Harris leads Trump by five points as Democrats gear up for convention
5:31 PM EDT, August 19, 2024
Kamala Harris holds a five-point lead over Donald Trump in the latest presidential poll commissioned by ABC News.
According to the ABC News poll, Kamala Harris can count on 50% of the votes, while former President Donald Trump has 45%. In the previous poll conducted by the station, the Democratic candidate was the current president, Joe Biden.
In that earlier poll, Donald Trump had a slight lead of one percentage point.
The Democratic convention begins
The National Democratic Party Convention will kick off in Chicago on Monday evening. During the event, Kamala Harris will accept the party's nomination for the presidential election this November. While Democrats aim to demonstrate unity, the convention could face disruptions due to demonstrations regarding the war in the Gaza Strip.
Thousands of party delegates, celebrities, and journalists worldwide have gathered in Chicago. Over the four days of meetings, discussions, and speeches, speakers will include President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, and the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates—current Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
This year's convention stands out because there won't be a formal vote to choose the party's presidential candidate, unlike previous ones. That vote took place in early August through virtual voting, in compliance with state law in Ohio, which set an earlier deadline for nominating a candidate.
The Chicago convention will also be notable due to the party's internal dynamics and President Biden's decision to withdraw from the re-election race under pressure from party elites.
Democrats are keen to display party unity this time. One of the key highlights of the first day will be Biden's speech, which is meant to symbolize "passing the baton" to his successor. Obama will speak on Tuesday, Walz on Wednesday, and Harris on Thursday when she officially accepts the party nomination.
During the convention, the party will also officially adopt its election program.
