The American Democratic Party National Convention (DNC) has cleared former vice-president Joe Biden as the party’s candidate for the 2020 presidential elections, and a half-Tamilian Brahmin woman with Chennai roots, Kamala Harris, as his running mate. Departing from the standard practice of colourful, quadrennial pageants, when politicians would address large, eager crowds in packed auditoria, it was held online this time in light of the ongoing Wuhan virus pandemic, with keynote speakers addressing their supporters digitally.