Top five takeaways from the kickoff of the Democratic National Convention

CHICAGO — On the first night of the Democratic National Convention, party members gathered to reflect on the theme “for the people” as President Joe Biden gave a semi-swan song paving the way for a party made in the reflection of Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Several labor leaders addressed the convention in the lead-up to Biden’s speech including Elizabeth H. Shuler, president of the influential American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, and Shawn Fain, president of the United Automobile Workers. Fain would later rip off his blazer to unveil a red [Donald] “Trump is a scab vote Harris shirt.”

Chicago legendary activist Rev. Jesse Jackson made a surprise appearance onstage accompanied by another civil rights legend, the Rev. Al Sharpton, in an emotional moment. Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) electrified the crowd by appealing to blue-collar workers and immigrants. 

But as Democrats attempted to showcase unity to the American public, pro-Palestinian activists were outside protesting the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the war between Israel and Hamas. 

Here are the Washington Examiner’s top five moments from day one of the convention.

Kamala Harris makes a surprise appearance

Harris appeared onstage at the Democratic National Convention, surprising the crowd who wasn’t expecting her to speak until Thursday night.

“This is going to be a great week, and I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible President Joe Biden,” Harris said of her boss, who will address the crowd later Monday night. “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation and for all you will continue to do. We are forever grateful to you. I thank you.”

Biden is expected to proverbially pass the torch to Harris, who succeeded him as the Democratic nominee after he suspended his campaign on July 21.

Democrats have been energized by Harris’s campaign, which she sought to capitalize on during her brief remarks to the crowd. “And this November, we will come together and declare, with one voice as one people, we are moving forward with optimism, hope, and faith, so guided by our love of country, knowing we all have so much more in common than what separates us.”

Harris later joined her running mate Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), his wife Gwen Walz, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff to watch the rest of the speakers who addressed the crowd. 

Biden reflects on legacy before passing mantel onto Harris

Biden received a standing ovation from the DNC when he appeared onstage repeatedly telling the crowd “Thank you” as they chanted “Thank you, Joe” in appreciation of his service to the Democratic Party. It would take him nearly five minutes before he could begin the speech. The crowd would later interrupt the president to chant: “We love Joe.”

As he reflected on his decision to suspend his campaign Biden had this simple phrase to sum it up. “It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your president. I love my job, but I love my country more,” he said.

There were, however, some pro-Palestinian organizers who tried to protest his speech but were drowned out by Biden supporters. The president would later claim: “Those protesters out in the street, they have a point, a lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides.”

Biden criticized his former rival, former President Donald Trump, claiming, “There is no place in America for political violence” as he reflected on the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. “You cannot say you love your country only when you win.” He would also call the former president a “loser.”

The president also took some time to tout the legislative accomplishments of his administration including lowering the racial wealth gap, record small business growth, and lowering the cost of insulin to $35. He claimed he was “proud” to be the most pro-union president in American history. “Because when unions do well we all do well,” said Biden. The crowd began to chant “Union Joe” in their approval of Biden.

As Biden paves the way for the Harris-Walz ticket, he promised to “be the best volunteer Harris and Walz have ever seen.” Biden called choosing Harris as his vice president “the best decision I made in my whole career.”

“Her story represents the best of the American story, and like many of our best presidents, she was also vice president,” Biden said cheekily.

Jill Biden champions new Democratic ticket

First lady Jill Biden reflected on her nearly 50-year wedding anniversary to the president during her convention speech. “There are moments when I fall in love with him all over again,” Biden said about the president in a sweet anecdote about their daughter Ashley Biden being born. Democrats in the crowd held up green “Jill” signs during her address. 

Ashley Biden would later speak after her mother to introduce her father calling him the “ultimate girl-dad.” 

But in the end, the elder Biden spent much of her speech touting the Harris-Walz ticket to the American public. 

“Kamala and Tim, you will win,” she declared to the crowd. “And you are inspiring a new generation. We are all a part of something bigger than ourselves, and we are stronger than we know the future of our country is in the hands of those in this room and all of you watching at home. It’s going to take all of us.” 

Hillary Clinton paves the way for Harris

Former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton received a standing ovation when she appeared onstage Monday evening. “Something is happening in America. You can feel it,” Clinton said before thanking Biden for his service and leadership. “Something we’ve worked for and dreamed of for a long time. First, though, let’s salute President Biden.”

Clinton cited other history-making women candidates during her speech including Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to run for president and a foremother for Harris. 

“In 1984, I brought my daughter to see Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman nominated or vice president,” she said of another history-making woman. 

“It was the honor of my life to accept our party’s nomination for president,” Clinton said referencing her 2016 campaign. “And nearly 66 Americans voted for a future where there are no ceilings on our dreams.” 

“The future is here,” she declared seconds later. “So with faith in each other and joy in our hearts let’s send Kamala Harris, and Tim Walz to the White House.” 

The former Democratic nominee pointed out the similarities between her and Harris. “I know her heart and her integrity. We both got our start as young lawyers helping children who were abused and neglected. That kind of work changes a person,” Clinton explained. 

As Clinton referenced Trump’s 34 felonies, the crowd chanted “lock him up!” an ironic twist as Trump fans used to chant “lock her up” during their 2016 battle. 

“He’s mocking her name and her laugh sounds familiar,” Clinton cited more similarities between Harris and herself, the two Democratic women presidential candidates to take on Trump. “But we have him on the run now.”

Pro-Palestinian activists cause havoc at the DNC 

Pro-Palestinian protesters converged on the DNC even before the first full day began. On Sunday, they gathered across the river from the Trump International Hotel where they called for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. 

Protesters followed the Sunday demonstrations on Monday although in the midafternoon it appeared to be a lighter crowd than organizers were expecting with signs spread out on the field where the march was scheduled. However, in the late evening, protesting turned hectic with activists breaching the outside, northern security perimeter of the convention. Nearly 300 law enforcement officers mobilized to bring order to the chaos. A handful of protestors were arrested in the mayhem. 

“Demonstrators breached a portion of anti-scale fencing along the Democratic National Convention’s outer perimeter near the United Center on Aug. 19. Law enforcement personnel were immediately on-scene and contained the situation,” said the DNC Public Safety Joint Information Center in a statement. “At no point was the inner perimeter breached, and there was no threat to any protectees.”

Earlier in the day the Abandon Biden group announced they were rebranding to an Abandon Harris group citing their dissatisfaction with the vice president’s vague embrace of a ceasefire deal without any specifics.