The Paw Print

By Madeleine Spanbauer, Editor-in-Chief

While some may have thought, or even assumed, that the DNC would be a no-nonsense political affair, in reality quite the opposite is true; the event is chock full of flashing lights, sparkles, and some serious patriotic spirit.

During the roll call, states demonstrated their support for Vice President Kamala Harris through short, powerful statements spoken directly to viewers at home. States displayed their spirit and pride through an abundance of cheering and occasionally even props. Wisconsin showed up to the event with each delegate wearing the state’s signature cheese hats. Kentucky, along a similar vein, showed their pride in sparkly silver light-up cowboy hats. 

Each state was played in to a popular song over the loudspeakers, such as Demi Lovato’s, “Confident,” Chappell Roan’s, “Good Luck, Babe,” and Walk The Moon’s, “Shut Up And Dance.” Each attendee was given a light-up wristband, not unlike the kind one might get from attending a concert, which lit up in the country’s patriotic shades of red, white and blue.

Several famous faces were in attendance as well. Stranger Things Season Two star, Sean Astin, showed his support for Harris during the roll call. Rapper Lil Jon additionally came out and performed his hit song, “Turn Down For What.”

Each state’s speech showed an impactful and dedicated attitude towards electing Harris for office. In Astin’s endorsement speech, he said, “I want what’s best for Indiana, and that means electing Kamala Harris, the first woman president of the United States of America.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsome demonstrated his experience working with Harris in the past, saying, “Democrats, I’ve had the privilege for over 20 years to see [our] future taking shape with a star in Alameda courtroom by the name of Kamala Harris. I saw that star fighting for criminal justice, racial justice, economic justice, [and] social justice; I saw that star get even brighter as attorney general of California, as a United States senator, and as Vice President of the United States of America. Kamala Harris has always done the right thing.”

The DNC hasn’t always been such a boisterous event. In fact, 2024 was the first year where the roll call was set to music to represent each state. DJ Cassidy, who orchestrated the entire 75-minute section, took one of the most dull parts of the convention and turned it into something fun for everyone who was watching, either from the United Center seats or from their couches at home.

Throughout the entire event, delegates jumped up and down in their seats, politicians danced across the stage, and attendees sang along to the music over the loudspeakers. The event has made one thing clear: democrats love to party. Harris may still have a long road ahead of her, but it could be possible that some of the DNC’s enthusiasm will rub off on viewers to make a change in the outcome of the election.