Bill Clinton and Nancy Pelosi gave rousing speeches in which they both blasted Donald Trump ahead of Tim Walz’ address at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, during which he will formally accept the nomination to be the party’s vice presidential candidate.
In a speech peppered with jokes about McDonald’s and his age, Clinton declared: “We need Kamala Harris – the president of joy to lead us” and urged people to do their part in November.
“We’ve seen more than one election slip away from us when we thought it couldn’t happen, when people got distracted by phoney issues – this is a tough business,” he said.
He added: “If you can get [Harris and Walz] elected… you will be proud of it for the rest of your life. Your children will be proud of it. Your grandchildren will be proud of it.”
Wednesday also saw a performance from award-winning musician Stevie Wonder, who performed a rendition of his hit song Higher Ground, and appearances by SNL comedians Keenan Thompson and Mindy Khaling.
Walz is due to speak around 10 pm local time and close out the third day of the DNC.
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Maryland Wes Moore praises Biden-Harris administration over handling of Key Scott Bridge collapse
Maryland Governor Wes Moore began by speaking about the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, praising Vice President Kamala Harris for the Biden administration’s support during the crisis.
“A port that drives 13 percent of our state’s economy was now closed. Thousands of workers were hours away from waking up and realizing they no longer had a job,” he said of the night when the ship slammed into the bridge this spring.
“Six Marylanders who had been on the bridge in the middle of the night fixing potholes lost their lives, and one of the first phone calls that I got that morning started with these three words, ‘Gov. It’s Kamala,’” he added.
Quoting the vice president, Moore said Harris told him: “I want you to know we are here with you every step of the way.”
Mike Bedigan22 August 2024 03:56
Oprah: The Independent team notes
The Independent team notes:
“Oprah is in her hometown but, despite her epic television career, she has never addressed a major political convention” – Alex Woodward, senior reporter
“Ironically, Trump said that at one point, he would consider Oprah to be his running mate,” – Eric Garcia, DC bureau chief
“Oprah is speaking but I checked under my seat and there isn’t a new set of car keys. Sad!” – Andrew Feinberg, White House correspondent
Mike Bedigan22 August 2024 03:50
Oprah praises women who shared their stories of life-threatening pregnancies and abortion and miscarriage care
Oprah hailed the appearances of Amanda Zurawski, Kaitlyn Joshua and Hadley Duvall at this year’s DNC — three women who shared their devastating stories about life-threatening pregnancies and abortion and miscarriage care.
Their anti-abortion states sought to “deny them the abortion their doctor explained was medically necessary,” she said.
They spoke out “to keep from what happened to them from happening to anyone else,” she added.
“When you do not have autonomy over this, or you cannot control when and how you choose to bring your children into this world, and how they are raised and supported, there is no American dream,” Winfrey said.
Anti-abortion lawmakers seek to bring America back to a “time of desperation and shame,” while women like Zurawski, Joshua and Duvall “are the new freedom fighters and make no mistake they are the best of America.”
Winfrey also paid tribute to six Black children who were the first to integrate New Orleans schools in 1960, and faced death threats because of it.
Mike Bedigan22 August 2024 03:47
Josh Shapiro trots out his ‘freedom line’
From The Independent’s Eric Garcia, live at the DNC in Chicago: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro spoke during prime time. Vice President Kamala Harris notably passed over Shapiro as her running mate when many speculated that he might by her choice.
“It’s not freedom to tell our children what books they’re allowed to read,” he declared, using a line which he has previously touted against Republicans – who frequently talk about “freedom” – before he listed other freedoms Democrats support, such as the freedom to marry whom they love, to join a union, seek abortion care or breathe clean air.
Shapiro began first trotting this out during his landslide victory campaign for governor in 2022, when he defeated a Trump-endorsed Republican candidate. Other Democrats, included Harris, have sought to tie use this framing.
Indeed, Harris has made Beyoncé’s “Freedom” her campaign theme song.
Throughout the evening, the Democratic National Committee has openly courted former Republicans disgusted with Trump. The freedom framing is just the latest piece of this closing argument.
Mike Bedigan22 August 2024 03:44
Profile: Catherine Cortez Masto – one of Kamala Harris’ BFF
Mike Bedigan22 August 2024 03:36
Oprah Winfrey takes the stage at the DNC
Oprah Winfrey has taken to the stage in Chicago.
The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg reports that the US TV talk show host received the loudest cheer of the night, and a standing ovation.
Mike Bedigan22 August 2024 03:31
Watch: Former students share their favorite memories of Tim Walz
Mike Bedigan22 August 2024 03:30
In pictures: Bill Clinton and Nancy Pelosi hit the DNC
Mike Bedigan22 August 2024 03:20
From The Independent, live at the DNC
Mike Bedigan22 August 2024 03:16
Nancy Pelosi describes January 6 attack as a ‘parable’
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described January 6 as a “parable” that reminds us of the fragility of American democracy.
“Never before had a president of the United States so brazenly assaulted the bedrock of our democracy, so gleefully embraced political violence, so willfully betrayed his oath of office,” she said.
“January 6 was a perilous moment for our democracy,” she added. “Let us not forget who assaulted democracy on January 6. He did. … Let us not forget who saved democracy that day. We did. And thank God we had a democratic House of Representatives that day.”
She urged support for Harris-Walz, a ticket that will “reject autocracy,” and to elect Democrats to the House, where she backs current minority leader Hakeem Jeffries as House Speaker.
Mike Bedigan22 August 2024 03:14