The vibes and styles of the Democratic National Convention

CHICAGO — This is a very different Democratic National Convention than the one delegates had anticipated just a few weeks ago when President Joe Biden was at the top of the ticket. But the change in their party’s nominee to Vice President Kamala Harris — and the historic nature of her run — has generated such an immediate surge of enthusiasm that even delegates sad about Biden’s exit are all in for Harris. There was the typical state-pride apparel (yes, Wisconsin, we’re talking about your cheesehead hats), but also Beyoncé-inspired sashes and cowboy hats from the Washington state delegation. Some delegates thought they’d never live to see the day a woman would be elected president — recalling their work on Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful 2016 campaign — and are hopeful this will be their year. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Linda Coleman-Madison is a state senator from Alabama and showed up to the first day of the Democratic National Convention wearing a Harris campaign T-shirt from Harris’s previous presidential campaign. The state’s delegates selected hats inspired by Beyoncé’s most recent album, “Cowboy Carter,” which they said was about breaking down barriers and stereotypes. Anne Ferrell Quillen of Crossville, Tenn., participated in the 2020 virtual convention, but said being a delegate for this in-person convention is the fulfillment of a childhood dream. Kenny Nguyen of Broomfield, Colo., is a first-time delegate and city council member. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Felesia Martin and her husband, Terrell, are delegates from Milwaukee. Felesia Martin talks about how she feels about the change at the top of the Democratic ticket, and this convention being different from what she and others expected. But she said that during this convention, she also represents the state where she and late civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer were born — Mississippi. Sias wears a dress emblazoned with the words of Hamer, who challenged the seating of Mississippi’s all-White delegation at the 1964 Democratic convention. North Carolina delegate Brenda Pollard reflects on how Harris, if elected, would be the first woman, Asian American and Black woman president. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Jaheem McLaurin of Columbia, S.C., is a first-time delegate who said his passion for politics stems from wanting to preserve reproductive freedom for his sisters. Meredith Bailey, a delegate from Rockingham County, N.C., wore “Thank you Joe” aviator sunglasses to the first night of the convention, which Biden headlined. Jessica Nichols of Mount Vernon, Va., is directing her energy into backing Harris after Biden exited the race. Christopher Justin Fleming, 17, is not a delegate but accompanying his father, Pennsylvania state Rep. Justin Fleming of Harrisburg. The younger Fleming will be casting his first ballot in this year’s presidential race, for Harris. Taylor Wilson of Boise, Idaho, is a first-time delegate and president of Young Idaho Democrats. – This Summarize was created by Neural News AI (V1). Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/interactive/2024/dnc-democratic-convention-delegate-clothes-optimism/