A little over a month ago, the Democrats have known that President Biden may not be the best candidate to represent the party in the race against former President Donald Trump, with many fearing what they think could be a loss and a landslide. down the ballot in November.
What difference does the convention make.
Democratic delegates and officials were in Chicago for 2024 Democratic National Conventionwhere they praised Mr. Biden’s legacy while enthusiastically embracing Vice President Kamala Harris and the energy she brought to the top of the ticket. Throughout the week, speakers preached unity and joy while comparing his leadership and personality to Trump’s.
Here are some of the key highlights from this year’s Democratic convention:
AOC gets a primetime talking slot
For the first time, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York was given a primetime speaking slot on the opening night of the convention. In 2020, he only got 90 seconds to speak before Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
In her a fiery seven-minute speech on Friday, he spoke to the middle class and received thunderous applause when he called former President Donald Trump a “two union buster” who would “sell this country for a dollar if it means lining his own pockets and greasing his palms. My friends of Wall Street.”
Biden became emotional during the delivery
Mr. Biden wiped away tears as he took the stage on Monday after being introduced to his daughter, Ashley Biden.
The president hugged his daughter for nearly 30 seconds, pulling a tissue out of his pocket to dry his eyes, before repeatedly thanking the crowd during a long standing ovation.
A month ago, Mr. Biden would have accepted the nomination on the last day of the convention. But Democrats fearing they won’t be able to beat Trump in November forced him to end his campaign.
Mr. Biden instead gave a speech on the opening day of the convention before she jetted off to California for the holidays. The timing of the speech came late at night on the East Coast after earlier parts of the program were long overdue, which was seen as a snub to the president.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I’ve given you my best,” Mr. Biden said.
Democrats add flavor to play the phone with a musical nod to each state
Democrats emphasized the party within the political party during Tuesday’s ceremonial roll call as DJ Cassidy spun banger after banger.
Even though Harris and his running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, they were officially nominated virtual role call before the convention itself, delegates reaffirmed their support for the duo in a vote set to a soundtrack that salutes every state and region of the US.
Songs range from Prince’s “1999” to “California Love” by Tupac and “Good Luck, Babe” by Chappell Roan.
Rapper Lil Jon wowed the crowd during a surprise call-in performance
When the camera panned to the Georgia delegation to express its votes during the roll call, Atlanta native Lil Jon screamed “Yeahhhh,” turning the arena into a club-like scene when he performed a variation of “Turn Down For What.” He changed the lyrics to “turn exit for what,” unleashing a wave of energy through the crowd.
Michelle Obama tells Trump the presidency can be a “black job”
“There’s something magical in the air, isn’t there?” former first lady Michelle Obama said in her speech Tuesday. “A feeling of familiarity that has been buried for too long.”
He gave a resounding endorsement of Harris, saying “he hopes to make a comeback,” while excoriating Trump – though he mentioned his name only once.
“For years, Donald Trump has done everything in his power to try to make people fear us. His limited and narrow view of the world has made him feel threatened by two hard-working, educated, successful people who happen to be Black.”
He then joked, “Who will tell you that the job you are currently looking for might be one of the ‘black jobs’?”
It’s a reference to Trump, who is in June debate to Mr. Biden’s claim that immigrants are taking “black jobs.”
Barack Obama mocks Trump’s “weird obsession with crowd size”
Former President Barack Obama described Trump as a chaotic leader who has divided America he delivered his keynote speech on Tuesday.
But he also mocked Trump’s focus on the size of the crowd – although before dragging Obama’s hand around the line suggested he was also referring to the male anatomy.
“There are childish nicknames, crazy conspiracy theories, a weird obsession with crowd size,” he said as the crowd laughed.
Doug Emhoff introduces himself to the nation
Harris isn’t the only one making history if she wins the White House in November. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, will be the first spouse of the president with the title of first husband.
Emhoff, now someone else, introduce yourself to the nation on Day 2 of the convention, remember that Harris called and left a rambling voicemail at 8:30 before their first date. Harris saved the message, and plays for him at every anniversary, said Emhoff.
“Wherever she’s needed, but she’s needed, Kamala rises to the occasion. And she does that for me and my family,” said Emhoff, who is a former entertainment attorney with two grown children from a previous marriage.
Emhoff was introduced by his son, Cole Emhoff, in a heartwarming video about his father’s life, his family and his relationship with Harris. Emhoff’s first wife, Kerstin Emhoff, helped produce the video and was at the convention supporting her ex-husband and Harris.
Gus Walz cried with his father
Tim Walz’s 17-year-old son Gus Walz was in the front row with his mother and sister during the biggest moment of his father’s life.
When the vice presidential candidate talked about his family being “the whole world”, Gus Walz overcome with emotion. He stopped crying and shouted, “This is my father!”
Walz’s family recently revealed in an interview with People magazine that the high school senior has nonverbal learning disabilities, ADHD and anxiety disorders. He called the situation a “secret power” and said he was “brilliant.”
Oprah looked shocked
Oprah Winfrey, who usually prefers to stay out of politics, take some digs at Trump and walk awayOhio Sen. JD Vance, during his surprise speech there.
He mentions “the cat lady,” a reference to the comment Vance made in 2021 about women who have cats and not children, and condemned Trump’s comments about the election.
After he said that, he was toward “CBS Mornings” she felt compelled to speak out because “so many things are at stake,” especially abortion rights.
Republicans speak out against Trump
Several Republicans, some of whom previously worked for Trump, delivered speeches over the past week.
Stephanie Grishamwho is one of Trump’s press secretaries and Melania Trump’s top aide, said Harris “has my vote.” Grisham said Trump has “no empathy, no morals and no commitment to the truth.” He said Trump called his supporters “basement people” behind closed doors.
Olivia Troye, who served as an adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence, said Trump wanted to sow doubt and division “because that’s the only way he’s going to win.”
“You don’t vote for Democrats. You vote for democracy,” Troye said. “You did not betray our party. You stood up for our country.”
Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan said the Republican Party has become “chaotic and crazy” under Trump.
“The only thing that needs to be done is to dump Trump,” Duncan said. “Today our party is acting more like a cult, a cult worshiping criminal thugs.”
Elizabeth Warren was emotional as she received a hero’s welcome
Senator Elizabeth Warren became emotional as she took the stage to a standing ovation on Thursday.
Massachusetts Democrat aimed at Trumphe said “he has no plans to lower the cost to his family.”
“They don’t know how, and the truth is, they don’t care,” he said. “When does he ever fill up the gas tank or worry about the grocery bill? The only bill he worries about is from a criminal defense attorney.”
He added that he would not trust Trump or Vance to take care of families on issues including grocery prices, gas, housing, health care, taxes and abortion.
“Shoot, I can’t believe they can move my chair,” he said, a reference to a joke about Vance that went viral on social media.
Kamala Harris received the nomination
Harris officially accepted the nomination Thursday night, making history as the first black woman to lead a major party’s presidential ticket.
“All my career, I’ve only had one client: people,” she said in her speech. “So, on behalf of the people, on behalf of every American regardless of party, race, gender or language my grandmother spoke, on behalf of my mother and all those who have gone on this impossible journey, on behalf of America as a person -people who grow up, people who work hard, chase dreams, and take care of each other, on behalf of all the people whose stories can only be written in the greatest country on earth, I accept your nomination for president of the United States.”
He shared his life story, set an agenda and attacked Trump as a “non-serious person.”
“Imagine Donald Trump without guardrails and how he will use the great power of the presidency of the United States, not to improve your life, not to strengthen our national security, but to serve the only client he has ever had – himself.”
He ended his speech urging America to “write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told.”