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Democratic Convention Speaker Lineup Prompts Objections From Party Members

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This article is more than 3 years old.
Updated Aug 12, 2020, 04:05pm EDT

TOPLINE

Not everyone is satisfied with the speaking schedule the Democratic National Committee released Wednesday for the party convention: the lineup has drawn complaints both for its inclusion of former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, and President Bill Clinton, and for not giving enough slots to certain politicians and blocs.

KEY FACTS

July reports that Kasich was slated to speak were met with swift condemnation from some Democrats, with an open letter signed by 120 convention delegates slamming the anti-Trump Republican in an for his pro-life stances on abortion, as well as his record on fracking, unions and LGBT issues.

Echoing complaints from some progressives – like former Sanders campaign advisor Winnie Wong and Crooked Media’s Erin Ryan – actress and MeToo figure Rose McGowan tweeted,“Bill Clinton speaking at the DNC’s convention is the complicity machine at work. You do not support survivors,” likely referencing the four long-standing sexual assault allegations made against the former president.

The speaker list is significantly trimmer than it would be in a normal, non-pandemic year due to the convention being made almost entirely digital, prompting groans about a lack of slots for Latino, progressive and LGBT politicians.

Andrew Yang, a former tech entrepreneur and 2020 presidential candidate, tweeted, “I’ve got to be honest I kind of expected to speak,” later telling the Washington Post’s Dave Weigel that his lack of a speaking role, “makes my job harder, to appeal to the 42 percent of my supporters who said they weren’t going to vote for Joe.”

Young Delegates Coalition, a group of 225 Biden, Sanders, Buttigieg and Warren delegates under 36 years old, decried a lack of young speakers on Wednesday, noting, “Historically, the Democratic National Convention has been a launching pad for young, rising stars in the party to develop their national profiles.”

“The DNC should consider young leaders such as Charles Booker, Xochitl Torres Small, and Lauren Underwood for speaker roles,” the group wrote, also asserting that the keynote address should be given to a young speaker.

Crucial Quote

“Dear DNC: Asian Americans are the fastest increasing group in America, including in multiple swing states,” tweeted Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.). “The gross underrepresentation of Asian American speakers in the four days of the DNC Convention is tone deaf and a slap in the face.”

Chief Critic

Some liberals have pushed back on complaints about Kasich’s conservative views, arguing that forging a broad, anti-Trump coalition should be held up as a higher priority than ideological purity. “I see lots of Dems complaining about Kasich possibly speaking at the Dem Convention to endorse Biden. This is why Dems lose so often - too many voters who care more about purity than victory,” tweeted author and journalist Kurt Eichenwald in July. “Kasich has a huge # of supporters. If 2% of them vote Biden because of this, Biden wins.”

Surprising Fact

At least one complaint may be remedied by the Democratic party. In addition to reportedly appearing in a Zoom call alongside a dozen of his fellow 2020 presidential contenders, he may be given a speaking role, according to reporters from Politico and ABC7, a local San Francisco affiliate.

What To Watch For

The convention will take place Monday, Aug. 17 to Thursday Aug. 20, from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. EST each night.

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