What to watch for at Democratic National Convention
Republicans had their turn in Cleveland, now the spotlight moves to Democrats in Philadelphia
With the Republican convention now over, the spotlight shifts to the Democrats, who open their convention today in Philadelphia.
Over the next four days, delegates from every corner of the country will gather inside the Wells Fargo Center to hear from a lineup of speakers and watch Hillary Clinton accept the party's nomination, while protesters gather outside, demanding changes to their party's rules and showing support for Bernie Sanders.
- Democratic National Convention off to rocky start as chair resigns, huge protests planned
- Trump slams 'desperate' claims that Russia hacked DNC emails for him
- Sanders backers in Philadelphia vow 'Bernie or Bust'
Here are a few things to watch for in the coming days:
Protests
The city is expecting 35,000-50,000 protesters every day of the convention, with thousands of demonstrators already hitting the streets on Sunday. Designated protest spots have been created at FDR Park near the Wells Fargo Center to accommodate the demonstrators. The city will provide water and misting tents to help keep people cool and avoid medical emergencies.
Rally organizers were required to apply for permits: some were granted, others were not. Some protesters have told local media that they plan to march where they want, when they want, regardless of the rules.
- Hillary Clinton dominates Republican convention — now time for her own show
- DNC chair steps down following release of anti- Sanders emails
- Demonstrators hit Philly streets ahead of DNC
Conflicts could arise if police crack down on unauthorized protests and if they enforce the no-camping restriction in FDR Park. Some protesters plan on sleeping there throughout the convention.
The city initially was going to ban marches during rush hour in the mornings and evenings but relented on that. The biggest group of protesters is expected to attend events in support of Sanders, the Vermont senator who ran against Clinton for the nomination.
Speeches
Convention speeches put the prime-time television spotlight on speakers who may need no introduction to the country and on those who are relatively unknown.
President Barack Obama, for example, went to the 2004 convention as a candidate running for the U.S. Senate and had no national profile. He delivered an impressive keynote speech that helped put him on the political map.
Twelve years later, he will speak again at this year's convention, on Wednesday, as the outgoing president who hopes to pass the torch to his former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton. Obama's wife, Michelle, will also speak, as will Vice-President Joe Biden.
Other headlining speakers include Clinton's husband, former president Bill Clinton, and their daughter, Chelsea, who will speak with her mother on Thursday, the final night of the convention.
One of the most anticipated speeches, however, will be by Bernie Sanders on Monday night. The arena will be filled with many of his supporters, who answered his call for a political revolution, and who are disappointed that it's Clinton, not him, accepting the nomination. With heavy hearts they will be happy to hear from him.
Party unity
Sanders took his time, but he finally endorsed Clinton at an event with her on July 12, about five weeks after she secured enough delegates to win the nomination. Sanders congratulated his former rival and said he will do everything he can to ensure she is elected in November.
It was a big step toward party unity after a competitive primary season. Clinton, grateful, made an appeal to Sanders supporters, asking them to join her campaign and telling them that if she's in the White House they will always have a seat at the table.
Watch for a similar tone in Philadelphia. The convention will be an opportunity to put these words into action and for the party to really coalesce around Clinton. There are holdout Sanders supporters who are firmly anti-Clinton and still want to convince superdelegates at the convention to switch allegiance from her to him. The so-called Bernie or Bust supporters plan to protest outside the arena which could cast a shadow over the show of unity inside.
Also working against a show of unity, however, is the leak over the weekend of thousands of emails between top Democratic Party officials showing them privately scoffing at Sanders, expressing hostility toward him and denouncing him — despite publicly pledging to remain neutral in the Democratic primary contest.
- Leaked emails show DNC was hostile to Sanders
- Sanders voters feel vindicated by leaked emails showing 'rigged' system
Sanders supporters have long argued the Democratic National Committee favoured Clinton over him and now feel like they have proof. On Sunday, embattled DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced she would step down at the end of the convention. Sanders has previously called for her resignation and did so again on Sunday.
Party unity is off to a somewhat rocky start.
Donald Trump
No, the Republican nominee won't be there, but his campaign will be, ready to respond to any and all attacks that might come from Clinton or other speakers. Trump's top campaign aide, Paul Manafort, said they plan to have a "robust operation" in Philadelphia. Trump's campaign isn't known for its organizational strength on the ground, so this will be a test and a chance for it to work out some kinks.
Clinton had a "counter-convention" in Cleveland, with Wasserman Schultz, members of Congress and other surrogates holding daily news conferences and calls with reporters. The campaign issued tons rapid-fire news releases.
Clinton, and hatred toward her, loomed large over the Cleveland convention. Watch to see how much of a factor Trump is in Philadelphia. How many of the speakers will make the case against Trump rather than the case for Clinton?
Clinton's entry into history books
Never before has a woman accepted the Democratic nomination for president in the U.S. This will be a historic moment to watch.
When Clinton earned enough delegates in early June to secure the nomination, she remarked on the "milestone" and said the victory belonged to generations of women and men who had struggled to make it possible. Expect to hear more of that language this week.
Clinton has pushed back on Trump's accusation that she is playing "the woman card" to get elected, but she has spun that around and portrayed herself as a proud advocate for women.
Hollywood stars
The Republican convention had a few celebrities on its stage, but they weren't exactly A-list entertainers. Happy Days actor Scott Baio, Young and the Restless actress Kimberlin Brown and actor Antonio Sabato Jr. were among them.
In contrast, Clinton has invited some more well-known Hollywood friends and other celebs to join her in Philadelphia. If you're a fan of Eva Longoria Baston, Lena Dunham, Demi Lovato, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or America Ferrera, tune in.
On Thursday, a concert that's billed as the largest entertainment event in convention history will take place across the river from Philadelphia in Camden, N.J. The lineup features Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
