Obamas, Democratic leaders rally for Harris, Walz during 2nd night of DNC

CHICAGO - The Democratic National Convention entered day two on Tuesday with remarks from former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama and second gentleman Doug Emhoff as keynote speakers for the evening. 

The Obamas have endorsed Kamala Harris in her White House bid, giving the vice president the expected but still crucial backing of the nation’s two most popular Democrats.

Both Obamas campaigned separately for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Biden in 2020, including large rallies on the closing weekends before Election Day. They delivered key speeches at the Democrats’ convention in 2020, a virtual event because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The former president’s speech was especially notable because he unveiled a full-throated attack on former President Donald Trump as a threat to democracy, an argument that endures as part of Harris’ campaign.

Here's what we know so far (estimated times are in Eastern Standard Time):

11:03 p.m. ET

Former President Barack Obama was given yet another powerful hero's welcome as his wife introduced him ahead of his remarks on the DNC stage on Tuesday evening. 

"I am feeling hopeful because this convention has always been pretty good to kids with funny names who believe in a country where anything is possible," the former president began. 

Obama went on to honor Biden and called him his brother and praised the former president's leadership during his presidency and his past vice presidency. 

"History will remember Joe Biden as an outstanding president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger," Obama said. "I am proud to call him my president, but even prouder to call him my friend."

The former president warned the crowd at the DNC that even though "the torch has been passed" to Harris, the work for Democrats is not yet done.

"For all the incredible energy we’ve been able to generate over the last few weeks, this will still be a tight race in a closely divided country — a country where too many Americans are still struggling and don’t believe government can help," he said.

"Make no mistake, it will be a fight," Obama said. For all the energy and memes and rallies, he said, "this will still be a tight race in a closely divided country."

The last election was decided by 40,000 votes across three states.

While praising Harris repeatedly and even leading a chant of "Yes she can!" Obama also talked almost wistfully about the progress made under his administration’s signature health care law, the Affordable Care Act.

He used the law’s formal title, but then joked of Republicans, "Since it’s become popular, they don’t call it Obamacare no more."

Obama encouraged Democrats to listen to those who disagree with them and fight for the votes of those who have differences with them.

"We start thinking that the only way to win is to scold and shame and out yell the other side," Obama said. "That approach may work for the politicians who just want attention and thrive on division. But it won’t work for us."

Obama urged his party not to rush to pass judgment on those with values that are different from theirs, saying, "That’s how we can build a true Democratic majority."

He added: "Our fellow citizens deserve the same grace we hope they’ll extend to us."

Obama pleads for civility and community in the nation’s coarse public and online discourse, warning, "We chase the approval of strangers on our phones; we build all manner of walls and fences around ourselves and then wonder why we feel so alone."

Appealing to Americans to make meaningful connections, he said, "We don’t trust each other as much because we don’t take the time to know each other — and in that space between us, politicians and algorithms teach us to caricature each other and troll each other and fear each other."

10:41 p.m. ET

Former First Lady Michelle Obama was given a standing and loud ovation as soon as she walked out onto the DNC stage.

"America, hope is making a comeback," the former first lady said. 

Obama went on to speak of her late mother and how she taught her to set her "moral compass high." She said her mother's values, and the values of elders that are passed on to future generations are what helps teach people how to lift each other up. 

"My girl, Kamala Harris, is more than ready for this moment. She is one of the most qualified people to seek the office of the presidency, and she is one of the most dignified. A tribute to her mother, to my mother and to your mother too," Obama said. 

Without ever mentioning Trump’s name, Michelle Obama made mention of what she called his "privilege" to "failing forward."

"We will never benefit from the affirmative action of gender, race or wealth," she said. "We don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get ahead."

Obama tweaked Trump for his history of attacking her and her husband, drawing rave applause from Democrats.

"His limited and narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who also happened to be Black," she said.

"Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those "Black jobs?"

The former first lady urged people to not get comfortable and to continue to fight.

"Kamala and Tim, they have lived amazing lives and I am confident that they will lead with compassion, inclusion and grace, but, they are still only human. They are not perfect and like all of us, they will make mistakes, but luckily y'all, this is not just on them, this is up to us, all us to be the solution that we seek," Obama said.  

10:27 p.m. ET

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff was given a warm welcome from the DNC crowd once he took the stage on Tuesday. 

He started off by highlighting his "big blended family" and immediately showed love to his wife who was in Milwaukee. 

"She will be a great president that we will all be proud of," Emhoff said. 

The second gentleman went on to regale his collegehood and early life in New Jersey. 

Emhoff then went on to talk about how he met Harris and the "unusual" voicemail he left for her before they went on their first date; a rambling, early morning call that she saved — "and she makes me listen to it again every anniversary."

The second gentleman talked about how his wife was the perfect choice for him during a time in his life when he needed it most and she would be the perfect choice as president for a nation that needed it the most. 

Emhoff told the crowd that Thursday marked his and Harris’ 10th wedding anniversary.

He joked that that meant he’d have to hear the embarrassing voicemail again — but also said he’d hear her give a speech accepting the Democratic presidential nomination.

"With your help, she’ll lead with joy and toughness. With that laugh and that look," he said.

10:19 p.m. ET

Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth was welcomed to the DNC stage to a cheering crowd and she immediately railed against Trump in her opening remarks.

Duckworth shared her journey with IVF and claimed Trump's "anti-woman crusade" would come for IVF next.

"They'll shame and spy on women. And if you think that's far-fetched, just look at what happened in Alabama last year," Duckworth said. 

9:24 p.m. ET

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker began his remarks by taking jabs at Trump, call him a bad business man and an even worse president. "Trump chooses cruelty, every time," Pritzker said. 

"Let's be clear, it's not ‘woke’ that limits economic growth, it's weird. And these guys are not just weird, they're dangerous," Pritzker continued.

9:29 p.m. ET

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders began his remarks painting a dismal past, highlighting the COVID-19 pandemic, saying "that's what the Biden-Harris campaign faced" when they were elected to the Oval Office. 

"Within two months of taking office, our government did respond," Sanders said. 

Sanders went on to tout the American Rescue Plan and COVID-19 relief. 

"Oh and by the way, we cut childhood poverty by over 40%," Sanders said. "Thank you President Biden, thank you Vice President Harris, thank you Democratic Congress." 

And like several speakers before him, Sanders highlighted Project 2025 and call its agenda "radical." 

"And my friends, we won't let that happen," Sanders said. 

Before leaving the stage, Sanders added his name to the small number of DNC speakers thus far who have made mention of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

"Abroad, we must end this horrific war in Gaza, bring home the hostages, and demand an immediate ceasefire," Sanders said to a roaring applause from the crowd.

9:19 p.m. ET

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer danced his way on stage and hyped up an already-boisterous crowd.

"Only one candidate will move America forward, Kamala Harris," Schumer said, with arms raised in the air. 

Schumer made several digs at the Republican party and highlighted the perils of "their extreme agenda" for reproductive rights in America. 

"Let me close on a personal note, as the highest-ranking Jewish official in American history, I want my grandkids and all grandkids to never, never face discrimination because of who they are, but Donald Trump, this is a man who pedals antisemitic stereotypes," Schumer said. 

Schumer made the case Tuesday night that Democrats must not only send Harris to the White House in November but also help elect another Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate. "She can’t do it alone," the New Yorker said.

9:11 p.m. ET

Following the celebratory roll call vote, Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz were officially announced as the Democratic presidential and vice presidential nominee at the DNC on Tuesday. 

Joining virtually from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Harris and Walz thanked their constituents and delegates. 

"To everyone across America, thank you," Harris said. 

That split screen moment created a powerful visual for Harris: two arenas simultaneously full of her supporters.

Two vulnerable Democratic senators in tough reelection races noticeably steered clear of their party’s festivities.

Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, were nowhere to be seen when their states cast their votes.

Both Montana and Ohio are states Trump won and the two are considered among Democrats most endangered senators.

Minnesota 

8:00 pm. ET

The Democrats held a "celebratory" roll call vote to nominate Harris. The party held a virtual vote on Aug. 6 that made her the party’s official nominee. Tuesday’s vote is taking place with a DJ and light show in the United Center arena. 

Rapper Lil Jon joined Georgia's delegation to help deliver the votes for Harris during the roll call. Oregon noted that it was the first state in the union to go to all mail-in voting. The Pennsylvania delegation denounced gun violence.

7:15 p.m. ET

Trump’s former White House press secretary spoke Monday evening saying she used to be a "true believer" who spent holidays with the Trump family, but now she’s backing Harris.

Stephanie Grisham told Democratic delegates that Trump "mocks" his supporters behind closed doors and "has no empathy, no morals and no fidelity to the truth."

Grisham resigned from her White House post following the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol – the first senior staffer to do so that day.

7:05 p.m. ET

Rapper Common performed his hit song "Fortunate." 

In the second verse, he changed the lyrics to say, "Fortunate, yo, we got the gold in Paris, we fortunate, y’all, for Kamala Harris." The Chicago native also added in several ad-libs about "Chi Town" as the host city of the DNC

7:00 p.m. ET

Grandsons of former Presidents Jimmy Carter and John F. Kennedy cast Harris in the same image as their famous family members.

"Kamala Harris carries my grandfather’s legacy," said Jason Carter. "She knows what is right."

He said the 99-year-old former president wishes he could be in attendance. "His body may be weak tonight, but his spirit is stronger than ever," Carter said. "My grandfather can’t wait to vote for Kamala Harris."

Jack Schlossberg, Kennedy’s grandson, said like when his grandfather was elected in 1960, "Once again, the torch has been passed to a new generation," he said. "She believes in America like my grandfather did — that we do things not because they are easy, but because they are hard."

6:30 p.m. ET

Night 2 of the Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago, with organizers moving up the start time by half an hour to try and keep the program from running as far behind schedule as it did on the opening night.

On Monday, the convention opened late and never got back on schedule, with President Joe Biden delivering the featured speech around 11:30 p.m. on the East Coast.

"A Bold Vision for America's Future" 

Tuesday's theme for the DNC will be "A Bold Vision for America's Future."

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Democrats say the second night will present a stark contrast between the Harris-Walz vision and Trump’s plan. The program will emphasize what they call the "forward-looking" approach of the Harris-Walz ticket, positioning their plans as a pathway to progress compared to Trump’s proposals, which are framed as regressive.

What happened on Day 1 of the DNC

The first night of the Democratic National Convention showcased speeches from the last Democrat to lose to Trump, and the last one to beat him. 

Hillary Clinton spoke hopefully of finally breaking the "glass ceiling" to elect a female president, while President Joe Biden laced into Trump and both framed his own legacy and signaled he was ready to start ceding control of the party to Harris.

Harris also made an unscheduled appearance onstage to pay tribute to Biden, telling the president: "Thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all you’ll continue to do."

On a night meant to honor the president who stepped aside to make way for Harris, the vice president added, "We are forever grateful to you."

A glimpse into Harris' vision

Harris talked about fighting for working people and the upside of organized labor to her recent remarks in Michigan. In Arizona and Nevada, where migration is a big concern, she drew on her prosecutorial background to tell the crowd she had gone after transnational gangs, drug cartels and smugglers when she was California’s attorney general.

In Las Vegas, where the economy is heavily dependent on the hospitality industry, she promised to work to eliminate federal taxes on tips for restaurant and other service industry employees. Trump, who floated the same idea several months ago, posted on social media that she was a "copycat."

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Harris closed her rallies by asking people what kind of country they want to live in, before calling them to action and declaring, "When we fight, we win."

Harris, Walz continue on the campaign trail 

Over the weekend, Vice President Harris and her running mate Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, were joined by their spouses, Doug Emhoff and Gwen Walz, as they stopped off to visit volunteers at a campaign office not far from Pittsburgh before continuing on to a firehouse and a high school in another town.

Despite running as the sitting vice president, Harris told reporters she feels she has ground to make up in the race against former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee.

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Southwestern Pennsylvania is a critical part of a key battleground state that has long commanded the attention of presidential candidates. The state voted for Trump in 2016 and for Biden in 2020. Both Harris and Trump are vying to see who can put Pennsylvania in their column on Nov. 5.

What is the Democratic National Convention?

The convention is where the Democratic Party formally nominates its candidates for president and vice president. Held every four years prior to the general election, the convention brings together thousands of delegates, party officials, activists and media members from across the United States.

The convention serves as a platform for outlining the party's policy positions, unifying its members and galvanizing support ahead of the election. 

Keynote speeches from party leaders and up-and-comers, as well as the acceptance speeches from nominees draw the most attention, capturing the focus of millions of viewers nationwide.

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