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

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff re-introduced himself to America in a personal, down-to-earth speech as Harris makes a historic bid for the White House that, if elected, would make him the first-ever first gentleman.

He said he grew up the son of two Brooklynites and had a "typical suburban childhood."

"The guys I grew up with are still my best friends. The group chat is active every day -- and it's probably blowing up right now," he said.

He said he worked at McDonald's in high school when money was tight and worked full-time so he could afford to go to college part-time.

"Thanks to partial scholarships, student loans and a little help from my dad, I got myself through law school and got my first job as a lawyer -- which is also where I met the guys in my fantasy football league," he said. "A lot has changed in our lives since the early '90s, but my team name is still Nirvana -- yes, after the band."

He said he loved working as a lawyer, became a dad to Cole and Ella, got a divorce and then "something unexpected happened" -- he was set up on a blind date with Harris. He said Harris saved his first bumbling voicemail to her "and she makes me listen to it on every anniversary."

On Harris, he said she "finds joy in pursuing justice."

"She stands up to bullies -- just like my parents taught me to. She likes to see people do well -- and hates when they're treated unfairly. She believes this work requires a basic curiosity in how people are doing. Her empathy is her strength."

He talked about Harris coming to synagogue with him and making a "mean brisket for Passover." He said Harris encouraged him as second gentleman to fight against antisemitism.

On their blended family, he said that Harris has "always been there for our children, and I know she'll always be there for yours too."

"Kamala is a joyful warrior," he said. "It's doing for her country what she has always done for the people she loves. Her passion will benefit all of us when she's our president."

This Thursday, as Harris accepts the party's nomination for president, will be their 10th wedding anniversary, he noted.

"Kamala was exactly the right person for me at an important moment in my life. And at this moment in our nation's history, she is exactly the right president," he said.

Angela Alsobrooks, who is taking on popular former Gov. Larry Hogan in Maryland's Senate race, spoke about her friendship with Harris and how she looked up to her as a mentor.

Democrats picked Alsobrooks to to give a lengthier speech than others -- and it's no coincidence.

Alsobrooks is running for Senate in Maryland, a race that was once considered sleepy. But with popular former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan as the GOP nominee, the race is more competitive, and Democrats are desperate to keep the seat of outgoing Sen. Ben Cardin in their column.

John Giles, the Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, got a prime-time spot at the DNC, during which he stressed putting country over party, "as my hero, John McCain, taught us."

"I have a confession to make. I'm a lifelong Republican. So, I feel a little out of place tonight. But I feel more at home here than in today's Republican Party," Giles said at the top of his remarks.

He said the Republican Party has devolved into "the cult of Donald Trump," whom he said made a lot of lofty promises as president but "couldn't deliver a thing."

Biden and Harris, meanwhile, reached across the aisle delivered for his conservative community and "countless more across the country," he said, while calling on Americans to "put country first" and elect Harris and Walz.

The future of reproductive rights was again a strong topic at the convention with several speakers discussing their personal struggles with having children or finding an abortion.

Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, expressed anger at Trump, Vance and Republicans over their proposals to limit fertility options and ban abortions.

"I take it personally when a five-time draft-dodging coward like Donald Trump tries to take away my rights and freedoms in return -- especially when it concerns my daughters," she said.

Duckworth a veteran and double amputee, was candid about IVF treatments used to conceive her daughters.

"My struggle with infertility was more painful than any wound I earned on the battlefield," she said.