Democrats postpone convention until August because of coronavirus

In this July 26, 2016, file photo the stage is reflected on a glass window on the suite level at Wells Fargo Arena as Timmy Kelly sings the national anthem before the start of the second day session of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing Democrats and Republicans to take a close look at whether they'll be able to move forward as planned this summer with conventions that typically kick off the general election season. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
In this July 26, 2016, file photo the stage is reflected on a glass window on the suite level at Wells Fargo Arena as Timmy Kelly sings the national anthem before the start of the second day session of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing Democrats and Republicans to take a close look at whether they'll be able to move forward as planned this summer with conventions that typically kick off the general election season. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

WASHINGTON -- The Democratic National Committee on Thursday postponed its national convention because of the coronavirus, moving it from mid-July to mid-August. The delay is the largest political concession so far to the public health crisis caused by the virus, which has led to the cancellation of hundreds of state and local conventions from both parties.

The convention will still be held in Milwaukee, as planned, the week of Aug. 17, officials said, a week before Republicans plan to gather in Charlotte, North Carolina, to renominate President Donald Trump.

The delay comes just hours after the party's likely nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, called for rescheduling the convention during an appearance on "The Tonight Show."

Changing the date of the convention will be a daunting logistical feat, requiring the rebooking of thousands of hotel rooms, among other difficulties. But trying to keep the July dates loomed as more challenging because of the uncertainty the virus cast over the preparations; it typically takes several weeks to set up a venue with a stage and make the other arrangements necessary to hold a convention.

The arena, Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum, and a nearby convention center are both available the week of Aug. 17, but they are booked the week before with the annual convention of insurer Northwestern Mutual.

"This is the right decision for the safety of those involved in the convention and for Milwaukee," said Alex Lasry, a senior official with the Milwaukee Bucks who led the city's convention bid. "An August convention will provide a much-needed economic boost for Milwaukee and Wisconsin as we come out of this unprecedented time."

There is no guarantee that the crisis will be over by August, and travel could still be difficult or even dangerous for some.

While Biden has a nearly insurmountable delegate lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders, his last remaining rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, he cannot take formal control over convention planning until he clinches the nomination or Sanders drops out of the race.

With so many states postponing their primaries because of public health concerns about the coronavirus, Biden cannot clinch the nomination until June at the earliest if Sanders remains in the race.

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