Obamas return to familiar setting at DNC to lift Harris as contrast to Trump

CHICAGO — The Democratic National Convention’s second night was all about the Obamas.

Former President Barack Obama, aspiring to bring the same energy to the convention that he experienced as the presidential nominee 16 years ago, led the packed crowd at the United Center on Tuesday night in chants of “Yes, she can.”

She, of course, is Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 nominee. Obama urged Americans to back Harris and running mate Tim Walz in November.

“For all the rallies and the memes, this will still be a tight race in a closely divided country — a country where too many Americans are still struggling, where a lot of Americans don’t believe the government can help,” Obama said.

Former first lady Michelle Obama spoke before her husband, using the platform to take plenty of swipes at former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee facing Harris.

“His limited and narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who also happened to be Black,” she said.

The first night of the convention Monday honored President Joe Biden for his leadership. The second night on Tuesday held a stronger focus on Harris’ accomplishments and vision for the country.

Several videos played between speakers focusing on Harris’ background as a prosecutor and Attorney General of California, describing her accolades as windows into her potential presidency.

The Obamas didn’t deviate from addressing Trump, continuing the Democrats’ strategy of drawing contrast between the former president and Harris. Barack Obama said Trump has become worse now that he fears losing to Harris, fixating on what former President Obama called childish nicknames, crazy conspiracy theories and a weird obsession with crowd sizes.

“As we gather here tonight, the people who will decide this election are asking a very simple question: ‘Who will fight for me? Who’s thinking about my future, about my children’s future, about our future together?’” former President Obama said to the crowd. “One thing is for certain, Donald Trump is not losing sleep over that question.”

Michelle Obama said she was hesitant to speak at the convention because she hadn’t been in her native Chicago since her mother’s funeral earlier this year. But, ultimately, she decided it was her duty to follow through because “America is making a comeback,” she said.

“My heart compelled me to be here because of the sense of duty that I feel to honor her memory and not to squander the sacrifices our elders made to give us a better future,” she continued.

As the former first lady drew parallels between the lessons she learned from her mother to those that Harris’ taught her, one shared belief resonated with the crowd. Michelle Obama recounted advice Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, gave her daughter: “Don’t just sit around and complain, do something.”

As the crowd broke out into a “do something” chant, Michelle Obama said those words apply to the entire country for this election.

“We cannot afford for anyone, anyone, anyone in America to sit on their hands and wait to be called,” she said, adding that in the next 77 days, work must be done to ensure people are registered to vote and equipped with a voting plan.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, speaking from a much more personal perspective on Harris said the vice president’s empathy is her strength, adding onto another common talking point of the night that the country needs a selfless leader and that Trump will only serve himself. “She never runs from a fight, and she knows the best way to deal with a coward is to deal with him head on,” Emhoff said.

President Obama closed by asserting the United States is less divisive than many may believe and juxtaposed his criticisms of Trump with his praise for Harris.

“The Harris-Walz administration can help us move past some of the tired, old debates that keep stifling progress, because at their core, Kamala and Tim understand that when everybody gets a fair shot, we are all better off,” Obama said.