Very popular among his party’s activists, particularly in his stronghold of Chicago, Obama, whose entrance on stage electrified the immense audience, gave powerful support to the vice-president and her running mate, the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz.
Harris and Walz are “exactly the leaders the country needs right now,” said the 44th president of the United States, who detailed the arduous task that awaits Democrats to ensure the election of their candidate, and highlighted the stakes of the November 5 election for the future of the country.
In a reference to his famous campaign slogan, Obama said: “Yes she can!”, assuring that Kamala Harris is qualified to take on the role of president of the United States.
In the same vein, his wife, Michelle Obama, elevated to the pinnacle the one who becomes the first woman of color to run for the American presidency, assuring that Kamala Harris is “ready to lead our country forward, and turn the page on fear and division.”
Other party figures, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bernie Sanders, as well as Harris’ husband, spoke at the event, which confirmed state Democratic delegates’ support for Harris and her running mate in a symbolic vote that confirmed the earlier online vote.
On Sunday and Monday, outside the United Center, where the conclave is being held, several thousand protesters demonstrated against what they see as the US government’s failure to stop the war on Gaza and its economic record, including the high cost of living. Protesters also deplore the setbacks in terms of guaranteeing the right to abortion.
In the Republican camp, Donald Trump continued his tour with a stopover in the decisive neighboring state of Michigan, where he launched a full-scale attack on his rival’s “paltry” record, with a focus on the issues of security and immigration.
Trump also sharply criticized Harris’ record as a “lawless” prosecutor in San Francisco, and accused her of allowing “hordes of criminal illegal immigrants to pour” into the country.
He also attacked current President Joe Biden, who spoke at the opening of the Democratic Convention on Monday, reiterating his support for his vice president and listing the accomplishments he has made during his term.
Trump denounced a speech that was “angry”, “delusional” and “full of lies”, adding that the current tenant of the White House took credit for everything that was done during the Trump administration, particularly in terms of inflation and employment.
Kamala Harris flew with her running mate to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, not far from Chicago, where she highlighted the gains made under the Democratic presidency, and promised a brighter and “more prosperous” future for all the American people.
She made a point of addressing the Democratic convention by videoconference to thank delegates for anointing her as the party’s presidential candidate. Her acceptance speech is scheduled for Thursday at the close of the Chicago convention, which organizers say is attended by some 50,000 delegates and activists.
2024-08-21 16:58:28