Former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama praised Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in the penultimate speech of the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Tuesday.
Obama spoke to the change in tenor in the presidential race after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, calling it the, “contagious power of hope.”
Obama took both direct and indirect swipes at Republican nominee former President Donald Trump throughout the speech, pointing to Trump’s birtherism and failures during the COVID 19 pandemic. “If we bankrupt a business or choke in a crisis we don’t get a second chance,” Obama said.
The speech took a considerably more direct tone for the first lady, who once famously uttered the phrase, “when they go low, we go high.” “Who is going to tell him the job he is currently seeking might be one of those ‘Black jobs,'” Obama said.
The former first lady argued that Harris is one of the most qualified people to seek the office and connected the experience of Harris’ mother to her own, who died in May.
Obama sought to energize fence straddling Democrats to turn out in November in the speech, turning the phrase, “do something” into a call and response chant.
Watch Michelle Obama’s full speech
Michelle Obama at the DNC
- Who she is: Former first lady of the United States
- What role she plays: Convention speaker
- Key quote: “She is the most dignified (candidate). That is a tribute to her mother, my mother and your mother too.”
Democratic convention live updates:Barack Obama, Michelle Obama set to take the stage
When and where is the 2024 DNC?
The Democratic National Convention will take place from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois.
The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, will be the main venue for the DNC.
Chicago has hosted the Democratic Convention 11 times, most recently in 1996 when the United Center saw President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second time.
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