On Wednesday, the Democratic National Convention Committee announced plans to host a small, largely virtual convention as coronavirus cases emerge in various cities. Former Vice President Joe Biden will accept the nomination in Milwaukee, and the city of Wisconsin will serve as an anchor for “live broadcasts and curated content” from other satellites across the country.
“Leadership means being able to adapt to any situation,” DNC President Tom Pérez said in a statement. “That is exactly what we have done with our convention. Unlike this president, Joe Biden and the Democrats are committed to protecting the health and safety of the American people. I couldn’t be prouder of the way our team has organized and mobilized to get the vote and ensure a successful Convention anchored in Wisconsin, and I am grateful for the extraordinary leadership of our partners in the city of Milwaukee. Donald Trump’s days in the Oval Office are numbered. “
The committee announced that the DNC will include four nights of programming from August 17 to 20, led by nine-time Emmy-winning producer Ricky Kirshner. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS) will be the president of the convention. In addition, the convention procedures will be moved from the planned Fiserv Forum to downtown Wisconsin.
“Vice President Biden intends to proudly accept his party’s nomination in Milwaukee and take the next step forward to make Donald Trump a one-term president,” said Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon, in a statement. “The City of Milwaukee has been an incredible partner and we are committed to highlighting Wisconsin as a key state on the battlefield at our convention this August. This will be a convention for all Americans who want to join us in our mission to win the battle for the soul of this nation and build a more just and united country for all of us. ”
The Daily Beast first reported exclusively on plans to host satellite events across the country with expected entertainment, including live TV content with music events. The move was part of ongoing discussions about reducing the in-person event to take public health precautions for COVID-19.
“Everything is at stake in November, so we must find creative and forward-looking ways to organize, mobilize and unite our party around our shared values at the convention so that we can launch Joe Biden to victory this fall.” . said Joe Solmonese, CEO of the convention.
On Wednesday, the DNC also announced that convention organizers will launch a series of participation campaigns to allow voters to share ideas about the convention’s schedule.
“It makes sense,” Andrew Werthmann, a Wisconsin DNC member, told The Daily Beast. “We had a very successful virtual convention in the state just over a week ago and it provided more access and invited many more voices.”
According to the DNC, a process is still underway to ensure that delegates can still cast their votes remotely on “all matters of the convention”, including nomination.
Republicans, however, tend in a much less conservative direction regarding public health for their August convention. President Trump and the Republican National Convention pulled their event out of Charlotte after North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper failed to promise the president the ability to have a full arena due to continued concerns about COVID-19 infections. in the state.
Republican governors in Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida were quick to try to attract the convention to their area before the party decided that Trump would deliver his nomination speech in Jacksonville. That move already worries some as they see lax mitigation measures followed by attendees at the Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last week.
With additional Hunter Woodall reports
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