The Democratic National Convention starts Monday in Chicago, but the planning began weeks ago.
I’m not talking about the planning for the stage, the program, the speakers, the hotels, and all that is necessary to accommodate the more than 4,000 delegates and the estimated 50,000 people who will be in Chicago for the convention.
I’m talking about my own personal planning.
Along with the other Michigan delegates, I have been briefed, emailed, and Zoomed for a couple weeks. We’ve already voted remotely to nominate Vice President Harris, but we have more work to do at the convention.
The public will see the primetime events featuring President Joe Biden, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as speeches by vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and Harris herself – all at the United Center in Chicago.
But events will go on all day long at McCormick Place. Caucuses of various groups within the Democratic Party will inform delegates about important issues those groups want to address. But many caucuses go on at the same time, forcing delegates to choose – Women’s Caucus, Rural Caucus, Environmental Caucus, Senior Caucus. Too many choices! And I can’t forget to RSVP or I won’t be able to get in.
Then there is DemPALOOZA – events going on at the McCormick Place as well that are open to the public. These include exhibits, trainings, briefings, musical entertainment, talks by podcasters, and who knows what all. And I can’t forget to RSVP or I won’t be able to get in. I’ll have to make game-time choices of which to attend because so much overlaps.
As if that weren’t enough, at the same time there are receptions going on all over Chicago in the afternoon and then late in the evening for delegates. And I can’t forget to RSVP to those or I won’t be able to get in. And I have to remember to keep track of which brewery, restaurant, or skyscraper each is at. And of course, some overlap.
Will they end in time for us to race from the McCormick Place to the United Center for the official business? And when the official business ends, will I really feel like racing to the last round of receptions?
Such a nice problem to have, really the chance of a lifetime.
