Republicans take stage at Biden convention
Left-wingers and past enemies combine for show of unity in attempt to oust Trump from White House
The Democrats gave platforms to Left-wing – and Republican – speakers yesterday in an effort to show on the first day of their convention the breadth of support they believe Joe Biden can win at the US election. The online, Covid-friendly convention was due to include those who challenged the centrist candidate’s presidential nomination, in an attempt to project a message of unity. Speakers were due to include Bernie Sanders, Michelle Obama and Republican John Kasich.
THE Democrats used the first day of their convention yesterday to showcase the breadth of support they believe Joe Biden can garner at the US election, by giving both Republicans and Left-wingers speaking slots.
In an attempt to project a message of unity, the schedule even included politicians who challenged Mr Biden for the party’s presidential nomination.
Bernie Sanders, the self-proclaimed democratic socialist – who was the last man standing against Mr Biden in the Democratic primaries – was given one of the most prominent speaking slots.
Mr Sanders had fiercely pushed against Mr Biden’s centrist message when the pair squared off at the start of 2020 but, since his defeat became inevitable, he has been attempting to make sure progressives get behind Mr Biden to defeat Donald Trump. At the other end of the political spectrum, John Kasich, the Republican who came third in the 2016 presidential primaries which Mr Trump won, was given time for a speech where he was expected to heap praise on Mr Biden.
Mr Kasich was scheduled alongside other moderate Republicans such as Christine Whitman, the former governor of New Jersey, and Meg Whitman, the former Hewlett Packard chief, who ran for California’s governorship.
Michelle Obama told watching Democrats: “I know Joe. He is a profoundly decent man guided by faith. He was a terrific vice president. And he listens. He will tell the truth and trust science.”
Bernie Sanders said the “price of failure is just too great to imagine”. John Kasich said: “I’m a lifelong Republican but that attachment holds second place to my responsibility to my country.”
Officials stressed that the speaking programme underscored the “depth and breadth” of support that Mr Biden has across the country.
The message came at the opening of the four-day Democratic National Convention, a key moment in the 2020 campaign calendar when the party projects its policies and vision for America ahead of the November vote.
The Republicans hold their convention next week. Coronavirus has made the traditional packed stadiums with cheering supporters and in-person speeches impossible. Instead the event is almost entirely being held online.
Each evening, the Democrats have scheduled two hours of made-for-television content, a combination of traditional speeches – though shorter than usual – backing up the candidate’s message and entertainment.
It is hoped that by broadcasting the convention in the evening and with major television channels picking up the output, voters who do not normally tune in to politics will watch.
Musicians such as John Legend and Billie Eilish will perform sets while Eva Longoria, the actress, was due to kick off last night’s events. Video clips from US voters explaining why they support Mr Biden will also be used throughout the convention. Mr Biden, who will be selected formally as the Democratic presidential nominee on Thursday and deliver a keynote speech, still enjoys a sizeable lead over Mr Trump.
A CNN poll put Mr Biden just four percentage points ahead, compared with 14 points in June. However, an average of nationwide polls still has Mr Biden around eight points clear, a major lead against an incumbent president.
There has been some backlash over the scheduling of speakers, with Alexandria Ocasio-cortez, the New York congresswoman, given just one minute to speak – less than some Republicans. Cedric Richmond, co-chairman of Mr
Biden’s campaign, yesterday said that having Republicans on stage would help wavering voters from that party realise they could back Mr Biden.
He said: “There are a bunch of people out there, silent Biden voters, Republicans that want to vote for Biden or that will be voting for Biden and it’s important to let them know they’re not alone and there are Republican leaders that are voting for Biden and [Kamala] Harris.”
Democrats hope to further embed Ms Harris, the California senator who was named as Mr Biden’s vice presidential nominee, on the presidential ticket and sell her backstory to voters.