Democratic Convention Day 3: Mourning in America; Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton’s message
In stinging attack, Barack Obama blamed Donald Trump for the US coronavirus toll and its crushed economy
- ‘We can do better and we must’
- ‘Trump can’t grow into his role’
- ‘Under Trump, things will get worse’
- Giffords: US needs us to fight
- Harris: We’re at inflection point
- Tonight’s message: Mourning in America
Welcome to The Australian’s live coverage of the Democratic National Convention, Day Three. The DNC is now over for the day. Kamala Harris accepted the party’s nomination speaking of the values she was brought up on. Barack Obama accused Donald Trump of using the presidency to help himself and his friends, whileHillary Clinton urged people to vote so Trump couldn’t ‘steal’ the presidency.
Cameron Stewart 1.15pm: Obama in unprecedented, blistering critique of Trump
Barack Obama has blamed Donald Trump directly for America’s record coronavirus death toll and its crushed economy, saying he has proved to be incapable of rising to the office of president.
In a blistering critique of the Trump presidency delivered to the Democratic National Convention, Mr Obama portrayed the president as a lazy and self-centred leader who never took the job of president seriously, instead treating it as a reality show.
“I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously; that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care,” Mr Obama said at an address delivered at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.
“But he never did. He’s shown no interest in putting in the work; no interest in finding common ground; no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends; no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves.”
Former President Barack Obama tells the DNC that Donald Trump has shown "no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends. No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show" pic.twitter.com/enf6XH0q7q
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 20, 2020
The former president said Mr Trump had not grown into the job because he was incapable of it.
“And the consequences of that failure are severe. 170,000 Americans dead. Millions of jobs gone. Our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before,” Mr Obama said.
‘Tragedies turned into political weapons’
Mr Obama was speaking on the third day of the party’s four day virtual convention during which Joe Biden’s Vice Presidential Running mate Kamala Harris also gave her acceptance speech.
Ms Harris used the speech to speak about her life story of being raised by immigrant parents and of the lessons they taught about her the need to show “compassion, dignity and respect.”
But she said the America that she grew up in felt distant today because of Mr Trump whose “failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods.”
Vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris addresses the DNC: “My mother instilled in my sister Maya and me the values that would chart the course of our lives. She raised us to be proud, strong Black women, and she raised us to know and be proud of our Indian heritage†pic.twitter.com/I5Nz8uMrMX
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 20, 2020
“We’re at an inflection point. The constant chaos leaves us adrift. The incompetence makes us feel afraid. The callousness makes us feel alone,” Ms Harris said.
“Right now, we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons. Joe will be a president who turns our challenges into purpose.”
The Convention also heard from Hillary Clinton, who lost to Mr Trump in the 2016 election.
“For four years people have said to me, “I didn’t realise how dangerous he was.’ ‘I wish I could go back and do it over.’ Or worst, “I should have voted.’ Well this can’t be another woulda coulda shoulda election,” the former Secretary of State said.
Hillary Clinton: "For four years people have told me, 'I didn't realize how dangerous he was. I wish I could do it all over.' ... Look, this can't be another would've, could've should've election" https://t.co/AP3ZgXW7Uw pic.twitter.com/41u2jaog4f
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 20, 2020
“I wish Donald Trump had been a better president. But, sadly, he is who he is. America needs a president who shows the same compassion, determination, and leadership in the White House that we see our communities.
“There’s a lot of heartbreak in America right now - and the truth is many things were broken before the pandemic. But... Joe Biden knows how to heal, unify and lead, because he’s done all of that for his family and his country,’ she said.
Speaking before the Democrat speeches, Mr Trump said the reason why he was president was because of the ‘terrible’ job that Mr Obama and Mr Biden did as President and Vice President.
“I see the horror that he’s left us, the stupidity of the transactions that he made,” Mr Trump said of Mr Obama.
“The reason I am here is because of president Obama and Joe Biden because if they did a good job I wouldn’t be here,’ he said.
Earlier Mr Trump tweeted: “Welcome back Barack and crooked Hillary. See you on the battlefield.”
Those who appeared on the two hour program included former presidential aspirant Elizabeth Warren and the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Ms Pelosi attacked Mr Trump’s record with women voters.
“As Speaker, I’ve seen firsthand Donald Trump’s disrespect for facts, for working families and for women in particular...but we know what he doesn’t: that when women succeed, America succeeds.’
In his comments Mr Obama made a pitch to voters not to give up on America and said they needed to understand who Mr Biden was.
“Twelve years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I didn’t know I’d end up finding a brother,’ Mr Obama said.
“Over eight years, Joe was the last one in the room whenever I faced a big decision. He made me a better president. He’s got the character and the experience to make us a better country.”
“Tonight, I am asking you to believe in Joe and Kamala’s ability to lead this country out of dark times and build it back better.”
Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia
How Day Three of the DNC unfolded
Anne Barrowclough 1.00pm: Harris: We can do better and we must
Kamala Harris closed the convention with her acceptance of the party’s nomination. Senator Harris paid tribute the values she learned from her mother, who raised her and her sister on her own from the time Kamala was five.
“She taught us to be conscious and compassionate about the struggles of all people,” she said.
“[I am] committed to the values she [my mother] taught me, to the word that teaches me to walk by faith, and not by sight, and to a vision passed on through generations of Americans—one that Joe Biden shares.
“A vision of our nation as a beloved community–where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love. A country where we may not agree on every detail, but we are united by the fundamental belief that every human being is of infinite worth, deserving of compassion, dignity and respect. A country where we look out for one another, where we rise and fall as one, where we face our challenges, and celebrate our triumphs. Together. Today, that country feels distant. Donald Trump’s failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods.”
She added: “We’re a nation that is grieving .. the loss of jobs, of lives, or normalcy.
“We’re at an inflection point. The constant chaos leaves us adrift. The incompetence makes us feel afraid. The callousness makes us feel alone. It’s a lot. And here’s the thing: We can do better and deserve so much more. We must elect a president who will bring something different, something better, and do the important work. A president who will bring all of us together—Black, White, Latino, Asian, Indigenous—to achieve the future we collectively want. We must elect Joe Biden.”
“Right now, we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons. Joe will be a president who turns our challenges into purpose.”
Anne Barrowclough 12.35pm: Obama: Trump can’t grow into his role
Barack Obama has launched the strongest attack on Donald Trump so far in this year’s the Democratic Convention, saying the president couldn’t grow into his job because he was incapable of it.
Speaking live from the Philadelphia Museum of the American Revolution, Mr Obama said:
“I have sat in the Oval Office with both of the men who are running for president. I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies. I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously; that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care.
“But he never did. He’s has shown no interest in putting in the work; no interest in finding common ground; no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends; no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves.”
“Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t. And the consequences of that failure are severe. 170,000 Americans dead. Millions of jobs gone. Our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.”
Former President Barack Obama tells the DNC that Donald Trump has shown "no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends. No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show" pic.twitter.com/enf6XH0q7q
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 20, 2020
He went on to stress how important it was to vote, he went on to praise his “brother” Joe Biden.
“I’m well aware that in times as polarized as these, most of you have already made up your mind. But maybe you’re still not sure which candidate you’ll vote for – or whether you’ll vote at all. Maybe you’re tired of the direction we’re headed, but you can’t yet see a better path, or you just don’t know enough about the person who wants to lead us there.
“So let me tell you about my friend Joe Biden. Twelve years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I didn’t know I’d end up finding a brother. Joe and I came from different places and different generations. But what I quickly came to admire about him is his resilience, born of too much struggle; his empathy, born of too much grief. Joe’s a man who learned early on to treat every person he meets with respect and dignity, living by the words his parents taught him: ‘No one’s better than you, but you’re better than nobody.’”
“Over eight years, Joe was the last one in the room whenever I faced a big decision. He made me a better president. He’s got the character and the experience to make us a better country.”
Turning to Kamala Harris, he said: “And in my friend Kamala Harris, he has chosen an ideal partner who is more than prepared for the job; someone who knows what it’s like to overcome barriers and who’s made a career fighting to help others live out their own American dream.
“Tonight, I am asking you to believe in Joe and Kamala’s ability to lead this country out of dark times and build it back better. But here’s the thing: no single American can fix this country alone. Democracy was never meant to be transactional – you give me your vote; I make everything better. So I am also asking you to believe in your own ability – to embrace your own responsibility as citizens – to make sure that the basic tenets of our democracy endure.”
Anne Barrowclough 12.00pm: If Trump is relected, things will get worse: Clinton
Hillary Clinton has urged Americans to vote, telling them that if Donald Trump was re-elected, “Things will get worse.”
Hillary Clinton tells the Democratic National Convention, “I wish Donald Trump knew how to be a president, because America needs a president right now†pic.twitter.com/tYrSR7gDTY
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 20, 2020
Mrs Clinton who, this time last year, epected to become the next president, reminded supporters that winning the popular vote didn’t get her into the White House.
“”Don’t forget Joe and Kamala could win by three million votes and still lose,” she said. “Take it from me.”
Pushing the point home, she told supporters to vote by whichever means possible so Donald Trump couldn’t “cheat and steal” his way back into the presidency.
“For four years, people have said to me, “I didn’t realize how dangerous he was.” “I wish I could go back and do it over.” Or worst, “I should have voted.” Look, this can’t be another woulda coulda shoulda election.”
Mrs Clinton said when she conceded the election in 2016 she hoped he would grow into the role of president, but that hadn’t happened.
“I wish Donald Trump knew how to be a president because the US needs a president right now,” she said.
“Remember back in 2016, when Donald Trump said ‘what do you have to lose?’
“Well, now we know; our healthcare, our jobs, our loved ones.”
Anne Barrowclough 11.20am: Giffords: America needs us to fight
Joe Biden has vowed “never never never” to give up the fight against gun violence. A series of gun victims spoke about their experiences after loved ones were killed or incapacitated through violence.
Former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was forced to retire in 2012 after being shot in the head at point blank range, told how she was still fighting to regain her full speech and movement.
Ms Giffords has become a symbol for the Democratic fight for stricter gun laws, founding an organisation to push for tighter gun laws.
“America needs all of us to speak out, even when you have to fight to find the words. We are at a crossroads,” she said. “We can let the shooting continue, or we can act. We can protect our families, our future. We can vote. We can be on the right side of history. We must elect Joe Biden. He was there for me, he’ll be there for you too. Join us in this fight.”
Anne Barrowclough 11.05am: Kamala Harris opens DNC
Kamala Harris has opened the third night of the Democratic Convention, stressing the importance of voting.
Kamala Harris opens night three of the DNC with a message on voting: “I think we need to ask ourselves, 'Why don't they want us to vote? Why is there so much effort to silence our voices?' And the answer is because when we vote, things change†pic.twitter.com/NN0Gb4fX2C
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 20, 2020
Senator Harris, who will accept the party’s nomination at the end of the convention, will become the first Black and South Asian woman ever nominated to a major presidential party ticket.
Three generations of Harris women — her sister Maya Harris, her niece Meena, and her stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff — will officially nominate the California senator..
Anne Barrowclough 10.35am: Obama suggested major change
Barack Obama reportedly suggested a major change to the running order of addresses on the third day of the convention.
The former president had been scheduled to speak after Joe Biden’s running mate. However, CNN reports, once Kamala Harris was selected, Mr Obama suggested swtiching the order so he could speak before she accepted her nomination.
“It felt like an opportunity to symbolically pass the torch, give her her moment and spotlight,” a person close to Obama told CNN.
Agencies 9.45am: Trump hits back at ‘ineffective’ Obama
Donald Trump has fired back angrily at his predecessor Barack Obama who will today describe Mr Trump as an unserious president who had put US democracy in danger.
Mr Trump told reporters Mr Obama was an “ineffective” and “terrible” leader.
“I see the horror that he’s left us, the stupidity of the transactions that he made,” Mr Trump said.
“President Obama did not do a good job. The reason I’m here is because of President Obama and Joe Biden,” he added.
Mr Obama is due to speak to the convention later this morning, accusing Mr Trump of never showing “interest in taking the job seriously,” according to excerpts of his speech.
Mr Trump tweeted this morning: “Welcome back Barack and crooked Hillary. See you on the battle field.”
Welcome, Barack and Crooked Hillary. See you on the field of battle! pic.twitter.com/ZrTKXcc6aU
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2020
Cameron Stewart 9.10am: Harris: We are at an inflection point
Kamala Harris, who will today officially her party’s nomination of Vice-President, will speak on unity - the theme of the third day of the DNC.
“[I am] committed to the values she [my mother] taught me, to the word that teaches me to walk by faith, and not by sight, and to a vision passed on through generations of Americans—one that Joe Biden shares,” she will say. “A country where we may not agree on every detail, but we are united by the fundamental belief that every human being is of infinite worth, deserving of compassion, dignity and respect. Today, that country feels distant. Donald Trump’s failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods.
“We’re at an inflection point.”
Cameron Stewart 8.00am: Mourning in America is message of Obama, Clinton
The Democrats will today wheel out its heavy hitters on day three of the four day virtual Democratic National Convention as it builds up to the crescendo of nominee Joe Biden’s acceptance speech on Friday (AEST).
The two marquee speeches today will be a hard hitting address by former president Barack Obama and the acceptance speech of Mr Biden’s Vice Presidential running mate Kamala Harris.
Mr Obama, who will give his speech live, will tell supporters: “I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously. But he never did. He’s has shown no interest in putting in the work; no interest in finding common ground; no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends; no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves.
“Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t. And the consequences of that failure are severe”.
The losing Democratic presidential nominee of 2016, Hillary Clinton will also speak.
The theme of the day will be “A More Perfect Union” which will focus on the economy and gun control amongst other key issues.
Others appearing during the two hour program will be former presidential aspirant Elizabeth Warren and the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Ms Harris is expected to tell her personal story of being a daughter of immigrant parents, rising from modest circumstances to complete law school and become a District Attorney and then the first black woman to become California Attorney General.
Ms Clinton is expected to reflect on Donald Trump’s presidency and urge Democrats to go out and vote.
“For four years people have said to me, ‘I didn’t realise how dangerous he was.’ ‘I wish I could go back and do it over.’ Or worst, ‘I should have voted.’ Well this can’t be another woulda coulda shoulda election,’ Mrs Clinton will say.
“I wish Donald Trump had been a better president. But, sadly, he is who he is. America needs a president who shows the same compassion, determination, and leadership in the White House that we see our communities.
“There’s a lot of heartbreak in America right now – and the truth is many things were broken before the pandemic. But as the saying goes, the world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places. Joe Biden knows how to heal, unify and lead, because he’s done all of that for his family and his country,” she will say.
Ms Pelosi will attack Mr Trump’s record with women voters.
“As Speaker, I’ve seen first hand Donald Trump’s disrespect for facts, for working families and for women in particular … but we know what he doesn’t: that when women succeed, America succeeds.”
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