NEPA residents, delegates speak on upcoming Democratic National Convention

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The Democratic National Convention is underway in Chicago. The first opportunity for the party to explain why the American people should vote for Kamala Harris on the presidential ticket.

Harris became the party candidate after President Biden dropped out of the race last month and endorsed her.

Democratic party leaders say and insist that Kamala Harris is the right person to be president and they will present their case to the American people this week they know that every moment in this convention is crucial because the race between Harris and former President Trump is very tight.

It’s time for vice-president Kamala Harris to write her own story, her own plan for the future of the United States: That’s what democratic party leaders are telling 28/22 News, and this week, she and her supporters will get that chance at the Democratic National Convention now underway in Chicago.

28/22 News spoke to Todd Eagen from Lackawanna County who is a member of the Democratic National Committee and is at the convention.

“You could just feel the energy in the delegates. There’s 40,000 guests out here. It’s not only delegates, it’s the democratic volunteers. There’s a lot of excitement in the air,” said Eagen.

Eagen believes Harris has re-invigorated the democratic party and beyond.

“Her candidacy I think has really lit a fire under the democratic base and in turn, I think is translating with the mainstream voters on both sides of the aisle,” Eagen added.

Recent polls show Harris and Former President Donald Trump in a neck-to-neck race.

28/22 News spoke exclusively with the former president at a rally he held near Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

“It seems like almost every day you or vice-president Harris is in the lead. Still too close to call. What’s your take on that? Why do you think it’s happening?” 28/22 News Reporter Andy Mehalshick asked.

“Well, I think we’re leading and we just had some good polls today, Rasmussen, we’re up five or six points, but we’re leading here in Pennsylvania,” Trump replied.

28/22 News also heard from voters, what is important to them, and what they want to hear coming out of the Democratic National Convention.

The key word here is policy, policy, and more policy: that’s what 28/22 News is hearing from democratic party leaders and voters

What is the plan for the future of the nation? That’s what they want to hear coming out of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

“The economy. I want to see what they are going to do with the economy. I think we are heading for a recession,” said Wilkes-Barre resident Ray Chalker.

Ray Chalker from Wilkes-Barre says he will be paying very close attention to the Democratic National Convention this week.

The democratic party faithful are in Chicago supporting their candidate vice-president Kamala Harris.

Eagen says party leaders are well aware of voter concerns.

“You know the phrase, ‘It’s the economy stupid.’ I think the Democrats know that. They’re making sure they’re getting the message out to the American people that the economy is slowly moving up,” Eagen stated.

That is a message voters say could lead them to vote for Harris.

“What’s important to you?” Mehalshick asked.

“The biggest issue to me is the prices rising. I know we just came out of the grocery stores. I think it’s absolutely insane to see the high prices,” said Abigail Britzke from Hanover Township.

“What I want to hear. What’s she going to do with the economy? How are they going to do that? Immigration is a big policy,” said Nanticoke resident Stan Gorgas.

Over the weekend 28/22 News spoke exclusively to former President Trump who held a rally near Wilkes-Barre.

“Why should they trust Donald Trump?” Mehashick asked.

“Because my plan works. For four years, we had the best economy in the country. It works for other countries,” Trump said.

President Joe Biden will speak at the DNC Monday night.

Kamala Harris is expected to attend Monday, but will not make a formal speech until Thursday night.

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