Related
Delegates, voters and viewers are adjusting to the new virtual format of the Democratic National Convention and the changes it brings from the traditional format.
How is the new-look convention playing so far?
"It worked surprisingly well," Spencer Critchley told KCBS Radio’s "The State Of California" late Tuesday. "I was frankly a little bit worried going into it (Monday) night. I was worried the producers of the event might try to replicate some of the spectacle of a live convention on the small screens of TV and online. If you go form one medium to another, it doesn’t really work the same way."
Critchley was a communications advisor for Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns, managing partner of the Boots Road Group and author of the new book "Patriots Of Two Nations."
So far, Critchley believes Democrats are setting the right tone.
Democrats are trying to present a vision of unity, inviting disaffected Trump Republicans into their tent. Joe Biden is expected to be formally nominated for the presidency Tuesday night. Critchley said the Monday opening was strong in that vein, with a fine point put on the night’s telecast from Michelle Obama’s closing speech.
Former President Bill Clinton is expected to appear Tuesday night, albiet in a much smaller speaking part than what he might be used to.
"A presidential election is about what’s happening now and even more so what’s happening in the future," Critchley explained. "I think it’s important to have the presence of somebody like President Clinton, but it’s equally important to have it from people who represent the future and people who are not necessarily celebrities."
Jill Biden, Joe’s wife, is also scheduled to speak.
Follow live updates from the Democratic National Convention here.