Obama hails Harris as ‘ready to lead’ and calls Trump ‘dangerous’

The former president rallies Democrats in Chicago, calling for unity against Trump

• Eastern Eye
• 21 August, 2024

By: Eastern Eye

BARACK OBAMA, addressing a packed Democratic convention in Chicago on Tuesday (20), declared that Kamala Harris is ready to take on the role of president, signaling a significant passing of the torch.

The former president, greeted by enthusiastic cheers, praised Harris for her commitment to fighting for everyday Americans, while also labeling her opponent, Donald Trump, as a “dangerous” choice for the country.

“Kamala Harris is ready for the job. This is a person who has spent her life fighting for people who need a voice,” he said.

Obama described her as a leader who truly listens to the needs of the people and assured the crowd that she would champion their interests every day. The crowd, inspired by his words, revived Obama’s iconic slogan with chants of “Yes she can,” in support of Harris.

Before Obama’s speech, former First Lady Michelle Obama energised the convention with a message of hope, describing Harris as “my girl” and emphasising the power of hope in the campaign.

“It’s the contagious power of hope,” she said, adding that hope – another rallying cry of her husband’s successful 2008 campaign – “is making a comeback.”

His turn amped up the already buoyant mood in Chicago where President Joe Biden delivered his own emotional speech late Monday less than a month after ending his reelection bid.

“They shared with us how they felt, and we were able to resonate with them,” said Mae Beale who wore a hat in the colors of Maryland, her home state.

“They were so real… I could identify with everything they were saying.”

In deeply personal remarks shifting the focus onto Harris’s qualities, her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, told the convention “she is ready.”

“She brings both joy and toughness to this task,” he said to cheers.

“At this moment in our nation’s history, she is exactly the right president.”

With the party united and Harris polling strongly, Democrats are making clear they believe they can defeat Trump.

The Republican nominee had seemed set to regain power in November’s election until Biden upended the race by dropping out and endorsing his vice president.

Comparisons are already being made by Democratic faithful to Obama’s historic 2008 campaign, where a tidal wave of enthusiasm carried him to the White House.

Bullish delegates symbolically nominated Harris as their candidate in a boisterous roll call, following a paper exercise to confirm her as their standard bearer earlier this month.

“Thank you… see you in two days, Chicago,” she said to delegates via video link from her event in Milwaukee.

Harris, who was received rapturously in America’s third largest city at her debut appearance before Biden spoke, traveled to Milwaukee Tuesday for an event at the basketball arena where Trump attended the Republican National Convention just a month ago.

The choice of the 18,000-seat arena will rile Trump, who has been rattled that 59-year-old Harris, unlike Biden, is able to draw the kinds of crowds the Republican has long attracted to his events.

Addressing both crowds simultaneously highlighted that she had filled the DNC and RNC venues.

Trump calls it ‘the Kamala crime wave’

Trying to pry media attention away from the Democratic convention, Trump is holding events all week and on Tuesday spoke about what he says is Harris’s “anti-police” stance.

At an event in Howell, in the battleground state of Michigan, he attacked what he called “the Kamala crime wave.”

“You can’t walk across the street to get a loaf of bread – you get shot,” he said flanked by police officers and their cars, falsely claiming there has been a 43 percent increase in violent crime.

While allies have pleaded publicly for Trump to focus on policies and stop his barrage of personal insults against Harris, he has not stopped.

On Monday the DNC floor belonged to Biden, who delivered a swan song after being forced to abandon his reelection bid amid deep concerns that at 81 he is too old and frail to defeat Trump.

Biden has recast what might have been a humiliating moment into a narrative of sacrifice, passing on the torch to his younger protege.

“It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your president. I love the job, but I love my country more,” he said, wiping away a tear amid thunderous applause before embracing Harris on stage.

Obama called Biden an “outstanding president” who had “defended democracy at a moment of great danger.” (AFP)