Campaign Report — Harris prepares for a raucous DNC

Welcome to The Hill's Campaign newsletter

View Online Campaign Report Campaign Report The Big Story  Harris prepares for a raucous DNC  Mere weeks after launching her presidential bid, Vice President Harris is headed toward what could be a chaotic Democratic National Convention, where thousands of protesters are expected to descend on Chicago.  © AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson The convention kicks off Monday, with a slate of marquee speakers to address Democratic delegates at the United Center.    President Biden is set to give the opening remarks, and reports say he'll be followed by former President Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Harris's newly minted running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, among other top party names. The vice president will close out the four-day programming on Thursday.     But while the headliners address delegates, multiple groups are expected to protest the high-profile event amid frustration with the Biden administration's actions around the Israel-Hamas war.     Campus protests over the conflict in Gaza earlier this year raised concerns about possible chaos at the party's nominating convention, before Biden's historic exit from the race. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) said at the time that Chicago is ready to handle the crowds descending on the city, but the anticipated protests have prompted comparisons to the 1968 Democratic Convention.     That gathering, also in Chicago, was marred by protests against the Vietnam War and by violent policing efforts.    Now, the new Harris-Walz ticket is enjoying a surge of Democratic enthusiasm, but nevertheless faces fresh pressure from members of the pro-Palestinian movement, The Hill's Caroline Vakil and Yash Roy report.    "When it comes to the genocide in Gaza there is no difference between Biden, Harris, or any of the likely candidates for the nomination. They are all complicit. This is why the coalition will still be marching on the DNC in the tens of thousands," reads a statement from "March on the DNC," a coalition of more than 100 organizations planning a protest in "the tens of thousands."   Harris — who's been aligned with Biden's staunch support for Israel and argued that the time is now for a cease-fire — has been interrupted during recent rallies by individuals protesting the war in Gaza, and offered a warning in Detroit:    "You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I'm speaking," she said.      Protesters are also expected around other issues at the DNC, including LGBTQ and reproductive rights, The Chicago Sun-Times reports.  Welcome to The Hill's Campaign Report, I'm Julia Mueller. Each week we track the key stories you need to know to stay ahead of the 2024 election and who will set the agenda in Washington.  Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  Key election stories and other recent campaign coverage: Harris mocks Trump with media advisory promoting his speech With former President Trump set to speak to reporters at a press conference in New Jersey on Thursday afternoon, Vice President Harris's campaign released a media advisory mocking him for being set to “hold another public meltdown” and “deliver another self-obsessed rant.” "Not so fresh off [his National Association of Black Journalists interview], Florida, and Twitter glitches, Donald Trump intends …  Full Story Tester requests watchdog review Bureau of Indian Affairs' public safety record in Montana Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) asked a congressional watchdog this week to review the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIA) work in Montana, criticizing what he described as the bureau’s “unacceptable” public safety efforts. BIA is the Department of Interior's oldest bureau, according to its website, which describes its mission "to enhance the quality of life, to promote economic opportunity, and to carry out the …  Full Story Biden rips Trump as 'Donald Dump' while signaling unity with Harris President Biden ripped former President Trump as "Donald Dump" while signaling unity with Vice President Harris at the duo's first appearance together at an official event since she replaced Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. Harris and Biden walked out together to Bruce Springsteen's "We Take Care of Our Own" on a community college stage in Largo, Md., to all smiles, waving at a crowd holding signs related to lower …  Full Story The Countdown  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: 4 days until the Democratic National Convention.  82 days until the 2024 general election. 159 days until Inauguration Day 2025.  In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Jon Stewart: Trump's 'decline' has him 'becoming Biden in this race' Jon Stewart says former President Trump’s “decline” has the former commander in chief becoming more like President Biden in the White House race, now that the president has dropped out. “I’ll tell you what I think is happening, to be perfectly honest. I think he is, before our eyes, becoming Biden in this race,” Stewart said of Trump on “The Weekly Show” podcast, released … Full Story Former top Obama aide: Trump vs. Harris going to be 'incredibly close' A onetime campaign adviser for former President Obama predicted the coming election between former President Trump and Vice President Harris is going to be “incredibly close.” “When you look at who the undecided voters are in this election, we’re down to like 5 percent,” said Jim Messina, Obama’s former campaign manager, during a Thursday appearance on Dana Perino’s Fox News program. … Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines regarding campaigns and elections: Georgia Democrats dream about what could have been had Atlanta landed the Democratic National Convention (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)     Tim Walz raises $3 million in Denver, capping "interesting" first week as Kamala Harris' VP pick (The Denver Post) In Tim Walz's rural hometown, his Democratic politics are an awkward fit (The Los Angeles Times)  What We're Reading  Election news we've flagged from other outlets: Kamala Harris is among 1 in 8 Americans who have worked at McDonald's (Huff Post) Why are free school lunches becoming a campaign issue? (The New York Times)   Kamala Harris campaign races to stay one step ahead of online backlash (Semafor)  Elsewhere Today  Key stories on The Hill right now: Trump's answer to campaign struggles is more Trump Former President Trump appears to have settled on a solution to counter Vice President Harris's surge in the polls: more Trump. Trump will hold a press conference Thursday at his Bedminster, N.J., property, three days after he called in for a two-hour conversation with Tesla founder Elon Musk on the social platform X. Last week, Trump … Read more Harris campaign says it will participate in 2 presidential debates and 1 VP debate The Harris campaign said Thursday it will participate in a total of three debates this election season: two presidential debates and one vice presidential debate. The campaign in a statement sought to put an end to the Trump campaign's suggestion of additional debates before Election Day, declaring the "debate about debates is over." "Assuming … Read more What People Think  Opinions related to campaigns and elections submitted to The Hill: Walz, Vance picks could signal major shift in US foreign policy  A possible October surprise? Biden resigns and Harris becomes president Harris's 'Happy Days' revival is outshining Trump's doom and gloom   You're all caught up. See you next time!  Check out The Hill's Campaign page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe 1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely unsubscribe.