The most anticipated moment of the entire Democratic National Convention has arrived. On Tuesday evening, Michelle Obama arrived at the United Center in Chicago to celebrate the nomination of her friend and political colleague Kamala Harris.
The former first lady started her speech by praising the current vice president and Democratic presidential nominee for what her campaign has achieved over the last four weeks.
“Something wonderfully magical is in the air, isn’t it?” Obama said after receiving a long standing ovation from the crowd, which filled the venue. “You know, we’re feeling it here in this arena, but it’s spreading all across this country. We love a familiar feeling that’s been buried too deep for far too long. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the contagious power of hope.”
She became emotional when she noted that hope was a leading message in husband Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns, and said that now, thanks to Harris, “America, hope is making a comeback.”
Michelle Obama also gave a hard critique of Donald Trump—addressing his questionable business dealings, his values, and his racist remarks. “Who’s gonna tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs’?” she asked, appropriating a line from Trump’s June debate against former Democratic nominee President Joe Biden, to thunderous applause.
Barack joined his wife onstage afterward, to give his own powerful speech. He joked that he is “the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama.”
“America is ready for a new chapter. America’s ready for a better story,” the 44th president told the crowd. “We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”
Biden and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton have also spoken at the convention. Former President Bill Clinton is set to speak Wednesday.
After Biden stepped down from the race last month and endorsed Harris to take his place, both the Obamas and the Clintons quickly voiced their eagerness to stand behind the vice president. “We called to say Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,” Barack told Harris in a phone call after she announced she would be running for president.
Said Michelle, “I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl: Kamala, I am proud of you. This is going to be historic.”
