The second day of the Democratic National Convention saw former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Chicago natives, urge their fellow party members to support Vice President Kamala Harris‘s presidency.
Democrats held a ceremonial vote nominating Harris as their presidential candidate after she had become the official nominal through a virtual roll call earlier this month. Simultaneously, Harris and her running mate Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) held a campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but they managed to thank party members for their enthusiasm for their ticket.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) appeared onstage but eschewed the wheelchair she normally uses and walked onstage. The Illinois senator was injured and lost both legs in 2004 after her Black Hawk helicopter was struck by a grenade.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) thumped former President Donald Trump for allegedly lying about his billionaire status. “Donald Trump thinks we should trust him on the economy because he claims to be very rich,” Pritzker said. “But take it from an actual billionaire, Trump is rich in only thing: stupidity!”
Tuesday’s theme “A Bold Vision for America’s Future” sought to contrast Harris’s vision for the nation’s future against Trump’s vision.
Barack Obama serves as bridge to a potential Harris presidency
Obama, the nation’s first black president, sought to pass on the mantel to Harris, who could become the nation’s first woman president if elected in November.
“Now the torch has been passed. Now it’s up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in. And make no mistake: it will be a fight,” Obama said. “For all the incredible energy we’ve been able to generate over the last few weeks, this will still be a tight race in a closely divided country – a country where too many Americans are still struggling, and don’t believe government can help.”
The former president began his speech touting the newfound energy the party has championed since Harris replaced Biden as top of the presidential ticket.
“I’m feeling fired up! I’m feeling ready to go even if I’m only the stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama,” the former president declared. “I’m feeling hopeful because this convention has always been pretty good to kids with funny names who believe in a country where anything is possible.”
The comment alluded to the difficulty both Harris and Obama have both faced over pronouncing their names as they were running for president.
Later on during his speech he declared “Yes she can!” a callback to his 2008 theme “Yes we can.” The crowd began to chant “Yes she can!” back at the former president and would continue the chant during other parts of his speech.
Obama also praised Walz for his down-to-earth persona before cameras cut to his wife Gwen Walz who appeared to agree with Obama. “Tim’s the kind of person who should be in politics,” he said. “Somebody who was born in a small town, served his country, taught kids, coached football, and took care of his neighbors.”
“You can tell those flannel shirts he wears don’t come from some consultant, they come from his closet, and they’ve been through some stuff,” Obama added.
In a criticism against Trump, Obama declared: “This is a 78-year-old billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago.”
“It’s been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually gotten worse now that he’s afraid of losing to Kamala,” he continued. “The childish nicknames and crazy conspiracy theories and weird obsession with crowd size. It just goes on and on.” The crowd roared in laughter.
Obama took time out of his speech to praise President Joe Biden, who served as his vice president for eight years. “It’s been sixteen years since I had the honor of accepting this party’s nomination for president. I know it’s hard to believe because I have not aged a bit, but it’s true,” Obama said before touting Biden as his vice president.
“History will remember Joe Biden as a president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger,” Obama said. “I am proud to call him my president, but even prouder to call him my friend.”
Michelle Obama jabs Trump over black jobs
Before Obama spoke onstage, former first lady Michelle Obama revved up the crowd by also criticizing Trump over his inelegant comments on race.
“His limited and narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who happened to be black,” Obama said to loud applause. “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those “black jobs?”
Like her husband, Obama referenced Trump’s escalator moment during her speech. “If things don’t go our way, we don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead,” Obama said. “No, we don’t get to change the rules so we always win.”
Obama took a moment to compare Harris to her late mother, Marian Robinson, who taught her American values. “Kamala Harris and I built our lives on those same foundational values,” Obama said. “Even though our mothers grew up an ocean apart, they shared the same belief in the promise of this country.”
Ultimately, Obama said she felt more positive about the nation as Harris attempted to win the White House. “America, hope is making a comeback,” Obama declared.
Harris goes double duty introducing herself to the public
Despite not physically appearing at the convention, Harris and Walz both appeared via video at the convention. The pair were preparing for a rally at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, but Harris gave brief remarks to the convention after the ceremonial roll call had concluded.
“We are so honored to be your nominees. This is a people-powered campaign, and together, we will chart a new way forward,” Harris said in brief remarks televised at the convention which brought out cheers.
This follows her surprise appearance onstage at the convention on Monday evening and appears it is part of Harris’s strategy to reintroduce herself to the American public as the new Democratic nominee.
Doug Emhoff recounts early days with Harris
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff claimed he was “proud” of his wife for “rising to the occasion” in his address to convention attendees touting Harris’s ability to lead the nation.
“She’s ready to lead. She brings both joy and toughness to this task,” Emhoff declared. “And she will be a great president we will all be proud of.”
He recounted an anecdote about a voicemail he left on Harris’s phone when the pair were first set up during a blind date. “Hey it’s Doug,” Emhoff recounted of the voicemail he left on Harris’s phone.
Emhoff also teasingly declared he “loves” Harris’s laugh as they were first dating. “You know that laugh—I love that laugh,” he said.
On Thursday, the 10th wedding anniversary for Harris and Emhoff, the vice president will give her acceptance speech at the convention. While Harris will play the embarrassing voicemail, “I’ll be hearing my wife, Kamala Harris, accept your nomination for president of the United States,” Emhoff said.
Harris tweeted a photo of herself watching Emhoff speak with the caption: “Love you, Dougie.”
Emhoff became the nation’s first-second gentleman when Harris and Biden were elected in 2020 and inaugurated in 2021. If Harris were elected president, he would be the nation’s first gentleman in 2025 when Harris and Walz would be inaugurated.
Democrats delight over virtual roll call
Members of all 57 delegations showcased their home state pride during a ceremonial roll call vote that saw Georgia bring out rapper Lil Jon, in an electrifying moment. This was the first in-person roll call since 2016 as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the party to hold a virtual roll call, giving the moment extra enthusiasm.
Each delegation played snippets of popular music before they proudly voted for Harris. Guam used Sabrina Carpenter’s hit song of the summer “Espresso” as their theme music.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) proudly cast Illinois’s ballots for Harris using the Chicago Bulls theme music, as his state hosted the convention.
R&B singer Anthony Hamilton appeared with North Carolina’s delegation as they cast their vote, while Eva Longoria appeared with the Texas delegation.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) flanked by House Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) cast the final state votes for Harris. “It’s time for us to do the right thing. And that is to elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States of America,” Newsom declared. “California we proudly cast our 482 votes for the next president Kamala Harris.”
