Key Insights from Our Reporters on Kamala Harris' Speech at the DNC

As the convention unfolded this week, we had several burning questions.

How prominently would Joe Biden feature throughout the four-day event, and would it create an awkward atmosphere? How adeptly would Kamala Harris manage the transition? Would protests interfere with the gathering? What overall mood would prevail? With such meticulous planning, could we expect any surprises?

We reached out to our reporters on the scene in Chicago to gather their insights on this week’s happenings and their potential implications for November. Here’s what they discovered.

**What, if anything, surprised you at this convention?**
The energy. I remember how high-energy the 2016 convention in Philadelphia was when Democrats nominated Hillary Clinton for president — and this exceeded that by leaps and bounds. There’s been a lot of talk about when the shoe is going to drop for Harris, but the convention showed that the Democratic sugar high over her candidacy truly has far from worn off. — Megan Messerly, Harris campaign reporter

The energy was palpable, but the emotion on display was also striking, maybe not surprising for a party that has endured such a challenging summer. Biden was wiping away tears after the four-minute ovation on Monday, as were some delegates leaving the floor after he departed the stage. The emotion of Gus Walz at seeing his dad on stage choked the entire country up. Even Sen. Elizabeth Warren became emotional after a prolonged ovation when she took the stage on Thursday. — Eli Stokols, White House reporter and co-author of *West Wing Playbook*

Organizers really leaned on social media influencers at this convention to amplify their online outreach and connect with young voters. As Harris spoke Thursday night, traditional journalists chronicled the moment alongside creators — some of whom may actually reach larger audiences. The impact in terms of voter turnout remains to be seen, but we may have witnessed a new media model for campaigns going forward. — Steven Overly, host, PMG Tech podcast

It wasn’t 1968 redux! A few months back, Republicans confidently predicted that the convention would descend into violent chaos on the streets of Chicago. While there were daily protests regarding the war in Gaza and tension over the DNC not granting a speaking slot to a Palestinian American, the rancor and division inside the convention hall did not manifest as Democrats had feared. — Melanie Mason, senior political writer, PMG California

The vibes! The vibes! The vibes! Before the Democrats kicked off their convention, Harris outlined her economic policy filled with bullet points but lacking in specifics. Nonetheless, this didn’t matter too much since she was preparing for the biggest speech of her life in just a few days. That moment was anticipated as a natural opportunity to introduce herself and elaborate on her plans. However, we received a lot of biography… and a lot of Trump shade. — Brakkton Booker, correspondent, author of *The Recast*

Dems increasingly embraced patriotism this week — the crowd erupted into “USA” chants frequently, and speakers outlined what it means to love one’s country, aiming to create a clear distinction with the GOP ticket. This echoed Harris’ emphasis on “freedom,” and it has been intriguing to watch Democrats attempt to reclaim and redefine patriotism after nearly a decade of Trump dominating that narrative. — Myah Ward, Harris campaign reporter

There were numerous celebrity appearances, with musicians, actors, and athletes rallying for Harris. It seems Democrats are the party of Lil Jon. They even managed to get Oprah to speak. Republicans often criticize Democrats for being the “Hollywood party,” and it’s hard to argue otherwise. — Emily Ngo, co-author of *New York Playbook*

**Did any speaker stand out? Who will you remember and why?**
Adam Kinzinger’s speech stood out. The attacks on Donald Trump were more pointed than anything the Democrats had thrown his way, making one wonder about the reactions of some Democrats watching this Republican, who might have future ambitions in their districts. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lips were pursed as Kinzinger spoke. — Shia Kapos, Illinois Playbook author

Let me tell you, America got to see Hakeem Sekou Jeffries at his finest. The House Minority Leader, who could become the first Black speaker if Democrats gain control of the House next Congress, delivered effortless flows and a masterful performance. When he gets rolling, Jeffries, a fan of the Notorious B.I.G., can deliver biting humor with alliterative flow that’s hard to ignore, even if you disagree with his points. — Brakkton Booker, correspondent, author of *The Recast*

Beyond the headliners, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore offered a classic wrap-yourself-in-the-flag speech with a modern twist. He contextualized his military experience and told an energized audience that “loving your country does not mean lying about its history.” In a convention where asserting that American patriotism is a Democratic value was clearly a priority, Moore stood out for communicating that idea effectively. — Calder McHugh, Nightly editor

I’ll remember standing with the Illinois delegation when Oprah Winfrey surprised everyone by walking out on stage. Though she now resides in California, her years hosting in Chicago made her a local favorite, and the excitement was infectious. — Shia Kapos, Illinois Playbook author

Is it a cliché to say Michelle Obama? We all know she is a phenomenal speaker (possibly even better than her husband), but the atmosphere in the arena during her speech was unlike any typical political address. The crowd stood mostly the entire time; convention staff, who had aggressively worked to keep aisles clear, eventually relented so people could soak in the moment. The one word I’d use to describe the crowd was “reverent” — definitely not the typical vibe. — Melanie Mason, senior political writer, PMG California

It's not a cliché to highlight Michelle. Her speech was the sharpest and most forceful among the ones I witnessed, clearly outlining the political and moral contrasts that voters face. The audience was fully engaged with her message. Doug Emhoff also made a memorable impression while openly discussing his love story with Harris, centering on his second marriage and their blended family. It felt unique and refreshing compared to past convention speeches. — Eli Stokols, White House reporter and co-author of *West Wing Playbook*

Michelle Obama truly captivated the audience with a thoughtfully written speech and an impactful delivery; she had everyone in the convention center enraptured. — Emily Ngo, co-author of *New York Playbook*

I thought Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz delivered one of the week’s more compelling speeches, especially how he drew from his experience as a high school football coach and shared his family’s struggle with infertility. It presented a different version of masculinity than what we saw at the recent Republican National Convention, and I’m interested to see how Democrats leverage him moving forward, particularly in appealing to male voters. — Lauren Egan, White House reporter and co-author of *West Wing Playbook*

The speech from Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz, and the build-up leading to it, stands out. John Legend performed in tribute to Minnesota native Prince, and Walz’s old football team took the stage donning red and white jerseys. His son, Gus, shed tears of joy and pride, creating a sense of joy and relatability that many politicians strive for but rarely achieve. — Steven Overly, host, PMG Tech

The Obamas certainly made a significant impact, but the incorporation of everyday Americans sharing their stories about abortion, gun violence, and more truly resonated with the crowd. Attendees were deeply moved by the women who spoke — from Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose daughter Lexi was killed in the Uvalde school shooting, to Hadley Duvall, a Kentucky woman who was raped by her stepfather. — Myah Ward, Harris campaign reporter

I’m going to take a niche approach here — Planned Parenthood’s Alexis McGill Johnson shared the story of a Georgia woman who was “pregnant and didn’t want to be,” marking the first time Democrats have highlighted a woman with an unwanted pregnancy in their convention. While the party has strongly focused on women with wanted pregnancies denied emergency abortions under state abortion bans, this represents a significant shift in how they’re addressing abortion in the post-Roe landscape. — Megan Messerly, Harris campaign reporter

**Did the convention make a difference in the 2024 race?**
No. These events really exist to energize party loyalists. While millions of Americans will have watched Vice President Harris’ speech and learned more about her, political science research indicates that modern conventions don’t significantly affect voter behavior. Maybe if Beyoncé had actually showed up? — Lauren Egan, White House reporter and co-author of *West Wing Playbook*

The impact of conventions is often short-lived. However, what makes this different is that the nominee is only a month into her campaign and, for many, almost completely unknown. While no one expects a significant shift from this, if Harris and other Democrats effectively introduced her to voters outside the convention hall, it might have aided in shaping perceptions about her viability as the next president. And that’s something. — Eli Stokols, White House reporter and co-author of *West Wing Playbook*

Not really, but I do think they highlighted stark thematic differences between the candidates and parties. On one side, you had a crowd in Milwaukee chanting “fight” and pumping fists as Kid Rock performed against a backdrop of flames and an American flag. The atmosphere here was much different, focusing on hope and, yes, “joy.” — Megan Messerly, Harris campaign reporter

Not really. But I see individual speeches and moments being repackaged as ads or TikToks targeted at specific groups. Adam Kinzinger gave Republicans permission to cross the aisle, while D.L. Hughley delivered a public apology for misjudging Harris. Additionally, clips of Gus Walz tearfully cheering on his dad could reinforce the message that Democrats are the party of families — especially when some conservative online influencers stoop to insults. — Melanie Mason, senior political writer, PMG California

I’m not sure if it did. Both this convention and the Republican gathering last month function more like infomercials for the party faithful and typically lack sustainable momentum. For Democrats, who were already in a jubilant mood, it provided a celebratory reset after a whirlwind few weeks when President Biden was still in the race. While it offered potential for a more dynamic campaign, it also opens the door for criticism from Republicans that it merely extends Biden’s policies. — Brakkton Booker, correspondent, author of *The Recast*

It might, considering that delegates are leaving with plans and ambitions to mobilize voters in their communities. Those who attended the convention are fired up and exchanging ideas with fellow attendees from across the country. The belief that a victory is more achievable with Harris than with Biden will likely motivate active Democrats to engage in battleground states, increase donations, and amplify their efforts. — Emily Ngo, co-author of *New York Playbook*

While I want to say no, this campaign is anything but typical. Harris has had a tumultuous past month, and it will be intriguing to see what kind of post-convention boost she might receive. A rise in the polls post-DNC — especially after she captured Trump’s post-convention bounce last month — isn’t insignificant. — Myah Ward, Harris campaign reporter

Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News