The Univision commentator spoke breathlessly about the spectacle unfolding on TV. “Tensions are brewing among influential party insiders,” he spent some time explaining the intense debates and lobbying efforts. Finally, he summarized his thoughts, “It looks as though we have a real potential for a brokered convention!”
“What’s a brokered convention?” Juan asked his daughter, Sofia, who was watching with him.
Sofia accepted a bowl of tortilla chips from her mother and set it on the coffee table next to the bowl of pico de gallo salsa. “That’s when no candidate receives a majority of the delegate votes,” she said, dipping a chip. i
“I’ve never bothered to watch a convention before,” Juan admitted, reaching for a chip. “I don’t really understand what they’re doing. All I see is thousands of people standing around arguing with lots of flags and music.”
Sofia giggled melodiously. “Oh Dad, that’s why you’re sending me to college! What do you want to know?”
“Well,” Juan considered his next words, “I thought Joe Biden was the nominee. So, what are they talking about now?”
Sofia’s expression grew serious. “Everybody’s in shock,” she waved a finger towards the TV. They’ve all been talking about Biden’s health. They’re wondering if he’s got what it takes to beat Trump.”
“Yeah, I got that,” Juan nodded.
“But now, they’re putting pressure on the superdelegates to choose someone else,” Sofia’s eyes were glued to the set as she summarized the debate raging on air.
Juan’s eyes lit up, “Yeah, the superdelegates! Tio Pablo told me about those guys. So, they’re gonna choose someone else now?”
“They’re considering that possibility, yes,” Sofia flashed Juan a look that seemed to ask if her explanation was sufficient.
It was. When did mija get so smart? Juan wondered, not for the first time.
“It’s an unexpected twist that’s sending shockwaves through the political landscape,” the Univision commentator was speaking as part of a panel. Then he turned towards the camera and said, “For those of you just tuning in, no presidential candidate received a majority of delegates in the first round of voting, or in several subsequent rounds of voting.”
Juan and his family ate dinner while the television played in the background. Once Maria left for work, Juan and Sofia returned to the living room to watch the news.
“If no candidate manages to get a majority of the votes, then the convention runs the risk of being deadlocked,” The announcer tossed the subject over to a professional of some kind for an expert opinion.
“What other candidates are they talking about?” Juan asked. “I thought it was only Joe Biden?”
Sofia aimed the remote at the TV and turned down the volume so she could be heard over the frantic news reporting. “One group is saying that if Biden can’t beat Trump, then the next choice would be to select Kamala Harris as the nominee.”
“That makes sense,” Juan agreed. “That’s what the Vice President is for, right?”
“Not necessarily, Dad,” Sofia shook her head. “With all these rounds of voting, some of the delegates have become ‘unbound,’ meaning they can vote for whoever they want.
“Who else are they gonna vote for?” Juan was perplexed. “Nobody else is running.”
Just then, the headline banners started announcing breaking news, and Sofia turned the volume back up on the TV. “This just in! In a bombshell development, the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has been elected as the 2024 Democratic Presidential nominee!”
“What?” Sofia looked as though she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “They replaced a black woman with another rich white man?” She slammed her fist down on the table, overturning the bowl of salsa and spilling it on the carpet.
“Ay, ay, ay,” Juan muttered. “This is gonna be trouble.”
What Will They Say?
Choose Option 1: Newsom Discusses Failing Economy
Choose Option 2: Harris Supports Third Party