What to watch for at the US Democratic convention

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Balloons. Confetti. Signs. Big hats. It’s the moment US election enthusiasts have been waiting four years for. It’s convention season.

This week kicks off with the Democratic National Convention – four days of party events leading up to the main moment: crowning the presidential nominee.

Of course this year, things are going to look a bit different.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s convention, Covid-19 changes and all.

What is the Democratic National Convention?

It is where the Democratic Party comes together to formally name – and hype up – their candidates.

You may be thinking, ‘isn’t Joe Biden already the nominee?’

Yes – and no. He’s certainly the presumptive Democratic candidate, but things aren’t party-official until they announce it at the convention.

Party members will also unveil the 2020 Democratic platform, the list of party values and policy priorities which they believe distinguish them from their rival Republicans.

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OK, so where and when is the 2020 convention?

Officially, it’s being held in a convention centre in Milwaukee, in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin, from Monday 17 August to Thursday 20 August.

But Covid-19 restrictions and concerns mean that the only people attending in-person will be those necessary to orchestrating the event.

Instead of 50,000 people gathering for the traditional calendar with days full of speeches, receptions and rallies, sessions will be streamed from the Democratic Party’s social media channels and aired live on most US news channels from 21:00 to 23:00 EDT each night.

How to follow the convention

You can watch the convention here (sessions from 21:00-23:00 ET (01:00-03:00 GMT the next day) every night between 17 and 20 August).

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Will Joe Biden be there?

Mr Biden will not be in Wisconsin. The presumptive nominee will be dialling in from his home state of Delaware on Thursday night, and he will deliver his speech from the Chase Center, in Wilmington. Ms Harris will also speak at the same venue a day earlier.

• Biden to accept nomination remotely over virus fears
• Where Joe Biden stands on the key issues

Who are the speakers this year?

Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are closing out Wednesday and Monday night respectively. Senator Bernie Sanders is also scheduled to address the virtual crowds on Monday night.

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Former President Bill Clinton and Jill Biden will be the final two speeches on Tuesday, after remarks from several lawmakers, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state and the 2016 nominee, will take a prime time slot on Wednesday night, as will Senator Elizabeth Warren.

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Biden’s vice-presidential pick Kamala Harris will also get a chance to address the nation with an acceptance speech on Wednesday.

What to watch out for

This political convention won’t look like any we’ve seen before but the stakes are as high as ever.

First and foremost, this is Joe Biden’s moment in the spotlight. He will attack President Trump not just for his policies – which he says have “left the US in tatters” – but for his behaviour in the White House. Biden frames this election as a “fight for the soul of the nation” and will present himself as the candidate who can unite and heal America.

There have been doubts, encouraged by his political adversaries, that the 77-year-old has lost a step in recent years. He’s traditionally been a compelling public speaker, and Democrats will be hoping he can rise to the moment and put doubts about his endurance and ability to bed for good.

Biden will use the convention to appeal to a national audience tuning into the campaign for the first time – especially independents and moderate Republicans – but he also needs to energise the base, including those on the left of the party. Barack Obama was the last Democrat to build a winning coalition – with the former president, and his wife Michelle, closing out two nights, his campaign clearly hopes some of the Obama magic rubs off.

Political conventions are also a chance to highlight the party’s rising stars. While Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as his running mate has made her an heir apparent, there are other names on the speaking schedule who might someday challenge her.

That includes a gaggle of governors, such as New York’s Andrew Cuomo and Gavin Newsom of California, five of Biden’s 2020 campaign rivals and several members of his vice-presidential short list. Then there’s Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who at 30 is still several cycles away from a possible presidential bid but is already a power in the progressive wing of the party.

Will any of follow in the steps of then-state senator Obama in 2004, and seize the moment?

Why is a Republican on the bill?

It’s rare, though not unprecedented, to have members of the other party show up. This time, former Ohio Governor John Kasich, a Republican and Trump critic, is going to address the convention on Monday. He represents moderate conservatives unhappy with the direction the president has taken the Republican Party.

Will it just be politicians speaking?

Not to worry – you’ll hear from ordinary, relatable Americans too.

Planners have promised “fewer people behind podiums – and more people in living rooms, on factory floors, at small businesses, and in schools and town squares”.

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This line-up includes educators, gun safety advocates, healthcare workers and even some former Republicans.

We’ll hear from a Pennsylvania farmer, Rick Telesz, who voted for Trump in 2016, but changed his mind after his family farm suffered amid the president’s trade war.

Another highlighted voice this year is gun safety advocate DeAndra Dycus, an Indiana mother whose 13-year-old son was shot and injured at a birthday party.

And it likely won’t be just ordinary voters joining the e-party: expect appearances by celebrities. In 2016, we heard from actresses Meryl Streep and Lena Dunham, comedian Sarah Silverman and got a musical performance by Alicia Keys.

How is the candidate chosen?

If you’ve been following along with the primary election season so far, you know why the nomination vote is a formality for Biden.

Delegates from across the nation will vote at the convention for the candidate that won their state’s Democratic primary election or caucus.

They’re not obligated to do so, but at least this year, the options are limited with only Biden still in the running.

• How is Donald Trump doing in the polls?

As for those delegates who were promised to other candidates who’ve since withdrawn from the race, they’re free to vote as they will.

Usually delegates are in the convention hall when they vote, but this year planners say a “re-imagined roll call process will take convention viewers to all 57 states and territories” on Tuesday.

If you want to know more about the delegate system, you can read about it in our guide to primaries and caucuses.

What happens next?

Don’t worry, convention season isn’t over yet. We’ve got the Republican National Convention coming up from August 24-27 though the pandemic has upended plans for that, too.

After that, presidential campaigning will be in full force until the general election on 3 November.

Make a note in your calendars for the debates too. The first presidential debate is scheduled for 29 September with two more in October.