The Democratic National Convention (DNC) began in Chicago with a surprise appearance by Kamala Harris and a keynote speech by President Joe Biden.
On Monday, Democrats held the first day of the DNC at the United Center in Chicago, where they rallied behind Harris and commemorated Biden’s 50 years of public service.
President Joe Biden
Biden, 81, delivered a prime-time address to the DNC after being introduced by his daughter Ashley Biden.
As the president took the stage, he received a standing ovation as delegates chanted and held signs reading “We (love) Joe.”
Harris became the Democratic nominee after Biden suddenly reversed course and dropped his re-election bid. Shortly after his announcement, Biden endorsed Harris as his successor in the 2024 race.
Biden praised Harris as his successor on the Democratic ticket. Harris appeared to have tears in her eyes as she watched Biden’s speech along with her husband, Doug Emhoff.
“Democracy has won, democracy has delivered, and now democracy must be preserved,” Biden said in his speeches.
The president called his time in the White House with Harris “the most extraordinary four years of progress ever,” citing the recovery from an economic crisis, a record-high stock market, the creation of tens of thousands of jobs, and “wages rising and inflation falling.” He also said he and Harris passed the first major bipartisan gun safety bill in 30 years.
Biden also touted his own legacy, saying he was proudly called “the most pro-union president in history.” Biden also said he was proud to have appointed the first black justice to the Supreme Court and he was proud to support Harris, who would be the first black president in U.S. history.
The president also criticized Trump for calling the United States a failing nation.
“(Trump) says we are losing. He is the loser. And he is completely wrong!”
Biden called the election a “rare moment in history” in which the decisions Americans make now will change the course of the nation and the world.
“I have five months left in my presidency. I have a lot of work to do. I intend to get it done,” Biden said.
“America, I gave you my best.”
Kamala Harris
Harris made a surprise and brief appearance at the DNC on Monday evening. The Democratic presidential candidate was not expected on stage until the last day of the convention, when she will officially accept her party’s nomination for president.
“I want to kick things off by celebrating our incredible President Joe Biden,” Harris told the crowd. “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifelong commitment to our nation, and for all that you will continue to do. We are forever grateful.”
She also repeated her campaign slogan: “If we fight, we win!”
AOC
Representative Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) praised Harris as a champion of the middle class in her remarks on Monday, emphasizing the statement “Kamala is for you.”
Harris will also “stand up to corporate greed” and continue to “work tirelessly to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and bring the hostages home,” said the New York congresswoman.
“Just because we know this choice doesn’t mean the path will be easy,” he said, urging people to cast their votes and stressing that there are only 78 days left until election day.
Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton praised Biden as an American patriot.
“We salute President Biden,” Clinton said. “He has been a champion of democracy at home and abroad.”
Clinton compared Harris to her Republican rival Donald Trump, saying he had made history by becoming the first presidential candidate with 34 convictions for a serious crime.
“She will defend democracy and our Constitution and protect America from enemies at home and abroad,” Clinton said.
Guest speaker on the topic of abortion
The first day of the DNC also featured speakers supporting Harris’ goal of restoring access to abortion. They included Louisiana resident Kaitlyn Joshua, who said she was told “with 100 percent certainty” that her baby would not survive the pregnancy. After her miscarriage, she was turned away by hospitals that refused to remove the fetus, which she said had stopped growing. Louisiana bans abortions at all stages of pregnancy.
Others told stories about how abortion laws in their states negatively affected their health following pregnancy complications.
Trump-Vance campaign
Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance (Republican of Ohio), continued their campaign trail on the first day of the DNC, holding several events in the swing state of Pennsylvania. Trump and Vance will campaign in Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Arizona later this week.
