Joe Biden foresees accepting the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination during a seriously curtailed convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“I can imagine being able to, two nights in a row, three hours of prime time, have significant speakers put on a very well-orchestrated convention that, in fact, told a story about the party, had some of the better filmmakers help us put together,” Biden told Milwaukee Fox News affiliate late Tuesday.
But the two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator insisted no final decision had been made, and the format would depend on “scientists, public health officials” due to the coronavirus. He did concede he would prefer to address a large gathering of the party’s faithful.
“I would love to be in a position where I am going to be in Milwaukee,” Biden said. “It may be that it ends up being a totally virtual campaign, or it may be a relatively small space group, instead of 50,000, 5,000, and have events and other venues. I just don’t know.”
The Democratic National Convention is set to take place Aug. 17-20 after a month’s delay because of the COVID-19 virus outbreak. But even with the extra time, it’s still unknown whether an expected 50,000 guests will be able to descend on Milwaukee or whether the event will be hosted partially or fully online.
The Democratic National Committee this month signaled it was preparing for a digital component, passing a raft of internal rule changes to give convention organizers “maximum flexibility” to plan and host the confab safely for delegates and observers alike.
Key party officials, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have suggested the convention be held over the course of a single day at an outdoor stadium. Democrats in Wisconsin, however, predict a dual virtual, in-person spectacle, but told the Washington Examiner there was a quiet push for Milwaukee to be awarded the 2024 gathering to compensate for some of the financial hardship likely to be experienced as hosts of a subdued affair.
