Obamas Rally Support for Harris at Democratic National Convention
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama energized the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night, rallying support for Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign against Republican Donald Trump. With a powerful endorsement, Obama emphasized Harris’s potential to make history as the first woman and first Black and South Asian president, urging Americans to reject the chaos of the past four years.
“We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos. We’ve seen that movie before, and we all know the sequel is usually worse,” Obama stated, highlighting the need for change and a new narrative for America under President Kamala Harris. He praised Joe Biden’s legacy as a defender of democracy and expressed pride in their long-standing friendship.
Michelle Obama, who introduced her husband, echoed his call for hope and progress. She cautioned that Trump would attempt to distort Harris’s truths, recalling his past racist rhetoric and asserting that his worldview was threatened by the success of Black individuals like Harris.
Harris, participating virtually from a rally in Milwaukee, responded to Trump’s remarks regarding the Supreme Court’s controversial decision on abortion rights, asserting, “Bad behavior should result in a consequence… and that will be at the ballot box in November.” She emphasized abortion rights as a key issue for many voters and pledged to uphold women’s rights as part of her campaign.
The convention also featured Republicans disillusioned by Trump, such as former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who described her transformation from a loyalist to an advocate for change, and Arizona Mayor John Giles, who urged moderates to abandon what remains of the Republican Party under Trump.
While the event unfolded amid protests against U.S. support for Israel in Gaza; an issue raised by Senator Bernie Sanders. Most convention speakers focused on the presidential race and unity within the Democratic Party. The challenge remains for Harris and the Democrats to galvanize support from disaffected Republicans and encourage high voter turnout in November.
