Democratic National This year the conference organizers have really gone out of their way to cater to influencers. Today on the show, WIRED senior reporter Makena Kelly joins from Chicago to talk about the Democrats’ strategy of favoring creators over journalists and whether that will help them win votes. Also, talk about the scene at the influencers’ after-parties.
Leah Feiger is @Leahfeiger. Makenna Kelly @ areKelemakena. Write to us at politicslab@WIRED.com. Be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Politics Lab newsletter Here,
Mentioned this week:
The DNC is officially the Influencer Conventionby Makena Kelly
A visual guide to the influential people shaping the 2024 electionby Makena Kelly
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Note: This is an automated transcript, which may contain errors.
Leah Feiger: It’s Wired Politics LaboratoryA show that explores how technology is changing politics. I’m Leah Fieger, senior politics editor at WIRED. Today on the show, the 2024 Democratic National Convention is almost over. Earlier this week, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama united Democrats in support of their new candidate.
Joe Biden [Archival audio], Are you ready to vote for independence?
audience: Yes!
Joe Biden [Archival audio], Are you ready to vote for democracy and America?
audience: Yes!
Joe Biden [Archival audio] And tonight, Kamala Harris will close out the event. But unlike past conventions, each night has also featured influential people. People like content creator and abortion rights activist, Deja Fox.
deja fox [Archival audio], People my age are making big decisions about their lives, and we deserve a president who has our back.
Leah Feiger: and Carlos Eduardo Espina, a TikToker and immigration rights activist.
carlos eduardo espina [Archival audio], To be pro-immigrant is to be pro-American,
Leah Feiger: Two hundred other content creators are also joining in and posting, all invited by the DNC, to connect with the young voters they hope Kamala Harris will help defeat Donald Trump. Joining me from Chicago to talk about what’s going on at the DNC is WIRED senior reporter Makenna Kelly. Hey, Makenna, how’s it going?
Makena Kelly: I’m a little tired, but it’s day three of the conference here, and there’s a lot going on. There’s a lot going on.
Leah Feiger: Besides all the DNC shows during the day, you’re also going to all the parties at night. What are they like?
Makena Kelly: Yeah, I was out until 2:00 last night. The last thing I had on my schedule was from 10:00 to 2:00, and it was a party called Hotties for Harris, and it was held, it wasn’t…
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