“America is ready for a better story.”
The Obamas took to the stage for night two of the Democratic National Convention, stirring up the crowd with a combined message of hope — and action.
Former President Obama was introduced by Michelle, who declared “Hope is making a comeback.”
She said that the presidency “might just be one of those Black jobs,” referring to Trump’s recently repeated claim that immigrants are “taking Black jobs” — and urged delegates to throw their weight behind Kamala Harris.
In his own rousing address, Obama said “America is ready for a better story” — and that Kamala Harris is “ready for the job.”
“The torch has been passed,” he said. “Now it is up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in — and make no mistake — it will be a fight.”
He painted a foreboding picture of a second Trump administration, warning: “Donald Trump sees power as nothing more than a means to his ends.” “We have seen that movie before, and we all know that the sequel is usually worse,” he added. He reminded voters that Harris still faces a “tight race” in a “closely divided country.”
Obama also shared some warm words about his former VP, President Biden. “I am proud to call him my president, but I am even prouder to call him my friend,” he said.
Harris formally accepted her nomination after a ceremonial roll call, saying: “We are so honored to be your nominees.” Her husband, Doug Emhoff, gave a touching personal address, saying “My mom is the only one who thinks Kamala is the lucky one for marrying me.”
He spoke about how Harris has always put his two children from his first marriage before work, quipping “Those of you who belong to blended families know things can be a little complicated. But as soon as they started calling her ‘Momala,’ I knew we were going to be OK.” He called her a loving co-parent and “joyful warrior” — and described how she makes him listen to the “embarrassing” voicemail he left her after their first date every year on their anniversary.
Again and again, Emhoff stressed his wife’s personal qualities. “She stands up to bullies, just like my parents taught me to,” he told the Chicago crowd.
“She likes to see people do well but hates when they’re treated unfairly. She believes this work requires a basic curiosity and just how people are doing. Her empathy is her strength.”
