In a visit to the Women’s Caucus at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz named the Democratic Party’s presidential ticket Team Hope and Joy.
Tuesday night during the convention proceedings, Barack and Michelle Obama brought the hope, to go along with the joy Vice President Kamala Harris have already brought.
Hope was the Obamas’ trademark emotion and they rekindled it in the hearts of Democrats Tuesday night with powerful speeches that roused the packed United Center out of their seats over and over.
Hope has been in short supply, the former First Lady said, but not anymore as Democrats look forward to November.
Victory won’t come on its own, she reminded convention delegates. “Do something,” she said. The crowd responded, ”Do something!” That means knocking on doors, making phone calls, or talking to relatives.
Barack Obama urged the nation not to go back to four more years of Trump. “We’ve seen that movie — and we all know that the sequel’s usually worse,” he said. “America is ready for a new chapter. America’s ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff was a hit with his true to life story of meeting Kamala Harris and his bumbling attempt to set up their first date. This does not seem like a guy who would have sex with a porn star while his wife was home with their newborn child.
He called her a “joyful warrior,” something the nation has already embraced.
The business of the night was the ceremonial roll call, which the party turned into a celebration with a DJ, upbeat music, and colorful flashing wristbands. When it came to Michigan’s turn, the DJ skipped Motown music and played something else, but our delegation still cheered our lungs out when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Sen. Debbie Stabenow reported our state’s votes for Vice President Harris.
Earlier in the evening, three Republicans explained why they couldn’t support Trump. For example, the CEO of American Express said democracy is essential for a strong economy. Democracy promotes stability, the rule of law, and prosperity, he said. That’s more than a talking point — innovation and creativity never flourish in an autocracy.
The concourse surrounding the arena was lively as well. Jordan Klepper was interviewing delegates in one area, but this time they weren’t Trump supporters.
And I came face to face with former Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill as she fought her way through the crowd.
Earlier in the day at the Michigan delegation breakfast, Tim Walz’s wife, Gwen, told the story of meeting her husband while teaching at a Nebraska school. She marveled at how much her life has changed in the last 11 days.
With any luck, much more change will be coming in 76 days.
