new mayor and his reported difficulties working with the Governor and DNC does have me concerned--Politico or no.

[nycbos]

7. I live in Chicago.

The mayor is a blithering idiot. His lack of leadership is a major point of concern. Last I checked he has a 20% job approval rating. The reason he was able to get elected was his opponent in the runoff had less charisma than a doorknob. I know that it's extremely impractical this close to the convention, but I still wrote a letter to Jamie Harrison suggesting they find an alternative site to Chicago because they're not gonna have any leadership in the mayor; 's office.

[GP6971]

9. Good Morning!!!!

[JI7]

2. Do people even watch these things anymore ? Just make most of it virtual

since Biden is President I'm guessing they will have very strict security anytime the President or VP are there.

[RandySF]

5. I loved the virtual convention of 2020 because I actually felt like a participant.

[hlthe2b]

3. well, that is concerning...n/t

[Ace Rothstein]

6. Brandon Johnson is a tire fire so this is a legit concern.

I can't imagine JB Pritzker not being cooperative though.

[Blue Idaho]

11. Let's hope 2020 changed the paradigm

Of the political convention. There is no reason for a big old bandwagon convention featuring funny hats and drunken delegates. The virtual aspects of the last convention made for a far more inclusive experience. For once a guy from Idaho felt like the party was paying attention to folks like me in far flung locations across the country.

It was a breath of fresh air.