Former US President Obama campaigned for Kamala Harris in an acclaimed speech at the Democratic Party Convention: The USA is ready for Harris as president. Support even came from a former Trump supporter.
Former US President Barack Obama has called on the Democratic Party to unite behind its presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
She was “ready for the job,” he said at the Democratic Party Convention in Chicago, and then even gave her his former battle cry: “Yes, she can!”, he said, alluding to his former world-famous campaign slogan “Yes, we can!”.
“We have the chance to elect someone who has spent her entire life giving people the same opportunities that America gave her. Someone who sees you and listens to you,” Obama said. “She will stand up for every American.”
“It won't be easy”
It will be a close race, Obama warned, referring to the election campaign against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. “It won't be easy.” But if the party works like never before in the remaining eleven weeks until the election, then Harris could become the next President of the United States.
Obama praised the current incumbent, Joe Biden, as a guardian of democracy. Biden will go down in history as a head of state who defended democracy in a moment of great danger.
“America, hope returns”
As the crowd chanted “Thank you, Joe,” Obama declared, “I'm proud to call him my president, but I'm even prouder to call him my friend.” Biden served as Obama's vice president for eight years. He feels hope, Obama said.
However, it was not Barack Obama who received the most applause of the evening, but his wife Michelle. Minutes earlier, the former First Lady had told the crowd in her speech that there was “something wonderfully magical in the air.”
“America, hope is returning,” she said, referring to Harris' candidacy in the presidential election in November. Michelle Obama praised Harris as “one of the most qualified people to ever run for president.”
Doug Emhoff, Kamala Harris' husband, was also applauded by the delegates. He could become the first First Gentleman in US history. In his speech, he publicly declared his love for his wife. “Kamala Harris was exactly the right person for me at an important moment in my life. And at this moment in our country's history, she is exactly the right president,” he explained.
Harris' candidacy officially confirmed
Previously, the US Democrats had confirmed Kamala Harris as their presidential candidate for the November election in a big show. The delegations from all states and US territories cast their votes for the 59-year-old again in a purely ceremonial vote – accompanied by music, light effects, short speeches and much cheering in the event hall.
The more than 4,500 delegates had already officially nominated Harris before the party convention via online voting. The party had brought the candidate selection forward and carried it out digitally – due to deadlines for printing ballot papers in one state. The procedure in Chicago was therefore purely symbolic in nature.
Harris herself was not present at the nomination ceremony in Chicago, but was connected via video from Milwaukee. She had traveled to the city in the state of Wisconsin, an hour and a half's drive away, to campaign there.
Former Trump spokeswoman promotes Harris
Among the speakers at the convention was the former spokeswoman for former President Donald Trump. Stephanie Grisham said at the meeting that after her years under Trump, she was now standing as an advocate for Harris at the convention. “She respects the American people,” she said, referring to Harris. “And she has my vote.”
Grisham said she used to be a fervent supporter of Trump. “I saw him when the cameras were off,” she said, referring to the former president. “Behind closed doors, Trump mocks his supporters.” He has no empathy, no morals and no loyalty to the truth. Trump always told her: “It doesn't matter what you say, Stephanie, say it often enough and people will believe you.”
Harris is scheduled to give her big speech at the party convention on Friday night in Germany. The 59-year-old's appearance is the grand finale of the four-day meeting, which is primarily intended to celebrate Harris and her vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz and give the duo momentum for the rest of the election campaign.
With information from Ralf Borchard, ARD Studio Washington
Ralf Borchard, ARD Washington, currently Chicago, tagesschau, 21.08.2024 07:28 a.m.
