Among the “automatics” in the Rhode Island delegation to the 2024 Democratic Convention in Chicago is our four-man congressional delegation, including Congressman Gabe Amo, seen here pressing the flesh last November just prior to his eventual election. I wish I had photos to use of the other three, but they are not often found hanging around Wayland Square, standing between me and my baklava. Although I did see Senator Whitehouse at Dune Brothers the other day; he scooted away before I could get a picture.
The Rhode Island Democrats have sent 30 delegates and three alternates to their party’s convention, including the state’s two senators and two representatives, Governor McKee, Providence Mayor Smiley, and Pawtucket Mayor Grebien. The delegation chair is R.I. Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi, and we voted on fourteen of the seats in the primary last April.
WPRI spoke with Rep. Amo early Monday; he correctly predicted that President Biden would be greeted as a hero. The President’s speech was both forceful and moving. It began with nearly four minutes of cheering and he was frequently interrupted by the crowd cheering “Thank you, Joe!” (It does make one wonder what was going on during that debate performance, but here we are and the future looks quite promising for the Dems.)
The evening was often moving — the anecdotal testimony concerning women’s health care post-Dobbs was wrenching —but there was also an ocean of enthusiasm and yes, joy. Many attendees were seen fighting to control their emotions. And I was happy that several speakers were on the attack (Dems can be way too polite) frequently mocking the demented traitor with the notoriously thin skin. But it did run a little late; Stephen Colbert went live at about 12:30am in a packed and enormous Chicago theater.
But that may be it for the tears — tonight is the Obamas.
This has been quite a year for Democrats, going through all the stages of grief simultaneously, all day, every day . . . until a new day dawned with the Harris/Walz ticket. You may not be able to watch all of the week’s events, but I recommend you check in on this riotous lovefest. It is a balm for the soul.