The Democratic National Convention held on Day 2 voted to approve their party platform for 2024, despite the fact that President Joe Biden is not seeking reelection. The platform, which refers to Biden’s “second term,” was passed before he announced his decision to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the new candidate. The platform outlines the accomplishments of the Biden administration and presents a progressive agenda for the next four years. It mentions Harris taking over the candidacy but does not go into detail about her specific policy positions.
Regina Romero, the mayor of Tucson, Arizona, and co-chair of the convention platform committee, stated that the platform was approved before Biden’s decision to endorse Harris. She emphasized that the platform represents a forward-looking vision for the Democratic Party that includes input from all corners of the party. Mitch Landrieu, a former Biden advisor, also praised the platform for highlighting the accomplishments of Biden and Harris while offering a bold vision for the future. The platform was approved by a voice vote on the convention floor.
The Republican campaign, led by former President Donald Trump, seeks to tie Harris to Biden and criticize their policies as unpopular. They pointed out references to “Biden’s second term” in the Democratic platform as evidence of alignment between Biden and Harris. The platform includes support for abortion rights, green energy initiatives, child care cost caps, and a pathway to U.S. citizenship for long-term immigrants. It also emphasizes Israel’s right to defend itself while backing efforts to broker a cease-fire deal in Gaza.
Vice President Kamala Harris recently introduced new economic proposals but has not released a detailed list of her policy positions since becoming the Democratic nominee. Her campaign has indicated that she may not adhere to some of her more liberal positions from her 2020 presidential run, such as endorsing a ban on hydraulic fracturing. Candidates are not bound to adhere to their party platform, and the specifics outlined in the platform typically have minimal impact on the election outcome. The Associated Press is supported by private foundations to enhance its coverage of elections and democracy.
