The Squiz 

It’s been a month since Republicans celebrated the survival of presidential nominee Donald Trump at their convention, and now their major party rivals have their big-stage moment as the Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago overnight. Over the next 4 days, thousands of people will gather to see America’s Vice President/would-be leader Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz formally accept the party’s nomination and outline their policy platform. They’re on the ascendancy in the popularity stakes (not that pro-Palestinian and anti-abortion protestors would agree…) as they look to formally launch the campaign. 

What can we expect?

Those snagging one of 20,000 seats inside the United Center – aka home of the Chicago Bulls – will see top Democrats past and present, starting with current President Joe Biden. He will make the first big address this arvo. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff – aka Harris’ hubby – will speak tomorrow, with former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also set to take the mic. Note: you’d have to think they could all be upstaged if rumours about Beyoncé/Taylor Swift appearing are true… As for the headliners, Walz will deliver his address on Thursday, and Harris will make her closing night speech titled ‘For Our Future’ on Friday. Aside from the bunting and balloons, experts say now is the time for Harris to really show who she is and how she’s going to pull in voters who were disenchanted with both Biden and Trump.

How’s the presidential race shaping up? 

It looks to be neck and neck right now, with Harris/Walz’s nominations providing an alternative to Trump/Vance, who were ahead in many states while Biden was seeking 4 more years in the White House. For his part, Trump will campaign in several swing states during the Democrats’ convention to drum up more support, but that will only work if he can stay on message… Republicans have been begging him not to keep ditching the script in favour of personal attacks, including former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, who says “the less we make it about policy, I think the worse it’s going to be for us.” As for undecided voters – they say they simply need “more information”.