The Offstage Convention, by Andrew Cockburn

Harper's Magazine

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The Offstage Convention, by Andrew Cockburn

Democratic National Convention, Chicago, August 22, 2024 © Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty As a demonstration that politics have been refashioned as show business, the Democratic National Convention was beyond compare. Delegates chanted the requisite slogans—“We’re not going back,” “Do something,”  “Thank you, Joe”—in exuberant unison; volunteers distributed and collected placards and signs—many simply displaying names, including Doug—with faultless effic…