# Democratic National Convention August 19-22 2024 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** kamala-harris\ **Created:** [August 17, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835 "2024-08-17T15:55:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/1 "2024-08-17T15:55:38Z")
I didn’t see a thread yet for this so i thought I would make one. I’ll start the speculation by wondering if they’ll get any big stars to perform (of course, none as big as Kid Rock). My dream is for Beyonce to come out and sing Freedom to introduce Harris. Also, somewhere in there i want Taylor Swift to come out and do an altered version of her song Karma with the following lyrics: You’re talking shit for the hell of it Addicted to betrayal, but you’re not relevant You’re terrified to look down 'Cause if you dare, you’ll see the glare Of everyone you burned just to get there It’s coming back around And I keep my side of the street clean You wouldn’t know what I mean 'Cause Kamala is my candidate Kamala’s got my vote Kamala is the breeze in my hair on the weekend Kamala’s a relaxing thought Aren’t you envious that for you Trump’s not? Sweet like honey, Kamala’s ilike a cat Purring in my lap 'cause it loves me Flexing like a goddamn acrobat Me and Kamala vibe like that Spider-boy, king of thieves Weave your little webs of opacity My pennies made your crown Trick me once, trick me twice Don’t you know that cash ain’t the only price? It’s coming back around And I keep my side of the street clean You wouldn’t know what I mean 'Cause Kamala is my candidate Kamala’s got my vote Kamala is the breeze in my hair on the weekend Kamala’s a relaxing thought Aren’t you envious that for you Trump’s not? Sweet like honey, Kamala’s like a cat Purring in my lap 'cause it loves me Flexing like a goddamn acrobat Me and Kamala vibe like that Ask me what I learned from all those years Ask me what I earned from all those tears Ask me why so many fade, but I’m still here (I’m still, I’m still here) 'Cause Kamala is the thunder Rattling your ground Kamala’s on your scent like a bounty hunter Kamala’s gonna track you down Step by step from town to town Sweet like justice, Kamala is a queen Kamala takes all my friends to the summit Karma is the woman on the screen Doing great things for you and me 'Cause Kamala is my candidate Kamala’s got my vote Kamala is the breeze in my hair on the weekend (weekend) Kamala’s a relaxing thought Aren’t you envious that for you Trump’s not? Sweet like honey, Kamal’s like a cat Purring in my lap 'cause it loves me Flexing like a goddamn acrobat Me and Kamala vibe like that I know it will never happen but I can dream. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/2 "2024-08-17T17:32:12Z")
Heard on the radio that the Bears have a home pre-season game and are advising fans to travel early because of DNC-related road closures. Seems odd that they would have to have roads closed around the United Center that would affect traffic at Soldier Field, som e5 miles to the SE. And that those roads would need to be closed 2 days before the convention starts. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/3 "2024-08-17T18:37:50Z")
McCormick Place is also being used. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/4 "2024-08-17T19:39:38Z")
People watched the Republican Convention to see who this Vance guy is. After 2 weeks of the Kamala and Tim Show, is there any compelling reason for undecided voters to tune in to the Democratic Convention? You just _know_ Trump will be paying more attention to the Nielsen ratings than the speeches on stage. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/5 "2024-08-17T19:41:13Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > is there any compelling reason for undecided voters to tune in to the Democratic Convention? Probably the “how many couch jokes” drinking game. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/6 "2024-08-17T20:00:29Z")
I would imagine undecided voters haven’t actually bothered to see much of the Kamala and Tim Show as you put it and would want to see how they handle themselves on the big stage. Plus, the upbeat, positive message they have been putting out is much more appealing to anyone who is not a hardcore MAGA than the hate and whining tour from Donnie and J.D. And I have no doubt DJT will be wailing about the “fake ratings” if they out draw the RNC. Which I expect for the reasons above. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/7 "2024-08-17T20:16:35Z")
The ratings for the conventions are never actually amazing. The RNC averaged 19 million across the four nights with 25 million tuning in to hear Trump’s bit. That was slightly down from 2020 but not much. The DNC in 2020 had a couple of million more viewers than the RNC did but each was less than previous cycles, in the 30 to 40 million range. The last debate had a viewership just north of 50 million, as a reference point. Also not a huge impressive number. Yet there is almost always a reasonable convention bounce anyway. They may not tune into the conventions but they still see the clip show highlights and hear the reviews, broadcast, streamed, and by social channels. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/8 "2024-08-17T20:22:55Z")
They’d get better ratings if they replace the traditional balloon drop at the end with bowling balls. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/9 "2024-08-17T20:25:44Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > After 2 weeks of the Kamala and Tim Show, is there any compelling reason for undecided voters to tune in to the Democratic Convention? It’d be nice to see Democrats lay out a governing agenda for a Harris Administration. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/10 "2024-08-18T04:54:15Z")
Given the unique situation I would think there is a chance ratings will be up for the DNC. Harris/Walz are still rather unknown to most voters. Not everyone is as obsessed with political news as we tend to be. This will be the first chance for most voters to see either of them in a long form setting rather than sound bites. The Harris enthusiasm will likely translate to viewers. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/11 "2024-08-18T05:05:43Z")
I have a secret hope that somehow Taylor Swift will figure in the proceedings. According to one “expert” on CNN, she would be very unlikely to expend her “political capital” in this way, but who knows … one can dream! It certainly fits with the general upbeat theme of the campaign! ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/12 "2024-08-18T05:11:30Z")
Tay-Tay is playing Wembley this Monday and Tuesday. That does conspicuously leave her Wednesday and Thursday off, though. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/13 "2024-08-18T05:12:07Z")
One can dream. 🤣 😂 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/14 "2024-08-19T08:26:59Z")
Well, this should be interesting. They also suggest that other Republicans may show up on stage. > **[Ex-GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger to Speak at DNC on Thursday](https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-gop-rep-adam-kinzinger-to-speak-at-dnc-on-thursday)** > > Adam Kinzinger left Congress in 2022 after he became a MAGA target for voting to impeach former President Trump for “incitement of an insurrection” over the Jan. 6 rioting. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/15 "2024-08-19T08:43:10Z")
The post-convention polling bump the week after this DNC is over will officially turn off the lights for the Trump campaign. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/16 "2024-08-19T12:38:35Z")
HUH?!? You do understand what a bump looks like? It rises on one side and drops on the other. Bumps are usually transient The traditional best way to look at polling immediately after the convention is to subtract three from the numbers to estimate what the actual longer trend line looks like. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/17 "2024-08-19T13:03:03Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > is there any compelling reason for undecided voters to tune in to the Democratic Convention? Check for rioting. (I’m not predicting it! I hope demonstrations come off peacefully, as they did in Milwaukee last month. But for some reason more is feared this week.) Some without cable, and who always have one of the traditional three networks on, will find, to their chagrin, that, at certain times, all three have the convention. But of course the coverage is now less. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/18 "2024-08-19T14:31:53Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Tay-Tay is playing Wembley this Monday and Tuesday. > > That does conspicuously leave her Wednesday and Thursday off, though. Alas, the Concorde no longer flies — that’s how Phil Collins got from Wembley to Philly to play at both Live Aid shows on the same day (in 1985). > [@Velocity](#): > > The post-convention polling bump the week after this DNC is over will officially turn off the lights for the Trump campaign. Inshallah, my friend — _inshallah._ ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/19 "2024-08-19T14:57:22Z")
To be fair, historically some convention bumps have “stuck” (partly or completely\*), while others have not. Good summaries here: > **[Convention bounce](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_bounce)** > > A convention bounce or convention bump refers to an increase in support that U.S. presidential candidates in the Republican or Democratic party typically enjoy after the televised national convention of their party. A presumptive nominee for president may also be said to experience a "VP bounce" after announcing his or her pick for vice president prior to the convention. The size and impact of convention bumps vary, but presidential candidates usually see at least a small uptick in their poll Bi... \*The only “stuck completely” bounce in that incomplete list is 1992’s, for Bill Clinton — but this was complicated by Perot’s near-simultaneous withdrawal. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835/20 "2024-08-19T18:09:30Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > > [@Smapti](#): > > > > Tay-Tay is playing Wembley this Monday and Tuesday. > > > > That does conspicuously leave her Wednesday and Thursday off, though. > > Alas, the Concorde no longer flies — that’s how Phil Collins got from Wembley to Philly to play at both Live Aid shows on the same day (in 1985). Taylor Swift has her own plane with more than ample range for a direct flight from London to Chicago. If she were so inclined she could easily be at the convention as early as Wednesday afternoon. I would dearly love for this to happen especially now that Trump is falsely claiming that she endorsed him. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-national-convention-august-19-22-2024/1005835.md?page=2)