Every formal event during the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago was accompanied by boisterous, but largely peaceful, protests. The first and largest protest on Monday began in the city’s Union Park followed by a march toward the United Center where most of the formal convention activities were held. The crowd was well below half […]
David Blanchette
David Blanchette has been involved in journalism since 1979, first as an award-winning broadcaster, then a state government spokesperson, and now as a freelance writer and photographer. He was involved in the development of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and more recently the Jacksonville Area Museum. David and his wife, Sue, live in Petersburg.
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“A message of freedom and joy”
Observations from the reporter I was sent by Illinois Times to cover the entire Democratic National Convention. I was one person from a local newspaper competing with more than 15,000 journalists, many of them part of well-staffed operations numbering in the dozens. We operated out of a media city that included a city-block-size white tent […]
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Kamala Harris accepts presidential nomination at over-the-top event
It was meant to be over the top, and it was. Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the presidential nomination Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago amid a kaleidoscope and cacophony of balloons, waving signs, music and a roof-raising roar from the party faithful. A recurring theme throughout the convention has been the […]
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Illinois delegation focuses on the work ahead
The Illinois delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago met for breakfast one final time on Thursday as the hour drew closer to Kamala Harris accepting the party’s nomination for president. A new catchphrase was unofficially adopted at the breakfast, but it wasn’t specifically about the election. It came from remarks made during […]
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“Decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024”
At times it seemed more like a celebrity A-list party or Grammy Awards ceremony than a political event as the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago entered its third day. Wednesday evening was capped by Minnesota governor, former school teacher and football coach Tim Walz officially accepting the party’s vice presidential nomination, but not before […]
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Illinois delegation at the DNC
The Illinois delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago has been meeting for breakfast every morning to go over strategy, hear speakers and inform delegates of the day’s activities. During Wednesday’s breakfast we spoke with some of the downstate delegates about their convention experiences and what they think it will take to get […]
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Day two of the DNC: Obamas, Pritzker, Duckworth and more
Illinois’ top political names took the stage during Tuesday night’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, making rousing speeches to the party faithful who packed the United Center to hear remarks that were tinged with comedy and emotion. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s prime-time speech evoked the former with repeated digs at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. […]
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Kentucky governor, Gwen Walz address Rural Caucus at the DNC
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear knows a thing or two about rural America and politics. “My first job was bucking a stall at a horse farm,” Beshear said. “And nothing prepares you for politics like bucking stalls.” Beshear was one of the keynote speakers at the Rural Caucus during Tuesday’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The […]
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Tim Walz addresses Women’s Caucus at the DNC
More than 1,000 women from across the nation gathered for the Women’s Caucus on Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. A surprise guest was vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. “People ask me why I am successful as governor,” Walz said to the cheering crowd. “It’s because I surround myself with […]
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The first night of the DNC
A long, fiery speech by the outgoing president, musical performances by Jason Isbell and Mickey Guyton, and a surprise appearance by the presidential nominee highlighted the first night of the Democratic National Convention Monday night in Chicago. Punctuated by chants of “We love Joe” and “Thank you, Joe,” President Joe Biden recited a lengthy list […]
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DNC begins with a protest
The 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago started off with a boisterous, but peaceful, protest in the city’s Union Park followed by a march toward the United Center where most of the formal convention activities are being held. The crowd was well below half of the 20,000 protesters that the organizers had hoped for and […]
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Monday, Aug. 19 at DNC
The 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago started off with a boisterous, but peaceful, protest in the city’s Union Park followed by a march toward the United Center where most of the formal convention activities are being held.
