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.

Aug 21, 2024, 3:07 AM GMT

Michelle Obama reflects on mom's influence

Michelle Obama reflected on her mother's memory and the values that she instilled in her from an early age.

Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.
Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.

"Kamala Harris and I built our lives on those same foundational values. Even though our mothers grew up an ocean apart, they shared the same belief in the promise of this country," she said.

Obama continued to tout Harris' skills, experience and temperament during her years of service.

"Kamala Harris is more than ready for this moment," she said. "She is one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency."

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Aug 21, 2024, 2:55 AM GMT

Michelle Obama gets standing ovation; 'America, hope is making a comeback'

The crowd at the United Center greeted former first lady Michelle Obama with a standing ovation as she took the stage as the penultimate speaker.

Michelle Obama said until recently she had mourned the "dimming" of hope felt in the country following the recent developments in the country and the loss of her mother.

However, she said she recently felt it spreading again.

"America, hope is making a comeback," she said.

Aug 21, 2024, 2:59 AM GMT

Emhoff revives crowd

Emhoff sent the crowd into a tizzy after attendees had been lagging in energy.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff speaks on the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

The first gentleman told a story of his first date with Harris, prompting cheers when describing by an awkward voicemail he sent her.

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Aug 21, 2024, 2:52 AM GMT

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff re-introduces himself in personal speech

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.

Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff speaks during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.
Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff speaks during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.

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.

Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff speaks during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.
Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff speaks during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.

"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.