Friday, March 29, 2024

Three Big Predictions for the Democratic National Convention

Photo credit: Jim Hutchison via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Photo credit: Jim Hutchison via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Now that we’ve all caught our caught our collective breaths after an exciting week in Cleveland, it’s time to turn our attention to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention, which starts today. In anticipation of another eventful week, here are three predictions for the 2016 DNC:

1.) There will be no ‘Ted Cruz Moment.’

Look, the Wikileaks email release is big, it is, but even Bernie Sanders has gone on the record saying that he is not surprised by it. It’s best not to expect a thinly veiled “vote against our nominee” (which is now the plain speak translation of “vote your conscience” — don’t worry Senator Cruz, we all heard you loud and clear). However, the platform has definitely #FeltTheBern. Sanders got what he wanted in the platform language, or at least most of it. Since the primary season, Sanders has consistently said that Hillary Clinton was a better choice than any of the seventeen original Republican candidates. Now that Donald Trump is leading in the polls, Sanders will become one of Clinton’s most visible surrogates.

2.) Social issues and economics will be all over the convention.

As a way to reach out to Bernie Sanders after the email scandal, the DNC is likely to encourage that progressive economics underlie the theme of each speech given. Prioritizing helping out the bottom 99 percent, ending loopholes for billionaires, and other common Sanders talking points will be hit as often as the Republicans chanted “Lock her up.” On the other end, the Democrats will rally behind the rights of all people to use any bathroom, and other topical social issues (abortion, LGBT issues, etc.). These will be at the forefront of speakers’ messaging, matched with a simple, practical order: we will not compromise.

3.) There will be no moderation on abortion.

A recent Marist poll showed that 78 percent of Americans favor some kind of restrictions on abortion, with varying degrees. Hillary Clinton is not with those 78 percent, and her newly announced running mate Tim Kaine has a perfect rating from NARAL. So, will the #DNCinPHL show any room for negotiation between the Democratic Party and pro-lifers? Not likely. A “woman’s right to choose” will be cited at every chance as under threat from the Republican Party, and there will be zero attempts at outreach to those opposed to unrestricted abortions in America.

Kevin Dawson is Deputy Operations Manager for the American Principles Project.

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