Kamala Harris and Tim Walz gave the biggest speeches of their political careers

Harris and Walz faced the most challenging speeches of their political careers and both delivered in their own way before an audience hanging on their every word. Walz displayed folksy grit, telling Americans to “never underestimate a public school teacher” and sharing Minnesota’s “golden rule” of “mind your own damn business.”

Walz was emotionally moved in discussing his family. His proud son Gus responded in kind with one of the most touching moments of the convention as the big screen captured him standing and enthusiastically applauding in tears, pointing and saying “That’s my dad!”

Walz zigged and zagged, right and left, from a state champion football coach and best shot in Congress to someone who sponsored the gay/straight alliance as a teacher and guaranteed as governor that all Minnesota children get breakfast and lunch in school. In this regard, Walz was an effective anecdote for Republican caricature of Democrats as Woke radicals. The “Coach” references were excessive, but football and freedom sells in America. Democrats laid it on thick.

Kamala Harris took the stage on time, the only closing speaker to do so. The other closers missed out on much of the primetime viewing window, the major knock on this convention.

Harris seemed a bit nervous at first, pivoting from a rousing ovation to the task at hand. Harris then thrived with a well-written and well-delivered speech. The speech began and closed Harris’s national introduction to the American people as her mother’s daughter, an Indian immigrant, scientist, single mother and civil rights activist who came to this country to cure cancer. This helped humanize Harris, connect with women across the political spectrum, and place her story in the largest context of the American dream.

Harris hit some of the same similar aspirational notes of Barack Obama while adding her own flavor. Harris discussed why she became a prosecutor and a call to service in the pursuit of justice and helping those being mistreated. She highlighted the prominent role motherhood and family play in her life.

Harris was unflinching in asserting her ability to serve as commander and chief. She deftly addressed the war in Israel and hawkishly stated her support for Ukraine.

Convention organizers essentially had to redo months-worth of work in a just a few weeks. If Harris faltered on this stage, the progress of her campaign would have been stalled or even lost. The speech and convention concluded much like the rest of the Harris campaign thus far. It is hard to imagine either could have gone much better, particularly under the circumstances.

Democrats try to beat Republicans at their own game: Freedom and Patriotism

Wednesday night featured various members of the military and law enforcement, including border security agents, sheriffs, and police officers. They spoke about their public service, the importance of upholding laws and the U.S. Constitution, and their belief that Kamala Harris is far superior in this regard than Donald Trump.

Adam Kinzinger, a veteran, former Republican member of Congress and Jan. 6 Select Committee Member, was given a prime slot on Thursday to make his case to fellow Republicans who still identify with their party but cannot support Donald Trump. Kinzinger made a candid and engaging appeal with humor and clarity. Separately, all elected officials who were veterans took the stage and were honored by the convention.

U.S.A. signage and chants have been commonplace throughout the convention. This peaked on the final night when convention organizers distributed giant American flags that could be seen waving throughout the floor as the convention concluded.

Democrats have embraced nationalism and patriotism, rhetorically and symbolically, more than other modern Democratic convention.

Harris campaign echoes themes of hope and change from Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign

Speakers emphasized the new enthusiasm and energy surrounding Harris becoming the nominee, explicitly incorporating the notions of hope and change, prevalent in Obama’s historic 2008 victory. These efforts could not be possible without Harris, the sitting Vice President, reshuffling a rematch of two unpopular presidents that most Americans did not want.

This dynamic has helped to deflect any negative attention surrounding Harris’s gender with some parallels to Obama and race. Voters were ready to move on from the Republican status quo in 2008 as President George W. Bush’s popularity fell significantly during the Great Recession. Obama was viewed as more competent than Republican opponent John McCain when it came to leadership on the economy, irrespective of his race, positively contributing to his landslide victory.

Breaking race and gender barriers are extraordinarily difficulty for candidates to do. Rare political moments can provide unique structural openings.

Democratic Party elders were among the weakest speakers

Democrats revere Nancy Pelosi for her leadership and accomplishments, including at this convention. Pelosi was widely credited for engineering President Biden to step aside, a boon for the party, but her convention speech was subpar..

Same goes for other prominent Democratic leaders, such as Senator Dick Durbin (IL-Senate Whip) and Rep. Jim Clyburn (former House Assistant leader & prominent figure in Biden’s 2020 primary victory). Even Joe Biden’s speech left no one pining for more of him on the convention stage or the campaign trail.

The contrast was striking between their speeches and the next generation of Democratic leaders, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and rising stars, such as Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Jeffries hip-hop tone and swagger, for instance, reflected a very different style and demeanor.

Democrats bring star power

Democratic conventions have a long history of incorporating major figures in popular culture in support of their candidates. 2024 was no different, which included prominent musicians, such as Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Patti LaBelle, and television personalities, such Oprah Winfrey, Keenan Thompson, Eva Longoria and Mindy Kaling. Oprah’s speech was among the best at the convention.

Keenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live (Photo by Luke Perry)

Rumors circulated on Thursday evening that Beyonce and/or Taylor Swift may perform. This proved to be wishful thinking, Beyonce’s song “Freedom” was the informal convention anthem however, and played throughout, including following Harris’s speech.

Chicago shouldn’t host another convention if it’s venue can’t accommodate media

I grew up in suburban Chicago. The city has hosted more political conventions than any other and is widely considered an enjoyable and accessible location. There was one major problem in 2024. The fire marshal shut down the convention floor to media around 5:00 on Thursday evening.

Closing the floor is not unusual during conventions. This typically occurs temporarily during key speeches and happened briefly during Tim Walz’s speech on Wednesday. That was not a hard lock down for media. I was able to eventually get on and stay on for the evening.

Thursday night was different in timing and dynamic. The floor was completely closed to media, minus a few major networks that provided live coverage via floor “platforms'“ and have platform credentials. Delegates and vendors were still allowed on.

The floor was not overly crowded on any night compared to past conventions. There were also less TV and radio credentialed members of the media on the floor this year compared to previous conventions.

The reasoning for why the fire marshal closed the floor was unclear. This did not appear to be part of a security protocol, since Vice President Harris traversed the adjoining basement tunnels where media congregate and access the floor.

Around 6:30, media were informed that it was unlikely we would ever get on the floor. Again, this is highly unusual, in general, and particularly, so early in the evening. After leaving, I learned the exterior perimeter was shut down as well. There were still delegates and even Democratic Party Executive leaders stuck outside.

As much as I love Chicago, the city should not host another convention until they can better accommodate all the media who travel to cover this event. Excluding media is not good for democracy, nor helpful to the party holding the convention, who is seeking as much free publicity as possible.

Luke Perry is political correspondent for WCNY-TV and Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Utica University