I'm Stephanie Kelly, a U.S. elections correspondent. I'm at the Democratic National Convention in sunny, breezy Chicago. Conventions are meant to build momentum for a party candidate, and this one has been celebratory, noisy and full of, yes, joy, as Democrats rejoice in a candidate who can truly challenge Republican former President Donald Trump in November. But there's also plenty of worry, debate and frustration as well.
The DNC is holding events about three miles from Chicago's iconic downtown "Loop" at the United Center arena, home of the Bulls basketball team. Thousands of delegates, politicos, speakers and press trudge in daily to watch the party's new voices and old powerbrokers on stage.
You've seen the clips on social media: Michelle Obama telling Trump that the U.S. presidency just may be a "Black job," rapper Lil Jon surprising delegates with "Turn Down for What," the family of Tim Walz's emotional reaction to his speech.
Those moments, and remarks by Democratic heavyweights like former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have revved up the packed arena before the main event: Harris' acceptance of her party's nomination on Thursday.
There's also a flurry of money. Reuters reported Harris' election effort has raised around $500 million since she became the candidate, an unprecedented amount.
It's a great a show of unity for a leader Democrats did not start the election cycle with and some openly second-guessed. Still, there's a lot Democrats don't know about Harris' policy plans and how they differ from Biden, her boss for the last 3-1/2 years. That means there's a lot of room for intraparty divisions between now and Nov. 5.
Seeds of frustration were clear in Chicago. Thousands of mostly peaceful pro-Palestinian protesters marched to protest Biden's support for Israel in the Gaza war. Long lines tangled convention-goers, last-minute scheduling annoyed them, and the press is crabby about sharing space with social media influencers. Biden – who only weeks ago was downgraded from the main attraction to an opening act – didn't speak on Monday night until after 10 p.m. local time, well past some voters' bedtimes on the East Coast.
More consequentially, internal opinion polling is less "rosy" than public polls suggest. Democratic and Republican strateg ists alike believe the "sugar high" around Harris could soon wear off and the race is very tight.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may drop out on Friday and endorse Trump if the Republican offers him a place in his administration, a super PAC told Reuters, which could boost Trump.
Trump, meanwhile, had his most intense week of battleground state campaigning yet. He attacked Harris' record on crime, immigration and other issues, and called Barack Obama "nasty" after the Democratic former president slammed him in a DNC speech
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