I couldn’t find the back of the line—it just kept going. My white shirt? Soaked. It was 95 degrees and pouring rain in Philadelphia yesterday, where more than 14,000 people waited hours to see the Democrats debut their presidential ticket. Just a few hours earlier, Vice President Harris clinched the nomination and announced Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate.
The ingredients were there for history in the making. Here’s the recipe for yesterday’s success:
1 scoop of drama:
Harris’s head fake caught Vegas money and political pundits off guard, with many expecting hometown governor Josh Shapiro as the VP pick. The twist heightened the atmosphere—Shapiro introduced Walz and brought the house down, projecting the unity and urgency Democrats need to win in November.
3 lbs of energy:
Everyone, everywhere, exuberant, excited to be a part of something larger than themselves. Because the pandemic meant 2020 was a Zoom-paign, it’s actually been years since Team Blue got together for something like this. Hugs all around, friendship bracelets whizzing through the air. Hats, shirts, signs, selfies, screaming, shouting, and tears of joy.
2 cups of confidence:
It’s contagious, and a group that thinks it can win seems to grow more quickly. The rally was a cross-section of our country, with every group represented. Hotties for Harris has seemingly expanded: Old White Dudes for Harris, Veterans for Harris, LGBTQ+ for Harris…you name it, I saw a sign for it.
Preheat the oven to 360 degrees of strategic thinking:
The Harris campaign nailed it. Pennsylvania is a must-win state, so Philly was the best place for a show of force. A packed arena is the image Democrats need to keep the momentum building. It was a party but also a level-set. For me, this was Harris’s most important line: “We are underdogs in this race.” Democrats need to understand what they’re up against.
Pair with your favorite wine for unbeatable chemistry:
Harris and Walz play well off each other. The vice president addressed the issues Americans care about with optimism—healthcare, the economy, immigration, crime, climate change—and looked toward the future. She introduced Walz as a man known by many different titles throughout his life: governor, congressman, guardsman, father, husband, and coach.
Governor Walz played the role well, with a ready-for-day-one resume and a personality that’s not afraid to throw a punch. The line with the biggest applause was the following from Walz: “Make no mistake, violent crime was up when Trump was president, and that’s not even counting the crimes he committed.”
Now, with 90 days to go and the race closer than ever, Democrats are preparing for the DNC as the GOP searches for a new strategy to fight the Harris-Walz plot-twister ticket. As always, stay tuned!