How to watch Tim Walz and Bill Clinton on DNC Day 3. Can they top Michelle Obama?
How to watch the Democratic National Convention?
With about 10,000% more interest than a month ago.
Back then we were hurtling toward Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump. Again. Yawn. It was shaping up to be a rerun of 2020, two old white guys leveling the same accusations against each other that we heard then and, really, haven’t stopped hearing since.
What a difference a disastrous debate makes.
With Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, there is a renewed energy — for the campaign generally and the convention specifically. It doesn’t matter who you’re voting for. There’s simply no denying that this is a much more interesting race than it was before. And it makes the convention a lot more interesting.
Democrats are using lots of platforms to show DNC
The convention began Monday, Aug. 19 in Chicago and runs until Harris gives her acceptance speech the night of Thursday, Aug. 22. Broadcast networks will be there for prime-time addresses and cable news networks will be there for the duration, more or less, dropping in and out of who’s speaking if they’re relevant, and talking with various supporters, guests and hangers if they’re not.
But that’s not all. The Democratic National Committee has said it will stream the convention on more than a dozen platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and, yes, X, which was most recently in the news for hosting its owner, Elon Musk, conducting a love-in with Trump and discussing whatever popped into their heads.
It’s a nod to younger voters, who don’t get their news in traditional ways (if they get it at all). Then again, Harris, too, is a nod to younger voters.
Biden simply didn’t seem up to the task while debating Trump — unable or unwilling to fight back against the tidal wave of lies Trump told, not forcefully touting his own accomplishments, failing to take any advantage of the moment. He looked old because, let’s face it, he is. (Though, so is Trump.)
Biden dropping out energized Democrats (and media)
Biden, of course, dropped out of the race on July 21 and endorsed Harris, his vice president. How and why he came to the decision to stand down has been the source of endless speculation and some really interesting stories. (Short version: Not happily.)
Harris’ ascension energized Democrats, who seemed moribund and resigned to losing in November. She then chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the nice neighbor down the street who rakes your leaves without asking, as her running mate. The media, previously hunkered down for more of the same old same old, was nearly as excited as Democrats were.
Expect to see some of that energy in Chicago. It likely will stand in stark contrast to the Republican National Convention, held in July in Milwaukee. Having survived an assassination attempt days before, Trump was treated as an almost messianic figure. The vibes were cult-like. The joy in the thing seemed to be in what Republicans assumed was a cakewalk to victory. Media also touted a new, more-thoughtful, disciplined Trump, humbled by the shooting.
That lasted about halfway through his acceptance speech. Of course, we knew that would happen. We know who Trump is.
It’s a little harder to predict what Harris will say or do, because we don’t know as much about her or her plans. She hasn’t given an interview since Biden quit the race. It’s frustrating for journalists, of course, but it should be for everyone else, too. All she’s doing with her silence is make people want to hear from her more and putting more pressure on whatever interview she finally grants.
Who is speaking tonight at the DNC?
Trump, meanwhile, has been unavoidable for comment, giving unhinged press conferences and an embarrassing display of arrogance at the National Association of Black Journalists convention.
If you’re looking for highlights, aside from Harris on Thursday and Walz on Wednesday, they mostly come in the form of Democratic heavy hitters from the recent past. Biden spoke Monday night — certainly, that had a bittersweet appeal. Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated in 2016, also spoke Monday.
Former President Barack Obama gave a rousing address Tuesday night. Like him or not, the dude can give a good speech — and his wife Michelle's was even better, maybe the best political speech I've ever heard.
Wednesday former President Bill Clinton will speak, presumably for a long time. (It was Clinton who, as the keynote speaker for the 1988 convention, spoke for 33 minutes and got a big cheer when he said, “In conclusion. …”)
No doubt someone we aren’t thinking of will galvanize (or scandalize) the crowd and make headlines, too.
All of this may sound like a great time on TV. Or it may sound like your worst nightmare. Whatever the case, it sure sounds a lot more interesting than it did a month ago.
Trump's 'remarkably dishonest' speech: How the RNC devolved into boring TV
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Democratic National Convention Day 3: How to watch Walz and Clinton
