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, 3:28 AM GMT

Obama says Trump's political 'act has gotten pretty stale'

Obama derided Trump's campaign for trying to pit Americans against one another.

Former President Barack Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.

"Donald Trump wants us to think that this country is hopelessly divided between us and them, between the real Americans who of course support him and the outsiders who don't," he said. "And he wants you to think that you'll be richer and safer, if you will just give him the power to put those other people back in their place."

"It is one of the oldest tricks in politics from a guy whose act has, let's face it, gotten pretty stale," he continued. "We do not need four more years a bluster and bumbling and chaos. We have seen that movie before. And we all know that the sequel is usually worse."

"America is ready for a new chapter. America is ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris."

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Aug 21, 2024, 3:16 AM GMT

Obama says Harris-Trump matchup will be a 'fight'

"Now the torch as been passed," Obama said, turning to Harris' candidacy and her campaign against former President Donald Trump.

"Now it is up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in," he added. "And make no mistake, it will be a fight."

Obama went on to slam Trump as a "78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rose down his golden escalator."

"As we gather here tonight, the people who will decide this election are asking a very simple question: Who will fight for me? Who's thinking about my future, about my children's future, about our future together?" he asked. "One thing is for certain, Donald Trump is not losing sleep over that question."

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Aug 21, 2024, 3:14 AM GMT

Obama takes a moment to reflect on Biden's legacy

As Obama reminisced on accepting the party's nomination 16 years ago, he spoke about choosing President Joe Biden to be his running mate.

Former President Barack Obama speaking at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.
Former President Barack Obama speaking at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago.

"And looking back, I can say without question that my first big decision as your nominee turned out to be one of my best, and that was asking Joe Biden to serve by my side as vice president," he said.

"Other than some common Irish blood, Joe and I come from different backgrounds," he continued. "When we became brothers, and as we worked together for eight, sometimes pretty tough, years. What I came to admire most about Joe wasn't just his smarts; his experience. It was his empathy, and his decency. And it's hard earned resilience. His unshakable belief that everyone in this country deserves a fair shot. And over the last four years, those are the values America has needed most."

Obama went on to praise Biden's leadership as president and for putting the nation before his personal ambition by stepping aside.

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Aug 21, 2024, 3:09 AM GMT

Barack Obama takes the stage, met with 'Yes we can' cheers

The former president received a warm welcome from the crowd in the United Center, who revived his iconic campaign slogan "Yes we can!"

"I'm feeling fired up!" Obama said. "I am feeling ready to go -- even If I am the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama."