CHICAGO (KYW Newsradio) — On its second day, the Democratic National Convention featured rousing speeches by two superstars of the party, former first lady Michelle Obama and her husband, former President Barack Obama.
In his address to delegates, Barack Obama reached for a nonpartisan tone, urging Democrats and Republicans to come together. He spoke about Americans’ shared values, saying people don't want to live in a divided country, and that the excitement surrounding the campaign of Kamala Harris is a reflection of that.
He sought to recapture and redirect the energy of his 2008 run, taking Harris’ racial and ethnic identity, which the Trump campaign has sought to weaponize, and turning it into an advantage.
“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,” Obama said.
If his speech was like a sermon to the American people, former first lady Michelle Obama’s remarks, which preceded his, were like a much more rousing pep rally. Without ever mentioning Donald Trump by name, she drew raucous applause from the delegates by making jabs at him.
And then the kicker: “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs?’” she said — an oblique reference to Trump’s assertion at a National Association of Black Journalists convention Q&A in July that immigrants are coming to the U.S. to take what he called “Black jobs.”
With President Joe Biden having addressed delegates on Monday, the week’s full focus has turned to Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Tuesday night’s theme is “A bold vision for the future,” but the night started off with a little glimpse into the past. Delegates heard from Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of John F. Kennedy. He started out by saying his grandfather is his hero, and that Harris shares JFK’s energy and optimism. Jimmy Carter's grandson also spoke, and Patti LaBelle delivered a fabulous performance.
Philadelphia was well represented, with Pennsylvania Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, a rising Democratic star, roasting Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance. Kenyatta dragged out with him one of the Democrats’ favorite new political props, a massive book labeled “Project 2025: Mandate for Leadership,” the conservative Republican blueprint for a second Trump term.
“Usually Republicans want to ban books, but now they are trying to shove this down our throats,” Kenyatta said.
Trump has disavowed association with Project 2025, though it was written by many of his supporters and leading conservatives who would likely hold influential administration positions should Trump win in November.
Democrats held a “celebratory” roll call vote to nominate Harris. Featuring a DJ and light show, it was purely for show, as the party had already held a virtual vote on Aug. 6 that made her the party’s official nominee.
Decked out in blue satin, DJ Cassidy spun a special song for each state in the roll call. Alabama, for example, obviously, got “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Florida committed its delegates to “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty, who was born in Gainesville. The rapper Lil Jon appeared over the music of DJ Snake’s “Turn Down for What” ahead of Georgia awarding its delegates to Harris.
When it came time for New Jersey to commit its delegates, Gov. Phil Murphy took the mic and, over Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA,” he declared: “We’re from Jersey, baby. And you’re not.”
Protesters once again surrounded the convention hall. A second layer of security fencing was added outside of the United Center after a security breach on Monday. And, about 2 miles from the United Center, a few dozen protesters chanting “Free, free Palestine!” gathered outside a skyscraper that houses the Israeli consulate for a pro-Palestinian demonstration. Some carried Palestinian flags, while many others wore black and covered their faces.
The consulate has been the site of numerous demonstrations since the war in Gaza began in October. Dozens of Chicago police officers were posted outside the building, where law enforcement had closed down most of the entrances to the building on Tuesday.
Harris and Walz, meanwhile, campaigned in Milwaukee, at the same arena where Republicans held their national convention in July to nominate Trump for president.
The Minnesota governor talked about how good Republicans felt when their gathering had concluded, then added: “Well, trust me, Milwaukee — a hell of a lot can change in four weeks.”