Barack and Michelle Obama have a lot of influence with the Democrats. Now they are giving Kamala Harris their blessing on the big stage – and a tried and tested battle cry. And then there’s someone else.
Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are using their full political weight to support the Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the election campaign. The former presidential couple praised Harris at the Democratic Party Convention as a fighter for all Americans and attacked her Republican opponent Donald Trump with unusual severity. The ex-president and the former First Lady both warned that the race between Harris and Trump would be very close. In addition to the two politically important supporters, another special fan of the new Democratic front woman appeared: her husband Doug Emhoff.
The three advocates and their messages:
The popular former president: “Kamala Harris is ready for the job”
Barack Obama was president from 2009 to 2017 and was replaced in the White House by Trump. He is still one of the most influential US Democrats and is sometimes celebrated like a pop star. Many people see Obama as the epitome of laid-backness. He still knows how to stage it. He did so at the party convention in Chicago, where Harris was once again confirmed as presidential candidate in a ceremonial vote.
Obama gave the Democrat his blessing on the big stage – and even gave her his previous slogan. “Yes, she can!” shouted the Democrat to the cheers of several thousand delegates, alluding to his previous campaign rallying cry “Yes, we can!” This immediately triggered chants in the hall. Later, his speech was again interrupted by shouts of “Yes, she can!”
The 63-year-old stressed: “Kamala Harris is ready for the job.” She will stand up for every American, while Trump is only interested in himself. Obama called Trump a 78-year-old billionaire who never stops moaning about his own problems. The country does not need another four years of “bluster, bungling and chaos” with Trump. “America is ready for a better story.” The race between Harris and Trump will be very close, however, he warned. The party must therefore work like never before.
The secret dream president: There is hope in the air
Obama and his wife Michelle were once the most famous power couple in the world, bringing glamour to the White House. They are now successful business people and fill theaters and concert halls when they promote their books, for example. Michelle Obama is also very popular in the USA. Many Democrats secretly hope that she will one day run for president herself. But the former First Lady has made it clear several times that she has no political ambitions. Instead, she is now campaigning for Harris – and against Trump.
The 60-year-old praised Harris as “one of the most qualified people to ever run for president.” Michelle Obama said there was hope in the air. But she also warned: “No matter how good we feel tonight or tomorrow or the day after, it’s going to be an uphill battle.” She was unusually harsh in her criticism of Trump, accusing him, among other things, of spreading “ugly, misogynistic and racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions.”
The possible first First Gentleman in US history: “I love you so much”
Doug Emhoff is the first man in the country’s history to take on the role of Second Gentleman when Harris became Vice President. He is also the first Jewish Vice President’s partner in US history. If Harris becomes the first woman to become President, he would be America’s first First Gentleman. The 59-year-old gave up his job as a lawyer to devote himself entirely to his representative duties at Harris’s side. In Chicago, he focused on the human aspect: a declaration of love for Harris and anecdotes from their relationship.
“I love you so much and I’m so proud of how you stand up for all of us,” said the 59-year-old, addressing his wife, who was not present but was campaigning in the neighboring state of Wisconsin. “Whenever she is needed, however she is needed, Kamala rises to the occasion.” That also applies now, when the country needs her. “She never runs away from a fight.”
Harris, 59, and Emhoff met later in life. A friend arranged a blind date in 2013, and they married the following year. Emhoff has two grown children from his first marriage – they call Harris “Momala”. Emhoff talked about how he met Harris. He left her a voice message on his phone. Harris kept the message and plays it to him every year on their wedding anniversary. That is also coming up on Thursday: their tenth wedding anniversary – exactly when Harris will give her big speech at the end of the party convention.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
