(The Center Square) – Illinois Democratic leaders say it’s a simple passing of the torch to a younger generation that led to the sudden shakeup of the top of their party’s ticket.
The Democratic National Convention continues in Chicago this week. It’s a vastly different program than what was expected just a month ago after President Joe Biden announced he was not going to seek reelection.
For months, there were growing concerns about Biden’s mental and physical health. Even after his poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump, Biden was insistent he was staying in the race. But he made an about face the Sunday after last month’s Republican National Convention.
Monday night, Biden addressed convention attendees in Chicago.
“Are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz president and vice president of the United States,” Biden said.
Throughout Biden’s address, Democrats held signs and chanted “we love Joe.”
Asked Tuesday if all Democrats love Biden and sing his praise, why is he not at the top of the ticket, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said it’s simple.
“President Biden did a brave, courageous and patriotic thing and passed the torch to a new generation and we’re here to support the new ticket and we’re grateful for his service and his sacrifice,” Harmon said after Illinois Democrats gathered Tuesday for a breakfast.
Republicans have characterized Biden’s sudden departure from the race as a coup of Democratic leaders pushing the president out last minute because of a failing campaign and concerning physical condition.
Monday’s convention speeches ranged from criticizing Trump’s character, labor leaders discussing their pro-union agenda, and speakers sharing stories about their trials getting abortions or reproductive health care.
After Illinois Democrats’ breakfast Tuesday, Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton was asked what about high prices for everyday goods. Harris has laid out her economic plan, Stratton said.
“She’s talked about wanting to address those everyday kitchen table issues about how to lower prices at the grocery store, how to make sure that we can expand the middle class, how to make sure we uplift all families,” Stratton said.
Harris has talked about going after corporations and price gouging as a way to tackle high inflation under the Biden-Harris administration. Trump has criticized Harris’ economic proposals, saying she’s in office right now and could be doing something about it already, but isn’t.
As to the focus on abortion and access to reproductive health care, Stratton said those are economic issues.
“For women to be able to work, for women to be able to take care of our children, for us to be able to put food on the table, reproductive rights and the ability to decide what’s best for our bodies is an economic issue,” she said.
Democrats continue their national convention in Chicago through Thursday.