'Yes she can': Obama takes stage at DNC to back Harris
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More news: Former US President Barack Obama has described Donald Trump as a “whining” billionaire whose “act has gone stale”, urging Americans to move on from “bluster and chaos” by backing Kamala Harris.
Sixteen years after accepting the nomination himself, Obama warned a galvanised Democratic National Convention (DNC) it still faced “a tight race in a closely divided country”, praising outgoing President Joe Biden for “defending democracy at a moment of great danger”.
The US’s first black president framed its potential second, Harris, as a tough but compassionate leader who understood “we can secure our borders without tearing kids away from their parents”.
Rounding off night two of the DNC, Obama invoked his successful 2008 campaign by declaring: “Yes she can”.
Obama was introduced by his wife, Michelle Obama, while other speakers included Harris’ husband, lawyer Doug Emhoff, and independent senator Bernie Sanders.
What they said: Speaking to a rapturous DNC, Obama said: “The other day, I heard someone compare Trump to the neighbour who keeps running his leaf blower outside your window every minute of every day”.
Kamala Harris pledges 'new way forward' after being formally nominated
The news: Kamala Harris has pledged a “new way forward” after her nomination for president was rubber-stamped at the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
The context: The vice-president made the comments while being beamed into the DNC from a rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a key swing state where the Republicans held their convention last month.
While Harris will deliver a formal acceptance speech on Friday (Australian time), her brief remarks came after delegations from each state cast their votes to formally nominate her and running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Harris’ entry into the race after President Joe Biden dropped out has galvanised the Democrats, as she leads Republican nominee Donald Trump nationally and is competitive in swing states.
Former President Barack Obama will speak to the roughly 10,000-strong crowd to round out night two of the DNC.
A major speech from Biden closed night one of the convention when he declared that Democrats were in a “battle for the very soul of America”.
What they said: Speaking alongside Walz in Milwaukee, Harris said: “I thank everyone there and here for believing in what we can do together. We are so honoured to be your nominees. This is a people-powered campaign, and together we will chart a new way forward, a future for freedom, opportunity, of optimism and faith”.
The source: Democratic National Convention
