Former President Barack Obama took the convention stage Tuesday in Chicago, a city where he launched his history-making political career decades ago.
Speaking on the second night of the Democratic National Convention, Obama praised Vice President Kamala Harris’ record and work ethic in his speech. He criticized former President Donald Trump and his policies, saying Trump “sees power as nothing more than a means to his ends.”
“We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos. We have seen that movie before, and we all know that the sequel is usually worse,” he said to thunderous applause. “America’s ready for a new chapter. America’s ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”
When the crowd booed Trump, Obama also turned to a familiar refrain from his time as president: “Do not boo — vote.”
In another echo, one that repurposed his own campaign slogan, he said of Harris: “Yes, she can.”
Before he delivered his endorsement of Harris, Obama also paid tribute to President Joe Biden, who had served eight years as his vice president. Biden, who stepped away from the 2024 race a little more than a month ago, spoke on the first night of the DNC.
Building on the convention’s message that Harris is “for the people,” Night 2 of the DNC was devoted to bringing “bold vision” to America’s future and a new generation of Democratic leadership. Later in the week, Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will formally accept their nominations as the party’s candidates.
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