Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention

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The stage is set for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago as WINK News attends the affair to provide you with the most current updates.

WINK News is Campaign Central and a sneak peek inside shows the lights were on and they shone bright Monday night on the current President of the United States.

President Biden has been here many times before, but tonight, some could argue, might be his most important trip to the podium as he looks to pass the torch to Vice President Kamla Harris.

President Biden will formally hand over the reins to Harris, the official Democratic nominee.

Much to the surprise of attendees, the Vice President herself showed up to the event, soaking in the event before paying homage to President Biden, thanking him for being a great public servant.

Harris then pounced on the theme of the night: Donald Trump wants to take us back in time, and she vowed that she and the Democratic party are not going back.

Biden is expected to lay out his argument for electing Harris, describe all the two have achieved together and stress the need to defeat former President Donald Trump.

Thousands of people were in Chicago calling for the end of arms deals with Israel; pro-Palestine protestors marched from Union Park, pushing through a security fence.

Chicago Police say they made it through the first lines of the perimeter and tried to get through a second fence that would give them access to the United Center, but were turned away.

Organizers of the Democratic National Convention laid out what voters can expect tonight.

Alex Hornbrook, the Executive Director of the Democratic National Convention Committee, announced, “Tonight’s theme “For The People” will showcase Kamala Harris’ commitment to fighting for everyday Americans.”

A new CBS News YouGov poll shows Harris is going into this convention with a three-point lead nationally over former President Donald Trump. But she is effectively tied in the battleground states that are likely to decide the race. Her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz laid out the game plan for delegates this morning.

Harris is the star of the convention this week, but tonight is reserved for President Joe Biden.

Tom and Lucy Garner are two of the most colorful democratic delegates at the Florida breakfast; dressed in southwest Florida fauna, and red white and blue Americana, they are here to support the democratic ticket.

They also recognize and appreciate the accomplishments of President Biden.

“I love President Biden. He’s ready to pass the torch to Kamala Harris and I can’t wait for the night when he’s talking about, you know, giving the torch to Kamala,” said Tom.

Other delegates from southwest Florida like Robert Geltner feel the same way, “I would just like to have him remind the American people of the great things that have been accomplished over the last four years.”

And Lucy has a message for Harris: She wants to see her in the Sunshine State.

“We are hoping that she listens to me or her representatives and she comes to Florida. We need her here,” said Lucy.

However, some of the delegates say they will remain “uncommitted”, with one undecided delegate saying, “We’ve got 30 uncommitted delegates that are representing over 740,000 uncommitted voters nationwide, who voted uncommitted as a pro-peace, anti-war vote in the Democratic primary.”

Even with doubt from some delegates, Harris is capping off a wild month where she rapidly rallied support following President Biden’s decision to end his re-election campaign.

WINK News will continue to update you on new information regarding the DNC and its potential impacts on Southwest Florida.

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