DNC 2024 Day 2: 'Yes, she can': Obama endorses Harris, blasts Trump

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff re-introduced himself to America in his Tuesday night's speech.

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Last updated: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 4:54AM GMT
Barack and Michelle Obama speak at DNC: Hope is making a comeback

The 2024 DNC Day 2 speaker schedule culminated with Democratic political royalty: former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

The 2024 DNC Day 2 speaker schedule culminated with Democratic political royalty: former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

CHICAGO -- In a presidential campaign like no other -- and just four weeks after President Joe Biden bowed out of the race -- Democrats are gathering in Chicago this week to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as their candidate to take on former President Donald Trump.

ABC News will have special coverage of the DNC -- including primetime coverage from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m. ET on ABC every day of the conventions, and on ABC News Live from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. ET.

See DNC Day 1 updates here.

Aug 21, 2024, 4:52 AM

Read the full text of Barack and Michele Obama's speeches

Want to revisit the speeches from Former President Barack Obama or First Lady Michelle Obama?

You can read the full text of their speeches and watch them again by clicking here for Barack and here for Michelle.

ABCNews
Aug 21, 2024, 1:58 AM GMT

Bernie Sanders lays out progressive agenda

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, highlighted some of the Biden-Harris accomplishments they made since coming to the White House in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, from expanding Medicaid to providing rent relief and mortgage relief to protecting union workers' pensions.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT., speaking during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT., speaking during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.

"When the political will is there, government can effectively deliver for the people of our country," he said. "We need to summon that will again -- because too many of our fellow Americans are struggling every day to just get by -- to put food on the table, pay the rent, and get the health care they need."

"Bottom line: We need an economy that works for all of us, not just the greed of the billionaire class," he said to applause.

He said, though, that more needs to be done and laid out a progressive agenda. At the top of that to-do list, he said, is to "get big money out of our political process." He also called for the "disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision" to be overturned, increasing the minimum wage and more prescription drug cost cuts.

"I look forward to working with Kamala and Tim to pass this agenda," he said. "And let us be clear. This is not a radical agenda. But, let me tell you what a radical agenda is. And that is Trump's Project 2025. Giving more tax breaks to billionaires. Putting forth budgets to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Letting polluters destroy our planet. That is what is radical. And we won't let it happen."

He also called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the return of hostages, to applause from the crowd.

Sanders, who was slower to endorse Harris for the presidency, ran for president himself in 2016 and 2020.

ABCNews
Aug 21, 2024, 1:47 AM GMT

Schumer makes case Democrats will keep the Senate

In his remarks, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Vice President Harris and said she will need a Democratic majority if she wins the presidency.

"She can't do it alone," he said.

Schumer predicted Democrats will perform well this November, calling back to the "red wave" prediction that didn't materialize in 2022 and listing candidates he said are strong in closely-watched races in Montana, Arizona and Maryland.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my good friends at this convention: I am telling all of you now we're going to hold the Senate again and we're poised to pick up seats," he said.

Schumer served alongside Harris in the Senate.

ByChuck Goudie, via
Aug 21, 2024, 1:28 AM GMT

Several arrested at unauthorized downtown protest after protesters confront police

Several people were arrested at an unauthorized pro-Palestinian protest in downtown Chicago outside the Israeli Consulate on the second night of the DNC.

Protesters with Behind Enemy Lines gathered for speeches and a rally near the Ogilvie Transportation Center. A line of police kept them curtailed to about a block as they rallied but then they attempted to march south onto Clinton where they were confronted with a line of police.

Behind Enemy Lines protesters shove Chicago police during a protest outside the Israeli Consulate on the second day of the DNC.
Behind Enemy Lines protesters shove Chicago police during a protest outside the Israeli Consulate on the second day of the DNC.

Some shoving ensued and several people were taken into custody. While a line of police in riot gear were deployed others were seen leaving the scene and the tension seemed to be diffused fairly quickly.

The group's rally continues as of 7:50 p.m.

A line of Chicago police in riot gear forming a line to curtail protesters outside the Israeli Consulate in downtown Chicago on the second day of the DNC.
A line of Chicago police in riot gear forming a line to curtail protesters outside the Israeli Consulate in downtown Chicago on the second day of the DNC.
ABCNews
Aug 21, 2024, 1:49 AM GMT

Harris addresses Wisconsin crowd after roll call

Harris addressed the DNC crowd from a rally in Milwaukee and thanked the delegates for nominating her as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Harris addressed the DNC crowd from a rally in Milwaukee and thanked the delegates for nominating her as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Harris spoke at the Fiserv Forum, where Trump accepted the nomination last month.

"This is a people powered campaign, and together we will chart a new way forward," she said.

Read more about the Harris campaign's decision to hold a rally in the battleground state of Wisconsin on the same night as the DNC here.