Obama and Sanders speeches bolster Kamala at Democratic convention

ChicagoOn the second day of its national convention, the Democratic Party continued to offer a lineup of speakers who sought to appeal to the broadest possible range of voters, from the elegant rhetoric of former President Barack Obama to the anti-corporate speech of democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders.

On a night that included speakers ranging from Senate leader Chuck Schumer, the nation’s first-ever second gentleman and hopeful first gentleman Doug Emhoff (husband of presidential candidate Kamala Harris), one of the biggest cheerleaders was Sanders, who has never wavered from his message, which he reiterated here: “We need an economy that works for all of us, not just the billionaire class.”

Speaking to both the estimated 20 million watching the convention on television and the campaigners in the arena, Sanders praised the accomplishments of the Biden-Kamala Harris administration, proclaiming, “We are doing the groundwork to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.” But in showing his political talent, he left them some work to do.

He recalled that 60 percent of the country’s population continues to live “paycheck to paycheck.” He insisted on the unfinished progressive agenda of increasing taxes on the rich, expanding access to health care for seniors, raising the minimum wage and reforming the electoral system so that multimillionaires “cannot buy elections.”

Sanders concluded his speech by criticizing U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza, the first speaker to do so. “We must end this horrific war in Gaza, return the hostages and demand an immediate ceasefire,” he said to applause.

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But tonight’s focus was not on oligarchs and economic injustice, but on the Democratic aristocracy, Barack Obama and his wife – always among the most popular figures in the country – Michelle, whose best-selling book sold more than 14 million copies, even more than her husband’s. The words of “hope” and love resounded – without much content but which enthused the audience.

Barack Obama capped off the evening, introduced by his wife, and again, with his grace and refined political talent, took the convention into his own hands. “This will be a very close race in a divided country,” he declared. “The people who will decide this election are those who ask, ‘Who is fighting for me, for my future, for my children? ’”

The former president criticized the failures of Donald Trump’s government and his conduct since leaving the White House, but perhaps what provoked the most applause – and laughter – was when he pointed out that Trump “has this weird obsession with the size of audiences,” while making a small gesture with his hands for something else that everyone understood.

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“Our job is to convince people that democracy can actually deliver. To do that we cannot just rely on the ways of the past but we have to chart a new path forward,” he said, noting that new policies on access to housing, health care and education are needed. “In this new economy, we need a president who really cares about the millions of people who do the essential work of caring for our sick, cleaning our streets. Kamala will be that person.”

He reiterated some of the central themes of his own administration, focusing on “freedom” both at home and abroad. “No nation, no society has ever attempted to build a democracy as large and diverse as ours, one that includes people who over decades have come from every corner of the globe. When we stand up for our values, the world is a little brighter. When we don’t, the world is a little darker. We should not be the world’s policeman… But America should be a force for good.” But there was no reference to American support for Israel’s war on Gaza, or other war policies.

However, for this convention, the fundamental task is to promote voting. “If we knock on doors, make calls, if we talk to our neighbors, we will elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States,” he stressed. “We will also build a country that is more fair and equal. Let’s get to work,” he concluded.

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The shift in the race since Joe Biden dropped out of the contest to be replaced by Harris is generating greater energy within the party ranks, and there is celebration here that in the polls the Democrats are tied or even winning in some key states and at the national level. But several of the speakers – and even the candidate – continue to warn of how close the race is for the White House and both chambers of Congress.

In fact, Harris decided to go on a campaign tour in one of the key states, Wisconsin, that could determine the presidential election instead of staying here and listening to her husband. The message is that there are only 11 weeks before the election where she faces what everyone here considers not only an opponent, but an enemy of democracy.