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This week, the political world turns to the Windy City — and nearly 500 Californians will be part of the action.
Party conventions used to be rousing affairs that decided the presidential nominee, sometimes with party bosses making deals behind closed doors. after anti-war protests at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago and an ensuing push for a more democratic selection system, the nominee is almost always decided in primaries months earlier.
Conventions today are more about celebrating the nominees — as well as creating some made-for-TV moments and viral social media clips, exciting the party faithful, and, just maybe, swaying some undecided voters.
This year’s convention — which kicks off today and lasts through Thursday — might be somewhat of a mix: While the Democratic Party has rallied around Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden bowed to pressure not to run for re-election, a few uncommitted delegates may still need convincing.