The Democratic National Convention that begins Monday will be a dramatically scaled-back version of itself, with a condensed program of speakers all delivering their remarks remotely.


What You Need To Know

  • Speakers at next week's DNC will include New Yorkers Bill and Hillary Clinton, Sen. Charles Schumer, Gov. Cuomo and Mike Bloomberg

  • Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was afforded a speaking role, but it will be only a one-minute pre-recorded message

  • Mayor de Blasio and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who both spoke at the 2016 DNC, didn't make the cut

  • Manhattanite Andrew Yang was not initially invited to speak, then added to the roster after his online supporters protested

As always, New York will be well-represented. Hillary Clinton will give a headlining speech. So will Bill Clinton, who's also a New York delegate. And it's no surprise that prime-time slots are reserved for Senator Charles Schumer and Governor Cuomo.

Perhaps a bigger surprise: Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, not exactly an establishment darling, was also afforded a speaking role. But in what some viewed as a slight, it will consist only of a one-minute pre-recorded message.

As for content, Cuomo wasn't giving anything away Friday. He was asked by a Spectrum News reporter for a preview of the themes he intends to touch on.

"No," Cuomo said. "Why would I do that? Then you may not watch on Monday."

But given the national attention paid to Cuomo's daily coronavirus briefings this spring, it's a safe bet Trump's response to the pandemic will be a major theme.

"Whether it's how to handle a pandemic and how to do it professionally, and the right way to get the right result -- contrasting, of course with how the federal government did it under Donald Trump -- he would be the perfect person to speak to that," said Jay Jacobs, chairman of the New York State Democratic Party.

The COVID-19 pandemic could also figure into former Mayor Michael Bloomberg's speech. He garnered headlines at the 2016 DNC with his anti-Trump zingers, like this one: "I'm a New Yorker. And I know a con when I see one."

At the time, Bloomberg was not registered in any political party. In the years since, Bloomberg registered as a Democrat, then embarked late last year on a $1 billion self-funded presidential campaign that flamed out on Super Tuesday.

Meanwhile, two other high-profile New Yorkers who ran for president didn't make the cut: Mayor de Blasio and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, both of whom spoke at the last convention.

Another New Yorker who ran in the primary, Manhattanite Andrew Yang, was a late addition.

When the speaker lineup was announced earlier this week, Yang tweeted: "I've got to be honest I kind of expected to speak."

 

His supporters rallied, and less than 48 hours later, Yang tweeted that he'd been added to the lineup.

 

Speeches will take place every night from 9 to 11 p.m. beginning Monday and lasting through Thursday, when Joe Biden will deliver his acceptance speech from Delaware.