National political party conventions are carefully orchestrated rituals with a singular goal: to promote party unity in support of the party’s nominees in a presidential election.
Last week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago did just that.
The four-day gala was a success. Organizers focused on a message of renewed hope and a vision of a new tomorrow. Delegates coalesced around the remarkably invigorating candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz, their nominees for president and vice president in the Nov. 5 election.
Delegates heard inspirational speeches from past and present Democratic leaders, including the current and two former presidents. They heard from politicians of all stripes, entertainers, business leaders, military and police personnel and a variety of everyday personalities and heroes, all woven together with targeted criticism of Republican nominees former President Donald Trump, Sen. JD Vance and the much-maligned Project
2025 agenda.
The one issue that was not discussed for most of the four days was U.S. policy in the Middle East, relations with Israel and the Gaza war. Yes, there was the emotional moment when the convention crowd robustly chanted “Bring them home” as the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin made an impassioned plea for his release and the release of the other hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, but the fundamental policy issues which divide the party were not addressed.
That is until Harris spoke on the last evening of the convention.
In her much-anticipated acceptance speech, the vice president spoke well. Her presentation was clear, focused and welcoming. She talked about her background and experience. She pledged to serve all Americans. And she largely stuck to traditional issues and principles that resonate among the party faithful.
And then, toward the end of her remarks, the convention crowd went totally silent after she said: “With respect to the war in Gaza …”
“Let me be clear,” Harris said as she addressed the elephant in the room, knowing that just outside the convention hall, protesters were calling for the United States to cut off weapons to Israel.
“I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself,” she said, “and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself, because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on Oct. 7, including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival.”
Harris continued, “At the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is breathtaking. President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.”
We applaud Harris’ approach, which is pragmatic, rational and fair. And we await more details in the days ahead. In the meantime, critiques will abound. But that’s politics. At least for now, we’re satisfied with Harris’ formulation and approach.
