DNC appeal turns into concert and dance party for Kamala Harris
CHICAGO – The Democratic National Convention turned into a dance party on Tuesday as delegates celebrated Vice President Kamala Harris with a ceremonial nomination, even though they had already voted online two weeks ago.
Harris secured the delegate votes needed to become the party’s presumptive nominee after winning a majority of convention delegates in the virtual vote. The vice president won 2,350 votes, cementing her status as the next party leader.
The roll call got off to a rocky start as the music was playing “Sweet Home Alabama” and the cameras were accidentally pointed at Alabama as the kickoff state, even though Delaware should have been first in line in honor of President Joe Biden’s home state.
The music stopped and switched to Delaware, where Senator Chris Coons, a Biden ally, and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester announced their votes for Harris. Voting then moved back to Alabama, where it continued in alphabetical order.
The DNC described the unofficial roll call as an event that would give delegates an opportunity to “celebrate Harris’ nomination,” which has been a staple of the party’s conventions for nearly 200 years.
Accompanied by a DJ and fitting the atmosphere of the concert, each state had a theme song.
In California, “The Next Episode” by “Dr. Dre” was played, in New Jersey, “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen was played, in Texas, “Texas Hold ‘Em” by Beyoncé was heard and in the swing state of Pennsylvania, as a sign of geographical diplomacy, there were two songs: first, “Motown Philly” by the Boyz II Men and then “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa as a reference to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Michigan chose Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Debbie Stabenow and Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes announced the state’s votes for Harris, albeit not quite in sync.
When it was Georgia’s turn, Lil John performed live and surprised everyone with his performance of “Turn Down for What.”
It was a time for celebrities to make their debut, including Sean Austin, of Rudy fame, who topped the vote for Indiana. Actress Eva Longoria joined Texas delegates on the convention floor. Filmmaker Spike Lee represented New York. He was joined by Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully prosecuted former President Donald Trump for civil fraud.
States took their task seriously and cast their symbolic votes, often wearing formal attire to show their hometown pride. Delegates from Kansas wore red Chiefs football jerseys, Iowa had corn crops, and Wisconsinites wore cheese on their heads. But Governor Tony Evers had trouble getting the words out, and he admonished himself in frustration. “Oh my God,” the Democrat said into the microphone. His fellow delegates cheered him on with chants of “Tony” until he finished announcing the votes.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who had called on Biden to resign for the good of the Democratic Party, joined the California delegation in the chamber to conclude the roll call ceremony. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he represented the “great state of Nancy Pelosi,” then praised local favorite Harris and called on the country to “do the right thing” and make the vice president the next president of the United States.
The result of the official nomination vote in early August was 4,563 votes for Harris and 52 for “present,” the only other option on the ballot. Another 79 delegates did not vote.
Harris officially accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for the 2024 presidential election in Chicago via televised coverage of a campaign rally in Milwaukee.
At the Fiserv Forum, the same arena that hosted former President Trump’s Republican convention a month ago, Harris and Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), her running mate, thanked their party’s delegates for their support.
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“They just finished their roll calls,” Harris, of Wisconsin, told a crowd of 15,000. “They have nominated Coach Walz and me to be the next vice president and president of the United States of America.”
Democrats decided to hold a virtual roll call before the convention, fearing complications from confirming state ballot deadlines. Harris is expected to formally accept the nomination in a speech Thursday night, while Tim Walz will do so on Wednesday.
