Democratic National Convention day two recap: ‘Yes she can’ says former President Barack Obama
Day two of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago has wrapped up with a stirring return of influential former President Barack Obama.
Other big names who spoke on day two included former First Lady Michelle Obama and former presidential hopeful Senator Bernie Sanders.
The United States’ “first-Second Gentleman”, Kamala Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff, shared how he first got Harris’s phone number and his son poked fun at Emhoff potentially becoming the nation’s “first-First Gentleman”.
A somewhat redundant ‘celebratory roll call’ named Harris as the party’s nominee, despite a virtual roll call already determining this.
On Thursday, DNC day three will include a speech from Harris’ running mate ‘coach’ Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton.
Scroll through the posts below to recap the day’s events.
Key Events
Obama still knows how to work the crowd
“It’s been 16 years since I had the honour of accepting this party nomination for president,” Obama said.
“I know that is hard to believe because I haven’t aged a bit,” Obama joked.
Former President Obama feeling hopeful
“I am 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.
“Because we have an opportunity to elect someone who has spent their life trying to give people the same changes America gave her.
“Someone who will get up every single day and fight for you
“The next president of the United States of America, Kamala Harris.
Barack Obama takes to the stage
Former President Barack Obama has taken to the stage feeling “fired up”.
“Hello Chicago,” Obama said.
“It’s good to be home.
“I don’t know about you but I’m feeling fired up.
“I’m feeling ready to go.
“Even if I’m the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama,” the former President joked.
‘Do something’
“We cannot indulge our anxieties about if this country will elect someone like Kamala,” Michelle said.
“Instead, do everything we can to get someone like Kamala elected.
“This is up to us, to all of us, to be the solution we seek.
“This is our time to stand up for what we know in our hearts is right.
“So, do something,” she said as the crowd chanted ‘do something in response.
‘We know what comes next’
“It couldn’t be more obvious of the two major candidates in this race, only Kamala Harris truly understands the unseen labour and unwavering commitment that has always made America great,” she said.
“Unfortunately, we know what comes next.
“Some people are going to do everything they can to destroy her truth.
“My husband and I know a little something about that.”
Michelle Obama says Harris is ‘ready’
“From a middle-class household, Kamala worked her way up to become the Vice President of the US of America,” the former First lady said.
“My girl. Kamala Harris is more than ready for this moment.
“She is one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency.
“And she is one of the most dignified.”
Michelle Obama takes to the stage
Former First Lady Michelle Obama has taken to the stage at night two of the DNC.
“Something wonderfully magical is in the air,” she said.
“It’s spreading all across this county.
“A familiar feeling that’s been buried for too long.
“You know what I’m talking about.
“It’s the contagious feeling of hope.
“America, hope is making a comeback!”
‘Never runs from a fight’
“She never runs from a fight,” Emhoff said about Harris.
“She knows the best way to deal with a coward is to take him head-on.”
“Because we all know cowards are weak, and Kamala Harris can spell weakness.”
Emhoff reveals how he got Harris’ phone number
“In 2013 I walked into a contentious client meeting,” the Second Gentleman said.
“By the end of the meeting, the now happy client offered to set me up on a blind date.
“Which is how I ended up with Kamala Harris’ phone number.
“Now for generations, people have debated when to call the person you’re being set up with, but never in history has anyone suggested 8.30am.
“And yet, that’s when I dialled.
“I got Kamala’s voicemail and just started rambling.
“Hey it’s Doug, I’m on my way to an early meeting,” Emhoff said, impersonating his nervous tone.
“Again, it’s Doug,” he repeated.
“And for what seemed like far too many minutes, I kept rambling.”
“Kamala saved that voicemail and she makes me listen to it, every single anniversary.”
The first Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff takes to the stage
Harris’s husband Douglas Emhoff has taken to the stage.
Introduced by a very sweet video from Harris’ stepson Cole, Emhoff was described as the first-Second Gentleman in the history of America.
“Next, he is going to make history again as the first First Gentleman of the United States,” Cole said.
