During their convention in Chicago in August, the Democrats focused on the broad theme of freedom, but the meaning behind the word was aimed specifically at issues of this political moment including abortion, rights for transgender people and treatment of immigrants.
“It’s the freedom to go to school and not have to worry about a mass shooter,” said Tom Perez, senior adviser to President Joe Biden, in an interview with the Midway. “It’s the freedom to pursue your wildest dreams without having to encounter glass ceilings. It’s the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water. That’s what it’s about, and these issues are entirely at stake in this election.”
In her campaign, that is exactly how Kamala Harris has aimed to frame freedom, putting a spin on the idea of freedom Republicans have created in the past decade. Vice President Harris has put a focus on the freedoms of privacy, safety and autonomy, among others. The notion seemed to sit well with many gathered at the United Center for the convention.
“I think it resonates well when you define it as she has,” Mr. Perez said. “It’s the freedom for women to make choices about their body.”
Florida alternate delegate Robert Palacios said that the Democrats’ version of freedom was sharply different from the way Republicans have framed that concept.
“For us right now, freedom is freedom from government in many ways, which used to be a Republican philosophy,” Mr. Palacios said. “But now, the Republican philosophy is to be more engaged in people’s personal life: who you love, what you may do with your own body.”
Mr. Palacios said that the Harris campaign’s focus on LGBTQ+ and reproductive freedoms were particularly important to him.
“I think LGBT rights are on the line. But not only that as gay person — I think also women’s rights are on the line, too. We saw with Republicans’ philosophy in 2024 — it’s getting more radicalized on trying to engage in women’s personal choices. I’m a Cuban American. In Cuba, the government intervenes in the people’s life. This is not a good practice in the U.S. It’s very opposite of what our founding fathers wanted.”
North Carolina delegate Brenda Pollard also emphasized the importance of autonomy and privacy in this campaign. As a fifth-time attendee, Ms. Pollard said watching Democrats come together and unify at the convention was inspiring.
“I think the issues that we’re focused on are our own personal decisions,” she said. “That’s our bodies or who we want to love or who we want to vote for. It’s our freedom. It’s our democracy.”
