A resounding roll call and an address from the Obamas wraps up day two of the DNC

CHICAGO, IL — Day two of the Democratic National Convention included an energetic delegate roll call, an address from Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and speeches from both Michelle and Barack Obama.

“Hope is making a comeback:” Michelle Obama addresses DNC

Former First Lady Michelle Obama focused her message to the convention on hope. 

“America, hope is making a comeback,” she said. 

She brought up her own mother, a Chicago native who passed away this year.

“Even though our mothers grew up an ocean apart, they shared the same belief in the promise of this country. That’s why her mother moved her from India at 19, why she taught Kamala about justice, about the obligation to lift others up, about the responsibility to give more than we take.” 

She called Harris “qualified” and “dignified, and a “tribute to her mother, my mother, and to your mother too.” 

She encouraged everyone, whether “Democrat, Republican, Independent, or none of the above,” to stand up against the division she says will continue in the next two-and-a-half months until the election; to “do something.” 

“We need to vote in numbers that erase any doubts.” 

“Harris is ready:” Barack Obama closes out the night

Former President Barack Obama, who soon after Harris announced her run for president gave her his endorsement, described Harris as a candidate he wants to see in office.

“We have a chance to elect someone who has spent her entire life trying to give people the same chances America gave her.” 

He called President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential campaign “steady” and “selfless.”

“Now the torch has been passed. Now it is up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in… For all the incredible energy we’ve been able to generate over the last few weeks, for all the rallies and the memes, this will still be a tight race in a closely divided country.” 

He brought up differences in policy between Former President Donald Trump and the Biden/Harris administration, specifically regarding middle class tax cuts, healthcare, reproductive freedom, and immigration. 

He also called Minnesota Governor and Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz an “outstanding” candidate, describing him as “the kind of person that should be in politics.” 

Even when we don’t agree with each other, Obama said, we should find a way to live with each other. He called that both Harris and Walz’s vision. 

He described the ideal America is one that is built on choice. That includes choice in “how we worship, what our family looks like, how many kids we have, who we marry.” 

Obama ended his speech with a call to the audience to “work like we’ve never worked before” to elect Harris and Walz to the presidency. 

Roll call brings resounding support from Democratic delegates

A ceremonial roll call was held earlier on in the night. It gave delegates the opportunity to vocally cast their support for Harris and Walz. 

Several celebrities participated, including rapper Lil Jon with Georgia, “Lord of the Rings” actor Sean Astin with Indiana and director Spike Lee with New York. 

When it came around to Utah, the delegation spokeswoman described Utah as the host of the 2034 Olympics, the youngest and fastest-growing state in the nation, and the “next battleground state” and cast 34 votes for Harris and Walz. 

Right after the rollcall finished, Harris addressed the convention from a rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

“They have nominated Coach Walz and me to be the next President and Vice President of the United States of America. And I thank everyone there, and here, for believing in what we can do together. We are so honored to be your nominees,” she said. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and others address the DNC

Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) addressed the convention, focusing on strengthening the middle class under a Harris/Walz presidency. “We need an economy that works for all of us, not just the billionaire class,” he said. 

Sanders called out Project 2025, while also demanding an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza. 

He discussed Harris’ efforts to take on price gouging and big pharma, along with her expansion of healthcare for Americans. 

“Let us go forward to create the nation we know we can become,” Sanders said. 

Mesa Arizona Mayor John Giles, a Republican supporter of the Harris/Walz ticket spoke as well. He said he felt “more at home here than in today’s Republican party.” 

“My hero John McCain taught us to put country over party, and that’s how Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will be too,” Giles said. 

Harris’ husband and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff addressed the DNC right before Michelle and Barack Obama took to the stage. 

“Now that the country needs her, she’s showing you what [our family] already know[s], she’s ready to lead.” 

He described the events surrounding his courtship of Harris, which began as blind date resulting from a “rambling” voicemail, which they play at every wedding anniversary. 

“I learned what drives Kamala. It’s what you’ve seen these last four years, and especially these past four weeks. She finds joy in pursuing justice,” he said. 

Read more: Democratic National Convention: Biden begins political exit on night one