Former First Lady Michelle Obama and Former President Barack Obama delivered powerful speeches endorsing Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and criticizing Republican nominee Donald Trump at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on Tuesday, according to The Guardian.
Michelle emphasized the "contagious power of hope" that Harris inspired. She acknowledged a recent sense of despair about the future, telling the audience, "To be honest, I'm realizing that until recently, I have mourned the dimming of that hope. Maybe you've experienced the same feelings, a deep pit in my stomach, a palpable sense of dread about the future."
Drawing parallels between her own family's experience and that of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, Michelle highlighted the sacrifices made by Harris's mother, who immigrated to the United States from India. She praised Harris's readiness for the presidency, stating, "Kamala Harris is more than ready for this moment."
In a pointed rejection of exclusionary rhetoric, she declared, "No one has the monopoly on what it means to be an American. No one. Only Kamala Harris truly understands the unseen labor and unwavering commitment that has always made America great."
Without naming him directly, Michelle took several swipes at Trump. She alluded to the birther movement that Trump had prominently supported during Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, which falsely claimed he was not a natural-born US citizen.
Contrasting Harris's background with Trump's, Michelle said, "She understands that most of us will never be afforded the grace of failing forward. We will never benefit from the affirmative action of generational wealth. If we bankrupt a business or choke in a crisis, we don't get a second, third, or fourth chance. If things don't go our way, we don't have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead. If we see a mountain in front of us, we don't expect there to be an escalator waiting to take us to the top."
In a moment that drew thunderous applause, Michelle quipped, "Who is going to tell him [Trump] that the job that he is seeking might be one of those 'black jobs,'" referencing a comment he had made about migrants taking "black jobs" as part of his pitch to black voters.
"Who's gonna tell him the job he is currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?" - Michelle Obama pic.twitter.com/tGFvVGMzpO
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 21, 2024
She then introduced her husband, who served as a powerful endorsement of Harris and a scathing critique of Trump. Barack's address was filled with energy and punctuated by chants, "Yes, she can!"
"We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos. We have seen that movie before and we all know that the sequel is usually worse. America is ready for a new chapter. America is ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris," he said.
"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," he said. "It's been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that's actually gotten worse now that he's afraid of losing to Kamala."
"Most of all, Donald Trump wants us to think that this country is hopelessly divided between us and them; between the 'real' Americans who, of course, support him and the outsiders who don't. And he wants you to think that you'll be richer and safer if you will just give him the power to put those 'other' people back in their place. It's one of the oldest tricks in politics – from a guy whose act has gotten pretty stale."
"America is ready for a new chapter."
Barack Obama went after Donald Trump in his DNC speech: "We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos. We have seen that movie before. And we all know that the sequel is usually worse." https://t.co/9IOH9sDL4F pic.twitter.com/FChlqhYScX
— ABC News (@ABC) August 21, 2024
The former president accused Trump of seeing power as merely a means to his ends, citing the former president's desire for tax cuts benefiting his wealthy friends and his reluctance to solve immigration issues for fear of hurting his campaign.
Barack drew a stark contrast between Trump and Harris, describing her as "ready for the job" and "a person who has spent her life fighting on behalf of people who need a voice and a champion." The packed arena crackled with energy as America's first black president made a case for electing the first woman and first woman of color to the Oval Office.
In a call for empathy and understanding, Barack urged Democrats to listen to their political opponents. "We need to remember that we've all got our blind spots and contradictions and prejudices; and that if we want to win over those who aren't yet ready to support our candidate, we need to listen to their concerns – and maybe learn something in the process."
