Article Summary –
Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama delivered keynote addresses at the Democratic National Convention, highlighting the contrasting futures under a Kamala Harris or Donald Trump presidency. Barack Obama emphasized Harris’s dedication to improving everyday American lives through initiatives like housing reform, while critiquing Trump for using power for personal gain and neglecting bipartisan solutions. Michelle Obama underscored Harris’s service-oriented approach and inclusivity, contrasting it with Trump’s divisive rhetoric and policies that undermine healthcare and reproductive freedoms.
Barack and Michelle Obama’s Keynote Speeches at DNC Highlight Diverging Futures Under Harris or Trump
“We’re not going back” has become a rallying cry for Democrats since Vice President Kamala Harris announced her presidential campaign.
At the Democratic National Convention, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama delivered keynote speeches outlining the starkly different visions of Harris and Trump.
“Kamala Harris won’t be focused on her problems – she’ll be focused on yours,” Barack Obama said. “As president, she’ll work on behalf of every American.”
“Donald Trump sees power as a means to his ends. He wants the middle class to pay for another huge tax cut that would mostly help him and his rich friends,” the former president continued. “He killed a bipartisan immigration deal and doesn’t care if more women lose their reproductive freedoms.”
He cited Harris’ new proposal to help more Americans become homeowners.
“She’s put out a bold new plan to make it easier for more young people to buy a home,” Barack Obama said.
Michelle Obama’s speech called out Trump’s generational wealth and racism.
“Who’s going to tell him the job he is seeking might be one of those Black jobs?” Michelle Obama quipped about Trump seeking a second term. “It’s his same old con: doubling down on ugly, misogynistic, racist lies.”
“Kamala has shown her allegiance to this nation by living a life of service,” the former First Lady added.
Harris’ story is that of most Americans “trying to build a better life.”
“Kamala knows, like we do, that regardless of where you come from, what you look like, who you love, how you worship, or what’s in your bank account… we all deserve the opportunity to build a decent life,” Michelle Obama said. “No one has a monopoly on what it means to be an American.”
Trump would be focused on “gutting our health care… taking away our freedom to control our bodies,” the former First Lady added.
Eliminating the US Department of Education “doesn’t make anybody’s life better,” she said.
“Instead, it only makes us small. Going small is never the answer. Going small is unpresidential.”
Tuesday’s events at the convention started with the ceremonial roll call that featured a surprise performance from ‘Lil Jon. Harris also formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination from a rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Both Michelle and Barack Obama encouraged Democrats to work hard over the next 11 weeks to deliver a Harris presidency.
“Kamala Harris is ready for the job. This is a person who has spent her life fighting on behalf of people who need a voice and a champion,” Barack Obama said. “Now it is up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in.”
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