Democrats prepare for unprecedented digital convention

So I don't think anyone expected that this convention would be normal either," Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who was under consideration to serve as Biden's running-mate and will speak at the convention on Thursday, told The Associated Press news agency."I hope wherever people are that they're excited about the moment and the opportunity that lies before us."The convention comes as Democratic officials work to energise voters behind Biden's candidacy - and not simply against Trump. While defeating the Republican president is a huge motivator for many within the party, there is some concern that less-engaged voters who lean Democrat and swing voters are not locked in to cast ballots for Biden, especially as the pandemic is expected to create barriers to voting. Following a fractious and ideologically diverse 28-candidate primary season, the party has also sought to unify before the convention and avoid a repeat of 2016 when Hillary Clinton's supporters clashed with those backing her progressive rival, Bernie Sanders.The more moderate Biden, a former vice president, has already enlisted the progressive wing to help formulate the party platform and has been carefully calibrating policies - notably on healthcare and climate - more to the left.Democratic National Convention programme executive Stephanie Cutter has said speakers across the party's political spectrum will highlight "Trump's failed leadership and the promise of what we can and should be with Joe Biden as president".Those speakers are organised around themes for each of the four nights.On Monday, the "We the People" lineup will feature speakers who the party says have risen up to face three defining challenges in modern US life: the coronavirus pandemic, the resulting unemployment crisis and racial injustices. The speakers include former First Lady Michelle Obama, former Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders, and former Republican governor and presidential contender John Kasich.Tuesday night has been titled "Leadership Matters" and will include progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, former President Bill Clinton and Biden's wife, Jill Biden. Wednesday's "A More Perfect Union" programme will include the official party nomination of Biden's history-making vice presidential pick Senator Kamala Harris, as well as speeches from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Senator Elizabeth Warren and former President Barack Obama.Finally, on Thursday night's "America's Promise", Biden will officially accept the party's nomination during a speech streamed from an event centre in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. The event will be a precursor to the Republican National Convention, which will also be a digital event set to begin on August 24.On Monday, Trump is set to visit Wisconsin, where he plans to deliver a speech in Oshkosh, north of Milwaukee, addressing Biden's "failures on jobs and the economy", according to the president's campaign. Trump will not attend the Republican convention in person the following week.