Democrats to Open Virtual Convention With a Show of Unity for Biden

Democrats will kick off a four-day virtual convention on Monday with a display of party unity for U.S. presidential candidate 👤Joe Biden and the broad coalition aiming to defeat Republican President Donald Trump in November.

Biden’s top primary rival, Bernie Sanders, former first lady Michelle Obama and Republican John Kasich, a former Ohio governor who ran against Trump in 2016, will headline a parade of speakers appearing from around the country to make a virtual case for a Biden presidency, organizers said.

The coronavirus pandemic forced Democrats to overhaul the convention, largely eliminating the in-person gathering planned for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and turning it into two-hour, prime-time packages of virtual speeches and events.

Biden, who was vice president under Barack Obama, will be formally nominated on Tuesday to be the Democratic challenger to Trump in the Nov. 3 election. Biden’s acceptance speech on Thursday will cap the convention.

Democrats hope the opening night lineup will highlight the united coalition arrayed against Trump and provide a contrast to 2016, when lingering bitterness between primary rivals Sanders, a progressive U.S. senator from Vermont, and nominee Hillary Clinton contributed to her eventual loss to Trump.

This year, Sanders dropped out of the primary race in April and quickly endorsed Biden.

The first night also will feature an array of Americans from around the country dealing with challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, including the economic fallout, and working to combat racial injustice amid protests against police brutality, organizers said.

“The convention is an opportunity to point out to a big audience where the Trump administration has failed America,” said Ed Rendell, a former Pennsylvania governor and longtime Biden friend. “It will also detail the substantive plans Joe has to make the country better.”