Yesterday our own Amy Curtis pointed out how the DNC is in quite a pickle regarding the party's upcoming convention in Chicago. Biden's cognitive condition is a big problem even though the Dems insist he's "sharp as a tack" behind the scenes. What happens in front of cameras is quite different:
Not only does Joe Biden need special shoes, he also needs note cards telling him where to stand. pic.twitter.com/6NLQjbNI5D
— The First (@TheFirstonTV) May 10, 2024
“YOU stand here.” https://t.co/MzQtgy7Skj pic.twitter.com/Gz5Hhc2EgR
— Doug Powers (@ThePowersThatBe) May 10, 2024
Combine the DNC's concerns about Biden delivering a live speech with the chance that there could be massive protests from the pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic Party and the White House will be looking for ways to hide their candidate from a segment of his own base. In other words, it's not going well for the Dems.
So what's next? The DNC will try and recreate the 2020 "basement strategy" even for the convention:
President Joe Biden’s top advisers are all too aware the ghosts of 1968 may haunt their convention here, but they’re grappling with a pair of more urgent and thoroughly modern-day challenges as summer nears: How far can they go in reprising their virtual 2020 convention to mitigate the threat of disruption inside the arena, and how will they navigate a rookie mayor who unabashedly sympathizes with protesters?
[...]
The goal: drive maximum viewership on television and the internet while minimizing live programming and openings for protest in Chicago’s United Center. This would mean moving party business, such as rules and platform votes, off the floor and denying would-be demonstrators a chance to seize on contentious debates.
The report says the DNC plan is to have Biden deliver an in-person speech while other aspects would be virtual, but I wouldn't bet on it.
So, to sum things up: The Democrats are trying to figure out how to keep protests from the pro-Hamas wing of their party -- the same one Biden's trying to appease by holding back aid to Israel -- from being seen by the general public. All while keeping the president from being seen by the general public as little as possible. This is quite the corner Team Biden's painted itself into.
This is pretty pathetic - the DNC is trying to move as much of its convention to pre-recorded taped packages because they are worried Chicago will embarrass them
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) May 10, 2024
The DNC Is Preparing for the Worst in Chicago — Without the Help of the City’s Mayorhttps://t.co/WeOCiOxOCJ
The DNC Is Preparing for the Worst in Chicago
— Brian Doherty (@BDOH) May 10, 2024
There's "a joke going around Democratic strategist circles that the main difference between 2024 and 1968 is that the Chicago mayor this year will be on the side of the protesters, not the cops."https://t.co/KDKa9yDbB5
And the state's governor will be on the side of the protesters as well. Pass that popcorn!
Joe Biden’s top advisors are worried the Democratic convention could erupt in protests — so they’re pushing to move it semi-online https://t.co/QIyKl7MzIV
— POLITICO (@politico) May 10, 2024
Just how "semi" that ends up being remains to be seen. But at least it would give Biden a chance to once again tell the lie about the time use drove a semi.
