National Democrats Looking to Sideline Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in Planning For the Convention

[mystery-ak]

National Democrats Looking to Sideline Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in Planning For the Convention
Rick Moran | 8:11 AM on May 11, 2024

National Democrats are deep into the planning for the convention in Chicago to be held in August.

Biden's planning team is looking wistfully at the 2020 COVID convention when most events were virtual and the chances for disruption were greatly reduced. They are looking for ways to duplicate some of those events, like the pre-recorded roll call vote where individuals representing state delegations got creative and made their video vote an advertisement for their state.

One big change being considered is a move to an alternate convention site for the actual nomination. Since Biden is having trouble getting on the ballot in Ohio because the convention occurs after the deadline to file in the Buckeye State, the Biden team is being forced to look at confirming Biden's nomination at a "mini-convention" that would be held in McCormick Place prior to the main event at the United Center. Holding other housekeeping events at the alternate site would also make it harder for protesters to mass and cause trouble.

The Democrats can tightly control security at McCormick Place, preventing most floor disturbances.

“If there is one peep in that hall, the networks will be all over it,” a Biden convention planner said referring to the challenges of holding a national convention at the United Center.

more
https://pjmedia.com/rick-moran/2024/05/11/national-democrats-looking-to-sideline-chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-in-planning-for-the-convention-n4928960

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It's No Secret Why Some Dems Are Pushing for Their Convention to Be 'Semi-Online'
Matt Vespa
4–5 minutes

The Democratic National Convention this summer is facing a massive obstacle: how to neutralize the hordes of pro-Hamas protesters who will no doubt try to create mayhem in and around the venue. Nothing would be more successful for this crowd than to heckle the party from the convention floor, a media image that would be disastrous for Democrats entering the waning days of the 2024 cycle. Politico had a piece about what Democrats are trying to do to mitigate these situations while acknowledging that one peep of trouble inside could be the ballgame. They’re also facing another issue: a mayor that’s very much on the side of the pro-Hamas activists.

It's a repeat of history of sorts. The convention will be in Chicago, where in 1968, the mayhem from anti-Vietnam War protesters provided an image of chaos and disorder that helped Richard Nixon secure the presidency. It’s not 1968, though Politico adds the joke Democrats are saying that the mayor is on the protesters' side this time. Still, the axiom remains true now: the mayor controls the streets, but what happens inside reflects the party. Reportedly, Democrats will also set up a war room to provide rapid response to any shenanigans. They’re also considering making the convention a semi-virtual event (via Politico):

more
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2024/05/12/its-no-secret-why-some-dems-are-pushing-for-their-convention-to-be-semi-online-n2638946