Three Key Topics the Democrats Have Skirted at the DNC
Modern political conventions are typically well-orchestrated, highly polished affairs. Despite challenges in maintaining the schedule and the unusual process of selecting their presidential nominee, this year’s Democratic Convention in Chicago has followed that trend.
On stage, Democrats have been keen to highlight Vice President Kamala Harris’s qualifications, her economic plans, and issues with broad public support, like abortion rights and healthcare. However, what’s more telling is what hasn’t been discussed—revealing insights into the party’s electoral strategy and potential vulnerabilities. Here are three significant topics that have been noticeably absent halfway through the convention.
Identity Politics
Four years ago, amid nationwide protests following George Floyd’s death, the Democratic Party and the country at large were deeply engaged in discussions about institutional racism and the portrayal of American history. While many mainstream Democrats distanced themselves from the “defund the police” movement, they did partake in conversations about addressing the lasting impacts of slavery in America’s institutions, including through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The issue of transgender rights has also become a key concern among some Democratic groups, particularly in light of Republican efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming care for minors. Yet, both DEI and transgender rights have received little attention at this year’s convention. There was a moving tribute to the civil rights movement, highlighted by Jesse Jackson’s appearance, but the broader topics of DEI and equity have largely been overlooked.
Shavon Arline-Bradley, president of the National Council of Negro Women, has pointed out that avoiding these discussions may alienate some voters. She emphasized that while the Democratic Party prides itself on being inclusive and diverse, these values need to be more visibly activated and demonstrated.
Internal Party Divisions
The last Democratic Convention in 2020 was mostly virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, the 2016 convention in Philadelphia was marked by stark internal divisions. Supporters of Bernie Sanders, who finished second to Hillary Clinton in that year’s nomination race, frequently disrupted proceedings and organized protests.
Today, those divisions persist. On Tuesday, Sanders delivered a speech condemning the corrupting influence of money in politics, only to be followed by speakers like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who proudly mentioned his billionaire status. The ongoing internal rifts, particularly regarding U.S. military support for Israel during the Gaza conflict, have been largely downplayed on stage, despite significant protests outside the convention.
While Sanders received applause for calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and President Joe Biden acknowledged the concerns of protesters, the situation is far less contentious than in 2016, when antiwar sentiments led to boos during speeches by former military leaders.
Immigration
Since the surge of undocumented crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border early in Biden’s presidency, immigration has become a challenging issue for Democrats. Republicans have blamed the administration’s policies for the rise in border crossings, and the influx of new arrivals has strained resources in major Democratic cities.
Recognizing the political vulnerability, the Harris campaign has sought to shift the narrative, with television ads highlighting her tough stance on transnational gangs, drug cartels, and human traffickers during her tenure as California’s attorney general. However, immigration has received only brief mentions at the convention, a stark contrast to 2020 when Trump’s hardline immigration policies were a central focus of Democratic criticism.
There are indications that immigration may be addressed in upcoming speeches, but so far, the topic has been conspicuously absent from the main stage in Chicago.
