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.

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.

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Aug 21, 2024, 2:20 AM GMT

Crowd gets subdued after roll call

Following roaring and upbeat moments during the roll call, the mood at the United Center became more subdued as several speakers, including Sens. Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders and Govs. J.B. Pritzker and Michelle Lujan Grisham.

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Aug 21, 2024, 2:12 AM GMT

Pritzker fires back at Trump over Chicago comments

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker took jabs at Trump over the former president's frequent attacks about Chicago.

"To quote a great Chicagoan who won six world championships on these very grounds, 'We take that personally,'" the governor said paraphrasing a viral Michael Jordan quote.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker delivered an impassioned speech at the DNC, hitting Trump for his past comments on Chicago and pledging his full support for Kamala Harris for preside

Pritzker touted the state's economic policies that he said brought jobs and helped working-class residents, such as eliminating a grocery tax and investing in green jobs.

"More than anything, Democrats want economic policies that are kind, not cruel. But Trump chooses cruelty every time," he said.

Pritzker is a rising star in the party who has tapped into his vast personal wealth to support Democratic causes. He was once among the list of Harris' potential vice presidential picks.

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Aug 21, 2024, 2:04 AM GMT

Former AMEX CEO backs Harris on the economy -- one of her biggest vulnerabilities

Kenneth Chenault, who led American Express for 17 years, voiced support for Harris' economic platform.

Ken Chenault speaking at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.
Ken Chenault speaking at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.

"Kamala Harris's vision for the economy serves us all. She has demonstrated throughout her career that she wants to serve all people, and wants all Americans to have the opportunity to work to achieve their own share of the American dream," he said. "Our economy goes up and down. But the reason America is the strongest nation in the world is because of our commitment to something bigger than ourselves."

His remarks come as polls show the economy is a weak point for Harris, who currently trails Trump on the issue. Trump leads Harris by 9 points, 46-37%, in trust to handle the economy, a recent ABC News survey found.

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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.