Former President Obama is set to take the stage at the Democratic National Convention on its second night, where he will be speaking under the banner of the Democrats’ “Bold Vision for America’s Future.” The convention, currently being held at the United Center in Chicago, kicked off on Monday and will run through Thursday when Vice President Harris is expected to formally accept the Democratic presidential nomination alongside her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Obama Headlines Night 2
The theme for the Democrats on Tuesday night is “A Bold Vision for America’s Future,” with a focus on how the Harris-Walz ticket plans to present a “brighter vision where everyone will have a chance not just to get by, but to get ahead.” This vision stands in stark contrast to that of former President Trump, with the Democrats emphasizing that the 2024 presidential race is about choosing between two very different visions for America.
Former President Obama, who served two terms with Biden as his vice president, is expected to draw this contrast between the Democratic vision and that of the Trump administration during his speech. Sources have revealed that it was a group of Obama’s allies and former advisers who played a key role in calling on President Biden to drop out of the race last month, ultimately leading to Biden endorsing Harris as his replacement.
Obama Ally Support
Among those who urged Biden to step aside were Obama’s former adviser, David Axelrod, as well as actor George Clooney, a personal friend of the Obamas. Despite initially stating that the party would be “navigating uncharted waters,” Obama expressed confidence in the Democratic Party’s ability to select an outstanding nominee. He later endorsed Harris, referring to her as a “happy warrior.”
Former First Lady Michelle Obama is also slated to speak at the convention on Tuesday night, further underscoring the Obama family’s support for the Harris-Walz ticket. The programming for the evening will also feature speeches from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Democratic Party Platform
The first day of the convention saw delegates voting on the 2024 Democratic Party platform, which outlines the party’s priorities moving forward. Despite the recent developments leading to Biden’s withdrawal from the race, the platform still names him as the candidate running for re-election, alongside Vice President Harris.
The platform calls for the overturning of federal and state laws that create barriers to abortion, continued support for green energy initiatives to combat climate change, capping child care costs for low-income families, and advocating for a pathway to U.S. citizenship for long-term residents in the country illegally. It also affirms Israel’s right to defend itself while endorsing the Biden administration’s efforts to broker a lasting cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Protests and Demonstrations
Outside the United Center, hundreds of anti-Israel protesters gathered on the first day of the convention and are expected to continue demonstrating throughout the week. These protesters aim to send a strong message to Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, with chants such as “from the river to the sea” being heard—chants that have been associated with antisemitic protests in the past.
Despite the demonstrations, the convention is proceeding as planned, with Biden addressing the crowd on Monday night and symbolically passing the torch to Vice President Harris. Biden’s decision to suspend his re-election campaign came after mounting pressure from within the Democratic Party following a lackluster debate performance against Trump in June.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Democratic National Convention is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the 2024 presidential race, with former President Obama taking center stage to champion the party’s “Bold Vision for America’s Future.” As the convention continues through the week, all eyes will be on Vice President Harris as she formally accepts the Democratic presidential nomination, alongside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Stay tuned for more updates and exclusive coverage from the 2024 campaign trail on Fox News Digital.