Biden's swan song

Greetings from Chicago! I’m Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. It’s officially Day One of the Democratic convention – and I already need my third cup of coffee. Questions or comments, send them to rdmorin@usatoday.com .

22 days until the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. 77 days until Election Day. And 81 days until the 2025 Grammy nominations are announced. (I'm constantly rooting for Chappell Roan .)

Biden’s DNC swan song

This will be Joe Biden ’s first and last time speaking as president of the United States to the Democratic convention. Just a month ago, Biden was preparing to continue on in the election. Now, he’s going to pass the torch on one of the largest stages among leaders in his party. It isn’t the first time Biden has changed course in his career. But none have been as monumental as dropping out of the 2024 election. Read more .

A politics pit stop

• Swifties for Trump? Trump posts fake Taylor Swift endorsement AI images
• When does the 2024 DNC start? See full week schedule
• Abortions at the DNC? Planned Parenthood bus providing no-cost service and vasectomies
• Donald Trump wants a sentencing delay until after the election. The DA is open to it
• A lot is happening at the DNC. Follow along here .

Why celebrity endorsements matter

All week long we’re going to see a number of celebrities – comedian Julia Louis Dreyfus to John Legend – roll into Chicago to throw their support to Democrats (just like we saw at the RNC with Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock .) But do celebrity endorsements actually mean anything? The answer is yes . They do influence votes. Read more .

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You asked, On Politics answers: What’s the vibe at the DNC?

Sticking with today’s theme, one reader asked about what the “excitement at the convention” looks like. Got a question, you can email me at: rdmorin@usatoday.com .

It’s clear, Democrats are coco-NUTS about Kamala Harris. But seriously, there’s been a palpable jubilee all day as Democrats seem confident going into the November election. I attended a delegate breakfast for New Hampshire, a key early voting state, and they at one point began chanting “ Kamala ,” as they vowed to help get her elected.

Are you at the Democratic convention or have any swag or merch that you would like me to feature? Email it to me at rdmorin@usatoday.com .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden's swan song