CHICAGO – On the evening before Vice President Kamala Harris officially debuted as the Democratic presidential nominee, delegates and political consultants gathered for a party sponsored by a prominent gun safety group. It was not a serious night. A senator, his tie loosened, slugged a drink while Joan Jett played behind him. Operatives and consultants ranged from buzzed to being full-on drunk. Jello shots were in circulation.
It felt like a last hoorah, because, in many ways, it was. At least until November.
The veterans of tough general elections – former presidents, past nominees and first spouses who spoke at the convention — all hinted repeatedly that the hard time is coming next. As they joined the rest of their party in celebrating the current good fortune of surging coffers, building momentum and rising poll numbers, they also warned of not growing complacent.