Oh The change isn’t just in the polling. Financial floodgates have opened and both campaigns are now teeming with people eager to make calls and knock on doors. I could feel their excitement; it wasn’t just political – it was personal. They spoke about seeing people in their districts who had never been politically engaged before suddenly show

This convention’s energy is in no small part down to the thousands of volunteers who are committed not only to a seamless experience but also radiate excitement, enthusiasm and a warm, friendly spirit that pulsates through the heart of Chicago.

Even seasoned political hacks like myself, who routinely deploy “cautiously optimistic” to manage expectations, can’t deny that something extraordinary is in the air.

I’ve been in politics for over a decade, working on both winning and losing campaigns. Over time, you develop a sense for these things – you can tell when polls feel off or when something isn’t quite right. I was one of the few on the Remain campaign repeatedly warning against getting swept up in heady numbers.

Just a few months later, I felt like one of the only people who wasn’t shocked by Clinton’s result. But here, the feeling is genuinely positive. It’s optimism with a focus on correcting past mistakes rather than celebrating too early, and everyone – from top of the ticket to volunteers from all around the world – is on board.

People attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois on Monday night (Photo: Craig Hudson/ Reuters) On Monday, I met two candidates running for House seats in Wisconsin – districts once considered no-hopers. But now, they describe a “renewed sense of energy” pulsating through their campaigns.

Both candidates have seen a narrowing in their polls since Harris stepped into the spotlight. One, previously trailing by double digits, struggled to contain their grin as they shared how the numbers have shifted by five points in the past few weeks.

Oh The change isn’t just in the polling. Financial floodgates have opened and both campaigns are now teeming with people eager to make calls and knock on doors. I could feel their excitement; it wasn’t just political – it was personal. They spoke about seeing people in their districts who had never been politically engaged before suddenly show up.

Harris on stage on day one of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago (Photo: Mike Blake/Reuters)