WATCH LIVE: 2020 Democratic National Convention kicks off
Democrats will not have any of the pomp and circumstance of conventions past. With everything being conducted virtually this time around, issues will take on an even greater sense of importance.
Funding for the post office is just the latest battleground. Democrats are pushing for more money with the COVID-19 pandemic driving more people towards vote by mail.
President Trump is looking to block funds while raising concerns about possible voter fraud. Democrats, including Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, are firing back.
"Vote by mail is the lane that we need to run in," Lightfoot said. "And that's why we cannot allow this administration to undermine the postal service, in a way that it's clearly trying to drive the postal service to its knees."
Democrats are rallying behind Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as they kick off their virtual convention, and now they have a new rallying cry: Fund the post office.
It comes as President Trump is opposing additional funding for the post office at a time when Democrats are pushing for more mail-in voting during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
"Donald Trump has made it clear he's willing to play political games with the post office, and it gives him an advantage in the next election," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois. "America's message to Donald Trump is very simple: Keep your hands out of our mailboxes."
Monday night's convention will feature speeches from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, former Republican Governor of Ohio John Kasich and will wrap with a keynote address from former first lady Michelle Obama. Her message was recorded before Biden named Kamala Harris as his running mate.
"He was a terrific vice president," Obama said. "He knows what it takes to rescue an economy, beat back a pandemic and lead our country. And he listens."
The Illinois Democratic Party will host off their own convention from home activities Monday night before the national convention kicks off a little later.
"We're really excited to be starting off our week of convention activities for the Illinois delegation, talking about the Democratic Party's commitment to protecting and lifting up the American worker," said Mary Morrissey, ex-director of the Illinois Democratic Party.
"And so what we need to accomplish is giving people that opportunity to participate, get them excited about our ticket about our platform, and give them an opportunity after the convention to go out and help get democrats across this country and in this state elected," said State Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch, D-Hillside.
An ABC News Washington Post Poll now shows Biden opening up a 12-point lead over President Trump, but Democrats and union leaders are warning against complacency.
"Listen, until the last vote is counted we have to work our tails off and win this election," said Ed Smith, president of Ullico. "It's vital if we're going to have a strong union movement and the Democrat Party is the key to that, we got work to do, was roll up our sleeves and go to work and and elect this ticket."
For Democrats, there is a big push for unity. While the Illinois Party theme is "Lifting up the American Worker," the Democratic National convention theme is "We the People."
"We need a leader like Joe Biden who's willing to actually lead this nation out of this pandemic," Durbin said. "We also need someone like Joe Biden, who was there with President Obama when our economy was in bad shape and had to be rebuilt."
ABC7 confirmed Carol Moseley Braun will deliver the Illinois votes at the Democratic National Convention roll call.
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August 18, 2020 at 07:50AM
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DNC 2020 kickoff: Illinois Democrats rally behind Joe Biden, Kamala Harris as virtual convention begins - WLS-TV
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