Democratic convention 2016: What to watch Monday
It's a new week and a new national convention. With Democrats flocking to Philadelphia today for the first day of the Democratic National Convention, the action turns now to Donald Trump's general election opponent: Hillary Clinton.
After an action-packed week in Cleveland that included everything from charges of plagiarism, booing a non-endorsing candidate off the stage and a dark picture of America from the nominee himself, Democrats are striving for a comparatively drama-free convention. That said, there's plenty happening this week that's worth paying attention to.
Monday's theme is "Putting Families First," a switch from the initial plan of "United Together." According to the Clinton campaign, the program will focus on Clinton's history of work for families.
Here's CBS News' guide for what to watch Monday, the first day of the convention:
1.) Bernie's night
Bernie Sanders may not have won the Democratic nomination, but he gets top billing in Monday night's program - a nod to the resonance his message had among many Democratic primary voters, and to the effect he's had on the party's policies and platform.
Sanders, who formally endorsed Clinton in New Hampshire earlier this month, has made it clear he's backing her, and his supporters should do the same. In other words, don't expect him to pull a Ted Cruz on the convention stage Monday night. But how he frames the race, and how effusively he praises Clinton, will give a clue as to how united the Democratic Party is heading into the general election--especially in the wake of DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz's resignation.
And it's not just Sanders who will take the stage tonight: Elizabeth Warren, the other major progressive icon, will take the stage as Monday night's keynote speaker.
Also speaking are Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota), two lawmakers who endorsed Sanders in the primary.
2.) Michelle Obama
The first lady's convention speeches have been in the headlines again lately--as the source of plagiarism in Melania Trump's Cleveland speech last Monday night. Michelle Obama has been quiet on the topic thus far, and it's unlikely she would address it in her speech Monday night.
Michelle Obama has given standout speeches at both of her husband's conventions, in 2008 and 2012--but she hasn't campaigned on behalf of Clinton yet, so it will be interesting to hear the arguments she makes on Clinton's behalf.
3.) Debbie Wasserman Schultz/DNC scandal
A trove of internal emails from Democratic National Committee staffers released through Wikileaks late last week included some evidence that top Democratic officials were dismissive of Sanders' campaign, causing cries of favoritism and problems for the party on the eve of its national convention.
The situation has gotten so bad that Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz will step down after the convention and is no longer taking the stage. Whether or not it's explicitly addressed, this situation will be hanging over the convention as it's gaveled in on Monday afternoon.
4.) The protests
All the action on the protests front was expected to be in Cleveland, while Trump accepted his nomination there last week. But apart from a few arrests and scuffles here and there, tensions stayed low in Cleveland.
Nothing big is expected in Philly--but there are plenty of Sanders supporters who are hitting the streets in spite of the heat, and some are still upset about the way things turned out and will be on hand to call for the elimination of superdelegates and other party reforms. Though the action at the Democratic convention is expected to take place more inside the convention hall, it's worth keeping an eye on how the protests go outside.
4.) Trump talk
In Cleveland last week, the words "Hillary Clinton" were a familiar refrain: speakers trashed her policies, brought up the various scandals and bad headlines she's been involved in and even called for her to go to jail.
How big a part of Monday's program will Trump be? Clinton has made no secret of her criticism for the GOP nominee--nor have Sanders and Warren.
CBS News' Steve Chaggaris contributed to this story.
