TOPLINE
Former presidential candidates Andrew Yang and Mike Bloomberg were both added to the Democratic Convention’s list of speakers after the original lineup, revealed Tuesday, drew criticism for a lack of diversity and key omissions.
Former tech executive Andrew Yang enters the Spin Room after the Democratic Presidential Debate at ... [+]
KEY FACTS
Andrew Yang, an entrepreneur who gained unexpected visibility and support during the 2020 election, tweeted on Thursday that he had been added to the speaker lineup after complaining he was left off earlier in the week.
“I’ve got to be honest I kind of expected to speak,” Yang wrote on Twitter, resulting in a social media campaign from his loyal followers, known as the Yang Gang, who rallied for him under the trending #LetYangSpeak.
Bolstered by high-profile admonishments of a lack of diversity at the convention—which will include speeches from the Obamas, the Clintons and more controversial choices like Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican—the DNC shifted course and, according to Yang, gave the cult favorite former presidential candidate a 9 p.m. speaking slot.
The DNC also told Forbes that fellow 2020 competitor Mike Bloomberg, the media mogul and former New York City mayor, will now be speaking at the convention after being left off the original list.
Bloomberg ran a short and expensive campaign, spending at least $409 million of his own money and, along with Yang, has publicly endorsed Biden since dropping out of the race.
Bloomberg is notably a major Democratic donor and has spent over $350 million in the Democrats’ fight to defeat President Trump; Democrats wonder whether he’ll start to syphon big bucks toward the Biden campaign specifically.
The DNC told Forbes that “more details about the program [will] come in the next few days.”
Crucial Quote
"Dear [DNC]: Asian Americans are the fastest increasing group in America, including in multiple swing states,” wrote 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.”
Key Background
Relatively unknown before the 2020 election, Yang gained notoriety for his unique policy proposal, including a $1,000 per month universal basic income program and a “humanity first” approach under the slogan “Make America Think Harder” (MATH). Even after Yang dropped out in February, his supporters, the Yang Gang, who buoyed him through several debates, continued to rally behind him. In March, Yang turned his supporters toward Biden with an endorsement, calling the former vice president “the right man for the job.”
Surprising Fact
Yang is one of fewer than half-a-dozen Asian-American candidates to run for president.
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.
Additional reporting by Andrew Solender.
Further Reading
“Democratic Convention Speaker Lineup Prompts Objections From Party Members” (Forbes)
“Andrew Yang's 'Yang Gang' drives his unconventional campaign — Chasing California 2020” (ABC 7 News)
“Mike Bloomberg to speak at DNC as Democrats wonder whether he will spend big for Biden” (CNBC)
