DNC 2024 day 2 as it happened: Obamas speak in support of Kamala Harris; Bernie Sanders calls for Gaza ceasefire

And that concludes our live coverage of day two of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. I’m Chris Zappone, joined by Farrah Tomazin and Eliza Sum.

A quick recap of today’s proceedings:

• After being given a rockstar welcome, former president Barack Obama praised Joe Biden and urged decency before launching into Donald Trump’s character failings.
• Former first lady Michelle Obama told the convention that Kamala Harris is “more than ready for this moment” and also called out Trump’s attacks on her and her husband.
• Second gentleman Doug Emhoff shared details of his relationship with Harris, including the blind date that led to their marriage.
• Harris made another surprise appearance, this time thanking delegates via a live stream patched in from her rally in Milwaukee.
• Vermont senator Bernie Sanders called for an end to the war in Gaza, urging the US to demand an immediate ceasefire.
• All 57 delegations took part in a raucous roll call that featured tunes by DJ Cassidy and several celebrity cameos.

Join us again tomorrow for coverage of day three, when vice presidential nominee Governor Tim Walz gives his acceptance speech. Former president Bill Clinton and former House speaker Nancy Pelosi will also feature.

See you then.

Doug Emhoff wants America to love his wife, Kamala Harris, as much as he does.

His convention speech focused on their love story and offered a personal glimpse meant to pull in voters, too. Emhoff dished on the deets of their first phone call, after he left her a rambling voicemail that she still makes him listen to every year on their anniversary, saying he “just fell in love fast” with Harris.

“I love that laugh,” he said adoringly, a rebuttal to Donald Trump’s criticism of Harris’ laughter.

As Harris flew back to Chicago from Milwaukee after her rally there, Air Force Two spent an extra 10 minutes in the air so she could watch her husband speak, according to an aide.

AP

Warning of a difficult fight ahead, ex-president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, called on the nation to embrace Kamala Harris in urgent messages to the Democratic National Convention that were at times both hopeful and combative.

“America, hope is making a comeback,” the former first lady declared. She then tore into Republican Donald Trump, a sharp shift from the 2016 convention speech in which she told her party: “When they go low, we go high.”

“His limited and narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people, who also happened to be black,” she said of Trump.

Former president Barack Obama hugs his wife, Michelle Obama, after she introduces him on stage.Credit: AP

Obama, the former president, called Trump “a 78-year-old billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago”.

“It’s been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually gotten worse now that he’s afraid of losing to Kamala,” he charged.

The fiery messages from two of the Democratic Party’s biggest stars underscored the urgency of the moment as Harris works to stitch together a broad coalition in her bid to defeat Trump.

She is drawing on stars like the Obamas and other celebrities, officials from the far left to the middle, and even some Republicans to boost her campaign.

And while the theme of the night was “a bold vision for America’s future”, the disparate factions of Harris’ evolving coalition demonstrated, above all, that they are connected by a deep desire to prevent a second Trump presidency.

AP

Barack Obama is bringing back some of his signature campaign lines, including a “fired up, ready to go” call, talk of “hope”, and an instruction to voters “do not boo, vote” when the crowd jeered a reference to Donald Trump. There are also cheers of “Yes, she can”.

The former president warns the crowd at the DNC that even though “the torch has been passed” to Harris, the work for Democrats is not yet done.

“For all the incredible energy we’ve been able to generate over the last few weeks, this will still be a tight race in a closely divided country — a country where too many Americans are still struggling and don’t believe government can help,” he says.

“Make no mistake, it will be a fight,” Obama said. For all the energy and memes and rallies, he said, “this will still be a tight race in a closely divided country”.

The last election was decided by 40,000 votes across three states.

Watch his full speech below:

The former president continues: “Despite what our politics might suggest, Americans understand that democracy isn’t just a bunch of principles and dusty laws; it’s the values we [live] by. It’s the way we treat each other.

“We’ve all got our wise thoughts and contradictions and prejudices and if we want to win over those who aren’t yet ready to support our candidates, we need to listen to their concerns and maybe learn something in the process.

“After all, if a parent or grandparent occasionally says something that makes us cringe, we don’t automatically assume [they’re wrong].

“We recognise that the world is moving fast, that they need time and maybe a little curve to catch up. Our fellow citizens deserve the same grace we hope they’ll extend to us.”

First, the former president warns that the race is close. Then he details Trump’s character failings.

“Donald Trump wants us to think that this country is hopelessly divided between us and them, between the real Americans that support him and the outsiders,” Barack Obama says.

“And he wants you to think that you’ll be richer and safer, if you will just give him the power as he scapegoats others. It is one of the oldest tricks of politics.

“We do not need four more years of bluster and bumble and chaos. We have seen that movie before – and we all know that the sequel is usually worse.”

Former US president Barack Obama says it wasn’t just Joe Biden’s experience that made him an outstanding president.

“It was his empathy and his decency and his hard-earned resilience. His unshakable belief that everyone in this country deserves some thoughts.

Former US President Barack Obama on stage during the Democratic National Convention.Credit: Bloomberg

“History will remember Joe Biden as an outstanding president who defended democracy in a moment of great danger.

“And I am proud to call him my president.”

Michelle Obama, a Chicago native, begins by talking about her own mother’s background and weaves a story about Kamala Harris.

She then pivots to a discussion of Harris’ qualities. “My girl, Kamala Harris, is more than ready for this moment.

“She is one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency, and she is one of the most dignified tributes to her mother, to my mother and to your mother too.”

In a direct rebuke of the Republican Party’s seeming acceptance of a form of white nationalism, the former first lady says: “No one has a monopoly on what it means to be an American. No one.”

Watch her full speech below:

The second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, paints a picture of his life with Vice President Kamala Harris, saying: “She’s showing you what we already know – she’s ready to lead ...”

Then he moves on to sketch out a short biography of himself, stressing his typical New Jersey upbringing.

He discusses his children and first marriage, then his blind date with Harris in 2013, which led to their marriage.

Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff.Credit: AP

This is Emhoff’s first full self-introduction to the public. He’s at pains to appear humble, with relatable material in his speech.

“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, but sees when they’re treated unfairly.

“She believes this work requires a basic curiosity and just how people are doing. Her empathy is her strength.”

Emhoff says: “We’re strongest when we fight for what we believe in, not just against what we fear.”

It’s a variation of the slogan: “When we fight, we win.”

Watch his full speech below:

Barack Obama, the nation’s first black president, returns to the DNC stage 20 years after making his first appearance at the 2004 national convention – an appearance in Boston that propelled him into the national spotlight ahead of his successful 2008 presidential run.

In his address, to begin shortly, Obama is expected to help affirm why Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are the right leaders for the country at this moment.

Barack Obama at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.Credit: Reuters

He will lay out the task in front of Democrats over the next 10 weeks and bring into focus the values at stake in this election and at the heart of our politics, according to a person familiar with his remarks.

The former president believes this is an all-hands-on-deck moment and is committed to doing all he can to help Harris win, the person said, adding that Obama would engage in a range of traditional and creative tactics to reach voters over the coming weeks.

It’s not just Obama making the case for the vice president. Earlier, the convention turned to the grandsons of Jimmy Carter and John F. Kennedy to also portray Harris as the natural heir of past Democratic leaders.

AP