2024 Democratic National Convention: Democrats head into DN C feeling optimistic and terrified: ANALYSIS [Video]

Democrats are jubilant, preparing for a political party this week as they descend on Chicago for their convention. They’re also terrified.

In just a short time, Vice President Kamala Harris has energized her party as its de facto presidential nominee, riding a fawning social media wave and polling boost over President Joe Biden’s numbers. Her formal acceptance of Democrats’ nomination this week will cap just the latest moment in her weekslong “honeymoon” as she energizes a party that just a month ago was downright morose after Biden’s ruinous June debate.

DNC LIVE UPDATES: Democrats set to rally around Kamala Harris as nominee

But the party is still gripped by profound dread over former President Donald Trump, who retains a viable path to victory and who overcame historical odds and his own stumbles to win the White House the last time Democrats were galvanized by a history-making female candidate.

Democrats are “more hopeful than I’ve seen them …