How the DNC Was Tweaked From a Biden-Led Event and Harnessed the Energy Around Kamala Harris

In early July, this year’s convention in Chicago looked like it would be a major dud for the Democrats. There was very little to look forward to in the Windy City back when the party was in meltdown following President Joe Biden’s painfully revealing debate performance. Delegates and party members then winced as Biden dug in his heels on stepping away from the 2024 ticket, and with each primetime interview the president sat for over the summer, the Democrats’ precarious position became more apparent. The event, which is meant to ignite the party and inspire voters to turn out for the Democrats’ ticket, began to look like an obligation rather than a must-attend, potentially historic event.

Then, that wind shifted. Biden bowed out toward the end of July, and Harris ascended to the top of the ticket unchallenged, with everyone — including Beyoncé — throwing her their support. Within 48 hours, genuine excitement was unexpectedly in the air. Who would join Harris on the ticket? And of course, what would become of the upcoming Democratic National Convention? A new candidate demands a new type of convention — the Democratic National Committee would need to present an event that ushers in a younger party figurehead while passing the guard from older Democrats and re-introducing Harris to the electorate in front of roughly 5,000 delegates, 12,000 volunteers and 15,000 media members.

The convention being broadcast over four nights this week is the work of DNC staffers who worked until the final moments this week to realize a new vision, according to a source close to the convention who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter on background. This new event was designed to carefully present Harris as an exciting leader while respectfully making space for Biden, honoring what Rep. Nancy Pelosi called his “very selfless” act of stepping aside for the greater good of the party. Meanwhile, some of the convention’s logistics had to be tweaked, celebrity invites had to be handled (the Hollywood elements this week don’t scream Biden, after all), fresh videos needed to be shot and a certain amount of what’s seen on-site at the United Center had to be Kamala-ified.

Much of what happens in political campaigning occurs at a rapid pace and what is seen by the layman has fallen into place at the last minute. With so many elements, that’s no different for conventions and this year’s DNC, THR was told this week. Adding Washington and Kaling as hosts was a late-in-the-game move — with a famous Black woman on one night and another who is Indian-American taking host duties the night before meant to represent Harris’ Jamaican and South Asian heritage. While the committee certainly appears to be downplaying any stress or major legwork caused by the sudden shift to a Harris-led ticket — the schedules of two A-list TV producer-actors like Washington and Kaling can’t possibly be wide open — their late booking for the DNC speaks to the importance they feel in offering support and the attention Harris commands at this moment. 

After the ticket change, Biden’s speech was moved to the first night. The DNC’s idea was to give the career politician the proper time to speak directly to the party and the nation following his historic exit. Many working at the DNC got into politics because of Biden, THR was told. And with Harris watching from within the stadium (she took to the stage to embrace Biden when he concluded his remarks) this would allow for the remaining three nights to focus on moving forward and cede the podium to the party’s future.  

Unfortunately, the pitfalls of live events, including speeches running over and waiting for hooting and hollering to die down were not just a testament to a party with plenty to discuss and a highly engaged crowd. This all pushed Biden’s speech out of primetime and past many a bedtime. The president hit the stage at 11:30 p.m. ET, so his 50-plus-minute speech went well past midnight. It’s unclear when the many speakers from earlier on Monday night were booked, but the roster on day one — Rep. Maxime Waters, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass — seemed to be more reflective of a Harris-led ticket than Democrats who would have been prioritized if Biden hadn’t ended his campaign. 

Political conventions tend to be a mix of pre-taped candidate-friendly PR and live speeches and often staged moments designed to stick in the memories of voters. Harris has spent some of her past few whirlwind weeks on shoots for videos, Politico reported, which are being shown across the convention. Meanwhile, clips that could be used if any Democrat were running — the first two nights include some of a former Trump supporter talking about breaking out of MAGAland and making the journey across the aisle.

It’s difficult to discern if the musical guests were booked for a Biden or Harris-centric event. James Taylor on night one, who was bumped for time, certainly screams Biden while rapper Common is likely on self-proclaimed “hip-hop girl” Harris. As mentioned, so much is happening in politics that is done last minute, and the DNC isn’t releasing performers until hours before the night’s events begin. 

One performer that’s guaranteed to electrify the crowd is Harris herself, whose brief moment onstage Monday got what looked like the entire arena onto their feet to cheer her on. A moment like that only helps to smooth over any snags in proceedings at this altered convention, because if the candidate’s star power is this strong, the job of the DNC was already done.