Barack Obama headlines Day 2 of Democratic convention, former Trump backers endorse Kamala Harris
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Former US president Barack Obama speaking on the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, on Aug 20.
PHOTO: AFP
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CHICAGO - Former US president Barack Obama will endorse his long-time political ally Kamala Harris
At 63, Mr Obama maintains a legacy that looms large in moments of crisis, including during the messy deliberations that ultimately led President Joe Biden to step out of the race
A video of Mr Obama and his wife Michelle congratulating Ms Harris in a phone call has been viewed by millions, and top advisers from Mr Obama’s 2008 presidential bid have signed on with Ms Harris’ campaign. The former president now reaches out to Ms Harris with advice, according to a Harris aide.
Nearly eight years after his presidency ended, Mr Obama remains one of the country’s most popular Democrats, eclipsing Ms Harris and the current administration, opinion polls show.
In a prime-time address to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug 20, the first black US president lends his own star power to a campaign, light on policy specifics, that has coasted on joyful vibes and the relief of Democrats delighted that Mr Biden’s flailing campaign is over.
Mr Biden took centre stage on Aug 19,
Like his successors, Mr Obama presided over a closely divided country. But his victories were enviable by today’s standards: He won in 2008 and 2012 by healthy Electoral College margins, carrying states like Florida, Iowa and Ohio that are now considered out of reach for Ms Harris and running mate Tim Walz.
But Trump also launched his political career through racist attacks on Mr Obama’s citizenship status and then succeeded him in the White House, a bitter legacy for liberals that Mr Obama may reflect upon when he speaks.
Republicans who have left the fold since Trump’s takeover of their party crossed the aisle on Aug 20 night to address the convention, including Trump’s former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham and former Trump voter Kyle Sweetser.
Later in the evening, Republican Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, was due to speak.
Ms Grisham described her journey from a Trump “true believer” to the first senior White House staff member to resign after the Jan 6, 2021, attack by Trump supporters on the US Capitol.
“He has no empathy, no morals and no fidelity to the truth,” she said. “Kamala Harris tells the truth. She respects the American people. And she has my vote.”
Mr Obama will outline what he believes will lift Ms Harris to victory while also warning Democrats about the tough task they face over the next 11 weeks, according to a source familiar with the remarks.
“President Obama believes this is an all-hands-on-deck moment, and is committed to doing all he can to elect Vice-President Harris and Democrats across the country,” said Mr Eric Schultz, an Obama adviser.
A load of bread
Despite evidence to the contrary, Trump accused Ms Harris of presiding over a “Kamala crime wave” by taking a permissive approach to law enforcement.
“You can’t walk across the street to get a loaf of bread. You get shot, you get mugged, you get raped,” he said at a campaign stop in Howell, Michigan.
Statistics compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association show that violent crime in large US cities has fallen steadily since Trump left office in January 2021.
Trump spoke one month after white supremacists rallied in the small town.
His campaign said he was not trying to stir up racial tensions for political gain, though Trump himself has made racist remarks about Ms Harris, who would be the first black woman and South Asian person to be elected president.
Ms Harris and Trump are locked in a tight presidential race that will likely be decided in a handful of battleground states, polls show.
In a separate speech, former first lady Michelle Obama will emphasise the need for the country to turn the page on fear and division, according to a source familiar with her plans.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll in August showed that 55 per cent of Americans – and 94 per cent of Democrats – viewed Michelle Obama favourably, higher than Ms Harris’ 37 per cent approval rating nationally and 81 per cent within the party.
Ms Harris and Mr Walz travel to Milwaukee on Aug 20 for a campaign rally. Her remarks will be livestreamed into Chicago’s United Centre, site of the convention. REUTERS
