DNC Notebook: Chinese influence, a moving appeal, secretary plays hurt
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi got some prime-time Thursday at the Democratic National Convention speaking about China.
The Schaumburg Democrat is the ranking member on a House select committee scrutinizing competition between the United States and China.
Krishnamoorthi referenced a book written by a Chinese leader, “America Against America,” saying “it’s how they think they’ll win. They know the only way they’ll beat America is if we beat ourselves.”
Chinese Communist Party officials “want to see Donald Trump across the bargaining table, because he’ll start endless trade wars that raise prices for Americans. Because he’ll cut programs that train workers in America. But most of all, Trump will pit American against American,” Krishnamoorthi said.
“And that’s what China wants,” he continued. “For us to fight among ourselves, because that’s how we lose.”
However, he vowed, “We’re not going back. What does Kamala Harris tell us? ‘When we fight, we win.’”
‘I was so moved’
Delegate and Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering was overcome with emotion when Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, the parents of Hamas hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin spoke at the DNC, and the crowd chanted “Bring them home.”
“Since Oct. 7, I have started every Highland Park City Council meeting talking about the hostages. The family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin lives in Highland Park. So there is a very deep connection with Rachel and Jon to the community.”
“Frankly, I was just so moved with how everybody in the arena responded to them, because this has been such a point of tension,” with people taking sides and “not really digging into the human pain that these families have been experiencing.”
Playing hurt
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias rushed to a state delegation breakfast Thursday morning. And that was impressive, considering he was on crutches after a recent injury.
The mishap hasn’t stopped him from taking in multiple DNC events, including Gov. Tim Walz’s speech Wednesday night.
Giannoulias “loved” the vice presidential nominee’s remarks.
“I thought it was the perfect tone coming after celebrities and powerful people to hear someone talk about challenges with IVF, being a football coach, being a teacher, wearing flannel shirts that aren’t expensive. It’s a perfect message for independents and middle class and union voters,” he said.
Slam-dunk reporting
The press filing center at the Democratic National Convention Center is pretty typical.
Harried, sleep-deprived journalists from across the world bang away at keyboards, guzzle coffee and Diet Cokes, reboot recalcitrant laptops and complain.
The only quirk is the towering basketball hoops. Because the press filing center is located in the Advocate Center, the training facility for the Chicago Bulls.
Media aren’t allowed to dunk, even if we could, but at least there’s a photo wall of favorite stars and an installation of basketballs dating back to the 1966-1967 season. Gold ones designate the six NBA championships won under Michael Jordan.