Former US President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, US, August 20, 2024. | Photo credit: Reuters
Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama on Tuesday (August 20, 2024) called on the nation to embrace Kamala Harris in an urgent message, warning of a tough fight. Democratic National Convention Who was at times both optimistic and confrontational.
“Hope is returning to America,” the former first lady declared, then took aim at Republican Donald Trump, a sharp departure from his 2016 convention speech in which he told his party, “When they go low, we go high.”
“His limited and parochial view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who also happened to be black,” Ms. Obama said of Mr. Trump.
Former President Mr Obama called Mr Trump “a 78-year-old billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he stepped off his golden escalator nine years ago.”
“It has been a continuous cycle of complaints and grievances which has now gotten worse because they are afraid of losing to Kamala,” he alleged.
Harris’s Coalition
The fiery messages from the Democratic Party’s two biggest stars underscore the urgency of the moment as Ms. Harris works to build a broad coalition to defeat Mr. Trump this fall. She is turning to Obama and other celebrities, from the far-right left to centrist officials and even some Republicans, to boost her campaign.
And while the theme of the night was “a bold vision for America’s future,” the disparate factions of Ms. Harris’s evolving coalition demonstrated, above all, that they are united by a desire to prevent a second Trump presidency.
Just before Obama’s speech, Ms Harris addressed about 15,000 people in the battleground state of Wisconsin, where Republicans held their convention last month. She declared she was running a “people-powered campaign”.
“Together, we will forge a new way forward,” the vice president said, remarks that were broadcast in part to the DNC. “A future of freedom, opportunity, optimism, and faith.”
Schumer, Sanders praise Harris
In Chicago, Senate Democratic leader Senator Chuck Schumer and Vermont independent Bernie Sanders, beloved by progressives, both praised Ms Harris. And in a move intended to lampoon Mr Trump, his former press secretary Stephanie Grisham – now a harsh critic of her former boss – also took to the convention stage.
Senator Bernie Sanders gestures on stage on day two of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, US, August 20, 2024. | Photo credit: Reuters
“Mr. Trump has no empathy, no morals and no devotion to the truth,” Ms. Grisham said. “I love my country more than I love my party. Kamala Harris tells the truth. She respects the American people. And she’s got my vote.”
Still, not everything was serious on the second night of the four-day convention.
A symbolic roll call in which each state’s delegates pledged their support for the Democratic nominee turned into a party atmosphere. A DJ played a mix of state-specific songs — and Atlanta native Lil Jon played his hit song, “Turn Down for What,” with DJ Snake during Georgia’s turn, delighting thousands inside the cavernous United Center.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who will become the nation’s first gentleman if his wife wins the presidency, shared personal details about his relationship with Ms. Harris — her cooking habits, their first date and her laugh, which is often mocked by Republican critics.
“You know that laugh? I love that laugh!” Mr. Emhoff said as the crowd cheered. Later, he added, “Her empathy is her strength.”
Meanwhile, Mr Trump embarked on a campaign trip during the Democratic convention as part of his weeklong swing-state tour. He visited Howell, Michigan, on Tuesday and, standing aside from sheriff’s deputies, denounced Harris as the “ringleader” of a “Marxist assault on law enforcement” across the country.
“Kamala Harris will bring crime, chaos, destruction and death,” Mr Trump said.