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
‘The cult of Donald Trump’
A lifelong Republican who appeared to potentially lose the Democratic crowd has won them over by attacking Trump.
“The Grand Old Party (Republican) has been kidnapped by extremists and evolved into a cult,” Mayor Giles continued.
“The cult of Donald Trump.
“We all need an adult in the White House.
“We all saw what happened when we didn’t have one.”
Lifelong Republican silences the crowd
Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona has taken to the stage and delivered a clanger of an opening line.
“I have a confession to make,” he said.
“I’m a lifelong Republican.”
The crowd went silent, with a small boing beginning before he interjected.
“I feel a little out of place tonight, but I feel more at home here than in today’s republican party.
The crowd then cheered, realising a pro-Trump Republican hadn’t infiltrated the DNC.
Phew!
Harris’s late mother mentioned in healthcare push
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has told America that this election and the battle for healthcare are personal for Harris.
“This election is about protecting democracy,” she said.
“Including the right to affordable health care.
“This is personal to Vice President Harris, whose mother passed away after a battle with colon cancer.”
Harris’s mother Shyamala Harris passed away in 2009.
“As attorney general, she took on drug companies that jacked up prices,” she said.
“And when Republicans first tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act, she stood up in the Senate.
“Not just voting no, but hell no!”
Obama Care becomes the hot topic before Obama’s headline speech
Former President Barack Obama introduced Obama Care as a lasting legacy of his two terms.
Former President Donald Trump tried to get rid of the healthcare scheme during his first term.
The crowd was shown a video of Trump saying he would repeal again if re-elected to try again to remove Obama Care.
With former President Obama set to speak in about an hour, we will likely hear a lot more about this.
Donald told us to ‘inject bleach’
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has slammed Trump in his address at the DNC.
“Trump is rich in only one thing, stupidity,” he said.
“During COVID, we (Democrats) supported small businesses and jobs.
“Donald, well Donald told us to ‘inject bleach’.”
Bernie Sanders calls for end of ‘horrific’ Gaza war
Senator Bernie Sanders may be best known to Australians for his two failed attempts to win the Democratic nomination.
Sanders campaigned aggressively in 2016, losing to Hillary Clinton, then again in 2020, losing to President Joe Biden.
“We must summon the courage to stand up to wealth and deliver justice to those at home and abroad,” Sanders said.
“We must end this horrific war in Gaza.
“Bring home the hostages and demand an immediate cease-fire.
“On November 5, let us elect Kamala Harris and let us go forward to create the nation we know we can become.”
Harris says she’s ‘honoured’ to be nominee
Harris briefly spoke after winning the roll call, the second time she has delivered a surprise speech during the DNC.
Speaking from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she is at a campaign rally, Harris thanks America and the Democrats for officially nominating her as the party’s candidate.
“The delegates at the Democratic National Convention, well they just completed their roll call,” she said, beaming with joy.
“They have nominated coach Walz and me to be the next Vice President and President of the United States of America!
“I thank everyone here and there for believing in what we can do together.
“We are so honoured to be your nominees.
“This is a people-powered campaign and together we will chart a new way forward.
“A future of freedom opportunity, optimism and faith.”
Harris is now not expected to talk until she speaks on Friday.
Kamala Harris wins the roll call
Vice President Kamala Harris has officially won the ‘celebratory roll call’.
Harris secured more votes than any other Democrat and the amount required to be selected as a nominee.
The Democrats could be seen cheering as the win was announced, despite already knowing Harris was already officially the nominee.
The roll call is basically the Eurovision Song Contest
I would describe the roll call as quite similar to the Eurovision Song Contest.
Instead of going to different European countries, we are going through American states.
Instead of awarding ‘douze points’ (12 points), they are awarding random numbers.
We are doing the rounds, state by state, with a representative dramatically revealing that they are voting for Harris. Colour me shocked!
There is a DJ changing tunes for each state, and many who perhaps aren’t as familiar with speaking to massive crowds are fumbling over numbers and names.
Oh well. They look like they are having fun.
DNC day two kicks off with the roll call
Day two has begun with a completely ceremonial roll call.
Each state has the opportunity to loudly proclaim to the cheering democratic audience who they support as the Democratic nominee for president.
Harris has already been selected as the nominee through a digital roll call due to a paperwork cut-off requirement in Ohio.
Despite the DNC roll call being somewhat redundant, the Democrats are taking the opportunity to throw their support behind Harris, giving their votes.
President Biden has received a few votes; however, he is not seeking re-election, and Harris already has the support needed.
