CHICAGO (WCAX) – It’s day two of the Democratic National Convention. Tuesday’s theme is “A bold vision for America’s future.” Former President Barack Obama and Michele Obama are scheduled to speak Tuesday night after President Biden passed the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris Monday night.
There will also be a ceremonial role call of states to make Harris the party’s official nominee after Democrats nominated her in a virtual role call earlier this month. Vermont sent 24 delegates to the convention. Our Calvin Cutler caught up with them in Chicago to learn more about who they are and what role they will play this week.
It’s summertime in Chicago, a vibrant city playing host to the Democratic National Convention.
Security is tight. There are hundreds of police officers and the Secret Service has several city blocks barricaded. Behind the gates, thousands of party delegates from across the country have gathered to hammer out a party platform and confirm Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee for president.
“This is, I think, the most important election in our country’s history,” Democratic National Committeewoman Elaine Haney said.
Twenty-four Vermonters selected at the state convention earlier this year are attending the convention.
“We have a delegation that we think is representative of Vermont,” Vermont Democratic Party Chair David Glidden said.
There are some well-known names in Vermont politics like Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch and Becca Balint. But others are fresh faces working in nonprofits, political organizing or behind the scenes on campaigns.
Delegate Addie Lentzner of Bennington is an advocate for the homeless and says Vermont has the youngest delegation in the country.
“Young people should be co-pilots in the journey toward our future, not just passengers. I think Vermont takes that to heart whether it’s with the youth council or other organizations. This DNC delegation really embodies that,” Lentzner said.
Three hundred Vermonters voted for the delegates at the state convention earlier this year.
The delegates are in Chicago not just for the presidential nomination, but also to attend meetings on fundraising, campaigning, organizing and advancing Democratic policies.
“The goals are to move our country forward and we all agree on that. We may disagree on how we get there but we all know we’re on our way together. And we’re on our way to make it happen both in Vermont and nationally,” Haney said.
Every night of this week’s convention, Vermont delegates listen to speeches from a parade of high-profile Democrats, including Bernie Sanders.
Vermont’s delegates will gather on the convention floor at the United Center in Chicago where they will officially cast their votes for Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee in November.
The DNC is one of the most closely watched in recent history, following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race and the quick backing of Harris as the party’s standard-bearer.
Some question the process since it was Biden who earned almost 57,000 Vermont primary votes, not Harris.
Glidden says Vermont Democrats overwhelmingly support Harris.
“I think our delegates listened to that and listened to the fact that she was a part of the ticket that did win the primaries and she has a lot of democratic legitimacy because of that,” Glidden said.
For both Republicans and Democrats, the conventions are a chance to come together and find a message to rally around in November.