Michelle and Barack Obama delivered powerful endorsements for Kamala Harris during the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night, urging party supporters nationwide to vote and defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.
"Hope is making a comeback," declared Mrs. Obama to the audience in Chicago, echoing her husband's campaign theme of "hope and change."
In their consecutive speeches, the Democratic Party's most prominent figures lauded Ms. Harris while criticizing Trump, whose presidency Mr. Obama described as marked by "bluster and chaos."
However, the couple also cautioned their party not to overlook the close nature of the race, despite the enthusiasm surrounding Ms. Harris's campaign. They emphasized that the election's outcome would hinge on a few critical swing states.
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"Make no mistake, it will be a fight," stated the 63-year-old former president, Mr. Obama.
Michelle Obama, 60, reinforced the message. "We need to vote in numbers that erase any doubt," she urged. "We need to overwhelm any effort to suppress us."
Mr. Obama highlighted America's readiness for a "new chapter," stating, "We are ready for a President Kamala Harris. And Kamala Harris is ready for the job."
The Obamas' call for Democrats to turn out in November revealed a deeper party concern about the tight race between Ms. Harris and Trump, who maintains a strong grip on his loyal supporters nationwide.
Ms. Harris holds a slight lead in national polling averages, but pollsters warn that the race remains nearly tied in the key battleground states that will ultimately determine the winner under America's electoral college system.
Although Ms. Harris is technically the incumbent candidate, she has portrayed herself and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, as the underdogs in the race.
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The Obamas also acknowledged the renewed excitement within the party since Ms. Harris replaced President Joe Biden following his withdrawal from the race, subtly referencing the enthusiasm and message of hope that propelled Mr. Obama to victory in his 2008 presidential run against Republican John McCain.
Mr. Obama went on to serve a second term before Trump won the White House in 2016.
Mrs. Obama, whose memorable line from her 2016 convention speech was, "when they go low, we go high," did little to temper the heated political rhetoric that has divided the country over the past decade.
She criticized Trump for attacking her family and continuing to promote "ugly, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions that will actually make people's lives better."
In a broadside that elicited some of the night's loudest cheers, she mocked Trump for his use of the term "black jobs" on the campaign trail.
"Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those black jobs?" she quipped, referring to her husband's presidency.
Mrs. Obama also used her platform to pay tribute to her late mother, Marian Robinson, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 86.
"I wasn't even sure if I could be steady enough to stand before you tonight, but my heart compelled me to," she told the audience.
Vance and Harris Host Competing Events
Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have been holding rallies and events in swing states while the Democrats convene in Chicago.
On Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Vance held a news conference in neighboring Wisconsin to criticize Ms. Harris for the "failures" of her vice-presidency.
He focused on crime and public safety, as well as the economy—two areas where Republicans perceive vulnerability.
Referring to protests in Kenosha following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in 2020, he stated, "Wisconsin has suffered when you don't have good, smart, pro-public safety leadership, and that’s what Donald Trump and I want to bring back to the White House.”
Having traveled to Wisconsin, Ms. Harris was not present at the convention's second day in Chicago. However, the event featured a jubilant and star-studded roll call, with delegates from each state and US territories symbolically casting votes for Ms. Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in the arena.
Although the vice-president formally secured her party’s nomination earlier this month, the symbolic gesture quickly turned into a dance party.
Lil Jon performed "Turn Down For What" before Georgia announced its vote. Actor Sean Astin spoke during Indiana’s turn, nodding to his role in the cult classic American football film "Rudy," set in the state.
An on-stage DJ played songs for each state as delegates, wearing flashing red and white bracelets, delivered brief speeches about their support for Ms. Harris and Mr. Walz.
The vice-president then addressed the crowd virtually from her rally in Milwaukee—90 miles away—at the same venue where Trump accepted his party's nomination four weeks ago.
"We are so honored to be your nominees," she said of herself and Mr. Walz. "I'll see you in two days, Chicago."
Doug Emhoff Takes the Stage
Before the Obamas' speeches, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Ms. Harris's husband, made an appearance to share personal stories about the vice-president, including how they were set up on a blind date by one of his clients in 2013.
He spoke about their "big, beautiful, blended family," referring to his son, Cole, and daughter, Ella, from his first marriage. He described Ms. Harris as a "joyful warrior" and a supportive parent who prioritized their family despite her job's demands.
Ms. Harris, flying back from her rally during her husband's speech, kept Air Force Two in the air to watch his speech live, according to the White House.
Mr. Emhoff mentioned that the two would celebrate their 10th anniversary on Thursday night when Ms. Harris formally accepts the party's nomination in a primetime speech.
"Kamala was exactly the right person for me at an important moment in my life," he said. "And at this moment in our nation's history, she is exactly the right president."
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