Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) featured speeches from the descendants of prominent political figures, as well as key speakers including the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The speeches touched on various themes such as reproductive rights, climate change, Project 2025, and freedom. Below is a summary of key points from some of the speakers, with their quotes included:
Jason Carter – Grandson of Jimmy Carter
Jason Carter, grandson of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, expressed admiration for his grandfather and noted qualities he sees in Kamala Harris. Carter described his grandfather as having “a commitment to loving their neighbors as themselves” and being a man for whom “it was never about fame, recognition, accolades, or awards.” He stated that Kamala Harris carries on his grandfather’s legacy and concluded by sharing that his grandfather is hopeful and eager to vote for Harris.
Jack Schlossberg – Grandson of John F. Kennedy
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy, spoke about his grandfather’s inspiration for a new generation to ask “what they could do for their country.” Schlossberg suggested that Kamala Harris embodies this spirit, noting her dedication to public service and belief in America. He highlighted Harris’s commitment to defending freedoms regarding healthcare, voting rights, and combating gun violence, urging viewers to vote for her and stating that “history is watching.”
Mitch Landrieu – DNC Day 2 Co-Chair
Mitch Landrieu, Co-Chair of DNC Day 2, criticized JD Vance and Donald Trump, accusing them of wanting to “rip away our rights, crush the middle class, and destroy our democracy.” He expressed belief that they are targeting “books and human bodies” and stated that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have a “vision where every American has a fair shot at the American dream.” Landrieu concluded with “we are not going back.”
Malcolm Kenyatta – Pennsylvania State Representative
Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania state representative, expressed his discontent with Project 2025, describing it as a “radical plan to drag us backwards, bankrupt this middle class, and raise prices on working families like yours and mine.” He shared a story about his grandmother, Muhammad I. Kenyatta, expressing regret over past challenges and emphasized that it is “our turn to stand up for working people and stand up for our nation’s promise.” He concluded by saying it is “our time to make history our friends by electing Kamala Harris.”
Ana Navarro – Co-Host of The View
Ana Navarro, co-host of The View, addressed comparisons of Kamala Harris to communist leaders, stating, “I know communism, I fled communism from Nicaragua and do not take it lightly.” She argued that communist leaders attack the press, place unqualified individuals in power, and refuse to accept legitimate elections, suggesting that these characteristics do not apply to Harris. Navarro expressed her support for Harris.
Chuck Schumer – Senate Majority Leader
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer started by stating that only one candidate will move America forward. He noted achievements under the Biden administration, such as lower drug costs and job creation. Schumer praised Kamala Harris as a fearless leader focused on important issues like neighborhood safety and building an economy that offers everyone a chance at the American Dream. He expressed confidence that Democrats will retain the Senate and highlighted discrepancies in actions by JD Vance and Donald Trump, citing their absence or opposition to certain measures.
Bernie Sanders – Senator
Senator Bernie Sanders outlined the challenges faced in recent years, including the pandemic and economic issues. He praised the Biden administration for passing the American Rescue Plan, expanding benefits, and providing emergency assistance. Sanders called for renewed political will to address ongoing struggles and emphasized the need to “stand up to wealth and power and deliver justice for people at home and abroad.” He also advocated for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and criticized corporate greed. Sanders urged support for Kamala Harris to “move forward and create the nation we know we can become.”
Angela Alsobrooks – U.S. Senate Candidate
Angela Alsobrooks, a U.S. Senate candidate from Maryland, shared her personal journey of overcoming challenges and being inspired by figures like her grandmother and Kamala Harris. She recounted how Harris’s work as a district attorney in Prince George’s County and her efforts to address violent crime were impactful. Alsobrooks expressed confidence that Harris will help keep criminals out of office and urged support for her in the upcoming election, stating, “we stand with Kamala and we are not going back.”
John Giles – Mayor of Mesa, Arizona
John Giles, a Republican mayor, began by noting that he feels more at home at the DNC than in today’s Republican Party. He called for an “adult” in the White House and criticized Donald Trump for failing to deliver on promises. Giles praised Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for their efforts, referencing John McCain’s example of putting country over party. He concluded by urging voters to “put our country first.”
Tammy Duckworth – DNC Committee Chair
Tammy Duckworth, a veteran and DNC Committee Chair, expressed her personal commitment to protecting freedoms and criticized Donald Trump’s stance on reproductive rights. Duckworth shared her experience with infertility and the importance of reproductive care, stating that removing it would be “punishing our heroes for their willingness to serve.” She concluded by saying, “every American deserves to be called mommy or daddy without being treated like a criminal” and urged voters to elect Kamala Harris.
Doug Emhoff – Husband of Kamala Harris
Doug Emhoff, husband of Kamala Harris, expressed gratitude for Harris’s leadership and her ability to rise to challenges. He described her as a “joyful warrior” who is ready to lead and emphasized her commitment to justice and support for his faith. Emhoff highlighted Harris’s role in fighting against anti-Semitism and her focus on positive, meaningful change.
Michelle Obama – Former First Lady
Michelle Obama opened her speech by stating, “hope is making a comeback” and reflected on her own grief and her mother’s values. She emphasized the importance of not squandering the sacrifices made for future generations and praised Kamala Harris for embodying these values. Obama described Harris as a dignified leader who understands the unseen labor that contributes to America’s greatness and called on viewers to “do something.”
Barack Obama – Former President
Barack Obama criticized Donald Trump for focusing on personal gain and neglecting the concerns of the middle class. He highlighted Trump’s failure to support bipartisan solutions and his disregard for issues like reproductive rights. Obama argued that “we do not need four more years of chaos” and endorsed Kamala Harris as a capable leader who has demonstrated a commitment to justice and progress. He also expressed support for Tim Walz and concluded by calling on Americans to vote for Harris.
