Double Obama power, former Republicans and family man Doug Emhoff: Key takeaways from DNC Day 2

The second night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) saw a significant endorsement of United States Vice President Kamala Harris by former US President Barack Obama and former US First Lady Michelle Obama.

Both prominent figures presented a robust defence of Harris and a scathing critique of former US President Donald Trump. Barack Obama revisited his iconic 2004 DNC speech, where he referenced being a “skinny kid with a funny name,” and used it to draw parallels with Harris.

Asserting that this convention is historically favourable to those who believe in a nation where anything is possible, he expressed his belief that Harris is uniquely qualified to continue the legacy of past Democratic leaders.

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Barack Obama didn’t mince words when addressing Trump. He labelled Trump as a “78-year-old billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago.”

He also criticised Trump’s leadership, suggesting that Trump’s act had grown “pretty stale” and warning of the dangers should he return to the White House. Obama echoed that the country does not need “four more years of bluster and chaos,” suggesting that the sequel to Trump’s first term could be even worse.

Michelle Obama reinforced this sentiment by addressing the threats posed by Trump’s potential return to power. She highlighted Trump’s attempts to instill fear, stating, “For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us.”

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Michelle further condemned Trump’s narrow worldview, which she argued led him to feel threatened by the success of highly educated and hardworking individuals who happen to be Black.

Her speech also touched on the importance of Harris’ candidacy, noting that her election would be a step toward overcoming the “demons of fear, division, and hate.”

Project 2025 targeted almost exclusively by Democrats

A major focal point of the night was the Democrats’ continued assault on the Project 2025 agenda, developed by the conservative Heritage Foundation. The plan, which serves as a blueprint for a potential future Trump administration, has been the subject of intense scrutiny from the Democratic Party.

The agenda includes a wide range of proposals, such as limiting access to abortion pills, eliminating the Department of Education, and overhauling federal government agencies like the FBI. It also suggests reinstating a Trump-era executive order that would allow the president to hire and fire federal officials at will, effectively replacing civil servants with political appointees.

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Pennsylvania State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta took the stage with a prop – an oversized book meant to represent the Project 2025 policy manual. He described it as “a radical plan to drag us backwards,” and warned that it would lead to higher costs for working families and a reduction in middle-class wealth.

US Senator Gary Peters of Michigan echoed this sentiment, describing the agenda as an attempt to “gut overtime pay, cut health care programs, and give billions in tax breaks to billionaires.”

Despite Trump’s attempts to distance himself from Project 2025, Democrats made it clear that they intend to hold him accountable for its contents. They highlighted the involvement of over 100 former Trump administration officials in the creation of the plan, including Paul Dans, who served as Chief of Staff for the US Office of Personnel Management under Trump.

The DNC also showcased “pension warriors” who argued that their pensions would be at risk if the Project 2025 agenda were implemented.

Democrats dance!

The DNC also featured a lively roll call of states, which was turned into a celebratory event. Although the official nomination of Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, had already been completed, the DNC chose to hold a ceremonial roll call, turning it into a dance party.

DJ Cassidy took the stage in a bright blue suit and played music selections that represented each state. For instance, Michigan’s delegation was introduced with Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” while New Jersey’s delegates entered to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA."

Harris’ home state of California was represented by Tupac’s “California Love,” and rapper Lil Jon made a cameo appearance for the Georgia delegation with his hit song “Get Low.”

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The roll call wasn’t just about entertainment, though. It also featured speeches that touched on serious issues. Kate Cox, who sued Texas over its restrictive abortion laws, announced Texas’ votes, and a survivor of the 2017 Las Vegas strip shooting spoke on behalf of Nevada.

Ex-Republicans back Harris and criticise Trump

In an effort to appeal to disaffected Republicans, the DNC showcased several former Trump supporters who have since turned against him. Stephanie Grisham, who served as White House Press Secretary under Trump, delivered a powerful critique of her former boss, stating, “He has no empathy, no morals, and no fidelity to the truth. I couldn’t be part of the insanity any longer.”

Grisham’s remarks were part of a broader effort by the Democrats to appeal to Republicans who are dissatisfied with Trump’s leadership and are looking for an alternative in Harris.

Other prominent Republican figures also spoke in support of Harris, including former Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan.

These endorsements are part of a concerted effort by the Democrats to portray Harris as a unifying figure who can appeal to a broad spectrum of voters, including those who may have previously supported Trump.

Doug Emhoff gives insight into wife Kamala

Doug Emhoff, Harris’ husband, took the stage to share a more personal side of the vice president. He recounted their first phone call, where he left a rambling voicemail that Harris still makes him listen to every year on their anniversary.

Emhoff spoke about his deep admiration for Harris, highlighting her dedication to justice and her ability to stand up to bullies. He described how quickly he fell in love with her and expressed his hope that Americans would come to love her as much as he does.

Harris, who was returning to Chicago from a rally in Milwaukee, made sure to watch Emhoff’s speech from Air Force Two, which spent an extra 10 minutes in the air to allow her to do so.

Emhoff’s speech was designed to humanise Harris and to counter some of the personal attacks that have been levelled against her by Trump and his supporters.

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With inputs from agencies