Democratic National Convention: Kamala Harris’ ’honeymoon could be ruined’

Kamala Harris has had a dream run and gained all the momentum since she ousted Biden. That could all be about to come to an end.

Set your watches. Put it in your diaries.

9pm on Thursday in Chicago – or 12pm in Australia’s east on Friday.

It’s the 60 minutes in front of millions that could make – or break – Kamala Harris’ dream to become US President.

It could mean the difference between her extraordinary express campaign continuing all the way to November’s election and the White House, or it coming to a spluttering halt as victory crystallises for Donald Trump.

That hour will be when she gives her much anticipated speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), which begins on Monday, US time.

“Kamala Harris’ honeymoon with voters could be about to be ruined,” wrote Phil Boas for the Arizona Republic newspaper.

Harris merch is ramping up for the Democratic National Convention. Picture: MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

He was referring to the potentially 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters who are planning to descend on Chicago as they blame the Biden administration for enabling Israel’s war in Gaza.

Don’t be surprised if a few manage to breach tight security at the United Centre, where the DNC is being hosted, and try to wreck Ms Harris’ speech.

But there’s more than just protesters for Ms Harris to worry about. There’s plenty of opportunities for the DNC to go pear shaped.

For instance, the still lingering resentment from some in the Democratic Party about Mr Biden’s booting from his re-election run.

And how Ms Harris was inserted as the nominee without having to face any potential opponents.

A few side eyes in the United Centre are to be expected.

There’s also a frustrating lack of meat on the bone of Ms Harris’ policies. How will she tackle Americans’ concerns about the border? How can she persuade voters the economy is going in the right direction? How does she really feel about Israel and Gaza?

Also, given she’s the actual Vice President, how can she divorce herself from the Biden administration and its perceived missteps?

Workers prepare the United Center for the start of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The DNC runs from August 19-22. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

‘Was a wake, now Mardi Gras’

Yet so far, she has tried to present herself as the “change” candidate. And that change of name on the ballot — from Biden to Harris — has certainly energised the party faithful.

“Before it was going to be a wake; now it’s going to be Mardi Gras,” Jaimey Sexton, a Chicago-based consultant with the Sexton Group, which has arranged events around the convention, told NBC News.

Like the Republican National Convention (RNC) held just a few weeks ago, the DNC is a political rally, wrapped up like a rock concert with the atmosphere of the Super Bowl crossed with an evangelical church service.

For Mr Trump, the RNC was a triumph. When he appeared on stage, bandage on ear, days after an assassination attempt on him, the crowd was in wild awe. The hero had risen from the almost dead.

All he had to do now was fight off an even older man showing his age and the Oval Office was his. Then Ms Harris spoiled the after-party glow.

For former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the Republican National Convention was a triumph. (Photo by Peter Zay / AFP)

Convention up-ended

Theoretically, conventions have an important role to play in US elections.

It’s where delegates from each party formally choose the nominees for president and vice president.

But that won’t be happening at the DNC. After Ohio threatened to exclude the Democratic candidate from ballot papers, the party didn’t meet an earlier deadline and the nomination process for Ms Harris was swiftly completed on August 6.

So the convention won’t be a nomination but a coronation. A four day long banquet of Kamala Harris garnished with a side salad of her running mate Tim Walz.

There will be political sparkle with the Obamas, the Clintons and of course President Joe Biden giving speeches. A star or two may even jet in.

The big set piece speeches are beamed live into the homes of Americans. The aim for Ms Harris will be to persuade them she can be their next leader.

“She will want to come across as serious but doesn’t want to puncture that joy balloon that has been energising Democratic crowds and lifting her up in the polls, “wrote Chris Smith in Vanity Fair.

Ms Harris needs to get her oration pitch perfect.

US President Joe Biden will give a speech to endorse Ms Haris, at the convention where he was supposed to become the nominee. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

Democrats’ big fear

For there is a fear in the Democratic Party that Ms Harris’ poll surge is just a mirage; a

honeymoon bump that leaves her only really neck and neck with Mr Trump. If Ms Harris stumbles, if Mr Trump stops veering into bizarre personal attacks and if some blows are scored against her, the Dems worry the GOP could yet wrestle back the momentum.

One of the tings Ms Harris will have to do is to fill in a lot of blanks for voters. That’s despite being the VP.

“We probably haven’t in modern times seen a nominee who is less well known,” Democratic strategist and director of the Center for the Political Future Robert Shrum told The Atlantic.

“Her first impression is obviously extremely positive. But now you want to fill in the canvas.”

Donald Trump has tried to paint Ms Harris as some sort of racial identity chameleon who only recently opted to “turn black”.

Ms Harris’ 60 minutes in the spotlight will give her the chance to push back against this odd characterisation and talk about her middle class upbringing of immigrant parents in a suburb near San Francisco.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz willalso have a starring role. Picture: MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

In Vanity Fair, Cody Keenan, a former speechwriter for Barack Obama, said Ms Harris will want to target Mr Trump – but not let it dominate her time in the spotlight.

“You don’t want to look like you’re afraid of taking on your opponent.

“And with somebody like Trump, who is abnormal, basically an overgrown bully, taking him on directly is the most important thing you can do”.

Expect a rousing welcome for former President Barack Obama. Picture: CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

Ms Harris will almost certainly spend time on topics the Democrats believe resonate with voters in the centre: worries about abortion rights and accusations that a Trump-led White House will bow to dictators and chip away at democracy.

Mr Trump has denied the latter and barely mentioned the former, hoping abortion doesn’t become an issue.

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris won’t want any nasty surprises at the DNC. (Photo by Julia Nikhinson / POOL / AFP)

“Harris is a sitting vice president who is also attempting to simultaneously run as the ‘change’ candidate,” wrote columnist and author Matt K. Lewis on website The Hill.

“Amazingly, Harris has (so far) pulled off this feat. But to keep it going, her campaign must reinforce, not undermine, her forward-looking message — and the stark contrast between Harris and an ageing Trump.”

Ms Harris has her work cut out in one hour-long speech.

But even if she triumphs on the night it might not last.

Just ask Donald Trump how he felt when he jetted out of Milwaukee hours after his RNC speech.

It could yet go south for Ms Harris too.

Originally published as Democratic National Convention: Kamala Harris’ ’honeymoon could be ruined’