# Biden bails on the convention in Milwaukee due to COVID **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 5, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369 "2020-08-05T21:42:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/21 "2020-08-06T14:07:54Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Funny enough, this could be one of the _lowest_ turnout elections in recent history despite one of the clearest and most urgent choices on offer since forever. All the hard-core partisans will show up. But the 65% of America suffering from situational depression may simply hide at home and don’t vote at all. > > Getting mass mail-in voting right is a major way to improve turnout by lowering the barriers to entry for the depressed disgusted vast majority. We need some of that hopey-changey magic. I am shocked how strong my emotional response is these days whenever I see a picture of Obama. I MISS those days, I miss feeling like that. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/22 "2020-08-06T14:23:50Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > We need some of that hopey-changey magic. I am shocked how strong my emotional response is these days whenever I see a picture of Obama. I MISS those days, I miss feeling like that.- I soooo agree with you! Hell, I even get a little _that way_ when I see G.W. Bush, and **that’s** scary. 😧 It shows you how far we’ve sunk. _And I fear we haven’t hit bottom yet._ ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/23 "2020-08-06T15:56:47Z")
I really don’t see how it can matter whether Biden gives his speech from a podium in Milwaukee or a basement in Wilmington. It is the TV feed that matters, not the arena. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/24 "2020-08-06T17:11:14Z")
While I totally agree with this its also another classic case Democrats shooting themselves in the bollocks. As what about all the other people who have to turn up to the convention? Do they not matter? The Dems should have made every bit of the election process they control (primaries, conventions, etc) 100% virtual or by-mail right at the start of this process. And set themselves as the party that actually gives a shit about Americans dying. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/25 "2020-08-06T17:16:06Z")
Uh, they are: > It was also announced then that the other scheduled speakers, including Biden’s runningmate, will also be addressing the convention remotely.[[39]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-dnc5augustspeakers-41)[[41]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-furtherscales-43) This is seen as, effectively, moving to make the convention nearly entirely held virtually.[[41]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-furtherscales-43) This will be the first time that a major party candidate has accepted their nomination remotely since [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Roosevelt) did so in [1944](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1944_Democratic_National_Convention).[[42]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-CAYahoo-44) > > The convention was first shrunk to only feature 5,000 attendees in its Milwaukee hub venue.[[31]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-shrinking-33) It was later further shrunk to only feature 1,000 attendees there.[[31]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-shrinking-33) It was further shrunk to only include 300 people, including both attendees and media granted access.[[43]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-Adgate1-45) If not granted exception from the Milwaukee Health Department, under the department’s current order the total number of people permitted to gather at the Milwaukee convention hub will be capped at 250 people.[[44]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-46) > > The convention has stated that they have designated a custom video control room designed to handle hundreds of feeds from across the country, in order to accommodate the remote speeches.[[39]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-dnc5augustspeakers-41) > > The convention will see a mix of pre-recorded segments and live broadcasts from sites across the United States.[[42]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-CAYahoo-44) > > In mid-July, members of Congress were told not to travel to attend the event in Milwaukee.[[45]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-47) > > The downsizing has led the convention organizers to need far fewer volunteers than the 15,000 they had originally been recruiting to have.[[46]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Democratic_National_Convention#cite_note-48) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/26 "2020-08-06T17:19:56Z")
> [@putnam6](#): > > Biden bails on the convention in Milwaukee due to COVID. The optics of this decision might not hold up well, he needs to get out front with whomever his VP is going to be and garner some of the undecided. Unless you were planning on being at the convention center, what does it matter? Biden’s speech, and that of his VP, is going to look the same in my living room whether he says it in Milwaukee or says it in Delaware. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/27 "2020-08-06T17:44:57Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Unless you were planning on being at the convention center, what does it matter? Biden’s speech, and that of his VP, is going to look the same in my living room whether he says it in Milwaukee or says it in Delaware. The difference will be in the lack of shots of the crowd cheering. And no balloon drop. Balloon drops are very important. You can’t be nominated without a balloon drop. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/28 "2020-08-06T17:50:32Z")
![](https://media1.giphy.com/media/l46CigtjtlqRu5kaI/source.gif) [![](https://thumbs.gfycat.com/PerfumedObeseHeron-size_restricted.gif) ](https://thumbs.gfycat.com/PerfumedObeseHeron-size_restricted.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/29 "2020-08-06T17:51:23Z")
[![](https://i.imgur.com/aXixarm.gif) ](https://i.imgur.com/aXixarm.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/30 "2020-08-06T17:52:55Z")
![](https://media.tenor.com/images/5ec4529ee70293209c4f8ff616b2d5f1/tenor.gif) ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/31 "2020-08-06T18:59:08Z")
I don’t think Biden’s skipping a convention in Milwaukee results in bad optics, but I do think he will have to be more visible at some point, and probably soon. He can’t rely on Trump’s bad approval ratings to carry him through the election, or maybe he could if things go way south, but it’s a risky strategy. One problem Biden had in the early stages of the primary was that his campaign was flat-footed and lacked energy, and it hurt him badly in January when the first few contests were held. He survived mainly because others dropped out of the race and played ball, siding with the Biden wing of the party over the Sanders wing. But it’s the general election where a candidate really has to motivate people, many of whom didn’t think of Biden as their first choice, to get off their duffs and vote. It’s even harder to motivate people when voting carries the added risk of getting seriously ill, or worse. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/32 "2020-08-06T19:25:33Z")
Biden **should** be a shoe-in, if he doesn’t catch COVID. But, there is enough political chicanery on both sides to cloud the issue. It really depends upon voter turnout. Which candidate can get his people out there. ---
**Author:** ![ThisIsTheEnd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisistheend/32/4713_2.png) [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/33 "2020-08-06T19:28:13Z")
They don’t need an effing convention. Just pay everybody who’s supposed to get paid and nobody will complain. You want to drop into WI, MI, PA, etc etc etc to make a couple of speeches like the ones you’re doing in Delaware, hire a few location scouts and knock yourself out. Both sides are going to have tons of extra money for media as a result of not having to travel much. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/34 "2020-08-06T21:18:02Z")
NM Sorry, but video won’t play “on other websites.” I guess you can click it as a link…’ [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/OlLm7PhqFyA/maxresdefault.jpg "Obama stops for ice cream in Cedar Rapids") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlLm7PhqFyA) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/35 "2020-08-06T21:19:31Z")
You just **want** me to cry, don’tcha? 😧 ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/36 "2020-08-06T21:24:50Z")
No, I only want you to vote. But I already know you’re gonna do that! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/37 "2020-08-06T22:10:09Z")
I’ll be crying _while_ I’m voting. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/38 "2020-08-07T18:27:59Z")
Wait a minute… people are going to be demonstrating at the DNC who _aren’t_ Trumpers or NRA people or whatever other right-wing nutters, but who are left-wing types? What possible political purpose could it serve for BLM, CHAZ, etc… to get out there and protest at the DNC? Make Biden look bad? That seems extremely counterproductive. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/39 "2020-08-07T19:04:56Z")
Obviously to try and influence his policies, given how reprehensible they are. Perhaps he should listen, rather than taking their votes for granted. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369/40 "2020-08-07T19:07:56Z")
To get media coverage, of course. And there will be provocateurs infiltrating the real protesters, turning it violent. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-bails-on-the-convention-in-milwaukee-due-to-covid/917369.md?page=3)