or on the free c-span radio app. picture from milwaukee, where the democratic national convention will begin later this evening starting at 9:00 eastern. here's a look at what you will see on c-span. ♪ >> former first lady michelle obama and 2020 presidential candidate senator bernie sanders address the democratic national convention tonight. live coverage begins at 9:00 p.m. eastern on c-span, live, streaming, and online at c-span.org/dnc or listen with the free c-span radio app. c-span, your unfiltered view of politics. tonightof the speakers appearing from other places then milwaukee. including minnesota senator amy klobuchar, a nevada senator, the

first latino to lead a senatorial committee, new york governor andrew cuomo, michigan governor gretchen whitmer, jim clyburn who gave a key endorsement to joe biden in the primary. joe kasich, former republican candidate in 2016. bernie sanders who was the vice president's main rival for the nomination, and first lady michelle obama, the only african-american first lady. that is highlighted on how to watch the democratic national convention. when it comes to those who will speak from wisconsin, other speakers will be based across the united states. if you go to the milwaukee journal sentinel website this morning they have video of what that area will look like. showing you the stage, that is for those who will be based in wisconsin.

that's a bit of the platform you will see. a couple of cameras. and some of the technical equipment that is involved. for those in wisconsin, that is where they will speak. the vice president and the nominee for vice president, kamala harris, will speak from delaware. vice president joe biden's technical person for the campaign posted on his twitter feed what that will look like when they make their speeches later this week. they plan to stand in front of several video screens. on those screens, there will be people from across the united states zooming in and watching the long as both vice president joe biden except the nomination and the kamala harris except the nomination for vice president. -- accepts the nomination for vice president. it comesis hour, when to political conventions themselves, do they matter? what do you get from them?

here's how you can let us know. republicans,1 for democrats (202) 748-8000 and independents (202) 748-8002. if you wish to text us, you can do so at (202) 748-8003. you can follow us on twitter and facebook. political conventions and if they matter. republican line, redwood, california, tom, go ahead, you are on. c-span does not take criticism well at all, especially you, pedro. what i would like to know is why c-span is not dedicated any coverage at all to the kushner middle east peace deal with the uae because this is world changing. also, the guilty plea at the fbi -- host: we tackle that in a question last week.

when it comes to political questions, supposedly what are you calling on -- what you are calling on, what do you think? caller: you did not devote -- plainfield,, wisconsin, independent, go ahead. but canthey do matter, i tell you what does matter in the state of wisconsin? coming toent is oshkosh, wisconsin. he is coming to get her jobs back. in -- what doobs you want to call it? -- a little town, he saved our shipyard. now he is coming tossed cost to save another military company that makes our military jeeps. host: that is one of the stops in oshkosh, but when it comes to the convention, what do you think about it and do conventions matter? caller: no they don't because

these things matter. why would a convention matter when somebody is trying to get wisconsin jobs back? host: let me ask you. if you say they do not matter, tell me why. caller: at a time like this, we are worried about jobs, not about a bunch of monkeys sitting on a stage. to bob inill go baldwinsville, massachusetts on their independent line. go ahead. caller: i really do not think this one matters much. i guess mr. biden will not be participating -- will only be participating for one day. donald trump will be at his convention every day. the point to meet would be what is the point if the main candidate cannot show up every day to introduce all the people him tore speaking for back him up? host: typically, the people

accepting the nomination will accept -- will show up the day they give their speech. besides from the actual showing up, why do you think they do not matter? caller: like i said, because joe biden is not really participating. he is not even answering questions. he will not stand up and talk to everybody. host: previous presidential candidates have only appeared may be a short amend of time in previous canon -- in previous conventions. you would say that about them as well? caller:why not? ok.: tina in kaiser, west virginia. independent line. hi. caller: i wanted to let you know that i think conventions do matter because you know more what the candidates will stand for. you pretty much know more about

their personal lives. you really do not find out a lot of the interviews -- in a lot of the interviews. host: you are saying the actual convention appearance itself is different than the speeches and appearances leading up to it? because -- i do not now, you tend to find out more about the candidates. host: if i may ask, can you think to a past convention that you have watched that you learned something about the candidates themselves that you did not learn previously? caller: i watched the george w. bush convention. host: what did you learn from that that you did not learn from other events? i do not remember because that is so far back.

moret found it informative. host: ok. tina in kaiser, west virginia there about political conventions, saying she learned things about the candidates themselves when they are appearing at these events. facebook, this is cory holder, the point that it provides any sort of persuasive change of mind. anventions either serve as mechanism to celebrate a nominee or openly castigate an opponent. most voters look for substance, and conventions are not the best live form for this." "relative to the has ants, the convention opportunity to assure the more left members who lean democrat that the democrat path is progressive."

a couple from the papers when it comes to the topic of conventions. from the editorial board of the new york times, "pageantry has its place, but this year the entire nation is under enormous strain. america wants to know that the presidential contenders understand their problems and are focused and intent on how to solve them." an op-ed in the washington post earlier this year saying "conventions do not do that much to bring about party unity. if there has been a spirited contest for nominations, they often become last-ditch the losers tofor air their platforms and offer a sour reminder to their supporters of what could have been." senator sanders expected to speak in tonight's activities and give his thoughts.

you can see that all play out at c-span, c-span.org, and our radio app at 9:00 tonight as we begin coverage of the democratic national convention. your thoughts on if they matter. patrick in oxnard, california. independent line. caller: good morning. i am against them. i think it is a bygone era, it is archaic, and, as you mentioned with covid, we are just in a different euro with technology. conventionhe 1980 footage from yesterday that you broadcast. it was like watching history. we are in a different time. covid, we have high technology. we can skype these things. plus, there is so much internet access, there are plenty of ways to get the information, especially for the various can feigns -- various campaigns.

host: is it about the party atmosphere? caller: i agree with you. there is the atmosphere, but i think we are changing into a different era, especially with where we are with covid, social distancing, and bringing people together. it is not an appropriate time right now. host: fort myers, florida, dennis. democrats line. caller: conventions are important because people gather, they exchange ideas. i heard the gentleman speaking of zoom and everything else, but you kind of lose the human contact. also, you forget about the economics in regards to conventions. let's face it, people go to a certain city. they take hotel rooms, go to restaurants. they have other services.

that is an economic boost to that community. let's face it, people have gathered together to exchange ideas in regards to whatever republican, democratic, independent, green, whoever, but it is important that people have that human contact because -- host: sorry, go ahead. it,er: because, let's face when people have ideas, it is face-to-faceou are away,housands of miles even though maybe the ideas can be put forth. that is all i have to say. host: do you still plan to watch even in this new format? caller: of course.

i have watched the conventions for as long as i can recall. the first convention that i did not watch -- wait a minute, i was stationed in chicago in 1968, so i recall that one very well. ist: one more question, if may. what are you watching for? what do you get out of it? people to see what the who are involved with it, you know, the speakers have a point of view that they want to bring to the voters, and the voters of the most important thing at the end of the day. no matter if you vote by mail, early vote, or if you show up on election day. host: ok. dennis in fort myers, florida talking about the experience of conventions. he talked about those economic matters. just to show you the headlines

from the papers. it is the wrong headline. i apologize. this one from the wall street journal not only talked about milwaukee and the economics of conventions and how that will take a hit because of the change in format, but charlotte as well. charlotte was the original vote location for the republicans. florida than was mentioned in jacksonville. those planes went by the wayside. -- plans went by the wayside. but again, on the day of the democratic national convention. some of the changes highlighted by the new york times. "aside from the five major speeches from mr. biden, his wife, kamala harris, and the obamas, the average length of remarks will be just two minutes. mr. sanders will have an eight minute time slot from tonight.

he plans to speak live from burlington, but has recorded in case there are technical difficulties." the story goes on to say "there will be a montage featuring the 2020 candidates, a 30 minute roll call, and, toughest of all for a political class that enjoys few things more than talking on camera, strict time limits. speeches will be live. live on tapeill be . unlike a typical national political gathering where action takes place at a party breakfast or arena concourse, the event will be run out of a control room inside the convention center." we showed you a little bit of what that control room

atmosphere will look like from the milwaukee journal sentinel video they provided on their website. if you would like a look. from miami, florida, republican line. political conventions and if they matter. go ahead. noter: really, it does matter because all the people you have on the political stage right now should be in jail for treason. all of those people has ganged up on one man because he has brought the economy to its height. when they were presidents and all these things, they did nothing for the people. host: aside from this convention, political conventions overall? regardless of this one, do they matter? caller: they do not because they are nothing but fooling the people. you are just laughing at the people. and you are using the media to do it --

host: would you say that about the conventions from both parties? caller: no. just the democratic party. the democratic party should be put in jail for treason. host: you made that point. from antioch, tennessee. this is ken. hi. caller: conventions are important. but with the situation with covid, i do not think it is wise. overall, i think we spend too much money on the campaigns to elect people to office that are not doing a good job as it is. that money could be better used to feed the hungry or house the homeless or what have you. i do not think it is a good idea with covid. host: so you would be in favor of the format we will see this time around of people appearing from their individual states and very few people present when the speeches are being made? caller: yes. host: do you think you get the

same type of information? caller: you should. i do not see why you would not. host: what do you mean by that? caller: i do not think they will be saying anything different with people there versus not. host: will you watch this convention or both conventions? what are your viewing habits like not only from this year, but from previous? caller: i will watch both. host: ok. "anyonezie on twitter saying that this year's conventions matters are full of themselves. everyone knows who they will be voting for." matter, and this one especially. you will see joe biden be empathetic to pain and president

trump desperately trying to see if what he says about what biden says sticks." if you want to tweet us your thoughts, you can tweet us at @cspanwj. clearance in kentucky. republican line. caller: hello. i wanted to say i think conventions do matter because that is where you get to hear what their views are on the subjects and so you can get in the idea of what they stand for and what they do not stand for. that is what i think. host: do you think that will change this time versus previous conventions? caller: what do you mean? host: as far as learning what they stand for and the views they take because, this year, a

lot of it will be done now with a crowd of people in a room, but across the net is states? you think you get the same type of information? caller: it will be hard to say this year. i think the debates are important, too. but i don't know if i see that happening. like i said, i think conventions do matter because you get to hear what they stand for and what they do not stand for. host: do you think you learn more from conventions than debates? caller: yes and no. when you are at the convention, you hear what they stand for. when you are in debates, they debate why they stand for this and why they do not stand for this. they are both kind of important. that is what i think. host: ok. clarence and kentucky. -- in kentucky. some keynote speeches you will

hear. usa today highlights some other voices that will be highlighted in the convention this week. personalize the party's message, the convention will feature voters talking about their priorities, including a farmer in pennsylvania who voted for the supports in 2016 and joe biden. advocates for who gun control after her son was shot. a team leader at general motors in michigan. a person who immigrated from and a when he was 12, person who teaches a bilingual program at the school. -- at a school.

some of the voices you will hear from across the net is states. in wisconsin. joe biden and kamala harris said to make their speeches from a site in delaware. michigan,livonia, democrats line. your next up. good morning. ofler: i have watched a lot political conventions over my 72 years, and i really enjoy watching them, especially with my family. my children and grandchildren watch them, talk about them. speakers,analyze the especially the new, up and coming politicians, not only on the democratic side but on the republican side. kind of look at their body language. i really enjoy watching the conventions and having conversations not only with my

family but is well with my friends. -- as well with my friends. i think they are important. i hope they will continue. this year, i do not know if we will be able to see them and try to analyze them, but it is good to see them perform in front of a crowd of people, where is this year that may be is not going to year thatwhereas this maybe is not going to happen. i would love to continue to watching -- to continue watching. host: do you still plan, even in this new format, to watch with your family? caller: i plan to watch with family. we will see if we can look at it and make decisions, talk about it, analyze the speakers, especially the new, up-and-coming speakers. host: you miss the party atmosphere. that is what i'm gathering. caller: we do.

but we are going to watch it is a family. host: ok. make sure you watch on c-span, by the way. coverage will start at 9:00. no commentary during the convention itself. we will show you what plays out not only in wisconsin but in other areas of the united states. c-span.org, and our radio app. that's free. sandra in louisiana, republican line. grayson, louisiana. caller: hi. tot: sandra, let me ask you turn your tv down before you go on. caller: ok. host: your television is on in the background. i think you got it. ok.er: host: go ahead. caller: hi. this is sandra. host: ok.

what do you think about political conventions? caller: i do not think that political -- i enjoy listening to donald trump. he has never lied about anything he is known in the past four years. i have watched biden for the first eight years on the tv. he has done absolutely nothing for louisiana. host: what do you get from watching political conventions? caller: i do not watch the convention because i do not believe in the convention. host: ok. that is sandra in louisiana. you have probably heard this time and again. if you are waiting to get online, would you mind turning off your tv. we would appreciate it. brad in international falls. hello. caller: good morning, pedro. quite a time again, right?

these conventions we are talking about, it is pretty well set in stone already. there is no need for a convention. how it looks is that trump will win in a big landslide this time. the democrats have not came up with anything. the problem that the democrats truly have and they need to understand is that they have to kick out the media from running their party. you think about the billions of dollars the media has invested in this and they lost again. what do you -- what do you think they are going to do when you get selected for the next four years? conventions think offer a chance for democrats and republicans to highlight their proposals and what they would like to achieve? caller: i hear what you saying, but guess what? -- if something were happening that was normal,

but for four years, the convention has been against go get donald trump. the media runs the d&c. .- runs the dnc until the dnc kicks the media out, they will not have a chance to take the presidency for years to come. host: don't you think the purpose of a convention is to highlight the issues with the person in office, regardless of the political party you hold to? caller: the problem being is that, in the last four years, they lost. they could not accept losing. they are bad losers. if you cannot be a good loser, you certainly cannot be a good winter. host: that is brad. we will go to tony. columbia, south carolina. democrats line. caller: hi. great program, by the way.

host: thank you. caller: conventions do matter. i think we will still get the message from the democratic convention this year because of technology and your coverage as well with c-span. i plan to watch the convention in its entirety on c-span or by computer as well. we are going to miss the live coverage of different speakers, and like the gentleman said speakersthe upcoming and the rising stars in the democratic party. to get to see them during the convention. but i do watch both conventions to get views from the other side as well, even though i am a strong democrat. host: as far as what you learn from the candidates, is there a particular convention you remember watching and a candidate that impressed >> we areng