Several vulnerable Democrats, including Sens. Jon Tester, Sherrod Brown, and Jacky Rosen, chose to skip the Democratic National Convention (DNC) where Vice President Harris was officially nominated as the Democratic nominee. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., commended their decision, stating that it was wise for them to stay in their districts due to the demanding nature of the convention.
Sherman expressed concerns that being away from their districts for seven days could potentially harm their re-election campaigns. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing their presence in their constituencies during this critical time.
Outside the United Center in Chicago, thousands of anti-Israel protestors gathered, resulting in several arrests and the burning of the American flag. Sherman described the crowd as extremist and suggested that their agenda was to undermine the Democratic Party in favor of establishing an extreme socialist party.
He noted that the presence of these demonstrators had diverted police resources from the suburbs of Chicago, impacting law enforcement's ability to address other potential issues. While acknowledging the protestors' right to demonstrate, Sherman criticized those engaging in illegal activities during the protests.