As the big stars of the Democratic Party are trotted out on television during their national convention this week, most of them will be at home - courtesy of the pandemic.
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It's no different for Florida's 248 delegates.
Lou Grossman voted Monday for Vice President Joe Biden from the comfort of his home in Sarasota. He says it's all designed to make it look like a "normal" convention.
"It has become a new-age interactive convention. Who knows what it's going to be like in the future?" he said. "It's all uncharted ground. So most of us are not sitting back. We're trying to be as activist as we can. We're all thrilled about Vice President Biden. It's a unity convention. You will see a convention that looks like America."
This is the first time Grossman has been a delegate. He doesn't feel like he'll be missing out on much of the experience of being in Milwaukee, however. He spoke from his "convention floor," as he called it - the office in his Sarasota home.
"Am I disappointed not being on the convention floor and hobnobbing and having fun and that? Well yeah,to a certain extent, but it's going to be a fabulous convention and I'm busy with online meetings every day and we make the best of it," he said. "It's unusual times, it's an unusual convention. I'm happy to be part of it. It's historic, actually."
Grossman, 69, manages apublic relations firm, and said he already voted Monday for Biden. He represents the 16th Congressional District, which includes Sarasota, Manatee and southern Hillsborough counties.
Florida's delegates were feted Sunday night by Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn. But, delegates don't get to lean back in their easy chairs and watch the rest of the convention on TV. On Tuesday, there are several caucuses that will meet. There are also virtual watch parties that get activists together - online.
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