Democrats confirm plans for nearly all-virtual convention

[EarthFirst]

Source: Associated Press

Democrats will hold an almost entirely virtual presidential nominating convention Aug. 17-20 in Milwaukee using live broadcasts and online streaming, party officials said Wednesday.

Joe Biden plans to accept the presidential nomination in person, but it remains to be seen whether there will be a significant in-person audience there to see it. The Democratic National Committee said in a statement that official business, including the votes to nominate Biden and his yet-to-be-named running mate, will take place virtually, with delegates being asked not to travel to Milwaukee.

Party Chairman Tom Perez said scaling back Democrats’ festivities is a matter of public health. He sought to draw a contrast with Trump’s push for a traditional convention in North Carolina, clashing with the state’s Democratic governor, Roy Cooper, and public health officials over the details amid the pandemic.

“Unlike this president, Joe Biden and Democrats are committed to protecting the health and safety of the American people,” Perez said.

Read more: https://apnews.com/09785e274676e46351c70644d2b77215?utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow

[sellitman]

1. Bravo

Makes me proud to be a Democrat.

I should say prouder.

[regnaD kciN]

2. It makes sense, but...

...the optics of a national television audience watching Biden deliver his acceptance speech to, maybe, a handful of people (or else just alone in a room) versus Trump delivering his to thousands of cheering supporters, is not good for us -- it won't build much enthusiasm, for sure.

[soothsayer]

4. They can make it look cool

I’m confident

[Merlot]

7. The people who only care about crowd size aren't voting for Biden anyhow

I think this is a great way to draw a contrast about what the two parties stand for.

[nolabear]

14. You know, they can do a LOT with visuals of people all excited and screaming and clapping in place.

I've seen some good galleries of people responding to things, cheering, singing, etc.

Make the production values really good, have the delegates bring their children, their parents, whomever they can into the shot. Make it a gathering of American families.

Have Joe be in a presidential setting with his family and VP pick, (hell, have the whole damn cabinet quarantine for two weeks ahead of time and go--if West Point can do it they can to save the country!)

Have every living past president they can get and every person in the primaries--yeah, Bernie included--give a resounding endorsement speech.

Run footage of our allies talking about how much they look forward to working with America again.

You can do an awful lot when you don't have to navigate the physical limitations of a shared space. Not to mention saving lives.

[JI7]

18. Nobody cares about this shit these days. Stop being scared over nonsense

Biden kicked ass in the Primary without ever showing huge crowds.

[dhill926]

19. thank you...

[onetexan]

21. Gotta practice what you preach - best to do virtual for everyone's safety

[Laelth]

3. Sanity. It's a good thing.

Republicans should try it.



-Laelth

[napi21]

5. Because Joe doesn't NEED screaming people & applause! They can gat things done safely! n/t

[drray23]

6. Thats great. I never was able to afford or had the time to go to one convention. If it is remote

I may be able to finally attend virtually. That would be great.

[Drunken Irishman]

8. My idea: Have the backdrop be a gigantic Zoom-like screen.

As people watch and cheer - so, you can have sound.

They kinda did something similar for the NFL draft this year:



But obviously a much larger screen. Thousands of people behind him, all types of backgrounds, listening to Biden deliver his speech and cheering, clapping.

[nolabear]

15. Yep. See my reply above. I hadn't thought about it but that's a great example!

[drray23]

16. Would be perfect. With randomly selected zoom feeds rotating through

in the background wall. It would be incredible. I agree. If they Make a gigantic wall with thousands of feeds it would look awesome and convey the support of all the democrats as well as if it was in person.

[onetexan]

22. Bravo

[brooklynite]

9. Sigh...

I understand the reason, but I had worked out arrangements with my DNC contacts for a downtown hotel and access to all the convention sessions.

[JI7]

20. lol

[rpannier]

25. That sucks

I feel badly for people, like yourself, who planned on being there and the city itself.
Putting on a convention isn't easy, nor is it cheap

[George II]

10. Show the republicans how to be sensible and responsible.

[NurseJackie]

11. I approve. There are other risks that a virtual convention also minimizes too...

I approve. There are other risks that a virtual convention also minimizes too... and everything will be orderly and RESPECTFUL.



C'MON! GET IN! We're taking back America!






Joe/Kamala or Biden/Harris 2020!!
They're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Biden Bandwagon & ride into the future!!

[dalton99a]

12. A necessary and sensible decision.

[Initech]

13. Of course all the years we happen to be in a pandemic, it *HAS* to be an election year.

And one of the most important presidential elections in history, at that. But at least the Dems are handling this way better than Chump is, and that will hopefully translate to votes!

[WheelWalker]

17. We have the technology.

If you've got it, flaunt it.

[grantcart]

23. Call Steven Spielberg to produce it

[titanicdave]

24. .....We Need....

.........James Cameron to direct it and make it outstanding as he did with "Titanic"....